The book draws on the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics which posits that every possible outcome of every event creates a new universe or world that runs parallel to our own.

Jason Dessen, a former quantum mechanics physicist, is a college physics professor who lives in Chicago with his wife, Daniela and their son Charlie.

[4] Regarding the book's title, Crouch explained that life is full of mysteries, but that there are many more beneath the surface that we cannot see, just as the dark matter in the universe is hidden from view.

[7] Andrew O’Hehir wrote in a review of the novel in The New York Times that it is a mix of several genres: alternate-universe science fiction, a countdown thriller, and a fantasy not unlike C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia and Lev Grossman's Magicians books.

[8] O’Hehir complained that its frantic pace leaves little room for character development and opportunities for readers to critically examine what it is they are reading.

"[8] Reviewing the book for USA Today, Brian Truitt called Dark Matter "a nightmarish quantum-mechanics version of It's a Wonderful Life".

[10] Heck called Dark Matter a "good, fast-paced read" by "a writer without extensive genre credits taking a classic SF trope and making something fresh out of it.

"[10] Writing at The Verge, Andrew Liptak said that in Dark Matter Crouch uses science fiction's familiar theme of multiple realities to explore identity.

Liptak said that while Dark Matter is "the equivalent of a science fiction beach read", and Crouch "never lets up on the breakneck pace", it is a "fun ride".

[7] O’Hehir wrote that the book's profusion of "one-word sentences, one-sentence paragraphs and dramatic oceans of white space" is a ploy Crouch uses to hold the reader's attention.

[8] Jason Sheehan at National Public Radio called Crouch's "maddening addiction to sentence fragments and single line paragraphs ... annoying at first, then infuriating, then simply numbing.

[15] In December 2020, it was announced that a TV series based on Dark Matter would be co-produced by Apple Studios and Sony Pictures Television.

Edgerton was also the show's executive producer, while the book's author, Crouch served as writer for the pilot episode and also showrunner for Sony Pictures Television and Apple Studios.