3.5 Stars for J.M. Winchester's first thriller, All the Lovely Pieces

Drew is on the run from her psychotic, abusive husband, Adam. The world thinks she is a murderer and a kidnapper but there is nothing she wouldn't do to keep her son, Michael, safe and away from Adam. Having suffered mental, physical and psychological abuse Drew is desperately trying to keep one step ahead of Adam while building some semblance of a normal life for herself and Michael. But she knows the only way she can ever truly be safe, is by exposing Adam.

I had high hopes for this thriller. A mother on the run, doing whatever it takes to protect her child. A sadistic and ruthless husband who deftly hides his darkness from the world. I love a sexy and terrifying antagonist. Unfortunately, I felt that the character development here wasn't complete. Adam had so much potential - I would have enjoyed seeing more from his point of view and seeing what made him tick. It felt like we only scratched the surface of his story.

Although the story was told from multiple POVs, the strongest was definitely Drew's. I wish I had come to like her more but I was never fully invested. Michael's chapters were short and thoroughly chilling and creepy. I enjoyed the insinuation of a bad seed via genetics despite Drew's efforts to keep the truth from him. Overall, the story was twisty but unfortunately felt a bit rushed, surface level and predictable where it mattered.

Thank you J.M. Winchester, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.