A confession: I'm predisposed to like any Chris Whitaker novel since his We Begin at the End is one of my favorites of all time. I'm thrilled to say that All the Colors of the Dark is as amazing as I expected it to be! What a book!

In 1975 small-town Missouri, 13-year-old orphan Saint and small, scruffy Patch find solace in friendship with each other. Yet when Patch saves a young girl from being abducted--and ends up going missing himself--Saint sets out to find her friend. I don't want to spoil too much, but as we read the stories of Saint and Patch through the next few decades we're treated to a riveting drama that kept me glued to my seat. Part serial killer mystery and part character study, this book will chill you, while also making you sob for Saint and Patch--two amazing, vibrant characters.

Whitaker stands out not only with the narrative, but his writing as well. While I tear up at many books, it's rare for me to full-on sob, but that happened with both We Begin and this one. The complexity of the characters and the nuggets of wisdom woven into the dialogue and description elevates this book from one that is enjoyable in the moment to one that I will remember for years to come. One example: "The bad are the few, but often they shout louder than the many. Don't mistake silence for weakness." I love it!

This novel transcends traditional genre labels, so I think it would be enjoyable for just about anyone. It was absolutely a highlight of my summer reading. Definitely take the time to savor this masterpiece soon. You won't regret it!