We Begin at the End - Chris Whitaker

We Begin at the End

By Chris Whitaker

  • Release Date: 2021-03-02
  • Genre: Literary Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,293 Ratings

Description

Winner of the Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel from the Crime Writers’ Association (UK)
Winner for Best International Crime Fiction from Australian Crime Writers Association
An Instant New York Times Bestseller


“A vibrant, engrossing, unputdownable thriller that packs a serious emotional punch. One of those rare books that surprise you along the way and then linger in your mind long after you have finished it.”
—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds


Right. Wrong. Life is lived somewhere in between.


Duchess Day Radley is a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Rules are for other people. She is the fierce protector of her five-year-old brother, Robin, and the parent to her mother, Star, a single mom incapable of taking care of herself, let alone her two kids.

Walk has never left the coastal California town where he and Star 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. And he's in overdrive protecting Duchess and her brother.

Now, thirty years later, Vincent is being released. And Duchess and Walk must face the trouble that comes with his return. We Begin at the End is an extraordinary novel about two kinds of families—the ones we are born into and the ones we create.

Reviews

  • A bit slow to start, but wow.

    5
    By Cut wood
    Very enjoyable. I recommend it.
  • I loved this book

    5
    By ahitch06
    I couldn’t stop reading. One of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. Highly recommend.
  • Couldn’t put it down!

    5
    By KLaurenF
    This book made me feel deeply. The story will stick with me for a while.
  • Could Not Put It Down

    5
    By Chasemax1
    Sucked me in from the very fruit chapter and I did not put it down until I finished. Another brilliant story told by a master.
  • Not bad

    2
    By SEGV123
    But not great. This is the 3rd CW book I’ve read, and there are definitely themes he sticks to in his writing…some are welcome while others are tiresome. The main character relies heavily on the F word and one (overly used) catchphrase to build her character, but it got old after the first few times she flipped someone off just because she’s a tough gal. The story itself is tragic, and the “twist” at the end was unexpected, but I think that’s because the last few chapters were somewhat chaotic with the shifting storylines. I will say, though, I was left thinking of one character in particular with sort of a “what will he be doing in 15 years?” type of feeling, so I suppose that’s chalked up to the author writing good characters for the most part.
  • We Begin at the End

    3
    By Pharmawoman2
    This book took me a long time to read, but I really wanted to finish it because it was our book club selection. The ending was worth plowing through the rest of the book, though. It was unexpected to say the least!
  • Amazing

    5
    By jh347204
    One of the best books I’ve ever read. I don’t read a ton of novels but I was blown away by this book.
  • So Good

    5
    By KMS51981
    One of the best books I have ever read. You truly care about the characters. I couldn’t put it down. I read another review that compared it to “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I agree with the comparison. So beautifully written. One I wish I could read again for the first time.
  • Could not put it down!

    5
    By Robin's I-Tunes Account
    Beautifully written with great characters and a plot that keeps you guessing! My husband came and checked on me to make sure I was still there because once I started I could not stop!
  • The Best Book😍

    5
    By Cmtulsa
    This book was in my samples for so long and I finally took the time to read it. I finished it so fast, I loved every page.