I absolutely devoured this book! I loved Willingham's Flicker in the Dark, so I was worried if this one would live up to that one -- and it definitely did! ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS makes you question every character and will keep you on your toes until the very end. I would recommend this book to any thriller lover.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

If A Flicker in the Dark (AFITD) was Willingham's Psycho, then All the Dangerous Things (ATDT) is her Rear Window. Whereas AFITD was a more traditional serial-killer mystery, ATDT is a quieter, slower, more claustrophobic novel about an unhinged women trying to solve the one-year-mystery of her toddler's disappearance. And rest assured: she discovers the truth.

The pluses: Willingham is proving herself to be the master of twisty endings which nobody can predict. Don't waste any energy trying to solve this one on your own, because in spite of little nuggets of clues dispersed along the way, Willingham cleverly drops twice as many red herrings, making it impossible for a reader to know what is the truth (until the end). In my review of Willingham's previous novel, I criticized her writing style, but All the Dangerous Things shows a greater strength in creating vibrant imagery and metaphor.

The negatives: I love a good thriller, but a thriller is spoiled for me when I come across "as if that would happen" moments, and this novel has a few. Most frustratingly, these were not key points to the mystery and could have been written out without tearing the thread of the plot. In the end, this is what bumped the book from a four-star read (I enjoyed it) to a three-star read (it was okay).

In the end, I'll probably read Willingham's third novel (whenever it comes out), because she does spin a good yarn, and I'm strangely invested in this writer's development.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for a free advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is one that definitely held my interest from the very beginning and I did not expect the big twists at the ending. It’s more of a slow paced and at times I felt like it dragged. There was some subjects talked about that really need to be more of an eye opener. When we get to the big reveal at the end, I was expecting more. I waited so long for the reveal and what happened etc for it to fall bland. But besides my own issues, I definitely would recommend this one.

Wow! I loved All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham! I was so eager to read this book since I really enjoyed her first book A Flicker in the Dark. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker and she’s phenomenal! I loved how this story is told in alternating timelines of past and present. Vacker would have a higher pitched voice for the past version of the main character, Isabelle so each timeline was very distinct. I loved how Isabelle is an unreliable narrator who had sleep problems in the past and then now. I loved all the twists! I really liked the timely true crime podcaster character. Willingham is now one of my go to thriller authors! I can’t wait for her next book!

The Mother

A terrifying book about post partum psychosis and a mother's cry for help. A young girl's trauma over an event over which she had no control and finally her search for her lost son.

This is a story of Isabelle Drake and her search for her baby son that disappears from her home one night. Her quest for answers and the truthful secrets she finds out during that search. These secrets not only impacted her and her family growing up but extend to her marriage.

An unfaithful husband, a missing child and secrets too terrifying to know.

This book was just good from beginning to end. The narrator did a fantastic job on the audio book. I couldn't believe the ending and I would never have guessed it.

This was a good audio book to listen to on my daily walk and I really enjoyed it. I do recommend it to anyone liking a bit of terror in their mysteries.

Thanks to Stacy Willingham for writing a great story, to Karissa Vacker for the fantastic narration, to MacMillan Audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to listen to and review.

I really enjoyed All The Dangerous Things by @stacyvwillingham. I am a fickle thriller/mystery reader because I am an overanalyzer and often figure out where the story is heading super early on. This wasn’t the case with this book! I didn’t figure out the twist until right before it was happening. It’s not like it was a completely outlandish idea, but the way Willingham leads us along in this story, I was too distracted to notice. The writing was entertaining and well done. She really had me questioning everyone.

I was thrilled to receive an audiobook from @macmillan.audio. Karissa Vacker has amazing range as a voice actor. She flawlessly narrates characters of any sex or gender and is in tune with the emotions of the characters. My experience was definitely heightened even more by @karissavacker’s performance.

First, this book was twisty, dark, and confusing. The list can be both a pro and a con. With the constant twists and turns, also the introduction of several useless characters to arrive at a bizarre outcome it can feel like filler in some parts. The character development was excellent and I enjoyed the main character’s writing, but a few things could’ve been cut to make a more streamlined story. I do want to say how negative this review sounds, I still enjoyed it. the author makes. a standard thriller feels much more and almost dips into a psychological thriller. I do hope to read more from this author eventually.

I loved this! I'm a big fan of A Flicker in the Dark and was so stoked for Stacy Willingham's new book. I'm happy to report she is now an auto-buy author for me. All the Dangerous Things follows duel timelines and more of a build up/slow burn thriller but it kept me on the edge of my seat and craving to find out what was happening. It had several twists that I didn't see coming (there are few I figured out but didn't make them any less awesome). The audiobook was great and I loved the narrator as well.

"It's self preservation...We are nothing but what we choose to believe, but it's all a mirage...showing us exactly what we want to see."

Well what I do believe is that the cleverly crafted psychological thriller All The Dangerous Things by masterful author Stacy Willingham is a mind blowing yet extremely insightful look at motherhood, female toxicity and accepted social misogyny.

This intense story begins with Isabelle, who hasn't really slept and is barely holding on, after her son was taken a year ago during the night from his crib. It was a perfect storm of unsuspecting issues from not replacing batteries in the baby monitor, the unlocked bedroom window, and getting up before the baby, grabbing some solitude before he woke up, not knowing he wasn't even in his room.

She attends true crime conventions and even invites a true crime podcaster into her home hoping he can keep the search for Mason alive.

Isabelle was a sleepwalker as a teen. She met her husband while he was married to someone else. The men in her life from the police, her now ex husband, and even a neighbor believe her to be an hysterical, or "HERsterical" woman not in control of her emotions. Women judge her mothering. Why didn't she check on him when she awoke? Why did she dare treat herself to a hot cup of coffee? Why didn't she immediately replace those damn batteries? Soon Isabelle wonders if it was ALL her fault?

Narrator Karissa Vacker gives such a intuitive performance as a woman, a mother, and a wife. The way she uses her breath to intensify her fears, her anxiety and even her anger is nothing short of an acting masterclass.

The dumbfounding twists, the truths, showed I am guilty of assumptions and that is truly all the dangerous things.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from MacMillan Audio via #NetGalley
for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

REVIEW:
As a mom, one of my children going missing is a complete fear and for Isabelle Drake, that was her living nightmare. Her toddler Mason goes missing and the case keeps hitting dead ends. People are giving up. But NOT Isabelle.

This was my first Stacy Willingham book and I LOVED it. I loved how I was kept guessing who took/hurt her son. Thing are never quite as they seem and that rang true in this book. I appreciated the mental health focus, especially of moms, and making that more “normal.” I think that if one of my kids went missing, I would likely react the same as Isabelle—determined to get my child home to me.

I especially loved the ending between Isabelle and Ben. 😏

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery part kept me guessing and there were some great twists and turns. I devoured the audiobook in just a few days. That is always a bittersweet scenario because I'm hooked and reading at every opportunity, but then the book is over too soon!

This book was easily one of the best thrillers I have read to date. The audio was amazing. The narrator was brilliant in changing her voice to make the eerie feeling, the younger pov, and the lonely mother. There are so many sides to this novel, the narrator was able to perfectly capture the feeling of all characters. The novel itself was so deep, so beautifully written to capture the feelings as if this really happened to her. The book has the perfect amount of mystery and thrill. The plot was not easy to figure out, nothing was obvious as the ending neared. I love that in a book, I love that I could not figure out how anything happened or who did it. I simply could not put this book down. The audio made it so much better. Once again, the best thriller I have ever read. I cannot wait to pick up Willingham's other novel.

This book kept me interested from the start.
Isabella lost her son Mason over a year ago. He was taken in the middle of the night. She is separated from Mason's father and trying to piece together clues of what happened to Mason that scary night.

This was my first book from this author, but I have added more to my TBR pile. I loved the twist in this book and love Karissa Vacker as the narrator.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this book for an honest review

This was a great thriller. I love Willingham's books, and this did not disappoint. I enjoyed listening to it, as it kept me engaged and hooked on the story.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This one definitely kept me interested! Some good twists, and interesting characters. The narrator was great as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Mcmillan Audio!

If you wanted to sum up motherhood in one honest word that word would be, terrifying. The hospital hands you this tiny little life and expects you to keep it alive with no training or guidance. Just a pat on the back and a good luck.

Now imagine you have worked so hard for 18 months to keep this small being alive only for him to all the sudden up and vanish one night.... This is every mother's worst nightmare. Like I said, terrifying.

Stacy has once again provided a story that draws you in and leaves you not only wanting but needing answers as to what has happened. This story will leave you questioning absolutely everyone and leaves you with no certain feelings. You won't know until you know. Highly highly recommend!

OMG WOW!!! First off the narrator for this audiobook is beyond fabulous & I loved listening to her. Secondly, I was disappointed I didn’t love Flicker In The Dark more than I did but this second book by Willingham knocked it out of the park for me. It’s a fabulous story. The only reason I can’t give this book five stars is because it justifies having affairs & the scene with Ben & Isabelle making out at Allison’s memorial was gross IMHO.
I loved that the author had me thinking maybe Isabelle harmed her sister & her son then BAM! Here’s what really happened….I did not see those revelations happening. Sorry to be cryptic but I would not want to spoil this story for anyone. Amazing!

Thanks to NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for the chance to listen to this great story!

Thank you for allowing me to listen to this book as an ARC.
This one was hands down one of the best mystery/thrillers I have ever read. I devoured it in a day as I could not stop listening. It is so well played out, the storyline builds up and does not disappoint. I also thought I had it all figured out but the twists kept on coming and were quite simply put perfect!!
Iloved and disliked the characters as if I knew them in real life. The author did an amazing job describing them to where it felt like I was actually a part of the story..
I did not want this one to end as it was simply an amazing book!

*3.25 stars*

This was a fun popcorn thriller; a quick twisty read that satisfies that thriller itch.

I found the beginning a little hard to get into, and the characters not as engaging as they could be but by the second half it had picked up enough to hold my attention.
While I did enjoy the dual timelines, I felt like there were so many narratives going on that it just seemed a little messy. Not all of the twists were surprising but I appreciated the ending.

A major theme in thriller especially ones that feature mothers is the gaslighting of women, so while not a new concept I thought it was really nicely done in a way that was a little more subtle and nuanced than other books. That’s what made this book stand out a little above average to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this work. All the opinions in this review are my own.

Special thanks to MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I gave this book 4 stars! I really enjoyed it especially in audio.

Isabelle hasn't slept for a year now except for short naps ever since her son Morgan went missing from his crib a year ago while her husband and her were sleeping in the room next door.

But Isabelle is a sleepwalker and something terrible happened to her in her childhood that was traumatic and never spoken about. She agrees to go on a podcast to help find her child and as the questions get more deep into her childhood, she gets more and more uncomfortable. Was she sleepwalking that night.

This book was creepy especially because my brother was a sleepwalking and it was particularly scary to me. Very creepy! 4 stars!