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.

Beware: December is a busy month with the holidays approaching and you might not get those gifts wrapped or cookies baked if you pick up All the Dangerous Things. One thing is for sure: You will lose just as much sleep as the main character staying up all night to finish it!

Isabelle is living every parent’s worst nightmare. Her son Mason was kidnapped, the case is ice cold, and she spends every waking moment investigating his disappearance, traveling the country talking with true crime enthusiasts. Isabelle’s husband has left her and oh . . . she hasn’t slept in a year. Throw in a dual timeline of her past, the setting of one of my favorite U.S. cities Savannah, an eager true crime podcast host, and themes of early motherhood and mental health, and you have the recipe for a thrilling read this month.

This is the second novel by the author of A Flicker in the Dark, finalist for Book of the Month’s 2022 Book of the Year, and it doesn’t suffer from any sophomore slump. This is suspense at its finest, but it also provides some deeper themes for discussion and reflection. You won’t be able to open that blue Book of the Month box fast enough to start this one. Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!