As a much-lauded book of this year, I had pretty high expectations when picking up "All the Colors of the Dark." And though it defied both genre and said expectations about the storyline, I'm happy to say it definitely did not disappoint!

Though it's billed mostly as a crime/mystery story—and it certainly is—this book is much much more than your average mystery or thriller. It's also a gripping story about love and loss, about the ways in which our choices impact not only our own lives but also the lives of those we love, and about what it really means to put someone else first.

All the characters in this book are complicated and effectively nuanced, and I appreciate how Chris Whitaker made them all feel supremely realistic even in their set of pretty extraordinary circumstances. They make challenging (but understandable) decisions, and you'll find yourself rooting for them even while they're making frustrating missteps. Patch in particular is a really complex character, but so many have really challenging and engaging storylines.

Don't let the page count intimidate you—I flew through this book thanks to the really short chapters, effective pacing, and near-constant cliff-hangers. It's a great reading experience for anyone interested in really human (and often heartbreaking) drama, as well as fiction and crime fans. Just have your tissues ready.