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All the Colors of the Dark Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Chris Whitaker (Author), Edoardo Ballerini (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
Amazon Charts #13 this week
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY 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).

“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.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    14 hours and 37 minutes
  2. Author
    Chris Whitaker
  3. Narrator
    Edoardo Ballerini
  4. Audible release date
    June 25, 2024
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0CPKXGL6Q
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

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Product details

Listening Length 14 hours and 37 minutes
Author Chris Whitaker
Narrator Edoardo Ballerini
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date June 25, 2024
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0CPKXGL6Q
Best Sellers Rank #12 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Friendship Fiction (Books)
#1 in Crime Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Literary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
5,683 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the writing quality excellent, compelling, and endearing. They also describe the storyline as beautiful, with many layers, twists, turns, and surprises. Customers describe the characters as well-developed and heart-wrenching. Opinions are mixed on the length and complexity, with some finding it very long and worth the time, while others say it's too long.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
StorylineWriting qualityCharactersEmotional impactRelationshipsComplexityLength
63 customers mention "Storyline"56 positive7 negative

Customers find the storyline compelling, cerebral, and challenging. They also describe the book as a murder mystery and psychological thriller that weaves you through several decades brilliantly. Customers also praise the endearing characters and the sheer poetry of the words. They mention the book has many layers, twists, and surprises.

"...of genres- a coming of age story, crime drama, love story, mystery, thriller- all at the same time. It is also a reflection on grief, loss, and hope...." Read more

"...novel is part thriller, suspense, crime fiction, coming-of-age, love story, and Bildungsroman (new word for me, and describes it perfectly)...." Read more

"...But this is a story about Patch, an unforgettable character and extremely endearing. Now that I’m finished with the book, I miss him...." Read more

"...that brings you to the depth of yourself ,through the sheer poetry of his words, the connections of the characters, the insights into the humanity..." Read more

37 customers mention "Writing quality"27 positive10 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book excellent, easy to read and follow along, and resonant.

"...It is also a reflection on grief, loss, and hope. The writing is lyrical and at times poetic. The characters are engaging and real...." Read more

"...I found myself getting lost in the pages of this beautifully written, character-driven story that I didn’t want to end...." Read more

"...Whitaker is a different kind of writer, sometimes, for me, sentences didn’t make sense...." Read more

"...I was so happy I did because I couldn’t put it down! Beautiful writing, such a good story and great characters!..." Read more

32 customers mention "Characters"28 positive4 negative

Customers find the characters in the book well-developed.

"...The writing is lyrical and at times poetic. The characters are engaging and real. They evolve and grow throughout the novel...." Read more

"...myself getting lost in the pages of this beautifully written, character-driven story that I didn’t want to end...." Read more

"...But this is a story about Patch, an unforgettable character and extremely endearing. Now that I’m finished with the book, I miss him...." Read more

"...of yourself ,through the sheer poetry of his words, the connections of the characters, the insights into the humanity and glory of life, the..." Read more

17 customers mention "Emotional impact"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heart-wrenching, tragic, and beautifully entwined with deep relationships and humanity. They also say it's stunning and perfect.

"...It is also a reflection on grief, loss, and hope. The writing is lyrical and at times poetic. The characters are engaging and real...." Read more

"...weaves all of this and more into a story that is mind blowing and life altering. It is really that good!!..." Read more

"...This book is a haunting portrait of the human experience, the consequences of the rich vs the poor and how a crime ruined a town...." Read more

"...Spanning decades, genres and emotions, I have been deeply moved. The writing is stunning, the imagery vibrant and the characters endearing...." Read more

6 customers mention "Relationships"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the relationships in the book well developed and personal. They also appreciate the way everything connects.

"...Part mystery, part love story , part exploration of life and connection …. it’s a pilgrimage and an Odyssey!..." Read more

"...The characters were so well developed, everything tied together so well, nothing was left lose or sloppy...." Read more

"...Heartbreak, brutality, friendship, and a mystery that has so many layers." Read more

"Such a well written story of love, friendship and never giving up. Heartbreaking but yet so beautifully entwined with deep relationships and humanity." Read more

15 customers mention "Complexity"5 positive10 negative

Customers are mixed about the complexity of the book. Some find it complicated and messy, yet engrossing. Others say it's tedious, confusing, and involved.

"...I had to take a star away for the jumbling of words and the sometimes confusion." Read more

"...Patch and Saint are so complex, colliding in the gray of life where right and wrong intersect, where love can influence the choices we make...." Read more

"...I can tell you that the brilliant artist concept is cliche and unworthy of exploring...." Read more

"...Great idea for a story, but so involved, sometimes confusing. Storyline took a long time to resolve. Wasn’t always clear about what even happened...." Read more

13 customers mention "Length"5 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the length of the book. Some find it very long, while others say it's too long.

"This book was very engaging. It was a little too long, and Chris Whitaker is a different kind of writer, sometimes, for me, sentences didn’t make..." Read more

"...Yes it’s long but I promise it won’t feel that way. Loved the short chapters. They were each filled with just the right amount of action." Read more

"...My only critique for this work is that the chapters are entirely too short...." Read more

"...I recommend this book, but it is long and a little dark." Read more

Phenomenal story telling!
5 out of 5 stars
Phenomenal story telling!
I agree with another reader, a great book does not need a long review.It’s 1975, in a small town in Missouri, one act of bravery changes the course of a community. The story follows Patch and Saint from their early teenage years through adulthood, spanning roughly 25 years. This is a beautifully written tale with a brilliant cast of complex characters. It is a real work of literary fiction.You as the reader are given a mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, all with plot twists. The settings are so well crafted, you exist in the story as you read it. I am purposely limiting details because the reader should experience them first hand. I love a book where you can “walk into the story” and this is one of those!This book was AMAZING. This was my first book by Christ Whitaker, and I am very impressed. Jump in, read it and taste the honey! This is definitely in my top 5! 5/5⭐️s
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Top reviews from the United States

PJKM
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading and Reviewing
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
I read a lot of books. But rarely am I so moved by one that I take the time to write a review. But All the Colors of the Dark is a book that needs to be read by everyone. It is a masterful blend of genres- a coming of age story, crime drama, love story, mystery, thriller- all at the same time. It is also a reflection on grief, loss, and hope. The writing is lyrical and at times poetic. The characters are engaging and real. They evolve and grow throughout the novel. The end of the book brought me to tears and I have been feeling real grief since I finished reading and don't have it to read anymore.
This is the best book I have read in many years.
14 people found this helpful
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Jill
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024
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ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK by Chris Whitaker

I read this and listened to the audiobook narrated by, Edoardo Ballerini, who always does an outstanding narration. He is a favorite narrator of mine and I highly recommend the audiobook.

In 1975 in the small town of Monta Clare, in the Ozark mountains of Missouri, young girls are gone missing. When a girl from a wealthy family is being attacked, Patch, a thirteen-year-old boy with one eye who pretends he is a pirate, happens to be in the area and saves her from being taken. What follows changes Patch’s life and others in this small town. This well crafted powerfully written novel is part thriller, suspense, crime fiction, coming-of-age, love story, and Bildungsroman (new word for me, and describes it perfectly).

Patch and Saint, a teenage girl, are the two main characters and have a very special bond of friendship. This novel unfolds over decades as Patch and Saint, navigate their teenage years into adulthood. Both Patch, Saint, and others in this small community live out their lives, forever changed by the tragic events of one year. This complicated story touches on serial killer violence, obsession, loyalty, kindness, memories, dreams, hope, and so much more.

I found myself getting lost in the pages of this beautifully written, character-driven story that I didn’t want to end. This book blew me away, and by far my most favorite read of 2024 thus far. Once again, Chris Whitaker has written another book of sheer brilliance.
11 people found this helpful
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K. Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars A likeable read...
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
but, a bit too ambitious! So many characters, farms, and plotlines. Nonetheless, a heart-filled cast, with so many twists and turns. As a professional artist, myself, I can tell you that the brilliant artist concept is cliche and unworthy of exploring. And, there are just too many trite twists, such as a filthy mouth child getting away with nonsense abandoned. I really dislike criticizing anything about this heroic effort of a novel. Shades of "Demon Copperhead?"
One person found this helpful
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Blesslee
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books ever!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2024
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This is one of the best books I have read… Ever! I don’t say this lightly as I have been reading for most of my 62 years and I read several books a week.

When I finished this book as I had tears streaming down my face, I told my husband “this book is life-changing “and while that might sound dramatic, that’s how I felt at the time. It is one of those rare pieces of literature that brings you to the depth of yourself ,through the sheer poetry of his words, the connections of the characters, the insights into the humanity and glory of life, the tenderness, the profane and the profound. Chris Whitaker masterfully weaves all of this and more into a story that is mind blowing and life altering. It is really that good!!

Part mystery, part love story , part exploration of life and connection …. it’s a pilgrimage and an Odyssey!

Thank you, Chris Whittaker… I am at your feet🙏🏽 I look forward to another one of your stories, and I will wait as long as it takes!
29 people found this helpful
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Tracie
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal story telling!
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
I agree with another reader, a great book does not need a long review.

It’s 1975, in a small town in Missouri, one act of bravery changes the course of a community. The story follows Patch and Saint from their early teenage years through adulthood, spanning roughly 25 years. This is a beautifully written tale with a brilliant cast of complex characters. It is a real work of literary fiction.

You as the reader are given a mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, all with plot twists. The settings are so well crafted, you exist in the story as you read it. I am purposely limiting details because the reader should experience them first hand. I love a book where you can “walk into the story” and this is one of those!

This book was AMAZING. This was my first book by Christ Whitaker, and I am very impressed. Jump in, read it and taste the honey! This is definitely in my top 5! 5/5⭐️s
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Tracie
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal story telling!
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024
I agree with another reader, a great book does not need a long review.

It’s 1975, in a small town in Missouri, one act of bravery changes the course of a community. The story follows Patch and Saint from their early teenage years through adulthood, spanning roughly 25 years. This is a beautifully written tale with a brilliant cast of complex characters. It is a real work of literary fiction.

You as the reader are given a mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, all with plot twists. The settings are so well crafted, you exist in the story as you read it. I am purposely limiting details because the reader should experience them first hand. I love a book where you can “walk into the story” and this is one of those!

This book was AMAZING. This was my first book by Christ Whitaker, and I am very impressed. Jump in, read it and taste the honey! This is definitely in my top 5! 5/5⭐️s
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2 people found this helpful
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DDS
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
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The writing in this book is beautiful. Mr. Whitaker is a master of painting a picture with words. The storyline was excellent and I felt a kinship with most of the good characters. The whole story, start to finish, was exceptional. Very long book but worth the time I spent on over 550 pages.
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Corrie Dockrey
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, heartbreaking, page turner
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
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This was like being a part of someone else's lifetime more than it was like reading a book. The characters were so well developed, everything tied together so well, nothing was left lose or sloppy. Some people say it dragged, I didn't feel that way. I think every part was important and beautiful. Life isn't about happy endings, it's about finding love and finding light in the dark.
5 people found this helpful
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Texas Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
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Couldn’t put this story down. I had to re read some in the beginning because of the author’s choice of words, it seemed as if he used a thesaurus to find little known adjectives…(like that episode of Friends when Joey used one to write a letter for Monica & Chandler’s adoption lol) but the author did that less as the story moved on. I was going to give it 4 stars because of that but the story & writing were still too good to give any less than 5 stars. What I wanted to happen never did, but I still liked what the writer did with the story. It had so many layers, twists & turns and surprises while still being well written. This is one unusual book worth the time it takes to read. Recommended.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Jackie Greenizan
5.0 out of 5 stars Favourite book of 2024 so far
Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2024
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I loved this book . I loved this book so much I want to read it again. The ch aracters, the narration and the story line are fascinating and so well written. I loved how the author took us on a journey as we read We grew as the characters grew. If you enjoy a good story, great writing, a good mystery ... this is a good book for you.
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Grey Nomad 15
5.0 out of 5 stars Chris Whitaker Does it Again
Reviewed in Australia on July 24, 2024
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Another absolute gem by this amazing author. His previous works have all been absorbing reads and this is no different. Worth the wait!!
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Laura Bancroft
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Epic! Best book I’ve read this year!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2024
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Words can’t describe how sad I am that I have finished this novel. The writing was stunning, the story was moving, heartbreaking and haunting at the same time. I laughed, I cried, I had shivers down my spine. What a beautiful written novel, such in depth character development, characters I already miss! And to second other comments I’ve read below, a “modern day classic”. This was my 29th book I’ve read this year and by far the best. Don’t think I’ll find something to top it!
4 people found this helpful
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Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous
Reviewed in Australia on July 13, 2024
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It’s long but you still don’t want it to end. Just when you think it couldn’t get more enticing it does. Takes you on an adventure. Shows the very worst and very best of human nature. In the end it leaves you inspired, which is what great story telling does
One person found this helpful
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neroli
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in Australia on July 11, 2024
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Wow, wow,wow. This book is incomparable to anything I have ever read. So brilliantly crafted and woven in the art of a spider's web is the only way to describe a story so profound,or more to the point, a tanglement of humanity.
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