Plot Summary

Combining true crime, police procedural and family drama, All That Is Mine I Carry With Me is a page-turning, fabulously written suspense novel that is well worth the wait.

Dan Larkin’s wife, Jane Larkin, is missing.  The youngest of their three children, Miranda, eleven, a fifth grader, comes home from school on a Wednesday afternoon in November 1975, much as usual.  Instead of hearing her Mom’s voice return to her after yelling, “I’m Home,” however, she hears silence.  Her mom’s purse is where she always leaves it but as night falls and her two older brothers (Alex and Jeff) and her father come home, mom is still missing, 

The obvious suspect becomes the husband, Dan Larkin.  Although the detective in charge, Tom Glover, carries out a thorough investigation, “The one mistake he would not make was to give up too soon,” there simply is not enough evidence to indict Dan.  

The novel continues to tell the tale of the aftermath of Jane’s disappearance and explores what happens to her family when the shadow of doubt on the head of the family looms heavy over the years. The family dynamic is further strained because each member has differing views on Dan’s involvement in Jane’s disappearance. The reader is steered from clue to clue through the telling of the past as well as the details of the aftermath of Jane’s disappearance.  This ever-unfolding mystery is further enhanced through use of different narrators.

The different points of view, include that of the missing mom, Jane Larkin, as well as from Jeff Larkin (middle son), Miranda Larkin (daughter), Dan Larkin (husband/father) and finally a family-friend novelist, Phil. Phil, an old school friend of Jeff’s, tries to pull out of his own writing slump to record the disappearance story years later. Each narrator takes turns in telling the story – their story.

The narration by Jane Larkin is especially poignant.  Jane’s subtle and dry humor is fun and engaging. Landay has a talent for writing dialogue.  It’s captivating.  His writing in the female voice is particularly sensational. As I read, I marveled at his ability to write women so well.  It is a skill that I remembered when I read Defending Jacob.

Landay’s ability to perfectly capture life and references in the 1970’s and 80’s added depth and interest to the story as well – i.e., tarragon chicken and the Mike Douglas show! What child of the 70’s and 80’s does not remember The Mike Douglas Show? I can hear the intro music in my head right now!