Book club questions for All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham explore the themes of maternal desperation, the impact of unresolved trauma, the blurred lines between memory and reality, and the relentless pursuit of truth in the face of personal turmoil.
If you like mysteries this is a good one. It kept me guessing and I didn’t want to put it down. I felt like I couldn’t trust any of the characters and I loved the ending.
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
About the Author | Book Club Questions | Book Club Kit (PDF)
About the Story
All the Dangerous Things follows the story of Isabelle Drake, a mother whose life turned upside down when her toddler son, Mason, was kidnapped a year ago.
Despite little evidence and a cold case, Isabelle is determined to find her son. She hasn’t slept in a year and is consumed by the search for Mason. In an effort to uncover new leads, she agrees to be interviewed by a true-crime podcaster. However, the constant questioning, coupled with Isabelle’s severe insomnia, brings up unsettling memories from her own past.
As doubts about her recollection and trust in others emerge, Isabelle is determined to uncover the truth about Mason’s disappearance, regardless of where it leads.
About the Author
Stacy Willingham is the bestselling author of A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things and Only If You’re Lucky.
Her debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark, was a 2022 finalist for the Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, and more. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages.
Before turning to fiction, she was a copywriter and brand strategist for various marketing agencies. She earned B.A. in magazine journalism and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
She currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, Britt, and Labradoodle, Mako.
Q&A About All the Dangerous Things
Q: What inspired you to write “All the Dangerous Things”?
A: I was inspired by two main ideas that came together over time. First, I read an article in the Washington Post about a man whose sister was a victim of an unsolved murder. He spent years attending true crime conferences, sharing her story, and seeking justice, which fascinated me. Secondly, a personal experience where my husband spoke in his sleep sparked the idea of a woman wandering in the nightgown, dealing with sleepwalking and insomnia. These two concepts merged into the central theme of the book.
Q: Why do you think True Crime media is both important and problematic?
A: On one hand, True Crime consumers, including podcasters and documentary makers, help keep cold cases alive and in the public eye. They dig into cases and uncover information that official investigators might miss due to red tape. Citizen investigators can do things journalists and law enforcement can’t. But there’s a voyeuristic element that makes me uncomfortable. We’re getting entertainment from someone else’s tragedy. It’s a fine line to walk; being a conscious consumer, respecting the victims, and not sensationalizing the tragedy is crucial.
Q: How did you balance the portrayal of True Crime media’s positive and negative aspects in your book?
A: The character Izzy grapples with this balance. She sees some people as parasitic, like those wearing blood-splattered t-shirts and taking tasteless pictures, but she also sees people who genuinely care and dedicate their lives to seeking justice, like Waylon. There’s always going to be people who don’t go about it the right way, but the vast majority of people do. She knows True Crime media can help, and ultimately, it did.
Q: What kind of research did you do for the missing children cases and the portrayal of mothers in the spotlight?
A: I did a lot of research on missing children cases, especially where the mother is in the spotlight. I looked at Madeleine McCann’s case, where the mother got a lot of public blame, and Casey Anthony’s story, where the mother was heavily scrutinized. I wanted to understand how these mothers were perceived, how they acted, and how it would feel to be truly innocent but judged by the world.
Q: Were you hesitant to write about motherhood, given that you are not a mother?
A: I almost didn’t write this book because I was afraid of getting it wrong. I had strong opinions about how society treats women and mothers, how everything is their fault, and they feel guilty all the time. But I received positive reactions from mothers, which was a relief. The story needed to show that no mother is perfect, but a mother’s love can be powerful and redemptive.
Q: What are your thoughts on mental health and postpartum psychosis as depicted in your book?
A: Mental health is important to me. I started writing this book when I was 29, thinking about kids and talking to friends who were mothers. They often felt guilty for having normal feelings of frustration. If we talked openly about these feelings, we wouldn’t feel so guilty. Sometimes, these feelings tip into something more serious, like postpartum psychosis, and if you’re too ashamed to talk about it, you might not get the help you need.
Q: How did you decide to use art as a significant element in your book?
A: I wanted to give Izzy and Margaret special moments with their mom, moments of love and normalcy amidst the chaos. The painting sessions were a way to show these happy memories. When Izzy returns to the house, the truth is revealed through a painting. It was a lightbulb moment during writing, and it made sense to use art to tie together their past and present.
Q: How do you know when your book is ready to be wrapped up?
A: A lot of writing is instinctual. When I read the book and feel something isn’t right, I keep working on it. When I feel a sense of peace and satisfaction, I know it’s ready. My agent and editor also help me identify weak spots and reassure me when it’s finished.
Q: What are some of your favorite genres and books to read?
A: I love thrillers with poetic writing and deep character development. Recently, I enjoyed “The Quiet Tenant” by Clémence Michallon, Megan Abbott’s works, Gillian Flynn’s books, “I Have Some Questions for You” by Rebecca Makkai, and Tana French’s novels. I also just finished “Hidden Pictures” and loved it for its creepy and engaging story.
Q: How do you incorporate metaphors and vivid imagery in your writing?
A: Some metaphors and imagery come to me naturally as I write. For example, describing Ben as feeling like a library book being checked out or using the hide-a-key to symbolize hidden dangers. These elements develop as I immerse myself in the story and characters. It’s about capturing the emotions and underlying themes in a way that resonates with readers.
Q: How did the setting of Savannah and Beaufort influence the story?
A: Isabelle, or Izzy, undergoes significant development as she grapples with guilt, insomnia, and the disappearance of her son, Mason. She starts as a sleep-deprived mother haunted by her past and uncertain of her present. Throughout the story, she confronts her own fears and memories, which ultimately lead her to uncover hidden truths about herself and her family. Her journey is one of emotional healing and self-discovery.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers, based on your journey to publication?
A: Persistence is key. Rejections are part of the process, but they shouldn’t deter you from pursuing your passion. Keep honing your craft, seek feedback from trusted sources, and stay true to your unique voice. Embrace the challenges and setbacks as opportunities to grow as a writer. And most importantly, write the stories that resonate with you deeply—it’s your passion and commitment that will shine through in your work.
Q: What’s next for you? Any new projects on the horizon?
I’m currently working on my next novel, “Only If You’re Lucky,” which explores themes of suspense and psychological tension in a new setting. It’s another opportunity for me to delve into complex characters and compelling narratives, and I’m excited to share it with readers soon.
Book Club Questions for All the Dangerous Things
- Imagine you discover you were sleepwalking one night. Where do you think you’d most likely end up?
- What do you think is the central theme of “All the Dangerous Things”? How does the author explore this theme throughout the story?
- Discuss Isabelle Drake as the main character. How does the author portray her desperation, and what challenges does she face in her quest to find her son?
- On page 16, Isabelle reflects on being constantly awake, saying, “One thing I was starting to notice about being awake all the time was the way in which seemingly little things grew bigger by the day. Noisier, harder to ignore.” Sleep, or the lack thereof, is a recurring theme in All the Dangerous Things. How does the author use sleep to build tension until it’s impossible to ignore?
- Isabelle discusses ghosts, saying, “All those little experiences you could never put your finger on—a tickle on the back of your neck, a nagging feeling that you were forgetting something, that creeping sense of déjà vu that flared up when you visited someplace new— were other souls trying to send you a message. Living or dead, it didn’t matter. Just other souls.” Do you see ghosts in the same way Isabelle does?
- The concept of day versus night is explored in the book, with Isabelle noting, “I understand that there’s something even more unsettling than being alone in the dark. It’s realizing that you’re not really alone at all.” What keeps Isabelle company in the dark? How, if at all, does this change during the day?
- How did you find Stacy Willingham’s writing style? Did the short chapters and fast pacing contribute to the overall suspense of the novel?
- Did the book keep you guessing, as mentioned in some of the reviews? Were you able to predict any of the twists, or did the story take you by surprise?
- Explore the portrayal of relationships in the book, such as Isabelle’s relationship with her husband and the dynamics with other characters. How did these relationships contribute to the overall plot?
- Reflect on the emotional toll on Isabelle, including sleep deprivation and guilt. How did these elements contribute to the emotional intensity of the story? Did you find it relatable or empathize with the characters?
- Isabelle says, “I like to think of our memories like a mirror: reflecting images back to us, something familiar, but at the same time, backward. Distorted. Not quite as they are.” What memories of Isabelle’s were distorted? Have you had similar experiences with memories of your own past?
- The author presents motherhood in various ways throughout the novel. How did you perceive motherhood before reading All the Dangerous Things? How, if at all, did your view change after finishing the book?
- What is Stacy Willingham conveying about “mom guilt” in this book? In what ways does Isabelle’s story mirror societal expectations and the pressures surrounding family dynamics and the mother’s role?
- Why do you think the author chose to make Isabelle an unreliable narrator? How would the story have been different if Isabelle was able to trust in herself?
- The author is known for writing twists in her books. What was the biggest twist for you as the reader? Did you see any of the twists coming?
- In what ways does the theme of sleep deprivation contribute to the suspense in the story? How does it heighten the overall tension?
- The book mentions, “And some of these people have secrets. All of them do, really. But some of them have the real ones, the messy ones. The deep, dark, shadowy ones that lurk just beneath the skin, traveling through their veins and spreading like a sickness.” What are some of these secrets the characters keep? Do you think this is true of all of us, or just the characters in a crime novel?
- How did the inclusion of the true-crime podcaster add to the narrative? Did it enhance the suspense, or did it introduce any unexpected elements to the story?
- The novel is titled All the Dangerous Things. What do you think are the “dangerous things” in the story?
- How do you feel about true-crime enthusiasts based on the portrayal in the book? Do you find their interest in crime stories intriguing, or do you have reservations about it?
- The marsh appears several times throughout All the Dangerous Things. Isabelle is drawn there both as a child and as an adult. What is Isabelle’s relationship with marshes?
- Do you consume true-crime content? If so, what format(s)? How, if at all, did your view of true-crime content change after reading All the Dangerous Things?
- Discuss the Southern Gothic feel in this book. How did the setting contribute to the overall atmosphere?
- If you read the author’s note, what did you think of it? How did it enhance your understanding or appreciation of the novel?
- Based on your experience with “All the Dangerous Things,” would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?
Additional Recommendations
Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde
An orphaned boy raised by a survivalist wends his way into the real world in an emotional novel about hope, fears, and found family by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.
Out there is chaos, the collapse of society, and so much to be afraid of. All that matters is freedom.
That’s what Remy Blake has been taught by his survivalist father. Raised off the grid in the middle of nowhere, his own survival skills not yet honed, Remy is days shy of his eighth birthday when his father unexpectedly dies. As seasons pass, supplies run out, and fending for himself grows more desperate, Remy sets out on foot, unprepared for the great unknown of civilization.
He is found―near feral, silent, and terrified―in the small rural town of Blaire. To Anne, a nurturing mother of two adopted teenagers who’s still dealing with her own childhood rejections, Remy is not a lost cause. Just a challenging one.
As Remy cautiously adapts to his new foster home, his family wants nothing more than to reassure him that he can trust the world. But to do so, they must first reexamine how much they trust the world themselves, and how much they should. As Remy’s journey into the real world begins, figuring out how to navigate it becomes a path they will have to learn to walk together.
The Stars Don’t Lie by Boo Walker
A man who thought he put his shattered past behind him embarks on a reflective journey home in a heartfelt novel by the bestselling author of The Singing Trees and A Spanish Sunrise.
Haunted by a tragic decision he made twenty years ago, veterinarian Dr. Carver Livingston has not once returned to his Vermont hometown. Now his parents’ impending divorce and his mother’s plea for support lure Carver to a reluctant homecoming. His mission: sweep into Teterbury, save a marriage, and get out before anyone else from his past knows he was even there. Fate has other plans.
It’s hard to hide from former friends. Harder still to fight old feelings for the crushing and beautiful high school soulmate whom he dreams of pursuing again. And Mrs. Cartwright, his fragile English teacher, who once pulled Carver out of sadness. She taught him to always look up and to see life’s grander perspective in the stars. Now it’s Carver’s turn to help Mrs. Cartwright find those bright lights in the dark.
Against his need to leave, Carver decides to stay longer, as he, his mother and father, and Mrs. Cartwright are all at turning points in their lives. Hope is not lost. If they look up, they’ll see that tonight, the stars still shine.
Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey
For fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Life After Life, a poignant genre-bending debut novel about a man and woman who must discover why they continue to meet in different versions of their lives—a thrilling and imaginative exploration of the infinite forms of love and how our choices can change everything.
Thora and Santi have met before.
Two strangers in a foreign city, Thora and Santi meet in a chance encounter. At once, they recognize in each other a kindred spirit—someone who is longing for more in life than the cards they’ve been dealt. Before their friendship can blossom, though, a tragic accident cuts their story short.
They will meet again.
But this is only one of the many connections they share. Like satellites trapped in orbit around each other, Thora and Santi will find each other again: as husband and wife; teacher and student; caretaker and patient; cynic and believer. In recurring lifetimes they become friends, partners, lovers, and enemies.
Only they can make sure it’s not for the last time.
As strange patterns and blurred memories compound, Thora and Santi come to a shocking revelation. They must work together to discover the true reason behind their repeating realities . . . before their many lives come to one, final end.
Book Club Kit (PDF) for All the Dangerous Things
Happy reading! ❤️
I love to read and I enjoy exploring a range of genres including contemporary and historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, nonfiction, and memoirs. If you would like me to review your book, feel free to reach out to me!