Special thanks to Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once again Chris Whitaker provides an outstanding story that spans decades of friendship and tragedy. This was a gritty thriller centering on two best friends and the devastating circumstances that bind them. The storyline of a serial kidnapper that spans decades incredibly develops these characters throughout the course of their lives. These characters will stay with you as two of the most memorable and intricate fictional friends. A must read for literary thriller fans!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of All the Colors of the Dark. This is a engaging story that felt like a bit of a ramble. It made me think of Forrest Gump, in the way. The book is extremely long and I'm sure the author felt every word of it was important. I give 5 stars for the story and 3 stars length, if that makes sense.

This book is bittersweet in the most beautiful, soul-wrenching way. Chris Whitaker has once again created a world full of flawed, unforgettable characters that crawl under your skin and stay there. I was absolutely in love with them all—especially Saint. Oh, Saint. 💔

Her loyalty, strength, and quiet endurance gutted me. She gave everything for Patch—her time, her youth, her love—and I couldn’t help but wish she’d gotten more in return. The one star I’ve taken off is purely because I was so, so, so in love with her character and I just wanted more for her. She deserved the world.

Also, I adored Charlotte—she brought so much fire and spirit to the second half of the book. Her interactions with Patch, Saint, Sammy and Norma made me laugh and fall all the more in love with each of them. I honestly wish there was more about her—I’d read a whole book just following her around.

That said, the story is stunning. It hurts, but in a way that makes you feel alive. It explores trauma, redemption, obsession, love, and healing with so much emotional depth. The ending may not be tied in a neat bow, but it feels real, earned, and deeply human.

A beautiful, bruising book.

All The Colors of the Dark - Chris Whitaker
Pub Date - 6/24/25
Rating - 4/5
Thoughts - I went back and read this book after seeing glowing reviews, and they honestly didn't disappoint! I loved the premise of this book and the really short chapters didn't make me feel like like I was reading. The friendship between the two main characters was beautifully played out and the storyline was well executed. The only thing I didn't love was the true length of the story. I felt like it could have been wrapped up much quicker getting to the same point at the end.

This book is a genre-blending mix of literary fiction (with so many powerful characters they feel real), thriller (the disappearances of many teen girls), mystery (who took the girls and where are they buried), and love story (familiar love, romantic love, the love of someone who saved your life). My only complaint is that I could really feel the book's length. The beginning intrigued me, the ending was fantastic, but the middle sagged and my interest lagged.

Queue Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters"

🎵"For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
They know not if it's dark outside or light"🎵

What a fantastic novel – dare I say it will be one of my favorite reads of 2025? With all of the pre-publication praise and having read and loved We Begin at the End, I knew I just had to read All the Colors of the Dark! Though a bit daunting in size (593 pages), the short chapters and poignant dialogue had me turning page after page, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down.

Whitaker created a genre-bending, well-paced, heart-pounding and heart-wrenching novel. And once again, Whitaker has also fleshed out a cast of unforgettable characters who are so vibrant, so complex, so strong yet flawed and vulnerable, I know Patch and Saint and Sammy will stay with me the way Duchess and Walk have all these years. I will say there were a few points in the second half of the novel where I felt like it strayed a bit, but not enough to impact my intent to finish and find out what happens in the end. Now only if Duchess and Patch would cross paths.

A great book club book for sure!

Wow! What a read - a great thriller that is a bit chunky of a book but this is truly a stunner of a read - will be in my top 10 of the year no doubt. Heartbreaking, twisty, gorgeously written

An intricately-woven story with memorable characters. Whitaker has once again hit it out of the park.

I am beyond in love with this book! My top book of the year hands down! The story is both a love story in many ways and an impeccably done mystery. I will be reading everything this author writes from now on. Highly, highly recommend

All the Colors of the Dark is a story about Patch, a young down on his luck teen, who happens to make a decision in a circumstance that alters his life forever. Every page turned left me heartbroken for his journey, but also hopeful and optimistic for the eventual outcome of the ending. One of the fastest books I've read in a looooooong time. Brilliantly done, leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat with multiple twists and turns you don't see coming.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book has received a lot of hype, and while I agree it is a good read, I had some issues. First, I did enjoy the characters. Some of them were funny and others eccentric. I did think the story dragged in places. It was quite long. It was also hard to follow at times. Some of it seemed highly implausible, but it is fiction, so… I really liked how the story ended.

3.5

In All the Colors of the Dark, a missing persons mystery, a serial killer thriller, and an epic love story converge over several decades. The story follows Patch, consumed by his search for Grace, a girl he encountered during captivity, and Saint, who relentlessly pursues him. Their intertwined paths create a tangled web of truth and obsession.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to friends. It’s long but the character building is fantastic. 🙌🏻

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this masterfully crafted novel set against the backdrop of 1975 America, Chris Whitaker delivers a gripping story that intertwines the themes of disappearance, obsession, and the bittersweet nature of love. As tensions heighten with the Vietnam War coming to an end and cultural shifts reshaping the nation, the small town of Monta Clare is shaken to its core by the mysterious disappearances of girls.

The plot centers on Patch, an unlikely hero who bravely steps in to rescue the daughter of a wealthy family when she becomes a target. His courageous act opens the door to a whirlwind of repercussions that explore the delicate balance between triumph and tragedy. Whitaker paints a vivid picture of Patch's world, capturing the innocence of youth while weaving in the darker undertones of obsession that threaten to consume those around him.

The character development is impressive; Patch is relatable and deeply flawed, resonating with readers as he navigates his motivations and the impact of his actions on those he loves. The bonds between characters are tested as the search for answers reveals uncomfortable truths and secrets that could tear them apart.

A standout quote that encapsulates the core of the story is: “The line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer.” This perfectly reflects the precarious nature of the events unfolding in Monta Clare and highlights the novel's tension as characters face harrowing choices.

Additionally, the author skillfully explores themes of hope in the face of despair. One poignant line states: “What lurks in the shadows of obsession can sometimes blind us to the light that still exists.” This encapsulates the internal struggles of the characters as they grapple with their demons while yearning for connection and understanding.

While the pacing is generally strong, some sections felt a bit slower as the narrative delved into backstories. A tighter focus in these areas could have enhanced the overall sense of urgency. However, the intricate layers of the plot and the unexpected twists kept me engaged throughout.

Overall, this novel is a haunting yet hopeful exploration of the darker side of human nature intertwined with the resilience of the human spirit. Whitaker's ability to blend mystery, romance, and psychological thriller elements makes this a standout read. I recommend it for those who enjoy character-driven stories that probe the depths of obsession, love, and the complexity of relationships. It’s a poignant reminder that even in shadows, there is always a glimmer of hope waiting to be uncovered.

I previously read Whitaker's book, We Begin at the End, and I loved it. It was a top read of the year when I read it. Given that, I was incredibly excited to receive an ARC of his new book. While it didn't quite live up to We Begin at the End, and therefore the hype I had built up for this, it was still a strong and emotional read!

Whitaker is so good at developing interesting and complex characters. It was the highlight of We Begin at the End and it was one of the assets of this read as well. He breathes life into his characters and has a way of making them feel like real life people that the reader gets so invested in. The development over the course of the book is top notch!

The plot was also very solid. This story was gritty and dark and emotional and it drew me in so easily. I was invested in Patch and Saint and their journey.

Lastly, Whitaker's writing is fantastic. As with the characters and plot development, his writing just works so well to draw me in and engage with.

Ultimately, I am giving this a 4 star review, and I think it is entirely on me. I loved We Begin at the End so much, that I think I overhyped this book and had too high of expectations. I think had this been my first Whitaker read, I could see it being a 5 star. I can't even say what more I wanted from this book or what would have made it 5 stars. So again, I think it's just me and the mindset I was in at the time.

Expertly crafted. Fans of Crawdad and To Kill a Mockingbird can appreciate this mystery/southern gothic. I will be living with these characters for a while. Saint and Patch will be names I will not soon forget like Dill and Jean Louise...or even McCarthy's John Grady Cole.

Wow! What a wonderful book and is deserving of all of the pre-publishing hype! A book that makes you think hard at every twist and turn. Courage, love, trauma, love are all themes that weave their way throw all of the characters. Don’t wait, read this book now. It will have you reflecting for months to come.

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

I would like to thank NetGalley and Crown for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on June 25, 2024.

This is easily one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I will read it again.

“I wonder what exactly a mistake is. A thing we should not have done, right? But if learning is built on trial and error there can be no mistakes, only rungs on a ladder to someplace better.”
— Chris Whitaker, All the Colors of the Dark

This book has a lot of everything: a love story, a mystery, a serial killer, a missing person and much more. The daughter of a wealthy family goes missing and Patch, a local boy, save the girl. To say more would be a spoiler and I won't do that. Just get the book and read it to find out what happens.

I cant say that I love this book as much as We Begin at the End, but Whitaker really knows how to write a compelling story. A deep character study on best friends Patch and Saint, following their lives through heartbreak after heartbreak. I loved the ending, but the story got lost for me a little in the middle, and it was so long. I rarely give any book 5 stars, but this was a solid 3.75 for me. Thank you to netgalley for this ARC.

An epic coming of age story that subverts expectations at every turn. Whitaker’s characters jump off the page and truly leave a lasting impression. I will recommend this novel often!