A review by cardcatalogdreams
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

All the Colors of the Dark is an ambitious novel with a compelling premise, but its execution didn’t entirely work for me. The story follows a tangled web of characters, centering on the search for a missing girl and the two people - Saint and Patch - who seek justice in very different ways. Saint, an FBI agent, works within the system, while Patch, a man operating outside the law, takes a more unconventional path. Their shared goal but opposing methods were one of the most compelling aspects of the book.

However, the novel felt overly long and slow in several places, making the pacing a challenge. The writing style also came across as choppy and jilted, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. Some plot points were confusing, and I found myself needing to reread sections to fully grasp what was happening.

Despite these issues, the core story was intriguing, and the themes of justice, redemption, and survival resonated. If you’re a fan of slow-burning literary thrillers with morally complex characters, this might be worth a read - just be prepared for a somewhat uneven journey.
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