Title: ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS
Author: Stacy Willingham
ISBN: 9781250803870
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 332
Source: Private Copy
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.
Except for the occasional catnap or small blackout where she loses track of time, she hasn’t slept in a year.
Isabelle’s entire existence now revolves around finding him, but she knows she can’t go on this way forever. In hopes of jarring loose a new witness or buried clue, she agrees to be interviewed by a true-crime podcaster—but his interest in Isabelle’s past makes her nervous. His incessant questioning, paired with her severe insomnia, has brought up uncomfortable memories from her own childhood, making Isabelle start to doubt her recollection of the night of Mason’s disappearance, as well as second-guess who she can trust… including herself. But she is determined to figure out the truth no matter where it leads.
Official Summary
29 October 2025
Every so often, a thriller comes along that completely consumes you — one that keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve turned the last page. All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham was that kind of book for me. It’s gripping, deeply emotional, and masterfully written, blending psychological tension with a raw and haunting exploration of grief and obsession.
A year ago, Isabelle Drake’s world shattered when her toddler son, Mason, was taken from his crib in the middle of the night. There were no witnesses, no real evidence, and no clear suspects. The case went cold, but Isabelle has never stopped searching — and she hasn’t slept properly since. Running on desperation and sheer willpower, she spends every waking moment trying to uncover what happened to her son.
When she agrees to an interview with a true-crime podcaster, she hopes it might finally bring new attention to Mason’s case. But the questions he asks dig deeper than she expects — not just into that terrible night, but into Isabelle’s past and the secrets she’s long tried to bury. As her insomnia worsens, she begins to doubt her own memories, and soon, the line between truth and illusion starts to blur in terrifying ways.
Stacy Willingham captures the psychological unravelling of a grieving mother with incredible empathy and precision. The writing is atmospheric and haunting, full of beautifully crafted lines that draw you right into Isabelle’s exhausted, paranoid mind. The pacing is flawless — slow and deliberate when it needs to be, then utterly heart-stopping as the truth begins to emerge.
What makes this book stand out is how real Isabelle feels. She’s not just a victim or a detective figure — she’s human, flawed, and heartbreakingly determined. Her emotional vulnerability is what makes this story so powerful. You can feel her pain, her confusion, and her need for closure on every page.
All the Dangerous Things is much more than a missing-child thriller; it’s a psychological portrait of grief, guilt, and the fragile nature of memory. The twists are perfectly timed, the writing is gorgeous, and the emotional payoff is immense.
This was an easy five-star read for me — tense, beautifully written, and impossible to put down. Stacy Willingham has once again proven she’s one of the best voices in modern psychological suspense.
Also by Stacy Willingham
A FLICKER IN THE DARK
When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, Chloe’s father had been arrested as a serial killer and promptly put in prison. Chloe and the rest of her family were left to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath.
Now 20 years later, Chloe is a psychologist in private practice in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. She finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to get. Sometimes, though, she feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. And then a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, and that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, and seeing parallels that aren’t really there, or for the second time in her life, is she about to unmask a killer?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Stacy Willingham is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological suspense. Her books include A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things, Only If You’re Lucky, and Forget Me Not.
Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine’s Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month’s Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW’s Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages.
Before turning to fiction, Stacy was a copywriter and brand strategist for various marketing agencies. She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter and dog.
I am now caught up with all Stacey Willingham’s books, and this one may be my favourite. I have one more review to share with you – Only if You’re Luck – and you can expect that one on the blog in November. Have you read all her books? Which is your favourite? I would love to hear from you, please leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading.
