ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: A well-plotted crime fiction thriller with characters that are hard to forget.


BRIEF REVIEW: For me this isn't an easy book to review but the story is amazing. As the title seems to suggest, this story did not really "begin at the end." It does involve an accident that killed Sissy Radley, just seven years old at the time. Sissy was killed 30 years earlier when Vincent King was just 15 years old. He spent three decades in prison and is scheduled to be released. Vincent was the best friend of now Cape Haven Police Chief Walker (Walk), and Walk has never given up on his friend even though he testified against him. The death of Sissy all those years ago deeply affected her older sister Star and messed up for life. Star was the girlfriend of Vincent at the time. Now Star, mother of Dutchess Day thirteen, and Robin six, is unable to function due to her depression and addiction issues. Dutchess "Outlaw" Radley becomes the protector and mother figure to her young brother Robin. She's also bent on revenge for all who have done her and her family wrong.

Dutchess and Police Chief Walk are the primary characters of the novel but, there are several others who play a role in the story. Walk is a good man and loyal to many. Dutchess, is tough, foul-mouthed and fearless on the outside yet soft and compassionate when it comes to her young brother Robin. Sadly, she has been denied the opportunity to be a child herself. SHE is clearly the strength of this story, an unforgettable character and, my heart went out to her and her situation.

A slow moving and intricate story, it is one where you really get a chance to know each character. I loved the descriptiveness of the small town and the sense of community. Some of the characters are so caring and others frightening. Most of the characters were broken in some way or seriously flawed but, they came across as genuine as well. Told in multiple POV, both in the past and present, at times I wished that I had the print edition instead of the audio. George Newbern, did a decent job as narrator but, a few times I wondered who was speaking. This is a story that will stick with me for a long while, likely to make my 2021 tops list as well.

RATING: 4.5/5 stars

MEMORABLE QUOTES: There are two kinds of families: the ones we are born into and the ones we create.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the first book I've read/listened to by Chris Whitaker and it will certainly not be the last. It was also one of my anticipated reads for the month and I'm so happy to say this emotionally charged, complex story totally delivers on all levels and then some!

This is one of those reviews where I know I will not be able to do justice to the book...but I will certainly try. My emotions were all over the place with this one...I was laughing one minute and then tearing up the next. I absolutely fell in love with Duchess - how could you not? A thirteen-year-old that calls herself an outlaw? This girl has seen more and had to do more in her young life than she should have to have...and she totally won me over. She is such a little spitfire, wise beyond her years and yet all I wanted to do was give her one big hug. I loved how protective she was of her brother, Robin and how important it was for her to keep her family together.

Walk was an interesting character. I had a hard time making heads or tails of him at first but then he grew on me. He made a choice when he was a teenager that haunts him to this day involving his best friend, Vincent King, and now that Vincent King is in trouble again, Walk will do everything in his power to set things right.

There is a murder mystery that kept me engaged but I really loved the explorations of the relationships between the characters. To me...that is really what drove this book. I was rooting for them and hoping against hope that they would all end up on the right side of ok...however that might look.

This book is about family...the one you are born into and the ones we create. It is about doing right by those we love and protecting them no matter what. Sometimes there are repercussions for those actions but there is always love behind those actions. This is definitely going to be a book I will not be forgetting anytime soon and I highly recommend it!

Audio thoughts: I enjoyed this audiobook. It was the first time I have listened to George Newbern and I thought he did a good job narrating. His pacing was just right and I found he infused just the right amount of emotion and tension when needed.

This book made me laugh and made me cry. It is so beautifully written. I listened to it and so did my husband and he loved it too which is amazing because this isn’t his type of book. I loved it so much I have to get the book to actually read and have on my shelf for others to read.

"With We Begin at the End, Chris Whitaker has written an extraordinary novel about people who deserve so much more than life serves them. At times devastating, with flashes of humor and hope throughout, it is ultimately an inspiring tale of how the human spirit prevails and how, in the end, love—in all its different guises—wins.
There are two kinds of families: the ones we are born into and the ones we create."
I quote this description from the book's product page because it's probably a perfect description of this lovely book. I wasn't sure how I was feeling about it for the first couple of chapters, but as I kept listening, Whitaker drew me more and more deeply into the lives of these characters who'd all been damaged, one way or another, by a tragic accident one night 30 years prior. By turns heartbreaking and hopeful, brutal and gentle, it's beautifully written. It's also brilliantly narrated by George Newbern, who's reading feels more like a conversation than a reading. Read it with your eyes, read it with your ears - but I definitely recommend reading it.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Thank you Netgalley for this audiobook.

Again I didn't read the synopsis before reading this book. I read it based on all the buzz surrounding and I'm not sad about it. To me it felt like a historical mystery.

Growing up in a small town where everyone knows everyone is right where this book is. You have all the main characters, Walk, Star, Duchess and Robin. Duchess is an outlaw and she lets everyone know it. Kids are scared of her for that alone but then add in her brother, Robin, mess with him and she's an angry outlaw. I loved the way she cared for him.

This story takes several turns and some will make you want to cry and Duchess's one-liners will make you laugh.

It's a heartfelt page turner that you can't put down. I'll miss Duchess.

IF YOU BUY OR READ ONLY ONE BOOK THIS YEAR IT MUST BE "WE BEGIN AT THE END"!!!

"She...pulled a bottle of Jim Beam from the top shelf. She took it down to the lake, unscrewed the cap, and drank. She did not flinch at the burn. She thought of Vincent King, drank some more, then Darke, and drank again, She drank and drank till the pain eased...Problems melted, edges softened. She lay flat on her back and closed her eyes, feeling her mother."

Just another night in the life of 13 year old Duchess, the heart of We Begin At The End by Chris Whitaker. I do not have the words to express the beauty of language this author uses to tell this story of a broken family, of youthful mistakes that lead to a lifetime of pain and of an unbending loyalty between siblings and best friends.

Duchess never had a childhood. From the day her 6 year old brother was born she has raised him and fiercely protected him. Her drug addicted mom Star just could not do it but she tried until the night she was could not even do that anymore.

I went into this book blind. I am glad I did. There were shocking moments, surprising reveals and the last hour of the audiobook had me in tears. I wanted to hug Duchess and Robin. I wanted to hug Vincent who was in jail from the age of 15 for a deadly accident. I wanted to hug Star who lost everything the night her sister was killed including Vincent. I wanted to hug Chief Walker who loved them but could not save them all.

I know I have not told too much. You need to just read it. If you are a fan of murder mystery, crime thrillers, family drama, literary fiction or just reading a true writing masterpiece you will not be disappointed in this book. The Audiobook's narrator #georgenewbern is perfection.

I received a free copy of this Audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

In a small California town, a tragedy has long consequences. A young boy, Vincent King, has a car accident and a local girl, Sissy Radley, is killed. He gets a harsh judge who sentences him to ten years in prison and when a prisoner picks a fight with him, Vincent's sentence gets extended to 30 years due to the other man's death after the fight. Now it's time for Vincent to come home.
There are many in the town who remember the accident as if it were yesterday. The chief of police, Chief Walker, was Vincent's best friend and has never forgiven himself for testifying against him at the trial. Star Radley was Sissy's sister. Her life after Sissy's death was a spiral downward. Now she has two children she can't take care of, Duchess and Robin. Star moves from man to man, often abusive men. She drinks and drugs and often there isn't enough food for the children. Duchess who is thirteen, tries to take up the slack and give Robin a happy childhood. She does the best she can but after all is only thirteen and can only do so much.

When Vincent comes home, new events are put in play. The children end up living with their grandfather who slowly works his way into their hearts and is a stable influence. Walker tries his best to help Vincent integrate back into society but it's a hard road and Vincent doesn't seem that interested. Soon he is once again suspected of a crime and now Walker must put aside his own feelings and investigate to get to the truth.

This book has gotten a lot of positive press. It is an Amazon Best Book of March 2021 and a number one Indie Pick. The characters are finely drawn and the book explores the themes of family and what that means, of friends and loyalty and keeping promises even when they are hard. The locale is California and Montana but the novel has a Southern feel to me. This book is recommended for readers of crime novels with a literary overlay.

I listened to this novel. The narrator, George Newbern, does an admirable job. He has a mellow voice that tells the story as if he were telling it on a front porch at dusk, rocking in a porch swing. I would definitely listen to another of his performances.

I think I just found my favourite book of 2021. It’s been weeks since I finished this book but the story and the characters are still as present as when I was reading this book. To say this book broke my heart would be an understatement. The story follows Duchess, Walk, Star and Vincent all kids who had to grow up too fast because of the tragedies that fate decides to visit upon them. Walk, Vincent and Star are still paying for the one mistake that happened when they were in their teens and Duchess is Star’s daughter who has had to look after herself her brother and her mother in the aftermath. Just when they think that maybe life will give them a break, another tragedy strikes.
This book is a multigenerational tragedy that will squeeze your heart dry. There’s a murder mystery as well to keep you hooked but the highlight of this book is it’s wonderful cast of characters. I loved each and every one of them. I was rooting for them and crying for them and had my heart broken for them. If you don’t mind tear jerkers then please pick up this masterpiece! It might take you a bit of time to get used to the writing but once you do you will be amply rewarded

Audiobook: I loved the narration. The narrator managed to get the emotional quotient of the story just right.

I was given the opportunity to read and review this book through Net Galley and I am so glad! The story sucked you in and you'll find yourself thinking about the characters long after you finish the book. Can't wait to read more by this author!!

Thirteen-year-old Duchess Day Radley is a self-proclaimed outlaw. She’ll put you in your place with a tongue lashing before you know what hit you. That sailor mouth is armor against the tragedy that her family has lived with for decades. Her mama, Star, struggles to stay clean while Duchess cares for her five-year-old brother, Robin.

Walk, the sheriff of Cape Haven, keeps an eye on Star and her children. He knows the pain that Star lives with because he lives with it, too. When they were just fifteen, Star’s little sister Sissy was killed when Star’s boyfriend (and Walk’s best friend) Vincent King accidentally hit her with his car.

It’s been thirty years and Vincent is being released from prison, set to return to his home in Cape Haven.

Land developer Dickie Dark has his eye on Vincent’s home and on Star. Dickie has no idea what he’s up against when he threatens Star and feels the wrath of Duchess.

Then comes the moment when Walk finds Star dead in her home …while Vincent sits quietly waiting to be arrested.

We Begin at the End is a powerful family drama and a heartbreaking mystery with richly developed characters that I was invested in from page one! Readers are given the facts of the events from the past thirty years but the secrets that are revealed with pitch perfect precision along the way that broke my heart.

Character driven, emotionally complex, and packing a huge punch - We Begin at the End is an unforgettable story and will absolutely remain a favorite of the year for me! George Newbern was a fantastic narrator, evoking the emotion required from this compelling story. I highly recommend this book to readers who literary fiction, mystery, and family dramas.

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio/Henry Holt & Co and NetGalley for providing me with an advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review. We Begin at the End is scheduled for release on March 2, 2021.

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
Narrated by: George Newbern
Publication Date: March 2, 2021
.
Description from NetGalley...
There are two kinds of families: the ones we are born into and the ones we create.

Walk has never left the coastal California town where he grew up. He may have become the chief of police, but he’s still trying to heal the old wound of having given the testimony that sent his best friend, Vincent King, to prison decades before. Now, thirty years later, Vincent is being released.

Duchess is a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Her mother, Star, grew up with Walk and Vincent. Walk is in overdrive trying to protect them, but Vincent and Star seem bent on sliding deeper into self-destruction. Star always burned bright, but recently that light has dimmed, leaving Duchess to parent not only her mother but her five-year-old brother. At school the other kids make fun of Duchess—her clothes are torn, her hair a mess. But let them throw their sticks, because she’ll throw stones. Rules are for other people. She’s just trying to survive and keep her family together.

A fortysomething-year-old sheriff and a thirteen-year-old girl may not seem to have a lot in common. But they both have come to expect that people will disappoint you, loved ones will leave you, and if you open your heart it will be broken. So when trouble arrives with Vincent King, Walk and Duchess find they will be unable to do anything but usher it in, arms wide closed.
.
Thank you to @NetGalley @macmillan.audio @henryholtbooks for the ALC in return for my honest review.
.
My thoughts...
Jaw-dropping. One of my best books so far in 2021. The narrator was perfect for this book, he just added more atmosphere to the story, emotions surging from every word. Some may find the story slow, but I really liked it as it was so character driven. Duchess was one of the most resilient character I have read in awhile. From professional experiences, I can tell you the characters were so real. The story was sad, devastating and compelling. The plot was unpredictable and kept me guessing until the end. You become so emotionally invested in hoping that the human spirit would not break. Be kind. There are people who deserves more than what they’ve been served.

This was such an amazing story and at the same time one of the most heart wrenching devastating books I have ever read. This story while I loved ripped my heart to shreds and then stomped on it some more. If you need a good tear jerker this is your story.

The story revolves around Walk, who is the towns sheriff and Duchess, a 13 year old, and how their lives have tragically meshed together. I don’t want to spoil it by telling the plot, just know you will need tissues. Lots of tissues.

The character development is amazing and the narrator Chris Whitaker, does a fabulous job with all the characters and makes the story flow easily. I highly recommend this story.

We Begin at the End has been on my radar since my co-blogger Emma read it and loved it last year. Petrik and TS decided to pick it up as well, even though it’s not something within their usual genre wheelhouses. Again, they loved it. But they warned me that it was heartbreaking and, since I had been going through a particularly rough patch in my life, I held off until I felt like I was emotionally strong enough to handle it. I’m so glad I did, because I can say without a single qualm that it will be only my list of favorite books read in 2021, but the heart-wrenching emotion of it would have kept it from the same list last year. It really pays to wait until the right moment to read this type of book, and I’m glad I had friends to caution me in that regard.

This book is one of the most devastating things I’ve ever read. It was beautiful, and the characters were incredibly real, but it made my chest physically ache as I was reading. I actually had to put it down and walk away a couple of times because I had reached my emotional threshold. I cared so much about this stories and every single character populating it. The plot was also deeply compelling and surprisingly unpredictable. I didn’t solve the mystery elements before the characters in the book did so themselves, and that’s something at which I generally excel. It was refreshing to be kept guessing, but without the author throwing in wild twists that were literally impossible to predict. After all was revealed, I could see where the narrative had always been pointing in that direction.

There were two main perspective characters in this story: Duchess, a thirteen-year-old girl with the world on her shoulders who identifies as an outlaw and just wants to take care of her brother; and Walk, the sheriff of Duchess’s small town who tries his best to care for his people while fighting hard against change. While the supporting cast was absolutely wonderful, and Walk was a great character, Duchess was undoubtedly the star of the show. Her rage was always at war with her kindness except for when it came to her little brother. She’s young and fierce and broken and so strong in the face of all of it that it made my heart ache. I’ve never in my life wanted to reach into a book and save a child as much as I wanted to save her. For her creation alone, I would have called Whitaker a master of his craft, but every single character in this book was heartbreakingly multifaceted. I’m truly in awe.

I received an audio copy of this book through NetGalley and, though I tandem-read the digital copy, I’m incredibly glad I experienced this via audio. This is only the second book I’ve heard narrated by George Newbern, the first being A Man Called Ove. With both narrations, Newbern did an absolutely brilliant job. Every character’s voice was unique and easily identifiable, and not a single one of those voices felt cheesy or stereotypical. Emotion dripped from every sentence. While I have no doubt I would have still loved this book had I strictly read it with my eyes, having Newbern narrate the story for me as I read added a resonance to the experience that was truly something special.

We Begin at the End wrecked me. It upset my faith in people, but it also managed to restore that same faith. I met characters who I don’t think I will ever be able to forget. While I’m not sure this is a book I can reread, because it hurt so much the first time, reading it was an experience that mattered. It impacted me deeply. I’m thankful to my friends for recommending it, and stand in awe of Whitaker for writing it. He had something to say, and he said it incredibly well.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘We Begin at the End’ by Chris Whitaker in exchange for an honest review. It was narrated by George Newbern with a running time of 10 hours, 30 minutes at 1x speed.

This character-led novel is mainly set in the small town of Cape Haven on the California coast. Walk is the local chief of police, who thirty years previously testified against his best friend, Vincent, who is now about to be released from prison.

Duchess is a precocious thirteen-year-old, a self-proclaimed Wild West outlaw. Her mother, Star, grew up with Walk and Vincent. In order to avoid spoilers all I will say is that very bad things happen.

This novel has clearly attracted many positive reviews from readers and a number of publications but it just wasn’t one for me.

Even though not a particularly long audiobook, I struggled getting through it. There was nothing wrong with it as such, I just didn’t make a meaningful connection with its characters or storyline. It might have been better if I had been able to combine reading with listening as I could have easily checked back on plot points and the like.

In terms of the audiobook, its narrator George Newbern is a well known American actor with an impressive number of audiobook titles to his credit and a number of awards for his voice acting. There are a variety of characters in the novel, and I felt that Newbern’s did well in conveying their individual voices. His delivery was smooth and very clear.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Thus will be the book of 2021. Loved it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

13 year old Duchess is living a life way beyond her years. She spends her days looking after her little brother as well as her drug and alcohol addicted mother. There is one steady person in her life- an old friend of her mom’s, Walk, now a cop.

When Duchess tried to take a matter into her own hands, the result is tragic and she and Robin end up moving from California to Montana to live with their grandfather, Hal. Hal tries his best while living with the fact that both of his daughters have been murdered. Life in Montana isn’t so bad until Duchess’s past meets up with her and tragedy strikes yet again.

There was so much tragedy within one family in this book. It was hard to believe that one family goes through what they do. Yet, it was beautifully written with strong character development. I enjoyed getting to know all of the diverse characters in the story. Overall, I’d recommend this book.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this ARC.

We Begin at the End introduces us to a town full of characters whose lives are intertwined in ways that don't always seem clear. A 13 year old girl, poor and constantly trying to prove she doesn't need anyone. A man who has never left his small town and is living with the fact that his testimony sent his friend to jail. How are these two connected? What can they really do for each other? That is what this tale focused on. The outcasts and the cliques. The haves and the have-nots. These were the tableau on which the characters are set. The world that they have to navigate. One that doesn't seem made for them. And having to do it all with the names Duchess and Walk.

This is a case where I can objectively categorize a book as good, but just not the right moment for me. I do think I might have done better with the print version, there's something about listening to a tough book that can make the feelings dig even deeper. I will try to come back to this one when I'm in he right emotional moment for it.

I received an audioARC in exchange for an honest review.

We Begin at the End
By Chris Whitaker


A Captivating and Emotionally Intense Character-driven Novel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Thirty years ago, Vincent King, 15, was joyriding and accidentally struck and killed seven-year-old Sissy Radley, the younger sister of his girlfriend Star Radley. His best friend Walker, gave the testimony that sent him to prison. After serving thirty years, Vincent is coming home.

Duchess Day Radley, a self-proclaimed outlaw, is full of anger. The kids at school make fun of her—her clothes are torn, her hair is a mess. At 13, she is the sole caretaker of both her younger brother Robin, 5, and her alcoholic, drug-rattled single mother, Star.

When Star is found murdered shortly after his release, all evidence points directly to Vincent King. But Walker doesn’t believe that Vincent would have killed Star. He is struggles to find the truth, while Vincent is saying nothing and is now back in jail. Duchess bravely tries to care for Robin, but is convinced that trouble follows her wherever she goes.

REVIEW
We Begin at the End is an intricate and intriguing dramatic tale. Chris Whitaker’s dark and slowly unfolding story will captivate you with its emotional intensity and character-driven narrative.

Walker and Duchess are both broken figures struggling in their own different ways to make sense of things that have no reason. Walker is quiet, set in his ways and pensive, while Duchess is raw, angry, and full of spunk and determination. She is wise beyond her years as she takes care of her brother to the best of her ability, and stands up to anyone who tries to get in her way. She only wants what is best for Robin, and will to do whatever it takes to give him a good life. We Begin at the End is a complex and thought-provoking novel. Worth the read!

Whitaker lives in the United Kingdom with his wife and three children. Previous books include Tall Oaks and All the Wicked Girls.

The audiobook was narrated by George Newbern, whose performance was commendable. Newbern attempts subtle distinctions with the voice of various characters.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Macmillan Audio
Published March 2, 2021
Narrated George Newbern
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com