All the Colors of the Dark Read with Jenna Pick by Chris Whitaker
Product Details
Web ID: 20312163Darkness, Trauma, and Unfinished Truths
All the Colors of the Dark is a haunting, character driven novel that explores the depths of trauma, grief, and the fragile line between healing and unraveling. At its core, this story is not just about what happens, but it's about who it happens to, and how deeply it marks them. The characters in this novel are raw, flawed, and painfully human. Each one carries a burden, and the way they respond to their pain varies, and some evolve through suffering, while others spiral into madness. It's this emotional complexity that makes the narrative so immersive. The portrayal of grief is especially powerful; at times it feels like a fog over the entire story, guiding and distorting the characters’ choices. One of the novel’s most striking elements is the selfless love displayed by certain characters, a quiet, powerful force that stands in contrast to the chaos around them. These moments of tenderness offer brief reprieves and emotional resonance that linger long after the page is turned. The mystery at the heart of the story is undeniably compelling, with twists that keep the reader engaged. However, the final reveal felt somewhat unfinished, like threads were left loose, just out of reach. While this might be intentional to reflect the ambiguity of trauma and truth, it left a sense of emotional and narrative incompleteness. Overall, All the Colors of the Dark is a gripping, emotionally intense read that lingers in the mind. It’s a story about how people break, and what, if anything, can put them back together. Recommended for readers who value character depth over plot perfection and are willing to sit with emotional complexity.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
What a Journey - what an EPIC READ!
Queue Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" 🎵"For unless they see the sky But they can't and that is why They know not if it's dark outside or light They know not if it's dark outside or light"🎵 What a fantastic novel – dare I say it will be one of my favorite reads of 2025? With all of the pre-publication praise and having read and loved We Begin at the End, I knew I just had to read All the Colors of the Dark! Though a bit daunting in size (593 pages), the short chapters and poignant dialogue had me turning page after page, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Whitaker created a genre-bending, well-paced, heart-pounding and heart-wrenching novel. And once again, Whitaker has also fleshed out a cast of unforgettable characters who are so vibrant, so complex, so strong yet flawed and vulnerable, I know Patch and Saint and Sammy will stay with me the way Duchess and Walk have all these years. I will say there were a few points in the second half of the novel where I felt like it strayed a bit, but not enough to impact my intent to finish and find out what happens in the end. Now only if Duchess and Patch would cross paths. A great book club book for sure!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Not really a thriller, but still great!
4.5 stars, wow did this book make me weep. This is a sweeping tale told through the main characters’ lifetimes. Chris Whitaker wrote such beautiful characters that felt raw and easy to empathize with. This is not a thriller. That would be my main complaint. Obviously it doesn’t need to be, but that’s how the synopsis painted it, so it took me a while to stop waiting for it to really ramp up. What it is is an emotional drama focusing on trauma and grief in a beautifully devastating way. The subject matter is dark, but a glimmer of hope can be felt throughout. Although it wasn’t the thriller I was expecting, it does have two thrilling sections. There is a mystery woven through the rest of the book that kept me engaged. This is not my normal fare, but it was a great book. It’s long though, so if you find yourself halfway through and not vibing with the characters or mystery, it’s probably ok to bail.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
This one sticks with you for the long haul
All the Colors of the Dark is a story about Patch, a young down on his luck teen, who happens to make a decision in a circumstance that alters his life forever. Every page turned left me heartbroken for his journey, but also hopeful and optimistic for the eventual outcome of the ending. One of the fastest books I've read in a looooooong time. Brilliantly done, leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat with multiple twists and turns you don't see coming. *I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Long story
I was really looking forward to reading this one after I received it as a Christmas gift. However, it’s definitely not one of my favorite reads. I think it could be greatly improved by a good editing job. About a third of the story could have been condensed, in my opinion. The story of Patch Macaulay ran on way too long, and by the time the plot resolved I no longer cared whether Patch found Grace. 3 stars, and I’m being generous.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
In the end, a cheap shot.
This is a very well written book which I enjoyed and respected until the end. Indeed, too well written for me to spoil by reveling a spoiler. Nonetheless, I was shocked by the reveal with only 50 pages to go of what I think is a shocking plot twist. Suffice it to say that I think you would have to be a very strong feminist supported to be comfortable with the authors explanation of what has been going on in his story. Is this really a good or plausible explanation of what is happening to our young women who are disappearing in our country?
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A book for the thoughtful, patient readers
Spotted: a book review that’s dripping with drama and just a touch of shade. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker is serving up a major vibe—but not the vibe I necessarily devour on a normal day. Think high-brow literary realness with a side of twists and suspense that’ll keep you perched on the edge of your poetic pedestal. This tome is a marathon, not a sprint, blending a gorgeously written coming-of-age tale with a mystery-thriller edge that’s got all the brainy book babes buzzing. And, trust, I see why they’re obsessed—those chapter builds and cliffhangers? Chef’s kiss. But here’s the tea: somewhere in the middle, it starts to feel like a never-ending afterparty—fab at first, but then it just drags. I’m all about a saga that spans a lifetime (give me that full-circle POV), but if they’d chopped 200 pages, I’d be the first to cheer. The writing’s flowery enough to make you feel like you can brag that you read it, but you have to dedicate some serious time to it. I enjoyed the book and can respect it for what it is - but if you’re the type who needs the story to move faster than a cab down Fifth Avenue, this might not be your vibe. 🙋🏻♀️ BUT, can we talk about that title? Outstandingly perfect—like, I’ve never seen a book nail its name this hard. No spoilers here, but if you’re dying to dish, slide into my DMs or email me. XOXO, Kindle Girl. Ideal For: the thoughtful, patient readers who enjoy literary depth, emotional complexity, and a mix of suspense and heart, and enjoy darker, more introspective stories. Vibes: nostalgic and melancholic, mysterious and heavy, eventually redemptive Spice: 🫑 (no explicit scenes but somewhat graphic) Book Parents: Demon Copperhead and To Kill a Mockingbird?! Tropes and Elements: kidnapping, unreliable-ish narrator, slow-burn mystery, small town secrets, redemptive quest, dual timelines Series: none Formats: Hardback, paperback, ebook, audiobook Summary: Upper East Siders—or should I say, small-town Missouri misfits? Here’s the tea on All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, served up with a Gossip Girl twist. Picture this: it’s 1975, and our little rebel, Patch, is about to stumble into the scandal of the decade. Spotted: a kidnapping in the woods, with Patch playing the unlikely knight to a damsel named Misty. But this isn’t your typical fairy tale—think more Chuck Bass brooding meets Serena’s wild streak, wrapped in a mystery that spans decades. Patch, our scrappy hero with a heart of gold and a rap sheet to match, gets tangled up with the wrong crowd when he tries to save Misty from her abductor. Cue the dramatic fallout: he’s whisked away, she’s left with secrets, and the whole town’s whispering behind their diner menus. Fast forward, and Patch is all grown up—think Dan Humphrey after too many late nights, haunted by guilt and chasing ghosts. His best friend Saint? Loyal to a fault, trying to keep their friendship intact while Patch spirals. The years flip like pages in a scandalous diary: 1975, 1996, and beyond. Patch and Misty’s trauma-bond is the kind of forbidden connection that keeps you hooked—will they reunite, or will the past bury them? Throw in a cast of small-town oddballs, a sheriff that makes you think, and enough emotional baggage to drag you down with it. It’s a slow burn with prose so lush you’ll want to frame it, and a mystery that eventually unravels with only a few (read, several) inconsistencies. Will they find the culprit? Will anyone make it out alive with their sanity? That's one secret I'll never tell. xoxo, Kindle Girl
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Dark and Twisty Read
This book has a lot of everything: a love story, a mystery, a serial killer, a missing person and much more. The daughter of a wealthy family goes missing and Patch, a local boy, save the girl. To say more would be a spoiler and I won't do that. Just get the book and read it to find out what happens.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com