This book was absolutely AMAZING!! My first 5-star read of 2023. I thought I had this book figured out so many times, but it continued to twist and turn and surprised me in the end. I could not put it down—a must-read for thrillers and true crime fans.

Isabelle’s toddler son, Mason, was taken in the middle of the night, one year ago. Since then, she hasn’t been able to sleep more than a short nap here and there, with her whole focus to find Mason. Her marriage has fallen apart and her husband, Ben, has moved out and “is ready to move on”.

No new leads have surfaced, so in an effort to get more exposure and keep the case alive Isabelle retells her experience in the true crime circuits, much to the dismay of her husband and the detective in charge of Mason’s case. Isabelle opens herself up to speculation, people suspicious of the parents, but she doesn’t care as long as it helps find her son.

Along comes Waylon, a new podcaster offering to feature Mason’s case in a series. As Isabelle is interviewed and recounts Mason’s disappearance, questions surface not only about that awful night but about Isabelle and Ben’s past.

My heart went out to Isabelle. This is a mother’s worst nightmare, and I could easily put myself in her shoes not caring about anything else except finding my child. Ben was something else! The podcast was the perfect vehicle for us as readers (or listeners) to get the history of how Ben and Isabelle met and fell in love, and it’s not all wine and roses. Facts about Isabelle’s childhood come out, also throwing a worrisome dimension to the story.

Oh, this was a twisty mystery! I guessed at some things but was totally shocked by others! Once I got into the story I couldn’t stop listening because I needed to know what happened and how it’d all turn out! So good!

I enjoyed Stacy Willingham’s debut, A Flicker in the Dark, last year and I’m happy to say All the Dangerous Things was even better!

Karissa Vacker’s performance enhanced an already captivating story. Her voice is rich and smooth and each character was defined and unique. I listened at my usual 1.5x-1.75x the normal speed.

All the Dangerous Things follows Isabelle Drake, a sleep-deprived mother whose toddler, Mason, was kidnapped in the night one year ago. Now, her entire life revolves around finidng him. Isabelle is an unreliable narrator, who has had blackouts due to sleepwalking in the past, and is again, just very, very sleep-deprived.

The book follows Isabelle's present timeline as she teams up with a true-crime podcast host to try to figure outehat happened to Mason, as well as a past timeline, in which we learn about Isabelle's troubling past that has haunted her into adulthood.

I tend to love thrillers with unreliable narrators, that require the reader to question what is really going on, and how much of the narrator's perspective is trustworthy, and this book definitely checked that box. Ultimately, I found the story believable, frustrating, and intriguing, and considered bumping this one up to 4.5, but don't think I'd revisit it, mostly because I already know the twists and the ending.

My only negative feedback about this book is that I didn't like the past timeline as much, especially when Isabelle is a child, although having finished the book, I understand why it's there. Once Isabelle met Ben, her husband and Mason's father, I was hooked.

In the end, I highly recommend this one for those who love thrillers!!

**Thank you to Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a free audiobook copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**

I really enjoyed this authors first book, and I found myself once again, enthralled in Willingham’s story and writing, We are following Izzy “Isabelle” Drake as she is learning to try and cope with the disappearance of her son. It has been a year since he was taken and the police are no closer to solving the case, than they were a year ago. Izzy has been forced to do her own research, while also not sleeping….like at all. She hasn’t slept in a year.

I found myself really enjoying the commentary in this book. About parenthood, how mothers are viewed versus fathers.. But more than anything, I really loved the commentary about true crime, and how we perceive that as entertainment and then move on with our lives, whereas the people who live it don’t get to escape the reality of it.

Overall, I really did enjoy the book. Thanks to Netgalley & The publisher for the audio arc.

Isabelle Drake has always had issues with sleeping. As a child, she was a sleepwalker. As an adult, after becoming a mother, she dealt with the sleepless nights that accompany an infant. Now, has she sleepless nights for another reason: her son Mason was abducted from their home one year ago. It’s been a year since she’s had a full night’s sleep. Her marriage deteriorated, her job went with it. Her friends have noticed differences and she knows that a lot of people either pity her, think she’s crazy, or worse - think she killed her son. When she meets true crime podcast host Waylon on a flight back from a true crime convention, she brushes him off. When he contacts her again, she decides she has nothing to lose by sitting down with him - maybe he can even help her? With the case detective and her husband both doubting her, as well as her own self-doubt related to an incident from her childhood - she feels that continuing her own investigation is the best shot into finding her son. She finds out disturbing information about her husband and her parents through the process and starts doubting that she can truly trust anyone in her life.

I loved this sophomore thriller from Ms. Willingham! She’s officially an auto-buy author for me. Isabelle was a somewhat unreliable narrator, but like our MC in A Flicker in the Dark - it wasn’t overly done. If felt just right to me, if that makes sense. I really liked the ending as well. I’ve seen some people have issues with it but it worked for me. I was also a fan of the dual timeline - I thought it worked well as we needed to know about Isabelle’s childhood and her early relationship with her husband. Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and MacMillan Audio for my advanced audio copy!

Stacy Willingham does several things well: unreliable female narrators, true crime journalism. In her second book, she knocks it out of the park with Isabelle Drake's story of her missing infant son. Willingham uses setting to build an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue - Savannah, Charleston, and the marshes there. Like Louisiana's swamps in her first novel, her description is rich. The twists will push you to read more, the characters and background plot lines will keep you reading. The narrator for the audio version of this book is amazing, as well. Highly recommend.

Also posted to Goodreads (link below).

Thank you, Netgalley and the author/publisher, for the opportunity to read (listen to) and review an advanced reader's copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

This book had 3 timelines: the NOW/AFTER Mason disappears, the time BEFORE Mason disappears, and Isabelle's childhood. There were so many twists and turns and just when I thought I knew what happened, the author takes you on another side story trip and you are confused. I have to say that the entire time I had my suspicions about "who dunnit." In the end, I was partially right. Soooo, with that being said: the book was somewhat predictable (which is why I gave it only 4 stars), but still a crazy ride in the passenger seat of the car driven by an unreliable MC/narrator. I think the fact that Isabelle is such an unreliable narrator kept me drawn in because you could never be too sure if you were on the right track. Great job, Stacy Willingham!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book; I really loved this book from start to finish. I'm always guessing how books are going to end and generally feel disappointed when I do figure it out. so I am always on the hunt for books where I can't figure out the ending ahead of time, and this book was just that!

Isabelle has not had a good night's sleep since her son, Mason, disappeared from his crib one year ago. Her husband has left her and all leads have gone cold. After some disturbing childhood memories come to the surface, she wonders if she could somehow be responsible for what happened to her son.

I don't know how I feel about the twist and the subsequent cover up. I am still trying to process it. But I thought this was a good read, where I wanted to keep going to see what would happen. I liked it far more than A Flicker in the Dark.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange of an honest review. 3.5stars rounded up

ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS REVIEW💙
rating: 4⭐️
genre: mystery thriller
read this if you liked: The Push or Flicker in the Dark

After devouring Willingham’s debut last year, All the Dangerous Things quickly went to the top of my anticipated reads list! It’s safe to say this one did not disappoint! At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book as the plot revolves around Isabelle and Ben’s toddler son, Mason, being taken from his room in the middle of the night. As a mother, this is one of the worst scenarios I can imagine and proceeded with caution! Isabelle’s life fell apart before her eyes and feeling desperate she does anything and everything to get to find answers.

This book has a bit of a slow start, but the author does a fantastic job of painting the imagery that drew me in and allowed me to really envision everything throughout the rest of the book. I loved the layers to this story and how it was told in Isabelle’s POV past and present. These perspectives allowed the story to unfold layer by layer with juuuust enough information, while questioning everything! It was really hard to trust *any* character and this kept me guessing throughout the entire book.

This book is filled with suspense and I loved how the details were perfectly weaved together to form a great “whodunnit.” I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and the ending surprised me in the best way! If you’re looking for a standout thriller be sure to grab this one. I’m already looking forward to what she writes next!

Happy Pub Day to All The Dangerous Things by @stacyvwillingham !

One year ago, Isabelle Drake's life changed forever: her toddler son, Mason, was taken out of his crib in the middle of the night while she and her husband were asleep in the next room. With little evidence and few leads for the police to chase, the case quickly went cold. However, Isabelle cannot rest until Mason is returned to her―literally.

Y’all this book will grab a hold of you and not let go until you finish. I was captivated by Isabelle’s devastating story and had to find out what happened to Mason. 😭 Dual timelines, short chapters, unique podcast element and the twists made this book a home run for me. Highly recommend this thriller and look forward to Willinghams future work.

How did you sleep last night? 😆

This was such a fascinating book that I really enjoyed. The story kept me listening in (I read this via audio) and the MC was someone that really drew you in.

I will say there was a point where I felt like she was a little overzealous for what she was doing BUT I recognize that it's something I can't understand as a woman w/o a child.

I didn't see the ending coming and honestly felt like it was "right" and a good fit.

I'd recommend this to fans of Rachel Hawkins and even Riley Sager if you can do 'less" thriller. It was that good.

My rating: 4.7*

---
Thanks to NetGalley for this audio copy. All opinions are my own.

This Psycological Thriller has everything you need in one book; Very compelling story with an unreliable narrator. There’s no way to put this book down once you pick it up and brace yourself for the wild ride. Twists upon twists and I can assure you, they will keep you wondering until the very end.

The audiobook was flawlessly narrated by the talented Karissa Vacker who also narrated #AFlickerInTheDark and consistently delivered life into the characters with great the timing and pacing.

Loved the authors notes at the end of the book- finish the book first, it has spoilers- this book is huge on mental health and it’s definitely thought provoking; a great book for a book club for sure.

I was a fan of the author’s first book, but I easily figured out where it was going and that took a little away from it for me. This one was so much better as it kept me guessing. There were two mysteries surrounding our main character, Isabelle. Her son is missing in the present and the death of her sister in the past. Are these events related and if they are, is Isabelle the common thread?

My head was all over the place trying to figure this one out. Isabelle is an insomniac, which I can relate to at times, and sleep walks. This made her very unreliable in my mind. Since she is the narrator, I was constantly trying to fill in whether I could trust what she says. Then you throw in a guy desperate to have her on his true crime podcast (two of my favorite things in a book). I don’t have any children, but I can imagine having your child go missing without a trace is about the worst thing that can happen to a mother.

The book starts out slow, but the pace and tension build. There are red herrings and twists you won’t see coming.

I both read and listened to this one and enjoyed my time spent in either form. Karissa Vacker amazingly narrates the audiobook. Her voice switching for the characters is seamless and she brings the perfect amount of intensity to Isabelle when she slowly unravels.

If you liked A Flicker in the Dark, you will love this one. And if you haven’t read A Flicker in the Dark, what are you waiting for? Both of the author’s books are suspenseful and layered and worth the read.

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham (1/9/2023)

This book is a perfect mix of being a twisty mystery and a look into parenthood and family - almost a coming-of-age vibe, all simmered together to provide a beautifully delicious dish that just hits the spot. Stacy Willingham provides another book that gives an unreliable narrator a touching voice that you really want to cheer for, even when you aren’t sure you should be.

All of the characters are well-developed and the author uses their voices and actions to guide the story. This shows how skilled the author is and how well planned-out the storyline is.

Our potentially unreliable main character, Isabelle Drake, is coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the disappearance of her young son. Mason was taken from his crib during the night, and a year later, the police still have no real leads. So, Isabelle takes things into her own hands and tries to solve the case on her own. One of the problems, she has always dealt with sleeping issues. She used to sleepwalk, but now seems to not be able to sleep at all. In fact, Isabelle has not had a night's sleep since Mason went missing. Her husband, Ben, has left her and seems to be moving on with life, but she can’t seem to let things go.

As Isabelle begins working with a crime podcaster to retell and investigate the story and all of its players, secrets start to be revealed about everyone involved. And, Isabelle must face her past to more carefully examine her current state. Does she know who stole her baby boy, or could it even be her?

Stacy Willingham provides us with a wonderfully enjoyable mystery, but like I said, it is also a story of parenthood and family. What are you capable of when your child is taken? What are you capable of doing when you are worn down and losing yourself? What are the people you love and trust capable of and are you able to handle what you find when you look carefully?

Flicker in the Dark was an excellent book and I didn’t know if the follow-up would be as good. But, honestly, I thought All the Dangerous Things was even better!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I loved listening to this audiobook. Karissa Vacker narrated all of the characters perfectly. I enjoyed the suspense, flashbacks, and plot. The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning, but definitely picked up. Add this audiobook to your TBR!

4.5 stars/ 5 stars

In the book All The Dangerous Things, author Stacy Willingham writes about Isabelle Drake, a desperate mother whose toddler son was taken from his crib a year ago. Now Isabelle can’t sleep and she is obsessed with finding her son, so much so that is she really remembering things correctly? And is her own childhood trauma clouding her thoughts? And when a true-crime podcaster wants to interview her and help her get some answers, will this digging push her over the edge?
This was a great psychological mind-bending story that keeps you guessing. The audio-book narration was very well done. I would highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

On the heels of her bestselling debut thriller A Flicker in the Dark, author Stacy Willingham is back with another twisty novel that proves her first release was no fluke. I've been eager to read more from Willingham since I devoured her previous book last year. Luckily, I received an e-copy and audiobook of her newest effort All The Dangerous Things as a gift from her publisher. This work sees her continue to explore themes of generational trauma, family secrets, and grief, but this sophomore novel isn't merely a retread of what she's already written. Instead, All The Dangerous Things sees Willingham level up in almost every way, writing a book that is a multilayered feast of suspense and intrigue.

A child shouldn't have to be in charge of another child, but young Isabelle has been left with no choice. It isn't as if her parents are present enough to take care of her younger sister Margaret. Little Izzy tries to shield her sister from their parent's arguments. Their father is rarely home, and their mother can barely care for her own mental health, let alone that of two small children. No, Izzy has taken the burden of watching over her sister. But Margaret is scared. Izzy has been waking up to mud-stained clothes, water on the carpet, and no recollection of what the night entailed. Margaret trusts Izzy more than anyone in the world, but Izzy's sleepwalking is about to lead to unimaginable tragedy.

In the present day, Izzy is exhausted. She hasn't slept in a year. How could she? It's been a year since her toddler son was abducted from his bedroom. A year of obsessively following every possible lead. A year in which her fractured marriage has crumbled to pieces. At her wit's end, Izzy has resorted to speaking at true-crime conventions, taking any possible action to keep her son's case from going cold. On the flight back from her latest speaking engagement, she encounters a podcaster who offers his expertise in investigating her son's disappearance. As the pair delve into her past, Izzy fears that long-buried secrets may soon come to light. Worse, they may have more to do with her present heartache than she's ready to admit.

With All The Dangerous Things, Stacy Willingham cements her status as an author of atmospheric suspense. The mystery here is as good as any that I've ever read. Willingham shifts between the past and present in each chapter, deepening our understanding of her protagonist while methodically accelerating the tension. Nestled amongst the thriller are broader contemplations on relationships, parenthood, and trauma. Everything leads up to a twisted revelation that completely blindsided me. I alternated between reading the ebook and listening to Karissa Vacker's brilliant audio narration. Whichever way you choose to read this one, rest assured that you're in for a treat. All The Dangerous Things is another top-tier read from an author who is fast becoming one of my new favorites.

Wow! This is my second book by Stacy Willingham and now I am hooked on her! This was a great read and drew me in right from the beginning. I could not put this one down! I did not expect some of the twists and turns but I loved them! I totally love that this one had a mostly happy ending and she got to get her dick of an ex-husband back for all his bullshit. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends and looking for more books by her!

✨Book Review✨

Happy pub day to All the Dangerous Things! I’ll bet this is probably your 5,289th time seeing this cover in your feed if you’re looks anything like mine. 😆

Thank you to @minotaur_books for the eARC and @macmillan.audio for the ALC and @netgalley for my copies. This was my first @stacyvwillingham and it did not disappoint!

Isabelle Drake’s life changed forever when almost a year ago her son disappeared from his crib. She’s now a sleep deprived mess whose entire life revolves around investigating her son’s disappearance. A case whose trail has run cold.

I was a sleep walker as a child. The fact that Isabelle was also a child sleep walker…and she discovers she’s started again as an adult…yeah, that creeped me out further regarding her narrative and character development. Still, I applauded Isabelle’s determination to find her son despite her marriage dissolving along with everything else.

I wanted to binge this book so badly, but adult parental responsibilities kept me from doing such. It was so good. Due to Isabelle’s character, I was afraid there was going to be the tired, old, unreliable, female narrative due to her sleep deprivation and mental state. Nope. This is a good one. Read it!

I already own A Flicker in the Dark, but just haven’t gotten to it yet. After reading/listening to this one I will be remedying that ASAP.