I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I kept trying to figure out what happened. Had the best twist I didn't see coming. Definitely 4 stars for me!

I enjoyed this book. I was certainly drawn into the atmospheric setting created by the author, with its sleep-deprived almost trancelike descriptions of the south. Isabelle is desperate to find her young son who disappeared a year ago while she was asleep. As a result of her obsession, she has been unable to sleep and is suffering from the effects of severe sleep-depravation while she does whatever she can to find the truth about her son. She reluctantly teams up with a true-crime podcaster who offers to tell her story, and soon Isabelle begins to doubt what she believes is true and begins to wonder what really happened the night her son disappeared, as well as what secrets her troubled childhood could hold.
This mystery unfolded very well, despite Isabelle being a bit unlikeable at times. This fact really drove home her struggles with reality as she fought to hold on to reality as her inability to sleep interfered with her life more and more. I really had no idea what would happen next and enjoyed the reveal of what happened to Isabelle's son and even her sister. My only real issue was the way Isabelle's parents' actions were a bit glossed over in the end. I think something more should have been done with that.
I would recommend this book.

I am in the minority from all of my friends on this rating, but I did not particularly enjoy this book. I thought the plot twist was way too underdone and it could have been way more thought out plot-wise.

I found myself picking this book up shortly after putting it down (a great sign) and it kept me guessing. I am a little over the unreliable narrator trope and the true crime podcast element is getting a little old too, but these minor annoyances didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment. While not overly original, I still enjoyed this thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advance read. All opinions in this review are my own.

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinions. I've read Stacy previously and really enjoyed her writing style so couldn't wait to sit down and read her newest release. It was everything I hoped it would be - twisty, suspenseful and takes your breath away at times. So good and you will not be disappointed by the ending. Read it as soon as you can.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

The story centers around Isabelle Drake. Her 18 month old son Mason was kidnapped one year ago and Except for the occasional catnap or small blackout where she loses track of time, she hasn’t slept in a year. With a frustratingly Unreliable narrator this is a Psychological Thriller at its best. Everyone has secrets and everyone is a suspect. Just when you think you know who done it you get more info and have all new set of questions. This one really kept me guessing. Great unexpected twists. Spooky, and chilling and bingable. Multiple timeline but easy to follow. A mystery in the past and another in the present.
Themes motherhood mental health
Isabelle Drake appears to lead a normal life, but behind that facade, she lives with the guilt that she did something really bad as a child.
Isabelle has been giving speeches to packed audiences, pleading with attendees to come forward with any information, no matter how small. From the list of people attending her speeches she tortures herself going through them, seeing if any of them are known criminals, desperately trying to find a link.
Husband Ben is split from her because she wouldn’t let go ..

Her life is consumed by finding her son, Mason. She hasn’t slept; she speaks at public events, telling her story, attempting to find learn who took her child. Her husband, Ben, who has moved out, yet they aren’t divorced, begs her to stop making a spectacle of herself.

Okay, Stacy Willingham is officially a new favorite author after reading this one!

I was a little worried because I was told this storyline deals with child kidnapping, but I decided to give it a try and I’m so glad I did!

Isabelle hasn’t slept in a year. Her son, Mason, was kidnapped in the middle of the night from his crib. With little evidence and no leads, Isabel spends every moment talking to police, searching the web, and speaking as a victim of true crime. Hoping to see any clues that will help her find her son. Then a true crime podcaster reaches out and wants to interview her for his show…

The true crime elements really worked for this story. Watching dateline is a weekly activity for me and so this book, though fictional, was just as enthralling as watching an episode of any true crime tv show.

There are dual timelines from Isabel’s childhood which are revealed during her interviews, but honestly the flow of the book was just perfection. Willingham definitely knows how to end a chapter! I was so convinced I knew the ending, and of course she blew me away with several other theories… but the ending was still completely surprising. Usually thrillers might leave some holes in how things would pan out realistically, but I think the author nailed the execution on this one, making it much more believable in my opinion.

Overall, this book was excellent and unpredictable. I think it would appeal to all readers but especially fans of podcasts and true crime.

I highly recommend this book (and her last) but I’m SO EXCITED to see what book she’s writing next!

As I loved Stacy Willingham’s debut novel, I was pleased to receive an ARC of ‘All the Dangerous Things’ from NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books.
I found this book just as gripping as her first one. It really makes you wonder what you’re capable of doing when you’re sleep deprived. The author kept it very suspenseful. I also listened to the audio version, which was amazing.
I am really looking forward to her next book.
#AlltheDangerousThings #NetGalley

Really enjoyed this novel. Story was very interesting and engaging. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend!

Isabella hasn’t slept since the night her baby Mason was taken out of his crib in the middle of the night and kidnapped. It’s been a year since that fateful night and Isabella has held on hope for his return. Her every breathing moment has been focused on finding him, but without any leads the police has filed it a cold case. The only sign of an intruder was the open window, Isabella and her husband have now separated the stress taking a toll on their marriage. She feels like Ben has moved on to quickly and she has fallen into a depression. Isabella talks at events for true crime enthusiasts, this is where she meets true crime podcaster Waylon Spencer. Waylon has taken an interest in her case and suggests to Isabelle that they work together, and hope it brings more exposure to her case. She agrees and Waylon comes to Savanna. We soon see Isabella has held onto a dark tragedy that happened during her childhood, she has never faced the trauma, could this hold a key to the disappearance of her son? I was immediately drawn to Isabella, as a mother I can’t imagine what she was going through the horror and fear. I loved how flawed she was the twist got me!

Great book!
I loved the deep look at motherhood and self-doubt that was included throughout this story. It made it feel more real and heartbreaking.

It was well-written and hard to put down!

The book had a slow start and I almost gave up at first. However, things quickly picked up towards the middle and was barreling down the highway by the end chapters. A good psychological thriller that, once things got rolling, really had you griping the book and putting you at the edge of the seat. Has a good mystery element to it that kept me guessing and suspicious of everyone, down to Isabelle herself. With plot twist after plot twist, I could barely put the book down. I never guessed correctly on who the bad guy was. That reveal blindsided me, I wasn’t expecting it at all. A good book with an enjoyable writing and flow.

This was a terrific thriller! I loved the plot lines and twists and turns. It was a fast read and one of my favorites of the year!

This was one of my favourite reads of 2023. The book is full of twists and turns, and the reader gets anxious to get to the end of it. I didn't expect to love that much, but the maternity theme was supreme for me, alongside the guilt of being a mother and a woman. Excellent for fans of psychological thrillers.

Bone chilling, spine tingling, I could feel the paranoia with me everywhere as I read this book. Everyone felt unreliable in a way that wasn't off-putting, but instead drew me even closer, convincing me that only I would be able to get to the bottom of the story. I just wish everything wasn't tied up quite so neatly in the end, it ruined a bit of the realism

In "All the Dangerous Things," Stacey Willingham delivers a compelling, thrilling narrative that skillfully explores the boundaries of trust, memory, and self-perception. The book, laced with intricate plot twists and layered characters, is a 4 out of 5-star read that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Isabelle’s struggle with sleep, a recurring theme that is masterfully executed. Willingham takes us on a dizzying ride, blurring the lines between reality and the subconscious, forcing the reader to question the reliability of the protagonist's experiences and memories. This unique approach to the narrative stirs intrigue and suspense, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

The portrayal of Ben, the ex-husband of Isabelle is remarkable in its unflinching realism. Willingham does not shy away from revealing him as a truly deplorable individual, eliciting a strong emotional response from the reader. His presence casts a dark shadow over the narrative, adding a palpable tension that persists throughout the book.

As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn deeper into a tangled web of deceit and manipulation. The book maintains an undercurrent of unease, hinting at a tragic past that seems to have been doomed from the start. This growing sense of inevitability is one of the book's most powerful elements, making for a disquieting but utterly captivating reading experience.

The plot twist involving the True Crime investigator was a standout moment in the book. In hindsight, there were subtle hints peppered throughout the narrative that should have indicated his true purpose – investigating the murder of the ex-husband's first wife, his sister. Yet, Willingham's masterful misdirection keeps this revelation hidden until just the right moment, resulting in a shocking, jaw-dropping twist that stuns the reader.

In "All the Dangerous Things," Willingham's evocative writing and knack for suspense make for a thrilling, thought-provoking read. She confronts the reader with hard truths about trust, memory, and the nature of reality, weaving a tale that's as unsettling as it is captivating. The book is an undeniably strong addition to the thriller genre.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, this novel should certainly find a place on your bookshelf. It's a testament to Willingham's storytelling prowess and a book that leaves you pondering long after the last page has been turned. "All the Dangerous Things" is a mesmerizing tale that pulls you into its vortex and doesn't let go.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an e-Arc of All the Dangerous Things by Stacey Willingham for my review.

This thriller left me guessing until the very end. Stacy created characters that were flawed but also very real. In terms of not every person is all good, but also, not every person is all bad. I spent so much of the book questioning the motives of the characters that I overlooked what actually happened. In my eyes, that is what makes a good thriller. While this is difficult reading as a mom, I also felt it was thoughtful. Often, the hardships of motherhood are overlooked. This book is a dramatic version. However, we all feel mom guilt. The main character had her own struggles with motherhood. Her mother also struggled. I enjoyed the direction the author took. Stacy Willingham will definitely remain one of my top thriller authors.

Once again, Stacy Willingham as both met and completely exceeded my expectations of a thriller novel. The way the pacing eased us into what we thought was a typical domestic thriller, but quickly took a turn and dove into something much deeper was phenomenal. This is the ideal thriller for anyone who is new to the genre, or seasoned. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and up until the early hours of the morning.

I’m probably in the minority here but I wasn’t too fond of this one. It just seemed too wordy and drawn out. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review