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The narrative unfolds in NOW/THEN fashion—and even the contemporary chapters are rife with ruminations, which often muddy the waters rather than clarifying them. Severely sleep deprived, Isabelle nevertheless persists in her quest for answers, despite the protestations of her (soon-to-be ex) husband and local law enforcement, who fear that her intrusions will jeopardize their investigation. And even if it means unearthing a shattering truth. Past and present converge as she confronts memories, both real and imagined, that reveal a startling-if-sketchy picture of what may have happened to her son. But as these fragments finally come into sharper focus, so does a mother’s worst fear. It’s not just a question of who or what she can trust, but whether she can trust herself. I don't even remember the exact moment I decided I wanted to be a writer for The Grit, it was just something I had always known, the same way doctors and firefighters carry their childhood dreams over into adulthood, cupping them so tightly they forget to look up and notice what else could possibly be out there. What else exists. holy. fking. batman. AGAIN. WHY??? WHY SO VERBOSE??? And also this math doesn't quite math. So all adult doctors/firefighters dreamed of doing so as a kid? Me thinks tf not. Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur, and Stacy Willingham for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.10!** Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review.
Isabella keeps joining at TrueCrime conventions as guest speaker to raise awareness and attract attention to the case. Waylon Spencer: a famous podcaster who already solved a cold case about missing child approaches to her: He wants to make interview, teaming up with Isabella to dig out more about Mason’s case!The word ‘thriller’ applies to the book in its loosest possible sense. Most of the book is more of a slow-burn mystery. If you want adrenaline-filled thrills, this is the wrong book. Aren’t all of our lives just stories we tell ourselves? Stories we try to craft so perfectly and cast out into the world? Stories that become so vivid, so real, that eventually we start to believe them, too? —Stacy Willingham, All the Dangerous Things Frequently Asked Questions What is All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham about? Isabelle Drake’s toddler son Mason was kidnapped a year ago. She hasn’t slept since. The case is now cold, with no clues and no leads for the police. Even her marriage is over, not being able to stand the strain of a missing child. Isabelle tries to keep the investigation active by speaking about Mason at true crime cons. At one such event, she bumps into a crime podcaster who wants to highlight Mason in his next show. But as they proceed with this, Isabelle starts questioning her own memories of what happened that night.
The writing style was punchy and flowed well. Perfect along with the short chapters for creating the tension and suspense that kept me hooked to the end despite working out the plot too early.
We are nothing but what we choose to believe, but it's all a mirage, bending and warping and shimmering in the distance, changing its form at any given second. A sensational thriller... Dark, engrossing and atmospheric... sublime tension. EXCELLENT’ Will Dean