All the Colors of the Dark

By: Chris Whitaker

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2024 Chris Whitaker (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Sure to bring suspense to the beach!”—US Weekly

“Melds tense suspense with a powerful exploration of devotion, obsession, and love.”—People

“This book hits like a sledgehammer. Equal parts harrowing and triumphant, Chris Whitaker's novel is a haunting story of America, alternating between its twin strands of violence and love. An absolutely must-read novel.”—Gillian Flynn

Amazing story-lots of F words

The story and characters draw you in. My only warning (and personal complaint) is for those who don't like to hear the F word a lot. It is said hundreds of times. For such a creative writer, I don't understand why he chose to use that word so much. I know he was painting a picture, especially with Sammy, but it's lazy writing to me. That is why I gave it a 4 star overall.

Best book I’ve listened to ever

I loved this, could not put it down. Narration was amazing. This story will stay with me for a long time.

just good

loved the characters and story. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Relationships within the story

Excellent murder mystery that tracks the impact of tragedy across lives and lifetimes with well-developed characters and relationships. Highly recommend.

For the missing

This book… it is about loss… the loss of child, loss of childhood, loss of love. And while there is redemption, it is just a heartbreaking story of loss. In my mind, Saint is the hero of this story. Her absolute strength and dogged pursuit of truth for everyone, and ultimately for herself, makes her the hero. Patch is a feather in the wind… trying so hard to find a place but continuing to be guided by the emotions he doesn’t even recognize. My only criticism is the length of the story… I was weary in many ways by the end

So sad, but worth it.

So well written by Chris Whittaker. Edward Ballerini did a perfect job narrating the story. So moving.

Everything!

This is one of those books you can't stop listening to but yet you don't want it to end but you think "just one more chapter" then all the sudden it's over. I loved the characters, the mystery, the times I laughed and the tears I shed as well. The only negative thing I could say was about the narrator's tone at times in fact I ALMOST returned it. I started it over and was able to understand once I got used to him. I'm so glad as this book is definitely one I'll listen to again and again.

Loved it!!!

Great book!!!! Shared with friends- hope they like too!! Could totally picture all the characters! Loved it.

Great story!

Many stories all connected at the end. The kind of book you need a little bit of time to digest.

Love this book!

I didn’t want the book to end. At first, I almost felt like returning the book. I didn’t feel like I understood what was going on. It’s the way the story was being told - not giving all the info immediately and finding stuff out as the story unfolds.

I will say that it is the best book I have ‘read’ in a very long time. I rarely read books or watch movies twice but this is one that I will give another listen. I really enjoyed it.

The only thing that would have made it better is to have a female read the female characters.