ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK

Rach
Oct 16
2 min read

Updated: Oct 19

By Chris Whitaker

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½ (Goodreads: 4.27)

GENRE: Fiction (Drama and Mystery)

PART OF A SERIES? No

WORTH READING? Yes

SUMMARY:

When Joseph ‘Patch’ Macauley (AKA ‘the pirate’) witnesses a masked man assaulting a girl in the woods, he intervenes to save her, but, in doing so, becomes kidnapped himself.

All the Colors of the Dark (All the Colors of the Dark for us downunder) explores how this single traumatic event ripples through the lives on the patch-wearing Patch, and those who love him, particularly his most loyal friend, Saint.

The narrative spans decades and multiple perspectives as the characters search for answers and discover that the line between triumph and tragedy is razor-thin… all set against the backdrop of a changing America during the mid-1970s.

Opening lines: “From the flat roof of the kitchen Patch looked out through serried pin oaks and white pine to the loom of St Francois Mountains that pressed the small town of Monta Clare into its shade no matter the season.”

This is my second novel by poignant storyteller Whitaker. All the Colors of the Dark somehow succeeds as a missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, and a love story all in one.

At times I felt that I could barely make it a chapter before having my heart strings wrenched. I fell in love with so many of the characters in All the Colors of the Dark.

Whitaker is quite a visceral writer. E.g. “The floorboards breathed, and he closed his fingers over gaps to starve them.”

In this book, Chris Whitaker writes resilient characters who all journey different paths, but who are connected by an invisible string that is at times a battle rope and at other times, a gossamer thread. Throughout the story, the invincible spider’s web that joins the characters is almost tangible. One of the main characters, Grace, is a challenge for both Patch and the reader to find… causing both to wonder if she ever existed at all.

In addition to the primary characters, there are many supplementary characters in All the Colors of the Dark, all of whom add deep layers to the story with their unique voice. These include: Misty (who feels forever indebted to Patch), Sammy (a cantankerous old man who’s a teddy-bear underneath), Norma (a special woman who suddenly finds herself a mother when she’s a grandmother), Chief Nix (a local, kind police officer) and Ivy (a heartbroken mother).

Given the subject matter of All the Colors of the Dark, I was surprised at how many times I giggled. Here are a couple of examples:

1. “Norma had said, ‘You look beautiful… Your hair is —.”

“Brushed.”

“And your makeup is —.”

“On.”

and

2. “’My uncle works with pirates.’

He (Patch) took a little interest despite himself.

‘He helps prevent copyright piracy.’

His interest died.”

Truly, do yourself a favour and read both these Chris Whitaker books. I’m confident you won’t regret exploring his heartfelt stories.

Click here to purchase All the Colours of the Dark