This novel by Chris Whitaker has a TON of buzz on Bookstagram and other social media platforms. For GREAT reason. He is a master storyteller that will take your heart and squeeze it with his beautiful prose. At the core of this touching and intense story is Patch Macauley, a local boy born with one eye, who turns his difference into a symbol of strength. His brave act of saving a rich family's daughter from being kidnapped sparks a series of events that deeply connect him with those around him.

Whitaker mixes genres easily, using a missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, and a heartfelt love story. The characters in "All the Colors of the Dark" are vividly portrayed and heart wrenchingly unforgettable. From Saint, who never stops searching for her lost friend, to Misty, the girl Patch saves who has her own secrets, each character adds complexity to the story.

Whitaker's writing is vivid, painting the American landscape with striking clarity and drawing readers into the time period. His use of short chapters and concise, compelling sentences drives the story forward, making it hard to put down. I found myself immersed and too busy reading to cook for my family!

The novel also deeply explores the ripple effects of trauma and the various ways people deal with loss and fear. Patch’s transformation from a bullied boy to a celebrated artist highlights the theme of change, while Saint’s career in law enforcement emphasizes the moral complexities of seeking justice.

"All the Colors of the Dark" is more than just a thriller; it is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of human vulnerability and strength, making it a standout read of 2024. This is a novel that demands to be read, shared, and remembered. GET THIS BOOK and read it with your book club.

Welcome back We Begin At The End fans. It’s been a long, but truly worthwhile wait. This dark and sometimes gritty thriller will have you hooked from the very beginning. The characters are so genuine and pure you can’t help but want to love them. The devastating effects of your first love, heartbreak, trauma. and a serial killer on top of that immerses you in the lives of Patch and Saint. This book was an incredible read. Grace paints us such beautiful backgrounds. Saints commitment and loyalty are unending. This book had a few parts I gasped out loud. Highly recommend!!

3.5 stars for me.

Whitaker offers several interconnected storylines, and while each one individually appealed to me, I felt a growing lack of connection to the characters as the tales melded into another: young friendship, serial killer, outlaw search, small-town intrigue, and longtime mysteries revealed.

Chris Whitaker's novel All the Colors of the Dark builds a story of a deep friendship between two young outcasts in small-town Monta Clare, Missouri: Patch, a pirate-playing young man missing one eye, whose mother is unreliable and a substance abuser; and Saint, a tomboy raised by her fearless grandmother.

A kidnaper and serial killer intrudes on the quiet community and directly impacts Patch and Saint. The horrifying crimes seems to be motivated by religious fanaticism, and both Patch and Saint's futures are shaped by their ties to the darkly disturbing events.

I adored the early building of the deep connection and affection between Saint and Patch. And I was intrigued by the disparate-seeming story that soon emerges, beginning with the premise of a serial killer whose actions haunt our main characters and whose horrifying spectre looms over them.

There's yet another somewhat separate-feeling story of an outlaw, and a study on prison life, as well as an extended look at a life spend in law enforcement and seeking justice. There are deep betrayals, long-term mysteries, and, finally, many revealed truths (some of which you may anticipate, including the biggies). Each of these storylines would be one I'm interested in, and Whitaker offers a fascinating interconnectedness between them.

But the storytelling frequently felt scattered to me, with overly dramatic moments, abrupt statements that are seemingly meant to add impact, and what felt like self-conscious attempts to be offbeat. Characters frequently offer grand speeches to each other about how the world works, and these didn't feel genuine or likely to me.

A key character gives up everything to relentlessly seek out a dreamlike possibility of something that might be real, and this didn't sit comfortably with me after the early devotion illustrated between our main protagonists and the character growth evidenced in the meantime. This character's youthful romantic relationship, whose impact becomes pivotal in some ways, also didn't feel real to me.

Yet the cast of characters is colorful, and I enjoyed the time I spent with them.

I received a prepublication edition of this title courtesy of NetGalley and Crown Publishing.

Chris Whitaker is also the author of We Begin at the End, a novel I adored.

To see my full review on The Bossy Bookworm, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see All the Colors of the Dark.

What a beautiful story with such dark subject matter. Characters are written so richly, and the twist was never something I had suspected. Just in time with our local art fair book display

Sometimes, when you really love a book, it's hard to write a review of it. This is how it is for me with All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. This book is over 600 pages, but I didn't want it to end. The story takes place in Missouri in 1975, Two best friends, Patch and Saint, are each a little bit odd, but they've got each other and that's enough for them. Tragedy strikes one day and separates them. What happens from there is an epic tale spanning decades. This story is part mystery, part thriller, and many parts friendship and found family. There are some great twists and turns but what sticks with me is the prevailing theme of devotion woven throughout the story. The characters in this book will be living in my head for a very long time. 5 stars for All the Colors of the Dark.

Huge thanks to Crown Publishing and NetGalley for a review copy of All the Colors of the Dark.

A unique journey, spanning decades. A similar reading experience to that found in The Gold Finch. 10/10 recommend for those who gravitate towards character driven plots.

There were a few moments about half way in where I wondered where the story was headed and why some things were being shared. But, the author beautifully weaved these seemingly small moments, conversations, and details into a masterful story with a beautiful end. The joy and pleasure of this book is found in the beautiful storytelling. If you want a quick read that follows a relatively straightforward plot, this isn't the one. If you want to go on an expected journey with complex characters whose lives are as complicated as they are, read this book now!

A phenomenal book that had my heart racing, for multiple reasons, the entire way through. This book was dark, horrifying, heartbreaking and unimaginable at times. But all throughout it was a beautiful story of people, community, loyalty, passion and true friendship. It was a rollercoaster of a ride with shocking twists and moments that took my breath away. The characters were written flawlessly and each was unique, nuanced and full of life. While the story is gritty, often gruesome and painful to read; the book is full of so much love, compassion and empathy. It was a truly beautiful experience to read and I will not be forgetting it anytime soon.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are mine alone.

"𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴."
You're going to need some caffeine after starting 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 because it's impossible to put down. This genre-bender of a book - it's a mystery, a police procedural, a thriller, a coming-of-age story and a romance all rolled into one - is 600 pages of brilliant storytelling with the kind of unforgettable characters only Chris Whitaker can create.

"𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶."

Edoardo Ballerini's wonderful audiobook narration was like listening to a movie unfold, and the short chapters left me constantly wanting more. The way Whitaker ties things together is masterful - what seem like throwaway details come back chapters later to make a big impact - and there were times I re-listened to passages just to marvel in his turns of phrase. From the beautiful writing to the complex and unique plot, it's impossible not to be moved by this story of love, sacrifice, trauma, friendship and redemption.

Thanks to Crown Publishing for the copy to review.

Whitaker is an absolutely beautiful writer, but I've come to realize that his books are just not a fit for me. I have a hard time getting into his stories and for their length, it becomes tedious for me.

I loved We Begin at the End so I was excited to read Chris Whitaker’s newest novel. All the Colors of the Dark was so beautifully heartbreaking yet hopeful and at the root of the story are the most amazing characters. The mystery aspect of the story coupled with the excellent character development made me want to read to keep turning the pages, yet I did not want this amazing story to end. I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I have a major book hangover after reading this gem! Enough said.

I read this book slow and savored every word. I was invested in this story from the beginning. Every time I put the book down I was thinking about the characters. Someone was always suffering, hoping, searching, judging and loving. I felt every emotion imaginable. This novel is why I read books… to meet new characters, to travel to places I have never visited, and to immerse myself in their story.

I received an advanced electronic copy from publisher Crown books and Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.

I closed the cover and was “speechless”! I sat in silence just thinking of the novel and all I can come up with is “Wow”! “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker was something of unspoken brilliance! Characters were phenomenal and the descriptions breathtaking! 5 + Stars!

This novel stands alone above the rest, It’s suspense, mystery and love story will leave you awestruck. Each sentence takes you to a place you’ve now seen and experienced with such vividness and livelihood you can paint the image in your mind with no doubt.

Even though onerous and oppressive, it’s a page-turner thriller based in Monta Clare, Missouri. Two kids, best friends and their story from the beginning. Patch, a one eyed boy who becomes a hero but is the brunt of a sick serial killers obsession. Devastation yet hope remains at the forefront of this epic tale!

The twists of this novel lurk in the shadows of good people, bad people and those you question until the end. An adventure with immense emotion, shocking secrets and a plot pulling at your heartstrings like no other. Coming full circle “ All the Colors of the Dark” will without a doubt leave you at a loss for words!

Thank you to @crownpublishing and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! I will never forget it!

Before I begin my review, let me say I do love Chris Whitaker for his previous book We Begin at the End (highly recommend!), for his personal story he has shared and how he has overcome so much to find a way to pursue his passion of writing, and finally for his beautiful works he has published. He does a tremendous amount of research for areas of the US he has never been to and learned so many details of the US - from the geography and descriptions of areas, to the history, and even to names of things like Kohler! Very impressive for this British writer who probably grew up playing soccer/futbol and yet knew about the Chargers and 49ers!

This coming-of-age story of a serial murderer and a desperate search for someone he was kept imprisoned with in total darkness. A fascinating premise, if the story had not been so long.

Patch (for his one eye he has patched) and Saint are childhood friends. Their stories on complicated yet very interwoven throughout their lives. Patch sees the man who is suspected of taking and murdering girls in his area with Misty, a local girl from a wealthy family. Having saved her, Misty is very devoted to Patch.

As each of these characters grow up, life gets a lot more complicated for each of them. Although the story felt long for me, I did love these characters.

I really look forward to the book being made into a series! Congratulations to Chris Whitaker. I will definitely look forward to more books from you!

My thanks to Net Galley and Crown Publishers for an advanced copy of this e-book.

This was absolutely the thriller of the summer for me. Whitaker's writing style really drew me into the story and I loved the multiple perspectives and how the book took place over several years. It was a rather hefty long book (200+ chapters is no small feat) and I felt it could have been greatly condensed.

Overall I loved the red herrings and small clues that drew all the different plot points together. It was fascinating and heart breaking and had the best conclusion.

Absolutely a book I will read likely every year.

5 easy stars from me.

Content warnings: violence, domestic abuse, discussion of rape and abortions, language, missing persons

Review will be posted via goodreads and Instagram via @readingkelsey

keywords: thriller, fiction, small town, murder, serial killers, mystery

A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story - a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.

𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 ♡

(Thanks so much to @prhaudio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and to @netgalley for the eARC - I was able to binge this book before BOTM even shipped my box 🙈)

⟡ 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 :
-buzzy new releases that are worth the hype
-genre-bending books
-short chapters
-well written characters
-poetic prose
-multiple timelines & intricate plots
-already picked up for a tv series!

⟡ 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
1970s historical fiction, coming of age, found family, missing person mystery, serial killer thriller + an epic love story that spans decades - this genre-bending masterpiece literally has something for everyone.

This may be the most intricate, unique book I have ever read. Hauntingly poetic & full of colorful imagery, I was captivated from the very first chapter.

Its 600 pages are daunting, but it’s broken down into short, easily bingeable chapters.
I just think the pacing was a tad off & the middle was sort of meandering, making me feel like it could have been edited down a bit. This is the only reason it wasn’t a full 5 stars for me.

Ultimately I think it was an achingly beautiful story about grief & hope - one that everyone should read once in their lifetime.

4.5*
Whitaker has once again brought us a book that is impossible to put down. His writing draws us in with his outstanding characters and his riveting plot. Set in 1975, the book follows Patch, a boy missing an eye and any hope of a promising future. He saves a girl and it leads to dire consequences for the boy. Similar to the main character in Demon Copperhead, Patch is on the bottom of society’s heap. Despite his circumstances, he has a sweet nature and is very sensitive. When his act of courage leads him into hell, our heart breaks.

It's hard to say too much without giving away the story. This is a mesmerizing book about yearning, about humanity and what touches us, especially in our darkest hours. Tears will be shed and hearts will be touched. Not to be missed!

(Rounded up from 2.75) This could have been a really great book, but for me, it was merely a decent book. I almost gave up on it at around 55%, but so many people loved it that I pushed on, skimming a bit, to get to the end. Whitaker had a great start, but then it really, really dragged in the middle. All The Colors of the Dark is overly long, at about 600 pages; a good editor could have done wonders for it by cutting it down to a more manageable length.

The two main characters, Patch and Saint, were well-drawn individuals. We don’t really get enough on the third main character, Misty, to say the same about her. There’s also a great side character, Sammy, who owns an art gallery in the small Missouri town where much of the action takes place. (I kept wondering how there could be a viable art gallery in a place that could barely sustain a movie theater, but oh well.) I’m glad I didn’t DNF midway because then I wouldn’t have met Charlotte, a feisty character I loved.

This is not a thriller, although there are a couple of “action scenes” here and there, and there’s definitely a mystery. It’s more of a literary character-driven drama.

Another thing a good editor should have caught was a glaring Britishism, even though the book takes place in the United States. (The author is British/English.) The phrase “fell pregnant” was used a few times; this phrase is not used in the US. We say “I/she got pregnant” or “I am/she is pregnant.” (I checked the published audiobook and these phrases were still there, just as in my review copy of the book).

There is a lot of talk of religion in this book, specifically certain Christian religious beliefs. That’s something I don’t care for in my reading, but other people may not have the same issue. It overlays a lot of the story.

The audiobook, which I thank my public library for, is narrated by the wonderful Eduardo Ballerini, but even he couldn’t save this one. It was just too long and meandering.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Whitaker is a storyteller through and through. This book is extremely well written and Whitaker’s characters are sheer perfection. There are so many elements in this story that you’ll be tempted to rush to the finish, but take your time and savor every word! Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

HANDS DOWN THE BEST BOOK OF 2024. This book is GOLD. The characters- RIVETING! The setting- UNFORGETTABLE! The short chapters taht kept you reading.. unreal!! 5 stars isn't enough!