Well it was bound to happen after my string of fantastic audiobooks lately...I REALLY hate to say this but I didn’t love this🙈 I had the highest expectations after loving Whitaker’s previous 2 books plus the bookstagram hype surrounding this is off the charts. I think, for me, this was a case of should’ve read vs listened to it.

This story of Duchess Dey Radley was a coming of age literary mystery which felt, at times, like it got bogged down in the literary wordplay. However, the character development was outstanding and I felt like every single one was a real person. So flawed but so real!! This made certain deaths really shocking and hard! Whitaker can also write setting so realistically, I felt like I was there. I wanted to know what happened and more importantly what would happen to Duchess and her brother. The ending was fantastic and although I did have it partly figured out, there was an unexpected surprise that I loved! I can’t even put my finger on what it was about listening that made this feel like a bit of a let down (maybe lack of suspense), so please check out the many other rave reviews out there and I say read vs listen to this one!

How have I missed out on reading anything by Chris Whitaker? I went into this book thinking it would be a fast paced mystery. But it was so much more lovely than that, if a mystery can be that. It was slow, in a good way. The characters were ones you rooted for and tried to not like, but they grew on you and you’re left with an ache in your heart. Can we believe the best in our childhood friends after they have spent 30 years in prison? How hard do we cling to what we used to know and what is before us? It was so good.

This very well may be one of the best books I will read this year. This is incredible. Some of the best developed characters I've ever read. This was a page turnery without feeling tropey and was just stunning. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Have you been seeing this book everywhere lately? I have and many times when I see a book being super hyped up on here I get suspicious. Will it really be as good as everyone is saying? Or will the hype leave my expectations way too high? Trust me you guys, believe the hype this one is incredible and an absolute must read.⁣
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Back in 2016 when I was a baby reviewer I read the authors debut, Tall Oaks and was completely blown away. I remember gushing about it with Renee @itsbooktalk and I still think of some of the characters to this day. All of that to say, I know what Chris Whitaker is capable of and I was prepared to be blown away again, but even knowing how powerful and moving his books are, I still wasn’t prepared. 😭 I could honestly ramble on about this one for way more than Instagram limits allow so I’ll just say that if you like character driven literary mysteries with gorgeous writing this is a total must. If you want to be moved and to feel so many feelings, read this. If you like incredibly well plotted mysteries, I promise this was flawless. And if you want to meet an unforgettable character named Duchess Day Radley that will steal a piece of your heart, grab this one! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was the second 5 star book in a week! What a great story! The author draws it out but not in a boring way. He adds little touches each chapter. Loved the characters, the story and the writing!!

A fantastic book- beautiful characters. This is an amazing book, about relationships and the lengths people go to for those they love. This book got me really invested in the characters and I really understand why they make the decisions they do.

Tragic, heartbreaking, and so beautifully written... here is a story that will grab you and not let go.
The story is intense, with strong characters that are so well developed, you will be laughing, crying, questioning and just plain feeling alongside them. At the center is small town America and the people that live there, their history, their present, their demons, their loves. There is a homicide that happens decades earlier, that leaves the survivors broken and existing, carrying a young girl's death with them in life. Within the small town, there are multiple levels of tragedy and consequence that hit several people, across generations. There is good vs evil, truth vs perception, the law vs the outlaw (and a serious questioning of just which is which). There are tragic misperceptions and repercussions, guilt and redemption, and love and sacrifice. The story is rich in theme, deep in characterization, and compelling in a narrative of twists and turns. Drawn to the characters, you will be rooting for them all to find their peace. Although the story itself is not the same, the characters are so well crafted, it gives a readalike feel to To Kill a Mockingbird. Kudos to Chris Whitaker on a masterful job well done!

Difficult to picture events as beginning is quite convoluted. It would be difficult to "sell" this book to a reader.

I’m a tough critic when it comes to works of fiction. This book won me over! There’s a well thought out storyline, well-developed characters, and creative writing style that kept my interest! Beautifully written imagery and themes woven throughout the book that everyone can relate to. Definitely a page turner that will pique your interest and keep your attention! I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We Begin at the End is a captivating book. The sadness within is so heavy and evokes a full range of emotions. I wondered how anyone could find happiness. The author took me on a compelling journey.

I was so excited to start this one, I kept seeing fantastic reviews heralding it as the best book of the year. I was maybe reading it with unrealistic expectations, but I found myself at times wondering if I had received the same book as everyone else. I am keeping an open mind about some of the criticisms: some of it could be that it has not gone through final editing since this was an ARC. There were a dozen or so sentences that did not make sense, character changes from one paragraph to the next. These could be fixed. The characters, however.... Walk was a great character, I liked his internal struggles and imperfections. The 13-year-old girl was completely and utterly unbelievable in her dialogue and there was no backstory that gave her the vocabulary of a 40-year-old author. Each witty quip was more unrealistic than the next. The story didn't draw me in, it wasn't very gripping and I just wanted it to be over. Ultimately very disappointed in this one.

BEST BOOK OF 2021

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker is an astonishing book by an amazingly readable author, This book showcases the redemptive power of love, forgiveness, empathy, and has you engaged from the very first page. Whitaker has the perfect elements to keep the reader absolutely enthralled —- tragedy, long held beliefs questioned, conflicted relationship dynamics, murder mystery, and relatable characters. Seriously, this is a book that you will start and finish all in the same day. Carve out some time so you are ready!

The book features a strong 13 year old protagonist, Duchess Day Radley, who has been forced to grow up all too soon. The experiences she has had would bring adults to their knees, but she has an admirable spirit that will not be contained. She reminded me of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird, and that is high praise! Duchess struggles with problems that are well beyond her years but with a heart that is tuned into her to five year old brother, Robin, to her own demise at times.

The plotting and dramatic interest in We Begin at the End is unparalleled. Whitaker pulls you into a world and does not stop pulling at your heartstrings. You are a willing participant as you navigate an entire rollercoaster range of emotions as Duchess struggles with tragedy after tragedy, At the same time you are drawn into the world of Walk, a police chief, with his own frailties trying to do the best he can as he navigates balancing friendship with duty.

Following her head will lead to the security Duchess craves. While following her heart will lead her into untold highs, but also the greater possibility of dehabilitating lows. Whitaker expertly weaves a story that will have you empathizing with the cast of characters created.

Whitaker has crafted outstanding storytelling with twists that will have you experiencing untold highs and the accompanying harrowing lows. This story is told in such exquisite detail that you feel true empathy, with a satisfying conclusion to much of the internal struggles that came out of nowhere for me. However, this conclusion is absolute perfection and no spoilers will be found here. I have read almost 100 books thus far in 2021 and We Begin at the End is without question the top pick from me.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from Henry Holt & Company in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

I sometimes struggle writing book reviews. I’m a much better reader than I am a writer, and when I read books that I love, I find it that much more difficult to properly express my excitement and adoration. Which is probably why it’s taken me a month to post my review for WE BEGIN AT THE END, an exceptional small town murder mystery exploring love, loss and grief.⁣
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As a teenager, Walker turned in his best friend Vincent for the accidental hit-and-run death of their friend Star’s sister. 30 years later, Walker is now the sheriff of the small coastal town he grew up in, and is there to meet his friend when he is finally released from prison. Still haunted by his decision to turn Vincent in back in the day, Walk is blinded by love and guilt and will do anything to protect him when he is once again accused of murder, this time for killing Star, now a struggling single parent.⁣
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Duchess the Outlaw is a 13-year-old spitfire and wise beyond her years. In the face of so much darkness in her life at such a young age, Duchess is fiercely protective of her brother Robin, and when her mother Star is murdered, she will do whatever it takes to pursue justice and enact vengeance on those who have wronged her.⁣
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While Sheriff Walker works to identify an alternative suspect and help exonerate Vincent, Duchess must do what is best for her family and discovers that the difference between good and bad and right and wrong is not always black and white.⁣
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Let me be clear: WE BEGIN AT THE END is…spectacular. Whitaker is an incredible writer, and it’s hard to believe he’s British as he deftly captures a very specific American voice. I really resonated with his beautifully written characters and their personal journeys searching for hope and human connection. In a time where many of us have been isolated from our friends and loved ones, the book’s exploration of forgiveness and family felt incredibly timely and relevant. Barely 2 months into 2021, and we have a contender for book of the year!⁣

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 NetGallwy for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Walk is the chief of police in the small coastal California town where he grew up. Decades earlier his account of a terrible event sent his best friend Vincent to prison. Vincent has tried to make his own suffering as great as possible behind bars by eschewing distraction and comfort, and now he's about to be released.

Duchess is a thirteen-year-old girl trying to keep her family together. Her mother Star is old friends with Walk and Vincent, and when Vincent reappears, the tenuous peace and calm Duchess and her steady family friend Walk have been able to secure for her household are disrupted.

Walk and Duchess are an unlikely pair, a milquetoast cop and a defiant young teen. But both of the longtime family friends are used to disappointment and both are used to relying on themselves. Can they somehow prevent Vincent and Star from destroying themselves and everyone who cares about them, or are Walk and Duchess inadvertently adding to the collapse?

I felt as though Duchess's repetition of "I'm an outlaw" and her wearing of a bow in her hair made her feel far younger than her thirteen years. I could imagine that each of these details, which are repeated, could be part of an understandable, thwarted maturity resulting from her difficult circumstances, although I'm not clear about whether or not that was the intention. She is suspicious and jaded in most ways, with her love for her brother her only clear weakness.

Whew, this book! It started a little slowly for me, then built into a tale of heartbreak and desperate hopes for redemption that folded back upon itself with unexpected turns and considerable depth. There are mysterious forces and machinations, many of which remain unclear to the reader until late in the book, when major unraveling occurs.

Whitaker offers up the story's compounding tragedies in often-beautiful language. The tone frequently reminded me somewhat of that of John Hart's books.

The secondary character of Thomas Noble was my favorite in the book. "Her relationship with Thomas Noble had blossomed into the kind of one-sided friendship where he confided in her and she used his secrets against him, without mercy." I loved him with Duchess.

I received a prepublication copy of this book, scheduled for publication today, March 2, courtesy of Henry Holt & Co. and NetGalley.

This book is part mystery, part thriller, part family drama. A tragedy from 1975 continues to have consequences thirty years later. Thirteen year old Duchess Day Radley is her 5-year-old brother Robin's caregiver and protector since their mother Star can't cope. Their town's chief of police, Walk, does his best to protect the family. Changes are coming to the small coastal town and one of them is Vincent, who is out of prison after serving 30 years.

This novel features complex characters and a multi-layered mystery. Duchess has seen so much tragedy and hardship. At times I was frustrated with her character, other times I wanted to cry for her. Your heart just goes out to Duchess and her brother. With everything that happened, it was her own inner "outlaw" strength that pulled her through. While the book was a bit slow for me in the beginning the story kept me guessing all the way through. This is ultimately a book about families-- the one you're born to and the one you make--with characters that will stick with you. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book.

Wow. This book was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time. It has some intense bleak moments, so it is not for the faint of heart, but if you do read it, the story and the characters will stay with you for a long time.

It has a slower pace to it. Think The Dry by Jane Harper, but with darker tones. At times your heart can't take the horrible things that life has put on the two children we follow in this book. You will ache for them. But I feel that the author did them justice and made it feel realistic.

Easily one of the better books I've read this year.

Some books shake you and make you grateful for your circumstances right from the start. This is one of them. Chris Whitaker has written an emotional, realistic, and heartbreaking story that explores the bond between old friends and those people who we've made into extended family. The writing was really different and for me, it took a while to get into. It's literary and rouged. There were quite a few characters in this small town to get to know but I really loved Walk and his connection to Duchess. Walk felt like one of those distant men you desperately want to know but fear they'll never let you close enough, so when he opens up, I fell for him completely. In a way, he was the conduit between the other characters but his strength as a middle ground wove the storylines together. His faith in Vincent, his guilt over the past... every part of their struggles to reconnect and right the past were done brilliantly. I just wish I could have witnessed a few of the happier times in the past... maybe a few lighter moments to balance the pain. This book was so sad and heavy that I craved a little relief in there somewhere.

This was my first book by Whitaker but I'm planning to pick up his previous titles.

Y’all, I tried. I heard how great the writing was, and how beautiful the characterization was...but coming up on the year anniversary of the pandemic, I just could not do something this bleak.

I am sure this will find readers elsewhere and I might return to it in the future but for now, it’s a DNF.

“None of us are any one thing. We’re just a collection of the best and worst things we’ve done.”

WE BEGIN AT THE END is about a series of events that occur in a small town when a man returns home after spending thirty years in prison. I cared so deeply about the characters in this book, and I stayed up late to finish it because I could not put it down. this book will break your heart and the characters and the story will stay with you for a long time. the best novel I have read in a long time! it’s a book that I will continue to think about for years to come, and I’m so glad I have it on my shelf. I’m going to be recommending it to everyone! It will surely be one of my favorite books of the year. 5/5⭐️—I loved it!

I posted my review on my Instagram account today, March 1, in hopes that many will buy this book as it releases this week. I have an audience of over 1,200 followers on Instagram who will see and interact with this review.