Title: Day One / Conspiracies
Author: Abigail Dean
ISBN: 9780008389277
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 378
Source: Private Copy
Marty seems to do no wrong. Trent can’t seem to get things right. When they are thrown together by tragedy, their futures may be defined by one What really happened on Day One? Stonesmere is an English seaside suburb defined by poignant traditions passed from generation to generation, and the bonds of small town community spirit. But when a lone gunman disrupts a school assembly, he sets of a chain of events that throws this close-kint town into turmoil. Marty is a golden girl, albeit one sometimes in the shadow of her father’s accomplishments and the care of her mother—an outsider who became a beloved teacher. Meanwhile, Trent’s home life is in the only child of a mother forever on the lookout for the boyfriend who can remake their lives, Trent longs for Stonesmere’s stability. But he and his mother only pass through. In the wake of the violence in Stonesmere, Trent is transfixed by the news coverage of his former home, and his sense that something doesn’t quite add up. As he dives deeper, he falls under the spell of a slick online media personality and the conspiracies he peddles. As Marty fumbles to play the part of the grieving good girl, she becomes the focus of these conspiracies—and Trent’s attention.
Official Summary
09 April 2025
Day One by Abigail Dean is an intense, thought-provoking exploration of trauma, grief, and the power of perception. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from the dark aftermath of tragedy, while also weaving in themes of community, resilience, and the ripple effects of a single, devastating act of violence.
The novel’s opening scene is chilling—a school assembly interrupted by a lone gunman, forever changing the lives of everyone in the small seaside town of Stonesmere. From that moment on, Dean grips you with her storytelling, making you question everything you think you know about the characters and their intentions.
The heart of the story lies with two characters: Marty and Trent. Marty is the golden girl of Stonesmere—admired, seemingly perfect, but burdened by the weight of expectations and her family’s legacy. Trent, on the other hand, is the perennial outsider, drifting through life with his mother, always hoping to find a sense of belonging. In the aftermath of the shooting, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, and it’s fascinating to see how they each cope with the trauma in starkly different manners.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Day One is the way Dean unravels the concept of truth. While Marty becomes the reluctant focus of conspiracies spun by an online media personality, Trent is drawn into the web of misinformation, desperate to make sense of the senseless. The author brilliantly captures how easily people can be swayed by charismatic voices and how the truth can be distorted beyond recognition.
The pacing is deliberate yet immersive, as the story slowly unfolds through alternating perspectives. Dean’s writing style is raw and emotionally charged, giving weight to the characters’ struggles without resorting to melodrama. The portrayal of Stonesmere is vivid and haunting—its tight-knit community shattered, its traditions tainted by tragedy.
What makes this novel stand out is its unflinching look at how tragedy reshapes lives, and how the aftermath can be as destructive as the initial event. It’s not just about what happened on Day One but about how the characters navigate the years that follow—haunted, changed, and sometimes strengthened by the ordeal.
Day One is a powerful and deeply moving novel that challenges your assumptions and forces you to confront uncomfortable truths. Abigail Dean has once again delivered a story that lingers long after the final page.
Also by Abigail Dean
GIRL A
‘Girl A,’ she said. ‘The girl who escaped. If anyone was going to make it, it was going to be you.’
Lex Gracie doesn’t want to think about her family. She doesn’t want to think about growing up in her parents’ House of Horrors. And she doesn’t want to think about her identity as Girl A: the girl who escaped. When her mother dies in prison and leaves Lex and her siblings the family home, she can’t run from her past any longer. Together with her sister, Evie, Lex intends to turn the House of Horrors into a force for good. But first she must come to terms with her six siblings – and with the childhood they shared.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Abigail Dean is a writer from Manchester, living in south London. Her first novel, GIRL A, was published in the UK in January 2021 and was an instant Sunday Times Bestseller. GIRL A will be published in the US on February 2 2021.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. While this was an entertaining read I must admit that I prefer Girl A. Have you read both the books? Which is your favourite? Please leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading.
