All The Colors Of The Dark

Author: Chris Whitaker
Genre: Fiction, Crime Fiction
608 pages
Publisher: Crown, 2024

Synopsis
From the New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End comes a soaring thriller and an epic love story that spans decades.

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed 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 with one eye, 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.

My review
All The Colors Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker is a remarkable and beautifully crafted story that spans decades. It weaves a tale of love, loss, courage, determination, sacrifice, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of passion and justice. Rather than delivering a high-octane, edge-of-your-seat experience, this novel offers a nuanced, character-driven narrative that explores how a single tragic afternoon ripples through the lives of those involved for years to come. The opening is exceptional, and the conclusion stands out as one of the best I’ve read, but it’s the chapters in between that truly resonate, focusing on the central characters and the profound impact of their shared tragedy. This is also a story about how families are formed through both blood and choice, and how connections can endure a lifetime, even in the most unexpected places.

Whitaker’s character development is outstanding. At the center of this poignant and compelling narrative is Patch Macauley, a local boy born with one eye who turns his perceived weakness into a powerful symbol of resilience. His courageous act of rescuing a wealthy family’s daughter from an abduction sets off a series of events that intricately weaves his fate with those around him in profound ways. The characters in All the Colors of the Dark are vividly portrayed and unforgettable. From Saint, who never gives up searching for her missing friend, to Misty, the girl Patch rescues who carries her own secrets, each character enriches the story with depth and complexity.

Whitaker’s writing leans heavily into the literary, with a style that borders on poetic. It took me a few chapters to acclimate, but once I did, the pages flew by. Whitaker’s narrative is eloquent and evocative, capturing the American landscape with vivid detail and I was fully emersed in the era. The use of short chapters and sharp, compelling sentences propels the story forward, making it nearly impossible to put down. Though there are bright spots and humor sprinkled throughout, the writing maintains a subtle, melancholic undercurrent that perfectly sets the tone for the entire novel.

All The Colors Of The Dark it is a deeply emotional journey that will stay with me for a long time. By the end, I felt emotionally spent, but in the best way possible. Whitaker has crafted a literary masterpiece that beautifully captures the essence of human vulnerability and resilience making this one of the standout novels of 2024!

My recommendation: read it!