OH MY GOD! What a beautiful book! I take back everything I said before because this is one of the best books of the year. It was tragic, it was beautiful, it was funny and heartwarming. Saint Brown and Patch MaCauley will live in my heart forever.

Chris Whitaker has written a beautiful story with some amazingly complex characters. I'll forever be recommending this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for the e-ARC!

Looser, stranger and bigger than his last book, the terrific WE BEGIN AT THE END, author Chris Whitaker’s new one is bonafide crowdpleaser. It’s an emotional epic full of twists and surprises, a thriller about a slew of missing girls across America but even more effectively, a psychological drama about the effects of trauma featuring an unforgettable collection of characters. Divulging too much of the plot here would reveal too many of this book’s myriad pleasures but just know it features the life-long friendship between Patch Macauley and the orphan girl Saint Brown, two smalltown Missouri kids in 1975 who cross paths with a potential serial killer attempting to kidnap one of their town’s most popular girls. The decisions made by Patch and Saint in the aftermath of this violent event affects the trajectory of their lives for nearly the next four decades. While at times the book feels like a hodgepodge of other classic narratives—the class tensions of GREASE, the precocious kids getting themselves into a jam from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, the nature of captivity explored in Emma Donahue’s ROOM, even THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS—Whitaker’s best work here is in his rich development of the extraordinarily indelible characters. A favorite: the boozy womanizer Sammy, owner of the local art gallery who becomes Parch’s unlikely mentor. You might as well read it — everyone else is.

A literary saga spanning multiple decades. Girls have gone missing in a small Missouri town. The mystery spans the entire novel and isn’t wrapped up until the end. The characters are complex and the author spends an abundance of time portraying everything about them, at times being overly repetitive. I enjoyed this for the most part, although I felt like it dragged at times and could’ve been shortened.

Another beautiful, haunting read from Chris Whitaker! I love how Whitaker is able to evoke such strong emotion from simple lines and phrases. That’s the mark of a truly gifted writer.

There is a lot of hype around this one, and rightfully so. The beginning of this one hooked me from page one. I loved the set up and getting a glimpse into the younger characters’ lives who would end up shaping the book

The middle did lose me a little bit. I felt there could have been some tightening up in some places to keep the narrative moving a bit, but at about page 400, I was swept back up in the story and the ending actually gave me chills. I loved how it all came together. Loved the lessons throughout. Loved (most of) the characters and how they were developed. Loved the ending. I even cried a little bit.

This one deserves all the praise it is getting. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

The most beautifully written book I think I’ve ever read! I don’t think it gets better than this!! An absolute gift to any reader.

Incredible.

It is a rare gem to find a book that captivates on so many levels and genres. This is a masterfully done story that spans over time and emotions. I was enamored by the characters, saddened by the situations, and on the edge of my seat all at once.

All the Colors of the Dark certainly deserves the top spot on people’s 2024 reading list.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy.

Highlights:
✨Literary mystery surrounding a serial killer, clues sprinkled throughout.
✨Lifetime saga that carries all the emotions of real life
✨Short chapters help move the story forward for such a long book.
✨Life long friendships, found family

Bottom Line: Character-driven literary mystery that highlights the far-reaching impacts of trauma. But with some uneven pacing, the book feels every bit of 600 pages.

I feel like this book reminds me of Sam Hell but a mystery. It is more violent at times (with a serial killer) and doesn’t shy away from tough topics (check triggers if you have them). I listened to the author in a chat and he said TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW is one of his favorite books. The same thread of friendship between two children who grow up and continue to care and look after the other runs through this book as well.

This book takes place largely in 1975 when these murders are happening. When Patch sees his friend targeted, he becomes the prey. His friend is determined to help find him. Then spanning most of the lifetime, we see the cause for justice and a conclusion to these horrible crimes.

The short chapters in this longer book kept me turning pages. I loved the references to his favorite childhood book, Where the Wild Things Are.

After devouring his debut, I was eager to read All the Colors of the Dark. This one took me more time to settle in to, but once I did I was glad to be living within these pages. How Whitaker writes such deep emotionality in such a spare fashion is a real head scratcher. While I have found both of his books to be slow in the reading, I am wow-ed by the emotionally resonant worlds he creates. His characters are both alive and deeply compelling. These are people that you want to know and understand more fully. Although I did not fly through the pages, I appreciate the time I spent here.

I really enjoyed this spanning novel. The characters were unique and flawed, but interesting. It took me a little bit to get into the writer’s style which disrupted the flow early in the novel. However, Whittaker’s writing is poetic and I enjoyed this book at the end.

I knew the hype for this book was going to be real. Chris Whitaker’s book We Begin At the End was an absolute favorite years ago. This book is long!!! But so worth it! The writing is beautiful! This story is about a missing person, serial killer, love, friendship, trauma and grief. This is a literary masterpiece with Whitaker’s exquisite writing!! If you have not read We Begin At the End, I highly recommend reading as well as this!! His books are simply amazing!!!

Thank you @netgalley and @crownpublishing for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

All the stars
If I had to choose I would say we begin at the end was a bit better but this stole my heart as well. I loved how it took all the best parts of WBATE and made it familiar but different like coming home. I really enjoyed both of the MCs and how the mystery was woven into such heartache and personal tragedies. The writing style took me a minute to get used to, it’s a different kind of flow, hard to describe. But ultimately and especially with the end how everything comes together, it was a complete win. Thank you thank you!

“𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.”

At the heart of this story is the epic friendship between a beekeeper and a pirate.

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 spans decades, yet it did not feel like 600+ pages. There was a little bit of everything: a slow burn mystery of a missing girl, a serial killer on the loose, a sprinkle of romance, some historical fiction as it is set in the 1975s in small town Missouri, and coming-to-age story. Lots to unload and discuss, I can easily see why Read with Jenna picked it for their July book.

Deeply character driven, Saint and Patch drew me in with their innocence, determination, and persistence. The supporting characters are also well-developed. I absolutely loved Saint's character as she stayed true to herself and friendship throughout and also her Grandma who raised her.

The narrator was Edoardo Ballerini, which I believe is a new audiobook narrator for me. He was fantastic. I've really been leaning into the combination of print and audio to read a book...and only 1 book at a time!

Be on the lookout. I've heard that a TV adaptation is in the works for 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸!

Thank you to @netgalley for an advanced copy.

All the Colors of the Dark lived up to all the hype. Impeccable writing, incredible characters, intricate plot, this book is equal parts love story, mystery and thriller, and with the exception of one section that showed the passing down, full of surprises and twists I never saw coming. Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the opportunity to read this eArc. 4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"All The Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker is an exceptional read that stands out in the thriller genre. Whitaker masterfully crafts a gripping narrative filled with tension, unexpected twists, and complex characters. The novel's richly atmospheric setting adds depth to its already compelling plot, making it a truly immersive experience. The skillful storytelling keeps readers on edge from start to finish, delivering both a heart-pounding thriller and a poignant exploration of human resilience. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological suspense and well-drawn characters. I loved this one!

Wow, wow, wow! If you like character driven books that span a lifetime, this book is for you. If you like books about friendships that come together unexpectedly, drift apart, but always remain connected, this book is for you! I am a huge fan of Chris Whitaker and this book did not disappoint! This book is a journey, it's a long read, but it was worth every page!

"All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker - (5 stars - Out now) is filled with compelling, vividly real characters that stick with you long after the final page. Whitaker’s skill in crafting a fast-paced and gripping narrative shines, as he packs an impressive amount of action and emotion into the first 100 pages and sustains that momentum throughout.

While the story is nearly perfect, the ending wraps up a bit too neatly, with some plot lines feeling slightly unrealistic. However, many readers will appreciate the clean resolutions, offering a satisfying sense of closure.

Whitaker delivers a standout, must-read novel with unforgettable characters and relentless pacing, cementing his reputation as a master storyteller.

I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read of this story by netgalley and Crown Publishing | Crown. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #allthecolorsofthedark #chriswitaker #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs

Details
Review Shared on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6659087546
Publishing Review 8/30/2024

“I just wanted to show you that sometimes things survive despite the harshest of odds.”

3.5 stars rounded up.

My experience with All the Colors of the Dark was unique because I read it while on two overnight Amtrak trips when I felt like I was the only passenger awake on the train. So I feel a unique kinship with these characters whose long journey (from age 13 to 39 through 600 pages) accompanied me on my actual journey.

I loved We Begin at the End, the author's previous novel, for its complex, deeply flawed characters and spare writing style. The characters of All the Colors of the Dark are equally compelling (and flawed) but I didn't connect as strongly due to its length. The middle was repetitive and lagged in pacing, and some suspension of disbelief is necessary to embrace the plot. I usually appreciate short chapters, but this has more than 250 of them, which felt excessive and often abrupt.

The sense of place for most scenes was strong, and unsettling in the best ways. I'm fascinated that a British author sets novels in the United States, but I'm not sure why because I've read many books by American authors set in England and other countries.

I'm happy I read this and I'm interested in the author's next book, but I hope it's more like We Begin at the End. I'm grateful to Crown Publishing for providing a review copy of this novel.

I’m here to tell you THE HYPE IS REAL.
All the Colors of the Dark is a book you finish and think: masterful. And how did he write that book? Do not be intimidated by the length. I did not want to leave Patch, Saint and the other residents of Monta Clare, Missouri. Don’t read a plot synopsis, just read. I’d say this is Literary Mystery in the same category as The God of the Woods.

I was lucky enough to see Chris Whitaker speak last mother at the Brielle library and he is absolutely charming, lovely and entertaining. And just so engaged with readers. My pal @elizabookworm read a galley months earlier and Chris answered all her questions via DM.

He also had a hard time leaving these characters behind. I can’t wait to read everything in his back list (although it appears one of the books is out of print!)

A confession: I'm predisposed to like any Chris Whitaker novel since his We Begin at the End is one of my favorites of all time. I'm thrilled to say that All the Colors of the Dark is as amazing as I expected it to be! What a book!

In 1975 small-town Missouri, 13-year-old orphan Saint and small, scruffy Patch find solace in friendship with each other. Yet when Patch saves a young girl from being abducted--and ends up going missing himself--Saint sets out to find her friend. I don't want to spoil too much, but as we read the stories of Saint and Patch through the next few decades we're treated to a riveting drama that kept me glued to my seat. Part serial killer mystery and part character study, this book will chill you, while also making you sob for Saint and Patch--two amazing, vibrant characters.

Whitaker stands out not only with the narrative, but his writing as well. While I tear up at many books, it's rare for me to full-on sob, but that happened with both We Begin and this one. The complexity of the characters and the nuggets of wisdom woven into the dialogue and description elevates this book from one that is enjoyable in the moment to one that I will remember for years to come. One example: "The bad are the few, but often they shout louder than the many. Don't mistake silence for weakness." I love it!

This novel transcends traditional genre labels, so I think it would be enjoyable for just about anyone. It was absolutely a highlight of my summer reading. Definitely take the time to savor this masterpiece soon. You won't regret it!