This is a very complex novel! While I found it masterfully written, it is too long to consistently keep me engaged in such a very dark plot. At times, I found myself skimming to look for any uplifting tidbits to keep me reading. Finding none, I would put it down for days at a time before trying once again to read it. I am not sorry that I read it, but I did not enjoy it as much as We Begin at the End. So, 3.5 stars rounded up. I will certainly be exploring any new novels that Chris Whitaker writes in the future. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am never going to get over this book. I loved it so, so very much and I cannot wait to sell it. This is a beautiful story of friendship, found family, community, and strength. Though the mystery is what drives the plot forward, there is SO much here that makes this book incredible. This is my top read of the year, without question.

Let me begin by saying, I love long books and I get hooked when I see the word “epic” in reviews. This novel is indeed epic, but the writing is so “overwrought” and confusing at times that 600 pages is just too long. By the end, this reader was so weary of all the twists and turns, I just wanted it to be over. The characters are really interesting and powerful but the complex plot overshadows their depth. Perhaps better editing? I loved We Begin at the End but this one falls short.

This book has a lot of depth to it and will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. Whitaker definitely likes a strong female lead - the character in this book had similar traits to the lead in his previous title We Begin at the End. I highly recommend this book and will reread it for sure!

I cannot say how much I loved this with the words this masterpiece deserves. I cannot paint the picture in the dark of these incredible.characters. I am wordless, wiping tears, and smiling . This book is a gift to all.of humanity.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Best book of 2024 by far. Epic. Characters that will stay with you long after the last pages. Coming of age, mystery/thriller, friendship. Chris Whitaker is a must read author. His last book We Begin at the End was outstanding. This was even better. Despite the book length, the chapters were shot and you won’t want to put this one down.

This book earned five full stars from me and one of the top books of the year. The story begins with two teenage characters, Patch and Saint and their involvement with a serial killer. The novel spans the decades and shows the true power of trust, friendship, love, loss and hope. I loved Whitaker’s style of storytelling and the picture he painted with words in this novel. I will be thinking of this book for a long time.

A complementary copy was provided by publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of this book. I chose it because I had heard positive reviews and I have never read Chris Whitaker before.

This book is about a serial killer, and I would never have chosen it for its premise. 😬 , but this book is also about so much more. I fell in love with Patch. I fell in love with Saint. I loved so many other characters throughout the book. At times it reminded me of “Peace like a River” by Leif Enger, one of my favorites (but add serial killers and some suspenseful mystery). The ending brought everything together so beautifully , but not in a slapped together thriller sort of way.

4 starts because holy cow, this book was so long- could’ve gotten rid of 200 pages.

Just to start this book is incredibly well written. It weaves together two unforgettable characters with a supporting cast that fit just right. It’s one of those books that will stay with you for a long time, that’s how good it is. It took me a little bit to get into but then once I figured out how all of the characters fit together I was hooked and finished over 600 pages in 2 days. This book was equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. This is storytelling at its absolute best and I can’t recommend it enough!

This was my first book by this author and now I am very excited to read his backlist! This book might be my favorite of the year, I know it is my favorite I have read so far. This is the kind of book I wish we had a special rating for (5+ stars).

I love books that span lifetimes and really go deep into character development and this one did it so well! It spans 25 years and follows the friendship of Patch and Saint. It is a mix of genres with literary fiction intertwined with a mystery that keeps you reading.

This book written so beautifully. Although it was 600 pages it felt like a quick read- I would think about it when I wasn’t reading. The chapters were super short as well so I kept thinking I’d read one more but struggled to actually put it down.

The end was perfection and I almost cried (I am not a crier so if you are, get the tissues ready). Just read this book- you won’t regret it!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I’ll never be able to fluently express how meaningful this book was for me. I don't have the words, and, actually, I’m not worthy to have read it. I’m unsure how I’m expected to read another book after reading this one and feel sorrow for the books that follow it! 

After I finished reading, I had to email the author because I knew it would be impossible to get on with my life if I didn’t discuss it with someone. I never did that before, but after living in this beautifully heartbreaking yet hopeful literary space for a while, I knew I had no choice.  

Chris Whitaker's All the Colors of the Dark is a literary masterpiece that defies genre classification. It blends elements of historical fiction, thriller, mystery, romance, and police procedural into an emotionally resonant and profoundly moving narrative. This book has left an indelible mark on me, and I can confidently say it is my favorite book of all time.

I think the only thing you should know about the book’s premise is it centers around trauma after a horrific crime, yet it is the themes of love, hope, and redemption that stand out. This message of healing and hope amidst tragedy and trauma resonated deeply with me, but I am lucky enough to not have triggers. Those who do should seek them out before reading, and those are the only people who should steer clear of this book! Everyone else has to read it. Do not be afraid of the length. This chunker is 600+ pages but is worth the time. The chapters are short (many are 1-2 pages), but this is a moot point as you won’t be able to stop reading! 

The story spans several decades beginning in the 1970s and follows characters to whom I feel loyally indebted. I think about these people as if I know them. I worry about them. Whitaker’s ability to craft such deeply human characters drew me in immediately. I found myself obsessively invested in their journeys, which wasn’t surprising because I felt the same way about Duchess from We Begin at the End, a character whose resilience and complexity stayed with me long after I finished that book. Saint and Patch from this book will do the same. There are also intergenerational relationships that are especially poignant. Having been raised by my grandparents, I always find these bonds heartwarming and relatable, adding another layer of emotional depth to the story.

Whitaker's prose is breathtakingly beautiful, with lines that I found myself wanting to highlight and revisit, so I took screenshots of my iPad. Another thing I’ve never done! Two quotes that particularly struck me are: “Saint wondered what it was like to lose the thing that defined you but figured she knew. It left you someone else. A stranger you had no choice but to tolerate,” and “At ten years old he realized that people were born whole and that the bad things peeled layers from the person you once were, thinning compassion and empathy and the ability to construct a future. At thirteen he knew those layers could sometimes be rebuilt when people loved you. When you loved.” How beautiful?! 

All the Colors of the Dark will definitely send readers on a rollercoaster of emotions. At times, I was on the edge of my seat, my heart racing. Other times, I was moved to tears by the profound insights into love and loss. The suspense was so gripping that my heart rate actually spiked while reading, a testament to Whitaker’s masterful storytelling. Despite the dark themes, the book is also infused with humor. It also made me feel anger. There were times I wanted to punch my iPad in the face, but thought better of it. 

All the Colors of the Dark is a must-read. It’s a book that will make readers laugh, cry, and reflect on the nature of love and hope. It’s about finding oneself amidst the chaos and learning to heal. It’s a book that includes incredible lines like “learning to love and be loved was more than could ever be expected, more than enough for a thousand ordinary lifetimes.” It’s a book about unconditional love, true friendship, beekeeping, honey, pirates, and art. It’s a book about everything. Chris Whitaker has created a literary space that is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking, and I am forever grateful for the experience of living in it. I eagerly await the audiobook release to relive this journey in a different medium and hold out hope for a televised adaptation that captures the essence of this extraordinary novel.  I just can’t wait for the people I love with all my heart to read this book so I can talk to them about it!

👏🏼 FIVE STARS 👏🏼
Thank you, Crown Publishing, for the gifted copy of All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker {partner}

Genre: Literary Fiction
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 6.25.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

"You ever feel like you're living someone else's life? Paying for mistakes you don't even remember making?"

Chris Whitaker is a master storyteller. When I read his last book, We Begin at the End, I didn't think he could top the complex story, vivid images, and unique characters, but he unquestionably did. All the Colors of the Dark is one of those books you finish, set down, and then spend the next week thinking about.

I know I could never write a review that perfectly captured all the ways that make All the Colors of the Dark what it is, but just know that it's one of the most epic sagas I've read, and it is absolutely one of those books that I wish I could read again like it was the first time. I cried, laughed, sat on the edge of my seat, read quickly while holding my breath, thought about it when I wasn't reading it and longed for a happy outcome for all the characters whose lives were turned upside down in 1975. 

📝 Poetic writing
🥺 Coming-of-age
👏🏼 Short chapters that make an impact
📚 Mix of genres
💯 An absolute must-read

I highly recommend reading All the Colors of the Dark, but be prepared for it to be one of those books that stays with you long after you're finished reading.

This is my new favorite book of all time. It is absolutely heartbreaking but somehow also manages to feel like a hug at the same time. From beginning to end I was enthralled, and from first page to last page I had a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach; there was never reprieve.

This is a story about friendship and the genuine, unconditional love that comes with it. It’s about family, both blood and found. It’s about loss, grief, and growing up. And it’s also about missing children.

I knew nothing about this book other than I knew I wanted to read it after obsessing over We Begin at the End and pressing it on everyone I know, so I was thrilled when I was accepted to read an ARC of this 600 page masterpiece.

The way @chriswhitakerauthor is able to write such beautiful (and devastating) stories and to weave everything together so well? It’s flawless. You’ll fall hard for his characters and his writing.

It’s been a long time since a book has made me cry, and this one did just that. Don’t be intimidated by its size; it’s worth every page. These characters are some of my favorites now, and I already miss them so much.

P.S. @chriswhitakerauthor, am I supposed to love Sammy as much as I did?

This is easily one of the best books of the year. The author has such a way with words and getting his reader to be emotionally connected to his characters. I still think about the characters in We Begin at the End often, and I am sure Saint, Patch, Norma, Nix, Charlotte and Sammy will stay with me for a long, long time.

Catch me now pushing this book onto every single person I meet. I've already raved about it to my grandma and told her book club they need to pick it up for their July or August read.

Love, but not romance. Thriller, but not a bunch of unnecessary gore. Mystery and heartache. Hope and redemption.

Ugh, I just love this book SO much.

100 stars.

I loved Whitaker's "We Begin at the End," so I had high expectations for "All the Colors of the Dark." This book has equally engaging characters, but its plot is more complicated and fascinating. "All the Colors of the Dark" is a unique and suspenseful look at love's power.

Thirteen-year-old Patch Macauley is a survivor. It's 1975, and Patch and his best friend, Saint, are outcasts in the small town of Monta Claire, Missouri. Their lives are forever changed when Patch saves the daughter of a wealthy family from kidnapping, only for himself to be taken instead. Held hostage by a serial killer, he survives with the help of fellow hostage Grace. Saint eventually finds Patch, but Grace and the kidnapper disappear. Thus begins Patch's search for the girl he fell in love with, a journey that spans decades and thousands of miles.

This is a novel about love, hope, and obsession. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride where Patch and Saint, whose paths merge and diverge numerous times, seek an elusive love hauntingly out of reach. The writing is powerful, the characters adeptly drawn, and the storytelling at its finest. I was hooked from the first page as I was drawn into the world inhabited by Patch and Saint--I won't forget either any time soon. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crown, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 25, 2024.

I loved this book. Chris Whitaker's powerful writing compelled me to keep turning the pages in this unrealistic story. and I am so glad that I did. This is a long literary novel about love and friendship with believable characters that I will not forget. It is also a thriller/mystery. This book is definitely one of my top five books of 2024.

Thank you, Crown Publishing and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.

All the Colors of the Dark Patch and Saint are unforgettable characters, It's a beautiful, heart wrenching story. It's dark but ultimately it is a redemptive story that makes you stop and think about what we do for those we love. It will be in my top ten books for 2024.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for my review copy of this book.

I absolutely loved this book--every page of it. Chris Whitaker beautifully captures a time (beginning in the 1970s), while providing an engaging thriller/mystery plot. I am not sure what this should be classified as--I feel like it will make its way into the psychological thriller section, but I feel like it's lyrical, literary fiction. I do not want to spoil even a chapter of this for future readers. I can only say that you will love Saint, you will love Patch, and you will never want this book to end.

A boy who is rescued from captivity, spends his life chasing the ghost of the girl who kept him company. Everyone wonders if she is real or imaginary, alive, or dead. She was a tender companion during his toughest days who taught him to pray God’s word and sing Johnny Cash. And he made a promise to find her one day.

His actual best friend never gave up on him or gave up hope. She made a deal with God that she would be good if He would just return her friend home safely, so she spent the rest of her life trying to live up to that promise.
The story of the friendship between a pirate, Patch, and a beekeeper, Saint, spans decades as we connect with these characters who grow from quirky kids to troubled adults. Readers should pay close attention to the details early in the story because many of them are clues to reveal answers in the end.

Saint gets absorbed in books when she’s young and tells Patch of a magical place where they can hide from the world, but they don’t need to hide because they’ll be brand new there. They have a rainbow connection like Kermit the Frog sang about. Patch becomes an incredibly talented artist and brings to life images in his paintings that he’s never seen with his own eyes, only heard described to him.
This book is a marvel of endurance and love with moments of humor along with heartbreak. There are some deep social and moral conflicts along with carefully crafted colorful imagery. This will be a huge hit this summer so get it on pre-order or reserve your copy now before it is released in June.

A great book doesn't need a long review and let me tell you, All the Colors of the Dark is a great book. Chris Whitaker has done it again he's written one of my favourite books. We Begin at the End was my best read of 2020 and now his new release is my favourite read of 2024. Is it too early to pick my favourite book of the year? I don't think so because All the Colors of the Dark will be difficult to beat.

This book was epic. It takes place over 25+ years from 1976 to 2001. In it, we follow the lives of Saint and Patch as they navigate from their early teenage years to adulthood and the different trajectories their lives take. I loved reading about their small-town life and how the world treats the downtrodden. The writing is beautiful without being wordy and I felt myself there in the Ozarks tasting the honey, smelling the pine and hearing the buzz of the hive.

This is very much a literary novel because it isn't so much plot-driven and more of a character study. Still, there is a wonderful story between these pages and although it really isn't a thriller there is a whodunit and many surprises. I am purposely being vague because the less you know going in the better. I will say the book is a mix of genres including coming-of-age, romance, mystery and police procedural. If you've read lots of my reviews you'll know I don't usually like books with different genres intermingling, I find that they get watered down but Chris Whitaker has such a talent for storytelling I just got lost in the pages. If you enjoyed We Begin at the End and meeting Dutchess let me introduce you to Joseph "Patch" Macauley and Saint Brown. You won't be disappointed. If you're new to Whitaker you're in for a treat.