Printable: Book Club Questions for All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Let’s first talk about the significance of the title in relation to the story as a whole. What is your interpretation of it?
Why did Patch immediately jump in to rescue Misty, a girl who had never acknowledge him? What does it say about his character?
Saint, Patch’s best friend, is in love with him and determined to bring him back after he’s taken. This dedication to Patch will span decades and multiple incidents. Do you feel this friendship was even, or was it somewhat one-sided?
We learn that Patch is taken by a serial killer and held in darkness for months. But a girl named Grace was there to help provide comfort and serve as a light in the darkness. Did you believe that Grace was real the entire time?
How did Patch change from the beginning of the novel to the end? Did you think he had a solid character arc? Why or why not?
Thanks to Saint’s nonstop dedication, Patch is eventually rescued. But he’s concerned about Grace and becomes obsessed with finding out where she is. Why do you think Patch never gave up looking for her?
Upon his return, Misty pursues Patch and they date for a bit until her father pays him off. Do you feel Misty was in love with Patch or was it infatuation? What lessons did she learn from Patch?
Why did Patch turn to painting as he searched for Grace?
The reader is lead to believe that the local doctor Tooms was involved with the girls’ disappearance. Did you think he was or did you suspect he was innocent?
We eventually learn about Tooms performing safe abortions for local girls in need and also his secret relationship with Nix. What were your thoughts about the reveals? Why didn’t Tooms tell the authorities the truth about his actions to begin with?
Saint goes into law enforcement and even becomes a key investigator in finding Patch after it’s revealed he’s been robbing banks. Why did she pursue a career in law enforcement?
Saint’s grandmother somewhat forces her to marry Jimmy as she hopes it will get Saint away from Patch and to provide stability. But Saint never truly loved him. Why didn’t Saint reveal the truth about Jimmy and the violent injuries he caused? Why didn’t she tell her about keeping the baby?
A big theme of the novel is the price of loyalty. For instance, Tooms doesn’t tell the truth about the abortions; Saint doesn’t want to upset her grandma with the truth about Jimmy; and then there’s Patch’s blind loyalty to Grace. Let’s discuss the theme of loyalty in relation to this novel.
Eventually it’s revealed that Patch is a father. And he’s the sole guardian after Misty passes away from cancer. But despite being a father, he can’t escape his quest to find Grace. Why didn’t he make more an effort to be there for his daughter?
We do learn that Grace is in fact real, and that she’s the daughter of Eli Aaron, the serial killer. What were your thoughts as you read her reunion with Patch? How did this help give Patch closure? Will they stay in touch?
What did you think of the reunion with Patch, Charlotte and Saint on the boat? What happens next for those three characters?
Do you feel Patch is the hero of the story? Why or why not?