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It’s hard to define what exactly All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay is - a legal thriller? A mystery? A family drama? After finishing this thought-provoking book, I would argue it could be all three.
The book follows the Larkin children (Alex, Jeff, and Miranda) as they grapple with the disappearance of their mother, Jane Larkin, in 1975. The main suspect is their father, Dan, a successful criminal defense attorney. While this sounds like an unoriginal premise, the way Landay tells the story of the Larkin family is unique. While the “whodunit” aspect of the plot will keep you turning the pages, there is much more to the story. The effects of their mother’s disappearance and the doubt surrounding the role their father may or may not have played in her disappearance follows the Larkin children throughout their lives.
It is Landay’s examination of these family dynamics that lends depth to what otherwise could have been a run-of-the-mill mystery. It left me with so many questions and thoughts that I was wishing I had someone to discuss it with. If you are looking for your next book club pick, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me could be the one.
