Chris Whitaker is back at it again with his fifth novel, All the Colors of the Dark, published in 2024. If his name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he’s already cemented his spot as a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author. Oh, and did I mention this book is a Read with Jenna Book Club pick? It’s also snagged international bestseller status—not too shabby!
What’s Included in This Guide: Online & Printable Versions
Everything you need for a successful book club meeting for All the Colors of the Dark is included below. You’ll find discussion questions, food and drink ideas, and more!
We also have an optional printable book club kit to take your meeting to the next level. This blog post is customized to the guide and includes the following pages:
- Character List
- Discussion Questions
- Quotes from the Book
- Themed Book Ideas
- Printable Bookmarks
- Extra Info: Author facts
- Themed Food & Drink Ideas
- Book Covers from Around the World
- Custom Journal Page for Meeting Details
- Themed Notes Page
- List of Additional Book Club Resources
Book Club Questions | Additional Recommendations | Printable Book Club Kit
Characters | Summary | Book Club Ideas
About the Author | Q&A with Chris Whitaker | Book Review
All the Colors of the Dark
So, what’s the buzz about? The novel zooms in on two kids, Saint and Patch, whose quiet lives in the Ozarks take a sharp turn after a violent event changes everything. When Patch steps in to save a young woman, the ripple effects from that one moment spread throughout their tight-knit community and beyond.
Set in the U.S. between the 1970s and the 2000s, this book isn’t just about one event; it’s about the ripple effects it causes. Whitaker explores big themes like women’s fight for independence, the way trauma lingers, and how we figure out who we are.
Fair warning, though—this isn’t a light read. It dives into tough topics like abuse, violence, and mental health struggles. But if you’re up for something emotional and powerful, this book might just be worth your time.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Release date: June 25, 2024
Genre: Family Life Fiction
Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: Crown
Book Club Questions for All the Colors of the Dark
If you’ve just finished All the Colors of the Dark (and if you haven’t, seriously—spoiler alert), I’ve got a bunch of juicy book club discussion questions lined up for you. This book is heavy with themes of love, loss, identity, and the complexity of human relationships, so there’s A LOT to talk about. Grab your tea (or wine) and let’s dive in!
- From the very start, Patch is a dreamer—pretending to be a pirate as a kid and diving into an almost obsessive quest to find Grace as an adult. But how much of Patch’s actions are driven by a genuine need for closure, and how much are they influenced by his childhood fantasies? Do you think his romantic ideals hold him back or make him stronger?
- Saint is smart, driven, and constantly trying to save everyone around her—whether it’s Patch or the people she serves as a police officer. But is all this self-sacrifice actually a form of coping with her own trauma and guilt? Let’s chat about whether Saint’s relentless need to fix things is a strength or a way to distract herself from her own feelings.
- We know Grace through Patch’s eyes for a large part of the novel, and he sees her as the ultimate muse. But Grace is far more than a symbol. How do you think Grace’s upbringing shaped her into the person she becomes? Is she a survivor or a victim? And what did you think of her dynamic with Patch—did their connection feel real to you, or was it more about Patch’s need for redemption?
- Wealth, poverty, and social status are major themes in this novel. From Patch’s complicated background to Saint’s struggle with expectations, it’s clear that money and class aren’t just surface-level issues. How do you think the characters’ financial situations impact their choices and relationships? How does class play a role in Patch’s search for Grace?
- Why does young Saint feel like she has to take on the responsibility of finding Patch? Even though her grandmother (and basically everyone else) tells her to drop it, she pushes on. What drives her? And why does Chief Nix support her, even when he knows it could be dangerous?
- Each character seems to be chasing something—or someone. Jimmy pursues Saint. Saint pursues Patch. Patch pursues Grace. Does anyone actually get what they’re after? Or is the pursuit itself what defines them? I’m curious to know your take on this recurring theme of desire.
- Patch and Saint both go through some pretty intense journeys, but do they really change throughout the book? Or are they just learning to cope with the cards they’ve been dealt? What are your thoughts on their personal evolution (or lack thereof)?
- These days, tracking someone down is as easy as Googling a name. But in the 70s and 80s, Patch and Saint have to rely on completely different methods to search for their loved ones. What did you think about the way they conducted their search—without social media, smartphones, or search engines? What made their pursuit of answers so unique?
- At a certain point, Saint chooses to join Patch in searching for Grace. This decision changes her life in a big way. What do you think motivates her? And how does this choice alter her future?
- Patch and Saint both have choices in life, but they choose different paths. Why do you think they make these choices, even when there are other options available to them? Are these paths driven by personal beliefs or circumstances? Do you think one is more noble than the other?
- Saint notes that this is the first time Patch has saved a missing girl, but interestingly, she doesn’t claim the credit for the success. Why do you think she holds back? Is it a sign of humility, or is there something deeper at play?
- This novel spans a few decades. As the years roll on, what kind of changes do we see in the town of Monta Clare and the larger country? Are there any moments or shifts in time that really stood out to you?
- Even after all these years, Saint still sees Patch as a kid—someone she’s known forever. Why do you think she views him this way? Do you think it’s because of the history they share, or is there something deeper about how she perceives him?
- Having a purpose is huge in this book. But what happens when that purpose shifts, or when it’s no longer possible to fulfill? Look at how the characters’ purposes evolve over time. What do you think the novel says about the importance of having something to live for?
- The novel deals with a lot of trauma, and we often see the characters grappling with what they’ve lost. But how many victims are there, really? Or do you think they’re all survivors, in their own way? How do you view their resilience (or lack thereof)?
- Patch’s art is central to the novel, and his paintings carry a lot of weight. What do the paintings offer to Patch? How do Sammy and other characters interpret them? Are the paintings merely a form of expression, or do they serve as a deeper symbol of the story’s themes?
- Monta Clare is practically bursting with secrets. Which secret surprised you the most? Did any of the hidden truths change how you viewed a particular character?
- Grace is a major figure in Patch’s life, but as the story unfolds, we’re left questioning whether she’s a real person or if Patch created her as part of his survival instinct. What did you think about her? Is she someone Patch truly loved, or is she a symbol of his trauma?
- The novel touches on so many aspects of love—familial love, romantic love, love for art, and even self-love. What do you think the book says about these different kinds of love? How do love and sacrifice play into the decisions the characters make?
- Okay, this book is full of messed-up family dynamics. Between Patch and Ivy, Saint and Norma, Misty and Charlotte, it’s clear that family isn’t always about happy holidays and perfect reunions. Which family relationship hit you the hardest? Did any of them surprise you, or were there moments where you thought, “Ugh, why can’t they just get along?”
- Let’s talk about the villain, Eli Aaron. This guy is seriously twisted, but what do you think motivates him? He’s got that weird religious justification for his killings, but is there more to him than just being pure evil? Or is he just a product of the trauma he’s inflicted on his daughter, Grace?
- The book constantly explores the gray areas between right and wrong. We see characters like Tooms, who performs illegal abortions even though he’s deeply religious, and Saint, who struggles with her own idea of justice. Do you think there’s ever a point where a character’s actions are justified even if they break the rules? Who did you sympathize with more: the law-abiders or the law-breakers?
- Patch’s paintings of missing girls aren’t just random pieces of art—they’re a form of mourning, a way of grappling with his own trauma, and a representation of the victims he feels connected to. But do you think his focus on the tragedy of others keeps him from fully moving forward with his life? Or is art his way of coping with all the darkness around him?
- Saint marries Jimmy thinking he’s the simple, good guy. But the reality is, he’s not as perfect as he seems. What does Jimmy’s character say about how we view people on the outside vs. what’s going on underneath? How does this relate to Saint’s idea of what she should want versus what she actually needs?
- Several characters, like Sammy and Tooms, are on a quest for redemption, each with their own struggles and regrets. But do you think redemption is truly possible for everyone in the book? Which characters would you say actually earn their redemption, and which ones are just fooling themselves?
- Whether it’s Tooms keeping his abortion secret or the whole town turning a blind eye to what Eli Aaron is doing, secrets are a huge theme in this novel. How do these secrets affect the characters? Do you think some things are better left unsaid, or do the consequences of keeping these secrets outweigh the lies?
- So many of the characters are haunted by their pasts—whether it’s Misty’s guilt, Saint’s emotional scars from her marriage, or Grace’s years of trauma with her father. How does the novel portray trauma and its long-lasting effects? Do you think any of the characters truly find healing by the end of the story?
- The novel wraps up with some pretty intense moments, especially with the deaths of key characters. But does it feel like everyone gets the closure they need? Or does the ending leave you feeling like there’s more left to resolve? What do you think happens next for characters like Saint and Charlotte?
- Lastly, what does the book say about letting go? So much of this story revolves around characters holding on to things—whether it’s trauma, guilt, or lost loved ones. Do any of them actually let go by the end? Or is it more about learning to live with what they’ve lost?
- The ending has a big, cathartic moment with Eli Aaron’s death. How did you feel about that moment? Was it satisfying, or did you think it was a little too rushed? And what about Grace’s reaction? Was her relief justified, or is there a part of her that’s always going to be haunted by what happened?
Chris Whitaker Author Biography
Chris Whitaker is a British author known for his compelling novels that blend suspense and emotional depth. Born in London, Chris spent a decade working as a financial trader before shifting gears to become a full-time writer. He now lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three young children.
His debut novel, Tall Oaks, won the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger, and his third novel, We Begin at the End, has been widely praised, including being named Waterstones’ Book of the Month.
Chris’s journey into writing was an unexpected one, sparked by a life-changing event in his youth, and he has since built a reputation for creating gripping and heartfelt stories.
Books Like All the Colors of the Dark
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When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
While many narrative set pieces of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.
Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a “literary icon” (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew.
It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event.
Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years―she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe’s plan―which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.
In turns absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People is ultimately an incredibly nuanced and resonant look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined―and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
From Pulitzer Prize–winning author Elizabeth Strout comes a “stunner” (People) of a novel about new friendships, old loves, and the very human desire to leave a mark on the world.
It’s autumn in Maine, and the town lawyer Bob Burgess has become enmeshed in an unfolding murder investigation, defending a lonely, isolated man accused of killing his mother. He has also fallen into a deep and abiding friendship with the acclaimed writer Lucy Barton, who lives down the road in a house by the sea with her ex-husband, William.
Together, Lucy and Bob go on walks and talk about their lives, their fears and regrets, and what might have been. Lucy, meanwhile, is finally introduced to the iconic Olive Kitteridge, now living in a retirement community on the edge of town. They spend afternoons together in Olive’s apartment, telling each other stories. Stories about people they have known—“unrecorded lives,” Olive calls them—reanimating them, and, in the process, imbuing their lives with meaning.
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I love to read and I enjoy exploring a range of genres including contemporary and historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, nonfiction, and memoirs. If you would like me to review your book, feel free to reach out to me!