NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the author of We Begin at the End comes a soaring thriller and an epic love story that “hits like a sledgehammer . . . an absolutely must-read novel” (Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl).
Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today
The Boston Globe’s #1 Thriller/Mystery of 2024 So Far
One of The Washington Post’s Best Books of Summer
“Kept me frantically turning the pages and somehow made me cry at the end . . . Brava!”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women
“Melds tense suspense with a powerful exploration of devotion, obsession, and love.”—People (Best New Books)
1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.
When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.
Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.
A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.
kels –
Such a great, epic, unputdownable read. Addictive, complex, indescribable story line. It’s worth the loss of sleep when you negotiate with yourself in the wee small hours to read just one more chapter before turning out the light. Sweetly satisfying conclusion.
Tracie –
I agree with another reader, a great book does not need a long review.
It’s 1975, in a small town in Missouri, one act of bravery changes the course of a community. The story follows Patch and Saint from their early teenage years through adulthood, spanning roughly 25 years. This is a beautifully written tale with a brilliant cast of complex characters. It is a real work of literary fiction.
You as the reader are given a mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, all with plot twists. The settings are so well crafted, you exist in the story as you read it. I am purposely limiting details because the reader should experience them first hand. I love a book where you can “walk into the story” and this is one of those!
This book was AMAZING. This was my first book by Christ Whitaker, and I am very impressed. Jump in, read it and taste the honey! This is definitely in my top 5! 5/5⭐️s
Kindle Customer –
This is a truly captivating read, a story that will stay with me for a long, long time. Beautifully written, with so many layers, it’s hard to describe its genre – it’s both a love story, a quest, a crime drama and an exploration of family relations, right and wrong, good and bad.
Jill –
ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK by Chris Whitaker
I read this and listened to the audiobook narrated by, Edoardo Ballerini, who always does an outstanding narration. He is a favorite narrator of mine and I highly recommend the audiobook.
In 1975 in the small town of Monta Clare, in the Ozark mountains of Missouri, young girls are gone missing. When a girl from a wealthy family is being attacked, Patch, a thirteen-year-old boy with one eye who pretends he is a pirate, happens to be in the area and saves her from being taken. What follows changes Patch’s life and others in this small town. This well crafted powerfully written novel is part thriller, suspense, crime fiction, coming-of-age, love story, and Bildungsroman (new word for me, and describes it perfectly).
Patch and Saint, a teenage girl, are the two main characters and have a very special bond of friendship. This novel unfolds over decades as Patch and Saint, navigate their teenage years into adulthood. Both Patch, Saint, and others in this small community live out their lives, forever changed by the tragic events of one year. This complicated story touches on serial killer violence, obsession, loyalty, kindness, memories, dreams, hope, and so much more.
I found myself getting lost in the pages of this beautifully written, character-driven story that I didn’t want to end. This book blew me away, and by far my most favorite read of 2024 thus far. Once again, Chris Whitaker has written another book of sheer brilliance.
K. Jones –
but, a bit too ambitious! So many characters, farms, and plotlines. Nonetheless, a heart-filled cast, with so many twists and turns. As a professional artist, myself, I can tell you that the brilliant artist concept is cliche and unworthy of exploring. And, there are just too many trite twists, such as a filthy mouth child getting away with nonsense abandoned. I really dislike criticizing anything about this heroic effort of a novel. Shades of “Demon Copperhead?”
Tracie –
I loved this book . I loved this book so much I want to read it again. The ch aracters, the narration and the story line are fascinating and so well written. I loved how the author took us on a journey as we read We grew as the characters grew. If you enjoy a good story, great writing, a good mystery … this is a good book for you.
Jackie Greenizan –
Words can’t describe how sad I am that I have finished this novel. The writing was stunning, the story was moving, heartbreaking and haunting at the same time. I laughed, I cried, I had shivers down my spine. What a beautiful written novel, such in depth character development, characters I already miss! And to second other comments I’ve read below, a “modern day classic”. This was my 29th book I’ve read this year and by far the best. Don’t think I’ll find something to top it!
LMM –
All the Colors of the Dark is a novel that has made it impossible for me to move on. The writing is so descriptive and detailed yet flows effortlessly and never drags. Every character is thoroughly developed; I already miss them and wonder what they are up to. That is how completely this gorgeous book pulls you in and never lets go. It has everything. Deep familial and romantic love, horrific crime, mystery, twists you won’t see coming, humor, and humanity. This novel is a triumph, an ode to the human spirit, and literally my favorite read in decades.
PJKM –
I read a lot of books. But rarely am I so moved by one that I take the time to write a review. But All the Colors of the Dark is a book that needs to be read by everyone. It is a masterful blend of genres- a coming of age story, crime drama, love story, mystery, thriller- all at the same time. It is also a reflection on grief, loss, and hope. The writing is lyrical and at times poetic. The characters are engaging and real. They evolve and grow throughout the novel. The end of the book brought me to tears and I have been feeling real grief since I finished reading and don’t have it to read anymore.
This is the best book I have read in many years.
Laura Bancroft –
A story that you can’t put down. The pain and love from Patch and Saint and all that surround them makes you not want to stop reading.
Such a beautifully written book.
BLS FL –
Someone touted this as the best book of 2024. I don’t have a viable argument for a book I think is better, however I would guess there are books out there that will have a more universal appeal than this one.
“All the Colors of the Dark” does have some minor flaws in my opinion.
First, it is very long. Admittedly, it is a pretty easy read and goes quicker than you would expect a 600-page book to go, but the thought of that many pages will be off-putting to some.
The author breaks into this strange affectation from time to time during high-stress or action sequences where the writing becomes choppy and hard to follow. I understand it’s to add drama or realism to the scene but, on several occasions, I was flipping pages back and forth and checking to see if I missed a page because it was hard to understand what had happened.
The story stretches over a long period of time and it almost gets lost. The author does a good job of pulling it all together but it felt a little anti-climatic.
The book blends several genres which some will like and others may not.
The good:
The characters are wonderfully written.
There are enough plot twists to keep you guessing.
The author avoids clichés very well.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Will it be the best book of 2024? Maybe. But I don’t think it will be a unanimous decision.