Day One by Abigail Dean

 

When a gunman massacres a group of children and their teacher at a small primary school, the life of one of the survivors will never be the same again.

Day One by  Abigail Dean is a harrowing tale, set in a small town in the Lake District. The children of Stonesmere Primary School are performing when a gunman kills ten of them and their teacher. The vast majority of the story is told through the eyes of two young adults, Marty and Trent.

Marty is the daughter of the teacher who was killed. Her sporting prowess has made her a minor celebrity in the small community, however, her talent is beginning to fade. Poor exam results mean that she is unable to go to university and has ended up working at the primary school as a part-time sports coach. On the day of the shooting, she runs from the school, a survivor, having witnessed events. However, this isn't true and she makes no effort to correct people.

Trent has a grudge against the town. He lived there as a young boy for a while and never really fit in. When he hears about the shooting, and the identity of the shooter, he starts a website trying to convince the world that the whole event was fake.

While the novel brings to mind the events of Dunblane, almost thirty years ago, it's more recent school shootings in America that bring in the conspiracy theory story arc. In the UK we only see these events from afar, but Day One gives you an idea of the fervour and conviction of the individuals who peddle misinformation and it is frightening. You are filled with dismay at the thought of what families have to go through as they are hounded and harassed by "truthers", all while grieving.

As the story progresses from the day of the massacre, eight years ago, through to the current day you get a glimpse of the emotions the people involved have to deal with. Interspersed with these are snippets from others caught up in the tragedy. Alongside this, the true story of exactly what Marty was doing on the fateful day is slowly revealed.

Neither Marty nor Trent are likeable, but by the end, you do have some sympathy for them. It's the families that your compassion is saved for, as you read of the gut-wrenching moments they wait for news about their child. The harrowing moments when they learn that their child isn't going to run into their arms. The numbness of the aftermath. This is a story that is going to stay with me for quite a while.

Day One by Abigail Dean will be published on 28th March 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for a review copy.