Cover Image: All That Is Mine I Carry With Me

All That Is Mine I Carry With Me

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This intriguing, fast-moving book with four different narrators, all part of a family whose mother has disappeared, is riveting. When 11-year-old Miranda comes home from school in the mid 1970s, her mother is gone--forever. Ultimately, almost everyone, except one son, believes that Miranda's father has murdered his wife. Kate, who is Jane's sister, is steadfast in her belief that her brother-in-law killed her sister. And indeed, the father is an unlikable and seemingly untrustworthy person.

The characters in this book are skillfully and wonderfully developed, and just when one thinks that they understand the plot and the puzzle of family members that are still painfully trying to deal with Jane Larkin's death, there will be new information that impacts all the members of the family.

This is the first book I have read by William Landay, and I definitely want to read his other books. The pace of the novel is compelling and the information that is revealed is distressful. The final recondite plot twist is a shock, and it provides the information that ties all the plot development together.

Thanks to Random House and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. It was fascinating.

Was this review helpful?

I, like everyone waited a long time for William Landay's latest book. Defending Jacob surely made a lasting impression on so many of us. I loved how this book was written. Four different books from four different characters. So well done. Character portrayal was excellent. Very enjoyable read. Just when you think you know...

Was this review helpful?

This book was great!! As is typical with William Landay, the start is a bit slower, however it's extremely steady. I found the pace gradually picked up as the book went along, and before I knew it...I was hooked. I love the character development. Each character seemed fully developed, and there was a compassion you had about ALMOST all of them for what they were facing. It was so well written and completely drew me in. Due to the steady pace, I wasn't prepared for the last quarter of the book, there were several plot twists that totally threw me! This book kept my interest from start to finish, and I enjoyed reading it! I would totally recommend this book!

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful engaging novel about a family, secrets and love. A mother goes missing and her family is left to pick up the pieces. Did the father have anything to do with her disappearance? Years later, the 3 children are grown when the mothers remains are found.. Now they must decide what family means.

Was this review helpful?

ALL THAT IS MINE I CARRY WITH ME By William Landay is a spectacular book that should not be missed.

The story follows the disappearance of Jane Larkin, mother of Miranda, Jeff, and Alex. As expected, rumors abound that Dan, Jane’s husband, was responsible for Jane’s disappearance, but with no definitive proof of what happened, the case goes cold. We follow along as the children grow and see how the loss of Jane in their lives affects each of them. All along, Jane’s sister Kate is convinced that Dan was responsible, but there is never enough evidence to bring a criminal case against him. Many years after the case has faded from the town’s rumor mill, a new and explosive clue is unearthed. The family becomes divided on what future actions to take. Then, just when you think there are no more surprises, here comes l final twist.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the opportunity to receive an advance reader copy of this book for my free and honest review. All That Is Mine I Carry With Me is, in my opinion, William Landay’s greatest novel yet, even surpassing Defending Jacob. I love a book with a lot of dialogue that allows be to add my own dimensions to the story. If you want to escape into a domestic thriller, this book should provide you with that opportunity and then some!

Was this review helpful?

If you’ve read Defending Jacob, you know that it would be an incredibly hard act to follow. I can see why it took William Landay so long to offer something new to this world.

All That is Mine I Carry With Me certainly has the emotion and suspense of its predecessor. While the ending wasn’t as jaw dropping, I still felt its punch to my gut, so I’d say Landay did quite well with his return to the novel writing scene.

The question we see in this is an intriguing one - Is a monster always also a murderer? There is no denying that Dan Larkin is an awful person. But could he have really killed his wife? The story is unsettling all the way through, as this man remains free and is allowed to raise his vulnerable children. Because what if he did it? What else is he capable of?

But what if he didn’t?

Yes, that vibe is quite similar to Defending Jacob, but this book is very different.

I can’t say that I loved the arrangement of All That Is Mine I Carry With Me, as the perspectives were a bit befuddling at times, especially as I questioned what was really true in Book Two. But I do think, as it all closed, that the confusing aspects were effective. After all, I was supposed to be questioning things.

This story is packed with complexity, as children have lost their mother and cannot determine whether or not they can trust their father. They grow into adults who make their choices, although it’s always clear where they lean. We, as the readers, are left with a similar confusion that might morph into certainty, but as we await a solid answer, the suspense builds.

Although I know this story will not haunt me indelibly like Defending Jacob has, largely because I could see something coming, I did find it to be a worthy read that kept me invested from start to finish. If the storyline appeals to you, I do recommend picking this one up when it hits the shelves in March!


I am immensely grateful to Bantam Books and NetGalley for my digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A missing wife, a suspect husband? Think you’ve read it before. Hold up. Not your normal mystery here. Instead we are treated to a gently meandering story of loss, grief and emotional damage to all involved, including readers as we imagine ourselves in various family members. Miranda daughter of missing Jane and Kate sister to missing Jane are at the heart of this novel along with two brothers, Alex and Jeff, sons of missing Jane. Dan is the husband and father suspected of murdering Jane. Told from several POV’s in distinct writing styles the book moves quickly, holding us in an angry grip, furious at what is happening to this family. My first by this author although I am familiar with previous bestseller so time to read that while this thought provoking one soars up the charts.

Was this review helpful?

All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landry releasing March 2023. All that is mine I carry with me, Is the story of a family in the 1970. One day when the youngest daughter comes home from school, her mom is not home as usual. Where has the mom gone? Is the husband to blame? Can the detective find any clues? LIs the marriage a good marriage? This is a story written by the childhood friend of one of the sons. This is a perfect what really happened to the mother book. And how this tragedy destroyed a family

Was this review helpful?

4.5⭐

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for granting my wish! All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on March 7. 2023.


On November 12, 1975, ten-year-old Miranda Larkin returned home from school to find her mother gone. Thirty-nine-year-old Jane Larkin was declared missing and her husband criminal defense attorney Dan Larkin, would remain the prime suspect in the eyes of lead investigator Detective Tom Glover but with no evidence or witnesses, Dan was never charged. His children remain divided on their opinions about their father’s role in their mother’s disappearance and needless to say this would complicate their relationships with their father and between themselves in the years to come.

In 2015 author Philip “Phil” Solomon is contacted by his school friend Jeff Larkin after a long gap of forty years and is encouraged by Jeff and his sister Miranda to base his next book on the Jane Larkin case. In the course of his research, Phil talks to different people who knew about the case, revisiting the events that followed the disappearance and the subsequent friction between the family members that has left its shadow even in the present day.

Will Jane’s children ever find out what happened to their mother? Was Dan truly responsible for his wife’s disappearance or was there more to the case than what everyone assumed? How will finally finding out what happened to Jane impact the already fractured Larkin family? Closure.. but at what cost?

Shared through multiple PoVs, <b>All That Is Mine I Carry With Me</b> by <b>William Landay</b> follows the members of Jane Larkin’s family through 1975 to the present day. The author captures the tension, heartbreak and conflict that follows in the aftermath of the events of 1975 perfectly – the emotions are real and the characters are distinctive in their voices and reactions. Among her children, the eldest, Alex, leaves for college soon after and we don’t get to know much about his inner thoughts barring the fact that he stands by his father while the younger children Jeff and Miranda are conflicted in how they feel about their father’s role in their mother’s disappearance. Alex is given a relatively minor role but the remaining characters are very well-written. We witness how the children navigate their way through Jane’s absence, their complicated relationship with their father and how they cope with Jane’s disappearance both as children and how the trauma follows them into their adult years. In contrast, we see Dan, Jane’s cunning, smug and self-assured husband who vehemently denies any involvement in Jane’s disappearance and remains seemingly unaffected by the accusations being thrown his way- from the investigators, Jane’s family and his children. I really liked how the plot is developed at a (relatively) slow yet steady pace, presenting us with different pieces to the puzzle while also allowing us to fill in the blanks as we see fit. Not all our questions are answered but that is all right because the author prepares us for that. As the narrative progresses we are compelled to presume (just like the characters in the story) and predict, but the author waits for you to turn the very last page to give us a finale that will stay with you.

With its crisp writing and fluid narrative, this is a novel that you will not want to put down. Overall, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay is a compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend.

Was this review helpful?

The plot points of this novel approaches numerous other thrillers -- such as the missing title character in Gone Girl -- but takes things just a bit further in telling the tale of a missing mom who is presumed killed by her husband. You hear from various family members in the first person, but again it is done to introduce some interesting plot twists that I don't want to spoil you with here. Initially I was a bit annoyed by the mixed narrator style but came to appreciate it about halfway through the novel. The narrative arc covers decades as we move way beyond the actual missing/murder conundrum and into the finer aspects of the children and other family members' personalities, relationships, and whether they think the dad did the deed or not. Having the dad as a criminal defense lawyer is also a nice touch too!. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is one of the best suspense/crime novels I've read this year. Young Miranda comes home from school one afternoon to find her mother missing. The story is set in the 1970's while kids were able to still walk home from school and a lot of times moms would be there waiting for them. The house is in order but Miranda waits for hours for her older brothers, Jeff and Alex, to arrive. The mystery continues to build when their father, Dan, comes home and calls the police. As expected, Dan is a suspect in his wife Jane's disappearance but the police aren't able to find anything to connect him and also feel that Jane may have left of her own accord. The book is written in for equal parts from four characters points of view. All that is Mine I Carry With Me is a gripping, unrelenting story and a must read.

Was this review helpful?

You ae going to want to read this book. It's been 13 years since William Landay has written a book.


“All That I Carry With Me Is Mine,” written by William Landay is an excellent book. It is a family drama, a who done it novel. The story flows right along, and you want to know what really happened. It is a story about Jane, a missing wife and a mother of three children: Alex, Jeff and Miranda. Her husband Dan who is a criminal defense attorney is a suspect in his wife’s disappearance, as most husbands are. We are left to question. Who do we believe and what do we think happened?


Philip Solomon is the writer within the novel who hasn’t written anything in a long time, when he gets a call from his long-ago school classmate Jeff wanting to talk to him about his father and what happened all those years ago when his mother went missing. Jeff wants Philip to write a book about his family and tells him that Miranda would like to see him and talk about everything as well. The story is told mainly from four perspectives: Jeff, Miranda, Jane the mother and then Dan, the father.


Miranda is portrayed as a highly stressed individual who is prone to depression due to the loss of her mother at the age of 10. She is always wondering if her father did or did not have anything to do with her mother missing all these years.

Detective Tom Glover is the original detective in the disappearance of Jane, and he has always suspected Dan was involved in his wife’s disappearance. There are some wonderful moments between Tom and Miranda, that were engaging and even funny at times. I especially liked the courtroom drama that played out between the different individual’s.


The ending?
Well….I will let you decide.


I really like Defending Jacob, and at first gave it a 3 star rating but after having that book in my head all these years I had to come back and give it a 4 star rating. You can see my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/491095065


Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine-Bantam, and the author for the advanced copy of this wonderful book. Publication date: March 7, 2023.

Was this review helpful?

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this book.

I have been a big fan of William Landay since Defending Jacob and this book did not disappoint. I found myself finishing the story with so many questions, many of which I'm sure I'll be pondering for days.

As always, Landay writes his characters with depth, complexity, emotion, and care. I found myself sympathizing with almost every character right up to the very last twisty paragraph. Almost every character. The villain is clearly the villain, and ,even when he's proven innocent and suffering, remains the villain. It's truly a story of victimization at every level and it's crushing until the end. The courtroom complexities were just as well written as the individual characters struggles, from the family to the neighbors to the detectives. This is a heartbreaking story on every level.

I truly hope Landay doesn't wait as long in the future to give us another amazing book of his. I never tire of his work.

Was this review helpful?

The author does a great job hooking the reader in right from the beginning. I enjoyed the writing style as it allows you to get into the mind set of the characters. Not a fan of long chapters but it worked well here telling the many sides to this story and it propelled me to read further so I could get to the next section. Well written! #AllThatIsMineICarryWithMe #WilliamLanday #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I’m not really sure how I felt about this book. It started off strong and then lost me. I didn’t quite finish it because I lost interest.

Was this review helpful?

He does it again!
I was so super-psyched to read this one, and from the very beginning, I was hooked.
Bringing us another amazing emotional, enjoyable story.

All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay is one book I can't wait to talk about and share it with others.

Reading about the Larkin family really gripped me from the beginning.
Layered with brilliantly written characters; it's the kind of book that's nearly impossible to put down.
It was still well-written and engaging..
A true murder mystery/family drama story.
Intelligent and descriptive. Everything just fit so perfectly.
I felt the anxiety of this story.
Major kudos at painting a mental picture.
Filled with secerts and drama this book will hook you till the surprising ending.

Random House, Ballantine & Bantam,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Was this review helpful?

All That is Mine I Carry With Me was an unputdownable novel, written by William Landay.

Three siblings, Alex, Jeff and Miranda, had a difficult childhood. Their mother vanished one day, and their father was accused of taking part in her disappearance. Quickly after their mother’s disappearance, word gets out that their father has a girlfriend. Suspicious, right? What other secrets were their father hiding?

Told over a span of their lifetime, this book details how each sibling maneuvered the loss of their mother and subsequent complicated relationship with their father.

This book was fast pace, gripping, and engaging. I finished this book in less than 48 hours. Pair the captivating writing with the jaw dropping ending, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine for sharing this ARC with me. This book hits the shelves on March 7, 2023.

Was this review helpful?

Just finished reading / All That is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay. This is an ARC from NetGalley. I give this 4.5 as this is a story that sticks with you. The characters were so well written and came to life. After reading this book I had to read the first chapter again as it all dovetails back to the end. Exceptional character development.

The beginning seemed like the author's preamble and I was going to skim it but then, realized the story began. In 1975 Jane Larkin simply disappears, leaving her criminal defense attorney husband and three children with zero trace of her whereabouts. Her car is found at a train station but no trace of Jane. Was she murdered, did she run away or was there an accident? In the beginning you'll hear the different perspectives from her ten year old daughter, an older brother, her husband Dan and the police ...you will ponder so many possibilities about what could have happened to Jane Larkin.

The story develops over an 18 year period and is both ordinary, from the missing person/criminal investigation viewpoints, yet fascinating to watch the family as they hope and suspect. Highly recommended.

This was a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are mine and I was not compensated fro the review. This will be published March 7, 2023 by Random House Books (Ballantine). Genre: General Fiction (adult) and Literary Fiction.

Was this review helpful?

Miranda Larkin comes home from school one day and can’t find her mother. For the next few years the family is left to wonder what’s happened to her and her husband Dan’s the prime suspect. But nothing can be proved and less than a year later Dan’s girlfriend moves in. The story is told from multiple viewpoints, Miranda, her brother Jeff, her mom. And her moms sister Kate. We learn from the mom who killed her, and we learn how big a sleaze Dan actually is. Miranda, Jeff and Kate believe Dan to be the killer and although there is never enough evidence for him to be arrested they decide to sue him in civil court, but lose.
There’s a few things I don’t understand, but can’t mention them without revealing the plot. But the title is one of them, as I don’t think it fits the book at all. I didn’t like the fact that Miranda forgave her father and took care of him with dementia. I found the book to feel hopeless and very dark.

Was this review helpful?

This is a fascinating story of the Larkin family, mainly taking place after the disappearance of Jane Larkin, the wife of Dan, and mother to Alex, Jeff and Miranda. It is written in an interesting format, divided into Book 1, 2, 3 and 4, all narrated by a different character and in a different span of time. Book 1, is in the present time, then book 2 and 3 tell the story over a span of many years, beginning on November 12, 1975, the day Jane Larkin disappeared.

Miranda, not quite 11 years old, arrives home from school is surprised there is nobody home. There was always someone at home, mostly her mother. Eventually when other family arrives, and it becomes apparent Jane is missing, the police are called.

Dan Larkin, an arrogant, somewhat self-absorbed criminal defense attorney is the first suspect being Jane’s husband. Dan, however, has a perfect alibi for the day. Many years go by, and the case is never solved or closed. One detective doesn’t forget about it, however, and continues searching on his own time for an answer to what happened to Jane. The three kids grow up and have differing opinions on what happened to their mother and who might play a role in her disappearance.

I was hooked from the very beginning and could barely put this book down. There are many unexpected twists and turns, as well as surprising situations. The characters are well-developed and soon I felt like I knew them and was totally enthralled in their stories. When the last page is turned it isn’t a book you soon forget. I’ll be thinking about this for a while.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine-Bantam for the advance copy of this book. All comments and opinions are mine.

Was this review helpful?