🏴‍☠️ 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!

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.

My words alone cannot do this book justice. It’s amazing, it’s beautiful, it’s heart-wrenching and it’s so incredibly well written. It is one of my favorite books of all time.

This coming-of-age story revolves around a boy named Patch, so named because he has only one eye and wears an eye patch. He fancies himself a pirate and has a best friend named Saint. As children, the two of them are inseparable until the unthinkable happens. Patch rescues a girl from being abducted but he’s no match for the abductor and gets taken instead. As he is being held in a pitch black room, a girl named Grace saves him from his own dread and loneliness. Together, they keep each other alive, though they can’t see each other in the darkness. This shared trauma has them connected for life. Saint spends every waking moment trying to find her best friend, but what she finds instead is a broken boy.

The lengths a person will go for love is chronicled beautifully chapter after chapter. This story is larger than life, it is unpredictable and definitely unforgettable. You really need to read this. It would make an amazing movie! Thank you, NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC of this 5-star book. It is due to hit the shelves on June 25, 2024.

All the love for this beautifully written book! All The Colors of the Dark captivated me from the first page and kept me turning page after page. I did not think he could top It Begins at the End, but this on has done it. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

This is my third book by Chris Whitaker, and all of them have been five star reads for me, without question this will be one of the best books I'll read this year.

If you've read any of his previous novels, I can assure you that this one is just as good, I really didn't think it could get much better than We Begin at the End but can confirm he has once again written an absolute masterpiece. All the Colors of the Dark is a beautifully constructed story, set in a small town and, per usual he has created the most loveable, flawed and incredible characters.

Many thank to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

I was going to give up on this book. In fact, I put the book away many times, but I was drawn back to keep trying. A number of things kept pulling me in: I've had this same experience with other novels by Chris Whitaker, someone who has similar taste in book could not rave enough about All the Colors of the Dark, and something drove me to open myself to the experience of reading this particular book. Boy, am I glad I persevered. Like any richly written novel, it takes time to adapt to the writing style, just as it takes many pages to become familiar with the characters. As I progressed through the pages, I was fully involved in the characters' journeys, the arc of the story, and wanted to see how this played out. There were twists I did not see coming, and when I reached the last page, everything felt right about how everyone's lives turned out.

This one is hard one for me to review, because I feel that the writing was just not a good fit for me.
This is an emotional, moving and almost epic story following Patch, our main character, but I got tripped up with how the story is told. Patch disappears in the beginning of the story after saving a girl from almost being kidnapped by a man. After that, Patch and his best childhood friend spend decades weaving in and out of each other's lives on a journey to figure out what happened.
Unfortunately, the writing style left me confused at times along with feeling like parts were just really dragging.
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Chris Whitaker for the ARC of this story in exchange for my honest review..

I know We Begin at the End is very high on people's favourite books lists, but I've yet to read it.
This book, however, is simply incredible.
I adored the writing style. It's smooth, poetic, heartwarming and heartbreaking with every line.
I adored the characters. Patch is still in my head, days after finishing, and his obsession with the girl he saved from abduction tore my heart out. The plot has so many layers and moves along at a wonderful pace.
There is no doubt that this is a long book at 592 pages, but it genuinely feels half that. I was never bored, I was just in awe and clinging on to every word.
This is sure to be in my books of the year.

Engaging and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where lit-leaning crime and thrillers are popular.