I fell in love with Chris Whitaker after reading 𝗪𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱. With this new book, he again proves his genius. His books are so much more than a mystery or thriller - there is so much heart in his novels. The Pirate and Beekeeper are unlike any characters I’ve ever encountered. I loved their story, their friendship, their love for each other. There is so much covered from 1976-2001, and every piece is crucial to the story - kidnapping, survivor’s guilt, a house. Each sentence is written better than the next.

From Duchess to Patch and Saint - his characters are so incredibly special and will stay with me for a long time.

An epic story, about love, and friendship that starts in 1975 and spans decades.
Wonderful characters..
Patch and Saint two youngsters who become friends, and then their world is shaken when young Patch saves a local girl from being taken by a man in the woods and comes to harm himself.
This is a thriller also..missing girls, a serial killer mystery.
Very short chapters (which I love)… will keep you turning pages… I was hooked from the start!
I was brought to tears at the end … satisfying tears.
Highly recommended!

This novel is written over the span of 25 years, from 1976 to 2001, and follows the lives of Saint and Patch from their teenage years to adulthood, showcasing their different life paths, journies, and decisions. The depiction of small-town life and the struggles of the oppressed members of the town are vivid and immersive. Whitaker has such a way with his words, and even though the novel has a little over 608 pages, the beautiful writing, and smartly written chapters don't make this novel daunting.

I really have nothing negative to say about this read. I will, without a doubt, be thinking of the story told for months to come. My only issue is that the categories given to this story are mystery and thriller fiction. I would stress that it's written more as a character study than a plot-driven story, so I personally, think it should be marketed more as a literary and contemporary read (the crime thriller told within takes a back-seat when compared to the character's relationship. All the Colors of the Dark is truly a captivating read, and I cannot emphasize how heavily I recommend this.

Quick take: I really enjoyed this overall and definitely recommend it, but it didn’t rise to the 5-star level for me like it did for many other early reviewers.

I won’t even attempt a plot summary, but I will say that this book is about a small town, missing girls, friendship, and art, and it follows the characters over decades. It has short chapters that make it easy to read just a little more than you planned each time you sit down with it. Despite the marketing, it is not paced like a typical mystery or thriller; it is a character driven, slow burn drama that happens to have with a mystery element. I wanted to find out what was going on, but it was a lot of work to get there. This book is over 600 pages and I felt it! There were a few big reveals over the course of the book, but they felt few and far between. There was a big payoff at the end, but at times in the middle it felt like a slog and I questioned whether it would be worth it.

I think I’m in the minority in that I didn’t love or hate it! I remember struggling with Whitaker’s writing style when I read his last book, WE BEGIN AT THE END, but I didn’t have trouble with it this time. I didn’t fall in love with the characters, perhaps because I spent too much time rolling my eyes at some of the romantic entanglements, or just because it felt like the author was trying too hard to tug at my heartstrings and I’m too cynical. Despite my complaints, I definitely recommend this if it’s on your radar - I think it will be absolutely perfect for many readers!

Thank you NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am saddened to say that I am DNFing at nearly 40%. While I enjoyed “We Begin at the End,” I’m not loving Whitaker’s newest (upcoming) release. The description as being a “soaring thriller” fell flat making the story lean heavily on the “epic love story that spans decades.”

I loved this book! The character development. The good in the most unexpecting people. How the story is all woven together in the end and the surprises in how it all wraps up. Five stars!

"All the Colors of the Dark" has so many ecstatic reviews from fans of Chris Whitaker that I simply had to read it. Thanks to Crown publishers and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not as enraptured by this book as other reviewers. The first part of terrific, a great establishment of characters and situation, class and setting. You love Saint and Patch, and I loved Misty. Whitaker does a beautiful job in putting his characters on that hero/villain tightrope that keeps you guessing.

The novel is too long, and the short chapters interrupt the opportunity for greater development. Too many jump-cuts--I think his readers have a longer attention span for story development and character growth. He's such a good writer that I wish an editor had taken an x-acto and sliced out a hundred pages which would have helped maintain the tension. I liked "All the Colors of the Dark" to take a chance on another of his novels, perhaps a shorter, tighter one.

When a rich girl in town is targeted, an unlikely hero emerges; Patch, a local boy with only one eye. He saves the girl but starts of a chain of devastation and heartache.

This one has been getting amazing reviews so I had to read it. I loved the beginning as Patch and Saint were children and beginning their friendship. There’s some major excitement and drama in the beginning that I loved. After that it turned into more of a mystery story and I just wasn’t as hooked. I’m definitely the outlier here so I still suggest you try it for yourself.

“If you ever get the chance to make someone smile, or better yet, make someone laugh, then you take it. Each and every time.”

All the Colors of the Dark comes out 6/25.

A book this good is such a rarity. I’ll be recommending it to my library patrons in hopes that I can get them away from formulaic tripe and show them what gifted writers can do. The story line continually surprises, the characters are genuine. Such a delight in today’s world of cheap fast thrills..

My god, this book was so great. The writing was amazing the characters so fleshed out. Whitaker writes children/young adults like Stephen King, and that is the highest of compliments coming from me! By a lesser auther this could have come across as hokey but even with some strands of the story I would usually role my eyes at I just bought in whole heartedly. I swear, I am not a crier but my son was giving me shit for crying through the last 25% of the book. I have a hard time thinking of someone I wouldn't recomend this to. I am worried nothing else I read this year will captivae me as this has

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for providing an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

Loved the two main characters, Saint and Patch. If this wasn’t such a long book I think I would have enjoyed it more. This story had a little bit of an everything which I did enjoy. Loved the short chapters but there were so many of them!!!

Thanks to netgalley and Crown Publishing for my advanced ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

Publish date: June 25, 2024

Beautifully written, well-plotted, emotional read that pulled me into the story of Patch and Saint. This tale of a mystery, friendship, love, resilience, loss, sacrifice and healing from trauma was told through beautiful storytelling.

The story unfolded over a number of decades and included twists and revelations, leading to a very satisfying conclusion. The character development of Patch and Saint was superb - they felt so real and it was easy to care about them - and the secondary characters gave added depth to the plot and the world the author built in this novel.

It is a long story (600 pages) but it was told in easily digestible short chapters that kept my attention. This was a very emotional, satisfying novel.

Chris Whitaker has written a wonderful novel that is on par with his previous novel, We Begin at the End. Highly recommend both!

One of the best reads of the year for me to date.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley & Crown Publishing for an eARC ♥️🥹

I am utterly enchanted by this captivating novel! Chris Whitaker's masterpiece has left me spellbound and yearning for more. The tender tale of Patch and Saint's friendship 🥹 is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of human connection♥️

With each turn of the page, I was transported to a world of beauty and wonder, where the intricacies of the human heart are laid bare. Whitaker's writing is nothing short of magic, weaving a narrative that is both poignant and uplifting.

The characters are crafted with such precision and love that they leap off the page, their struggles and triumphs resonating deep within my soul. I laughed and cried alongside them, my heart swelling with joy and sorrow.

This book is a triumph, a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit. It reminds us that our relationships are the very fabric of our existence, and that love and loyalty can conquer even the darkest of challenges.

In short, I am in awe of this magnificent novel♥️♥️♥️♥️
It has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I shall cherish it forever. If you're looking for a book that will touch your soul and leave you breathless, look no further. This is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of love and friendship.

Finishing All the Colors of the Dark left me with a deep book hangover. It combined styles and genres to create what was a perfect story for me. I took my time getting into the novel, but by 50%, I wanted to stop my life and read straight through - which I mostly did. The conclusion had many surprises, and the resolution was highly satisfying. At 600+ pages, choosing this book is a commitment. If you are wondering if it's for you, consider the following:
The story is primarily set in rural Missouri, and the sense of place is superb. Regions and locations across the country are also mentioned, which I found fascinating because I've road-tripped all over the continental US and been to almost every place described in the book, many of which are pretty obscure. The author nailed the descriptions.
The main characters experience chronic childhood trauma not only because of the serial killer but also because of pervasive family dysfunction. The serial killer abducts and kills young women. There aren't a lot of graphic descriptions, but there is plenty of trauma, so readers who can't do child abuse or endangerment should not read this book.
All the Colors of the Dark covers decades, jumping several years between sections. There are also many, many characters, and I often used my ebook search function to remind me of characters I had forgotten about. Whitaker has a rich vocabulary, and I also looked up many words. I think an audiobook version would be harder to follow.
The novel isn't fast-paced like most thrillers. While the chapters are short and often have hooks to keep you interested, the story unfolds atmospherically. There is a lot of attention to fleshing out the characters' backstories. I loved the character focus. This book will likely appeal to readers who love thrillers/mysteries but also appreciate deep character development and descriptive writing.
This would be an excellent book club pick because there is a lot to discuss between the characters, their plight, and the writer's style.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

Fantastic! Fantastic! I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of Chris Whitaker’s newest book set to be released on June 25th, 2024.
The is one of those books that I will not forget anytime soon, and it will definitely be one of my top reads of the year. It is a lengthy novel, but it needs to be to tell a story like this.
The story begins in 1975 in a small town in Missouri, when you meet Patch, Saint and Misty. Girls in the town are turning up missing, and on a chance encounter in the woods one day, Misty is almost abducted. Patch happens to come across the attempted abduction, he helps Misty get away, and is now taken by the abductor.
The repercussions from that day on, carries us on an unforgettable journey to 2001. This story is about friendships, heartache, redemption, love, sadness, and how most of us all have something to bear in our life journey. There are times I was angry, times I was shocked and most of all times I was hoping for a happy ending.
This book will stay with me for a long time to come. I had no clue how this was going to end for these much loved characters. The author’s writing makes you engrossed in these families, and especially Patch.
I loved this book and highly recommend you pick it up and move it to the top of your reading list.
Thank you to #netgalley and #Crown publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy.

Ugh this book!! It's one of those books that puts you into a book/brain fog and you have to sit, let it settle and struggle to live life again! All the Colors of the Dark wraps you up and won't let you go when you put it down until you pick it back up and read furiously until the end for answers and it's not a thriller! There are thrilling and exciting parts but this book is about more than that. It's about people, the secrets they keep, decisions they make and dealing with the consequences of life. You'll never look at purple honey the same ever again!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let's be honest here. I saw the page count and thought "Oh dear what did I get myself in to?" About 350 pages is my reading sweet spot. Anything longer than that and it really needs to be a good story! And the summary makes it sound more like a sweeping epic than a detailed thorough look at a small town, its inhabitants, and missing kids. Was that worth 600 pages? Well, yes, yes it was! I don't know how this book could have been done with fewer. Every little thing was needed! Some of the plot points seemed like a bit of a stretch, but the characters are so defined and developed that the reader can believe that the things they did were within the realm of possibility. The allowance of the story to not solve all the problems with one explanation also made it feel plausible and closer to reality. By the end of the book, I had come to know and love many of the characters. No matter what you are thinking about this book when you start to read it, you will find something unexpected to hold dear.

Chris Whitaker is such a stunning writer. This was a long story but worth it. The story spans many years and many plot lines. I loved every single character. It was funny at times, beautiful, deep. A mystery mixed with everyday relationships and emotions and hardships.

Another high praise for Chris Whitaker. He is a master at creating a beautifully written book. The details that he puts into his characters is unlike any book I have ever read. They are so realistic, so multifaceted, so incredible. Whether you like them or not, you get sucked into their story and can't look away. Despite this book being 600+ pages - and a long read! It moved so quickly. The chapters are short, the pages are too the point. I never felt like the book was too wordy or unnecessary. This is a mystery/thriller, this is a story about love, about friendship and about growth. Trusting your gut. Tragedy and celebration. From page one, I was hooked and could not put this book down. My second book by Whitaker, who is now an autobuy author for me! A must read!

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

A really good story- suspenseful & a good read. The fact that the story spans decades and has over 200
short chapters kind of made me feel like it was overly drawn out but I did enjoy the story.

As I said above - a really good read but won’t be for everyone. Glad I took the time to read and appreciate the arc copy from NetGalley!