All the Colors of the Dark Read with Jenna Pick by Chris Whitaker
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Web ID: 20312163Fantastic
I can't believe I have two Best of 2025 Contenders this early in January. At its heart, All the Colors of the Dark is about a young man's obsession to discover the truth and a young woman's obsession to save him from himself. There is something about obsession that I find so compelling. It is fascinating to explore what leads a person to become powerless to resist, whether trauma, love, friendship, grief, money, or power. When it comes to mysteries, I like slow and subtle. I like well-plotted stories and believable twists. I like fantastic character work. All the Colors contains all of this. Chris Whitaker's character work was stunning. Every character is so well-written, even the side characters. The short chapters made it easy to keep turning the pages, and before I knew it, I was so invested that I read this in one day. I had to get to the truth. However, this is much more than just a mystery. There are elements of a thriller and historical fiction, with a dose of a family saga. I will think about this story for a long time. I hope this becomes a movie!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Over hyped?
I was really looking forward to reading this book. After all the great reviews I read. First of all, it was way too long, this story could’ve been told in 300 to 400 pages easily. Major occurrences were explained away with one sentence. They left you guessing as to what actually happened in very important scenes. It felt almost trite and shallow in many instances that should’ve been looked at in depth. I don’t understand how this was ranked one of the best fiction books of 2024.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Strong start then sagged
I read this as a book blub pick. The beginning was powerful. It could have been 150 pages less easily. Too much meandering and repetition in the middle. The ending was not totally satisfying after muddling through so much. I would not read another book by this author.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Favorite Book of 2024!
Hands down this is going to be my favorite book of 2024! Thank you Netgalley and Crown Publisher AND Chris Whitaker. I didn’t think he could top We Begin at the End,, which I also read this year and will also be in my top 5 books for 2024. I won’r rehash the plot, but this is a gorgeous fictional thriller bordering on literary set in 1970s and feels like a Martin Scorsese movie from that time period. That’s the best way I can describe the writing. You just simply feel each word down to its core. Loved loved loved I will not love the horrible book hangover this book is sure to cause.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Just say NO
I did not care for this book at all. It's a depressing, violent downer. I really found nothing enjoyable about it.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A slow burn, page turner.
*No Spoilers* "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."~ from the publisher I was first introduced to Whitaker’s writing when I read We Begin at the End. Oh boy, I sure loved that book. I loved the characters, the story, all of it. So when I heard that Whitaker had another book out, I jumped at the chance to read it. All the Colors of the Dark is very similar in tone. A young feisty protagonist, an officer of the law, and a broken and flawed “do gooder” raised by a single mom battling addictions. When a wealthy local girl goes missing, Monta Clare’s very own Patch the Pirate comes to her aid. Pirate? Because Patch is missing an eye and oddly enough, the loss of an eye does not prevent him from seeing all that is around him. The danger, the sad reality of the hand he was dealt, and the ability to paint these girls, the missing girls. As Patch becomes obsessed with these missing girls, because after the local girl, there are many others. He does his part by painting them and posting them in an attempt to bring awareness to the community but also as a means of closure because he, too, has a survival story to tell and it haunts him. Saint, Patch’s good friend, sees in him someone she could absolutely love, but Patch has his own battles to fight. What he’s experienced will never leave him. As much as Saint and her loving Grandmother look out for him, he is a wayward soul, on his own path to redemption. You know how a feral cat is? Patch is like that. Lovable but doesn’t know how to receive love. All the Colors of the Dark is a mystery at its heart. Who is the kidnapper? There are a lot of twists and surprises, which I loved. It DID remind me of a book I read recently, The Return of Ellie Black. If you liked Ellie Black then you will also enjoy All the Colors of the Dark. Here’s the thing with Whitaker, his stories are so much more than what they first appear to be. This book can be considered a coming of age story, a small town gem of storytelling really. It will tug at your heart and you will find yourself reading late into the night. I pulled my reading light out so many times while reading this one. The best time to read it was in bed, in a dark room. I did not want to leave these characters. Highly recommend. It will be on my list of faves at the end of the year.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Heartwarming, Heartbreaking, and Brutally Honest
Chris Whitaker’s All the Colors of the Dark is nothing short of a literary triumph, and it has secured a spot in my Top Ten Favorite Books. This novel stands out as one of the best reads I’ve encountered in a long time, thanks to Whitaker’s exceptional storytelling and evocative writing style. Whitaker’s writing is deceptively simple, yet profoundly impactful. The prose is stark and unadorned, allowing the raw emotional core of the narrative to shine through. This minimalist approach works brilliantly, making the book both heartwarming and brutally honest. The emotional weight of the story is palpable, and the author handles the heavy and complex themes with sensitivity and depth. The characters in this novel are portrayed with remarkable authenticity. Each character is a blend of virtues and flaws, making them feel incredibly real and relatable. Whitaker excels at creating characters who are not just vessels for the plot but individuals with their own struggles and growth. Particularly compelling is the relationship between Patch and Saint. Their connection is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, adding layers of emotional complexity to the story. Whitaker explores their bond with great depth, making their interactions resonate deeply with the reader. Their relationship throughout the book is a testament to Whitaker’s skill in crafting emotionally charged narratives. The plot twists are masterfully executed. Each twist is both surprising and well-integrated into the story, adding to the overall tension and engagement of the narrative. The twists are not merely for shock value but serve to deepen the emotional impact of the story. The ending, in particular, is profoundly moving and left me genuinely emotional, highlighting Whitaker’s ability to create a powerful and lasting impression. Chris Whitaker has truly earned his place as one of my favorite authors with this novel. His ability to blend a poignant narrative with real, flawed characters and unexpected plot developments is exceptional. All the Colors of the Dark is a testament to Whitaker’s talent and his ability to craft a story that is as moving as it is memorable.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A book I’ll never forget.
I find it hard to put into words how I loved this book. It was dark and hopeless at times, heartbreaking, suspenseful, thrilling, passionate, and full of heart! It was REAL. It didn’t turn and twist like a fairytale would. It bent to how real life probably would have gone. The characters were as real as it gets. Which at times made it sad, when you wished more for them. In the end though I was so sad it was over. Saint and Patch will stay with me for a long time. At times it’s slow hut even during those times I was content.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com