2024 the best books of 2024 review

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(as of Nov 17, 2024 12:38:07 UTC - Details)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 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).

Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today

The Boston Globe’s #1 Thriller/Mystery of 2024 So Far

One of The Washington Post’s Best Books of Summer

“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.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Rich Storytelling
Review: This was a well-written book with complex characters that really drew me in. I did feel parts of it were too long and convoluted, but it was settled with a satisfying ending.

Reviewer: Carpool Book Club
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Hauntingly Beautiful
Review: This was an easy 5 stars to grant!Set in a small town rocked by the disappearance of a young girl, All the Colors of the Dark is a dark, slow-burn mystery that mixes edge-of-your-seat tension with a heap of emotional depth. The unease and suspicion are so thick you can practically feel it as the characters try to navigate their grief and fear.The small-town vibe is nailed—everyone knows everyone, but no really knows anything. The characters are messy and flawed, but you end up caring about them anyway.Whitaker’s writing is vivid and haunting, making the tension feel real. The pacing’s a little slow at times, but totally worth it. Whitaker peels back the layers of the mystery bit by bit, and the emotional punch adds a heavy but necessary element. If you liked Demon Copperhead or All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, you’ll love this.Bottom line: If you’re in the mood for beautiful writing, emotional upheaval and characters that stay with you, All the Colors of the Dark is a solid pick.Note: the subject matter could be triggering for those sensitive to child abuse.

Reviewer: Mari B.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Not what I normally read…no regrets
Review: My go to reading genre is fantasy, paranormal, romantasy, so this was out of the norm for me. I will be brutally honest, at first I cringed, dreaded picking up the book, and made excuses to not read when I normally read. I have a hard time with realistic fiction that delve into gut wrenching situations dealing with kids. They affect me deeply. I thought this was going to turn out to be like a Mystic River. But it wasn’t. It’s a beautiful journey in the lives of these perfectly constructed, pure, heart-filled characters. It’s a story about hope and salvation. The writer weaves each person’s story together and blends them into a magnificent braided path. Even though at times I was absolutely afraid for the outcome, I read on because I was sucked into their lives and wanted to find out how it finally all concluded for them. It has a familiarity to Forrest Gump, traveling through the decades in the lives of the characters and demonstrating how every action starting from the very first page carried relevance through a lifespan.My only complaint is that there were too many unnecessary chapters or points that were droned on and repetitive. There were chapters I felt added no importance to moving the plot or characters along. This could have been shortened a bit. Overall, no regrets I veered from my norm and read this book. A book that will certainly keep you wanting to know more and leave you breathing easy and satisfied.

Reviewer: BLS FL
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Read!
Review: Someone touted this as the best book of 2024. I don't have a viable argument for a book I think is better, however I would guess there are books out there that will have a more universal appeal than this one."All the Colors of the Dark" does have some minor flaws in my opinion.First, it is very long. Admittedly, it is a pretty easy read and goes quicker than you would expect a 600-page book to go, but the thought of that many pages will be off-putting to some.The author breaks into this strange affectation from time to time during high-stress or action sequences where the writing becomes choppy and hard to follow. I understand it's to add drama or realism to the scene but, on several occasions, I was flipping pages back and forth and checking to see if I missed a page because it was hard to understand what had happened.The story stretches over a long period of time and it almost gets lost. The author does a good job of pulling it all together but it felt a little anti-climatic.The book blends several genres which some will like and others may not.The good:The characters are wonderfully written.There are enough plot twists to keep you guessing.The author avoids clichés very well.All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Will it be the best book of 2024? Maybe. But I don't think it will be a unanimous decision.

Reviewer: Victoria
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Extraordinary Book
Review: This might be one of the best books I have ever read. The story is heartbreaking but full of hope, mesmerizing and rife with complex characters. The writing is beautiful.

Reviewer: MommaLayne
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Captivating and Atmospheric
Review: "All The Colors Of The Dark" by Chris Whitaker is a captivating and atmospheric novel set in the transformative era of 1975 America, where a sense of change is palpable against the backdrop of a small town grappling with a grim reality. As girls begin to vanish in Monta Clare, Whitaker masterfully weaves a narrative that blends suspense, heartache, and youthful hope, centering around Patch, an unlikely hero determined to save the daughter of a wealthy family from a sinister fate.The tension rises as Patch’s actions set off a chain reaction of consequences that test the bonds between him and those he loves, illuminating the delicate line between triumph and tragedy. Whitaker’s nuanced exploration of obsession and the search for truth unfolds with an intensity that keeps readers gripping their pages, as the characters confront the darkness around them and within themselves. "All The Colors Of The Dark" is not just a missing person mystery or a chilling thriller; it's a profound love story that reveals the complexities of human emotion and the strength found in community during times of crisis. This novel will resonate deeply with anyone who appreciates a rich, multi-layered narrative capable of shining a light on both the shadows of fear and the beauty of hope.

Reviewer: Sandy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beautifully Written
Review: I loved this book so much. It is beautifully written and has a compelling story that has surprising twists and turns. The descriptions of places and the fully realized characters are a genuine literary achievement. It is a long book but not long enough. I was sorry for it to end. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I was a little bit unsure early on in the book about how much I was going to enjoy it. I liked it from the start, but felt my feelings for it 'lag' a bit for part of the first quarter of it. Then, I'm not even sure how it happened, but it grabbed me by the heart and kept me all the way through. I had a hard time putting it down (man, I just LOVE short chapters) and had quite a few surprises. Great book, excellent and creative plot that was well told.

Reviewer: Jeanette
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Again, what a great book! I just love chris whitaker, read all of his books so far and can't wait for the next one. Rich prose, a haunting story and unique characters - this story has it all. I was unable to put it down and felt sad when i finished it.

Reviewer: Willie H.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Excellent story with interesting interlinking characters and kept you hooked on what was going to happen next. Most enjoyable book I have read for very long time.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I absolutely adored this book. After half way through I slowed down in my reading because I really never wanted it to end. A wonderful story, such engaging characters and beautiful moving writing that painted wonderful pictures in my head of the country, the people and the lives they lived.Great character development too. I will really miss them and the book will stay in my mind for a long time to come.Definitely a 5* read for me. I’m so sad to have eventually finished it. I’ve been through a whole range of emotions and feel drained but in a good way!Totally loved it!! 🥰

Reviewer: Bridgetsbookhaven
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I loved this book!Entirely and absolutely. It started with me crying at the hairdressers and ended with me crying in bed late into the evening. Yes! It’s one of those books filled with deep characters and rich relationships that can touch you in ways you didn’t think were possible.I’ve read reviews that say it’s a slow burn at the beginning, but to stick with it because it’s brilliant. FOR ME, THOUGH, the initial first few chapters lay a beautiful foundation for a piece of work that is intense, overwhelming and mesmerising (all good things).With this being my first Chris Chitaker novel, I was concerned this book wouldn’t have enough murder/mystery vibes to suit my taste, but weaved in amongst the heightened emotions and relationships at play is a serial killer lurking in the background, changing the lives of a small town forever.I consider this book like fine wine. Do your best not to devour it all at once. It’s best absorbed slowly to allow time to breathe and absorb the beautiful relationships spanned over a lifetime.