A few years ago, I read Chris Whitaker’s book We Begin At The End, and I liked it a LOT, so I was happy to receive a copy of his new book All The Colors of the Dark, which I received from NetGalley and Crown Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

It is SO good! It starts in 1975 and focuses on two young people whose “outcast” status helps bring them together in the small town in Missouri, where they live. One of them is a young boy named Patch, born with only one eye and known as a pirate. Why? “His mother peddled the romance of a cutlass and eye patch because often for kids like him the flair of fiction dulled a reality too severe.” The other outcast is his best (only?) friend, a girl named Saint, and together they try to come to understand the reason why young girls have been disappearing in their town. Patch is somewhat obsessed with a beautiful girl from a rich family, and after he helps stop a crime and saves her, he disappears from the town, Saint is completely lost without him and spends the next thirty years searching for him.

The book is beautifully written, and although it spends over 600 pages to uncover the stories behind the mysteries that unfold, the story moves quickly. Many of the chapters end with a sort of cliff hanger and TBH it’s hard to put down. Whitaker has quite a vocabulary, and I had to look up a number of words (vadouvan, boutade, and satiating among them).

I loved this book. Highly recommended. Five stars.

Get ready for an unforgettable story that will linger in your mind well after you finish the last page. Well done, Chris Whitaker! This will be published on June 25, 2024. Until then, read some of his backlist. ‘We Begin at the End’ would be a good start!

Thank you Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy!

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker is a MUST read for summer. Incredible characters, intense plot and stirring dialogue. Don't miss this one!

I missed more than a couple nights of sleep while reading this book, because I just couldn't put it down, and weeks later I'm still thinking about it. This is definitely a book I would purchase in hardcover or paperback format when it's released and read again.

I wish it hadn't been hyped as a mystery thriller though, because I don't think that's accurate. There is a lot of action and excitement in the first 20% of the book, but beyond that, it's more like an epic saga that explored the characters and relationships over the course of decades. I won't give away too much of the plot, but if you love reading well-developed characters, this story is all about that and the unique and amazing relationship between Saint and Patch. The unusual communication between the two of them over the many years, sometimes just through voicemail, was just so beautifully written. It is sometimes slow moving in parts, but there was so much content and no word was wasted. I did not want this story to end (and it is a long book, more than 600 pages).

You will fall in love with both Saint and Patch, along with Grandma Norma, Chief Nix, Mrs. Meyer, not to mention the outrageous and unlikely father-figure, Sammy, who was truly my favorite character, with the most humorous and shocking comments throughout the book (of any passages that I highlighted while I was reading, I would say 90% involved Sammy). I would sure love to see this adapted for film!

I think it's definitely worth noting that Whitaker writes the most amazing female characters, which
I think has to be hard for a male author, and so many miss the mark. If you haven't already read and fallen in love with the outlaw Duchess from "We Begin at the End", it's a must read too.

I think my only criticism of the book was that there were a couple of key moments that felt a little rushed. One point early on in the book where Saint finds the cabin, at about 15%, I had to go back and re-read a couple chapters because it was a major turning point and it just seemed a little subtle, like I almost missed it. But otherwise, so much wonderful detail and character development, I loved it all.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reading e-copy in exchange for my review. Please send me all the Chris Whitaker books!

“To love and be loved is more than can ever be expected, more than enough for a thousand ordinary lifetimes.”

This is not your typical mystery. It’s a story full of heart and heartbreak, disturbing and breathtaking in tandem. It’s been a long while since I’ve been so completely immersed in a story, I breathed when the characters breathe, I felt the visceral fear and utter disparity alongside them. It was so perfect and intense that I would binge chapter after chapter then make myself stop so I could slowly ruminate on every word i read. I honestly can’t do justice to just how much I felt, or how much I loved this book. Do yourself a favor and add this to your list immediately!

This is the second book I’ve read by Whitaker (We Begin at the End was my favorite book of 2022) and i am in awe of his story telling capabilities. Phenomenal doesn’t even come close to describing how I felt about this book, it will quite possibly be my favorite of 2024!

“Sometime ordinary is more than enough.”

Thank you Crown Publishing for the arc via Netgalley!

*quotes from advanced copies may not be in the final copy. I just loved these so much I had to share.

Wow…Storytelling at its best. Beautifully written. Mystery but so much more. Unforgettable characters, secrets and an amazing ending. 5 plus ⭐️

5+ ⭐️
I honestly don’t even know how to review this one. It’s perfect. All the Colors of the Dark has moved to my list of ALL TIME favorites.

Sometimes I know I’m reading a 5 star book because of how quickly I devour it and can’t put it down. But I know I’m reading a next level 5 star by how slowly I read it, savoring every page. This book became ritualistic for me. I could only read it in the evening when it was dark. It took me multiple weeks to finish because I found myself constantly rereading paragraphs, pages, and even entire chapters. I couldn’t get enough of Chris Whitaker’s writing and didn’t want the book to end.

I don’t want to give anything away but this is a MUST READ. A thriller that spans 30 years, with deeply flawed lovable characters, set in a small town with a community that will never stop surprising you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing, and Chris Whitaker for providing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

🏴‍☠️ What an epic, sweeping saga that had me wrapped up for days on end. Thank you so much to @crownpublishing & @netgalley for the early look at this. It’s out in June, and you’re definitely going to want to add it to your TBR.

🏴‍☠️ I loved ‘We Begin At The End’ and so I requested this the moment I saw @chriswhitaker had a new book out— and this one was even better!

🏴‍☠️ At just over 600 pages, this story plays out slowly over the course of decades. I savored much of the book, enjoying its well-paced build up. My heart warming to, and breaking for, our main characters Patch & Saint. Praising them at times, cursing them at others— but always, always rooting for them.

🏴‍☠️ And then, the big crescendo. The last 20% of this book — I could not put it down. I literally read it until my eyes closed against my will, and then immediately picked it back up in the morning to finish. I HAD to know what happened. And it was fantastic.

🏴‍☠️ This story is so thoughtful. Every character, every scene adds to the beauty and pain of what is happening here. I can’t say enough good things about this. It was all too easy to give it 5⭐️: no notes. I hope you all decide to pick it up too!

This was a wonderfully done thriller element to this book. It uses the 1975 element in a way that i was expecting and enjoyed from the genre. The characters worked well in this story and had everything that I wanted. Chris Whitaker has a great writing style and left me wanting to read more from Chris Whitaker.

The writing in this story is the best part. It did drag a little but the writing is what made me keep going!

Honestly, I struggled with the first 200 pages of this novel. The story started strong but fell flat and dragged on with very little added to the plot until about 200 pages in. However, from there the story took off, and I’m so glad I stuck with it! The mystery came together perfectly and kept me interested with quite the satisfying ending. If you feel like this story isn’t going anywhere, stick with it! You’ll be glad you did!

Publication date: June 25, 2024

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me to read an electronic ARC copy in return for my honest review.

This book is a rare combination of mystery and literary that keeps the pages turning with action and the reader’s heart in their throat with emotion. The arc of friendship between Saint and Patch was the thread that carried this novel forty years across time. If you love a missing person’s story, a story of redemption, spunky children and a lots of secrets, you will love this novel. The ending was excellent and the losses that happened throughout the book were felt deeply.

as good as I thought Chris Whitaker's last book was, this one is even better. it's layered and nuanced, with introspective character moments and a winding narrative that just doesn't let go. Whitaker will make you fall in love with a beekeeper and a pirate and then make your heart break all the more for loving them. what really makes the book sing is the quiet moments and details, and Whitaker's ability to bring objects to life alongside the people who use/wield them... highly recommended.


I received a free arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read over 700 books, and I can confidently say that Chris Whitaker's latest offering is nothing short of phenomenal. In my literary journey, few works have left such an impression, firmly securing its place among my top 5 books of all time. Brace yourself for a narrative that promises to grip your soul and refuse to let go. In this sprawling incredible novel, Whitaker demonstrates his mastery of tragedy, weaving a tale that will linger long after the final page is turned. It's 1975, and we are transported to a small town in Missouri, where the disappearance of young girls casts a shadow over the community. Yet, amidst the darkness, Whitaker finds beauty in the most heart-wrenching stories, crafting characters whose mistakes are as redeemable as they are tragic. Spanning over 600 pages, this story is a testament to Whitaker's prowess as a storyteller. The intricate web of plotlines, spanning decades, is executed with finesse, leaving readers breathless (I kid you not) as they navigate the twists and turns of fate. From pulse-pounding action to tender romance, from psychological thrills to heartrending drama, this book effortlessly moves across my favourite genres and tropes (crime fiction, thriller, romance, drama, coming-of-age, cat and mouse, etc.) The narrative unfolds through short, engaging chapters, each ending with a cliffhanger that compels readers to press on, long into the night. Personally, I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster, my nerves frayed and my mind racing as I journeyed alongside the characters.
But amidst the chaos, Whitaker's narrative never loses sight of its core themes: loyalty, sacrifice, revenge, and love. It's a tale of righting wrongs and seeking justice, a poignant exploration of the human condition in all its flawed glory. In his previous book 'We Begin At The End", Duchess swiftly ascended to become one of my all-time favorite characters, but now Charlotte, Patch, and Saint have joined the ranks of the greatest.

In closing, I can only offer my highest praise for this remarkable work. Whitaker has created an exceptional work, making a lasting impression on anyone who takes this unforgettable journey.

If it’s wrong to call my top read of 2024 this early in the year then I don’t want to be right.

When you pick up ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK be prepared to meet outsiders Patch & Saint, unforgettable characters that will stick with you long after you finish the last page. We meet the duo as children in 1975 in a small Missouri town that was rocked by the disappearance of young girls, and follow them to adulthood where they seek to find their place in a broken world.

Chris Whitaker is a master storyteller that weaves threads together so meaningfully. This mash-up of slow burn mystery, cross-country travel, and heartfelt love story comes full circle in a way that feels profound and perfect. The story contains heavy themes but is not graphic in its depiction of violence. Your heart will surely break, but ultimately soar.

ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK sheds light on the power of art, the gift of people who know the longings of our heart, and the depths of loyalty.

RATING: 5/5 ⭐️
PUB DATE: June 25, 2024

READ THIS IF YOU:
•want to read a modern classic in the making
•loved WE BEGIN AT THE END
•appreciate a 600 page story with pages that fly by (I promise!)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I could give this book 20 stars!’ Chris Whitaker’s new book ranks up there with We Begin at the End. With a soaring storyline and unforgettable characters he sweeps you in and keeps you wanting more until the very end. A true masterpiece! Thanks for the advanced copy.

Wow! This is an epic, heartbreaking but tender story spanning three decades that follows two main characters, Patch and Saint. The book opens with a bang with a traumatic event when Patch goes missing. What follows is not a thriller (don’t go into this expecting a thriller) but a sweeping saga that involves a mystery, the aftermath of dealing with trauma, and a love story. As always the author writes complicated and unforgettable characters and I absolutely loved getting to know these characters. Whittaker has a unique writing style which may not be for everyone. But I love his writing type. He is better at showing than telling and the writing is almost poetic at times. It requires sometimes re-reading to not miss what he is trying to tell you.

One of my favorite books was We Begin At The End and just as good. I am giving 4.5 stars because I did feel the length towards the middle of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown books for the advanced reader copy.

Chris Whitaker's books are often sold as a thriller, but this is absolutely NOT a typical popcorn thriller. This story will weave a beautiful saga with unforgettable characters in the darkest of places. I consider this novel to be a literary mystery. All the Colors of the Dark is a richly layered work of fiction that I could not put down.

All the Colors of the Dark begins with a poor boy saving a rich girl and in the process gets abducted. This novel is about the aftermath,, what happens after the boy, Patch, is found. It tells the story about how the trauma has altered the lives of Patch, those closest to him, and those saved by him. The story takes place over decades and is quiet and tender, yet also harsh and emotional. The characters are very well-developed and the reader will get to hear from both Patch and the girl who will stop at nothing to find him, Saint. (Chris Whitaker's characters are so perfectly named, too!)

I read this book digitally and didn't realize that it is whopping 600+ pages! I think Whitaker could have cut it back quite a bit and still had a great story, thus the 4 star rating. This is a story that requires the reader's careful attention throughout, but especially the last 20%. I tried to read this one slowly, but found myself so immersed in the characters that I had to keep turning the pages.

Thanks for Netgalley and Crown Publishing for this ARC.

I really enjoyed Tall Oaks by this author but this one missed the mark for me. Too long, meandering plot with many red herrings and twists that popped up from nowhere. It was missing the humor and quirky charm of Tall Oaks…just not for me at all. Thank you NetGalley for advance copy for honest review.

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. Absolutely incredible. This book took my heart, cradled it, then stomped on it for 600 pages, and I happily went for the ride. Add to that emotion an incredible serial killer story and this reader is happy. I will read anything that Chris Whitaker writes.