Thirteen year-old outlaw, Duchess has had a difficult life. Her drug addict mother, Star, is unable to care for even herself, forcing Duchess to have the sole goal in life is taking care of her younger brother. She will give up everything to do that. When Star is murdered, the only ones on Duchess' side are the chief of police, and his felon best friend.

This book is very sad. It revolves around the families we make and overcoming obstacles. By no means is a feel good novel. Just when you think things can't get worse, they do. The story is beautifully told and worth reading.

The author’s style wasn’t for me but this book was great besides that! The book had a good plot and kept me engrossed until the end. I was a little confused at the beginning of the book until all the pieces started to come together

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

This book was not what I thought it was by its title, description or its cover. Easy read in terms of being able to relate to it. However, I could not really get into this book at all. The author’s words did not catch me.

I originally added WE BEGIN AT THE END by Chris Whitaker to my TBR for two reasons: 1. Louise Penny blurbed it and 2. the description of  "a 13-year-old girl—think a modern-day Scout "

I listened to this literary mystery in less than 24 hrs. because I couldn't wait to see how the story ended. Some of my favorite books have a story that pulls me in as well as characters that take up space in my heart. This book had both of those things- plus so much more. It has such a great blend of elements. The writing provided a rich narrative for well-imagined characters and complex relationships. The characters weren't always easy to love but I couldn't help rooting for them. The story was emotional and heavy but also provided breathtaking glimpses of hope. It was a study in small towns and the things that make them unique.  It gave me small This Tender Land vibes,

This rambling "review" is just an unorganized way to say - I loved it.

Wow! This was truly an incredible story and I can see why it was picked as a GMA Buzz Pick and an Amazon Book of the Month.
This is a story mainly about Duchess. While it does switch POV between this young girl and Walk, the chief of police in this small town.
Duchess is defined my her hard life. At thirteen she calls herself at outlaw to her family and people at school. She truly fits that description as she is a rule breaker and constantly tried to protect her little brother. When they are kids, Star, their struggling mother, is shot and killed. Much of the story revolves around Walk trying to protect these two children as they move from foster homes.
The story does hop around a bit in time between when Duchess was young and dealing with the death of her mother to 30 years in the future when the man accused of Star's murder, Vincent King is released from prison. This is a long story that truly spotlights the emotions and rational of these broken characters. It is intimately human and a great book to read with a book club.
I hope you read it and enjoy it!

This is a harrowing tale and the audio version really brings it to life. I know the narrator, George Newbern, from Scandal where he was a total jerk. Ha! But his folksy, swaying narration really captured the energy of the story. Highly recommend on audio.

I finished reading this novel about three weeks ago, and I have struggled with writing a review. I am clearly an outlier. My GoodReads Friends have all been much more generous than me with their reviews.

I found this to be a profoundly sad novel. I didn't love it. It is very well written, but it was like flipping through the atmospheric pages of a black and white photo album, capturing only melancholy events. I enjoy good literary fiction but, for the most part, I prefer my books to be upbeat, kooky, or twisty suspense thrillers. Clearly this book was not for me.

Several deaths take place in the story. There are two generations of main characters: Three friends who were close in their youth, Walk, Vincent, and Star, and, Star’s two children, Duchess (13) and Robin (6). Walk gave testimony against Vincent at the murder trial of Star's sister, and now, thirty years later, Vincent is being released from prison. Oddly the two have remained friends, or at the very least, Walk has remained loyal to his friendship and has suffered the pain of what he believes was his betrayal of Vincent. The story unfolds mainly through the POVs of Duchess and Walk.

<i>(an aside)</i> I listened to an ARC of this audio book, courtesy of MacMillan Audio. It was an, as yet, unpublished, audio edition and the chapters (all 51 of them) were all entitled <i><b>We Begin at the End</b></i>, so I may have missed parts of the story each time I fell off to sleep while listening, and then failed to find exactly where I’d left off later on. Eventually I figured out that I could periodically check the percentage read so that I would have a starting point when I tried to find where I left off. This proved to be successful henceforth, but I may have missed some of the story before I fell upon the system. This is by no means a criticism of the book or the publisher, I am deeply grateful to both for having given me the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for my review.

In the spirit of my confused listening experience, the circumstances of the first killing seemed a bit vague to me. I thought it sounded like a tragic accident that went awry and that Vincent might have been railroaded. In any event, it was clear that Vincent suffered tremendous guilt over the event and would not appeal or seek a parole hearing for early release - serving his full sentence of thirty years. There is a lot of innuendo regarding Vincent and his relationship with Star, the victim’s sister. Star has spent her adult life barely functioning and barely supporting her two children Duchess and Robin, in fact, Duchess is more of a mother to Robin than Star. Walk is a police chief and spends a lot of his time protectively checking in on Star and the kids. Duchess sets a nightclub on fire and steals the security video, which sets in motion further tragedy. After Star dies, the children, are sent to live with their estranged grandfather, and just as the children begin to adjust to living with their grandfather, he too dies. Duchess is prickly and irascible, a self-declared outlaw, who is constantly in trouble with the establishment. Her behavior makes it impossible to find an adopting family for her and Robin. Eventually she has to make a mature choice for the sake of her brother.

I have tried to be vague so as not to give away too much and ruin the story for a reader. <b>The writing was brilliant as was the narrator. The dramatic and tragic events plaguing the characters were depicted with restraint, and imbued with a sense of stark realism.</b> The story went from sad to sadder, and it weighed me down. It seems that no one in the book is given a break. There is not one happy moment, except perhaps something nearing happiness in the brief time Duchess and Robin had with their grandfather. The story of Duchess and Robin is heartbreaking.

As for the title of the book – I know I missed the point (or the defining chapter).

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my review.

We Begin at the End is the first book I've read by this author. I consumed the audiobook version. I truly believe the story is the redeeming quality of this beautiful novel. So many human nature and relationships at play. However, I am not a big fan of the author's storytelling style. It is told in the third voice. It was interesting to start then dragged in the middle then became interesting again towards the end. In my opinion, it would've been better if the audiobook is read by a female narrator because the book focused so much on Duchess, the teenage outlaw.

It was a good listen in general but I got bored somewhere in the middle. The story is excellent just not a big fan of the author's writing style. Maybe I can try some of his other works to see if maybe this one is just a one off for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio for granting me auto-approval access to your audiobooks, and author Chris Whitaker for writing this moving story. All reviews are voluntary, honest, and my own.

This book was difficult to listen to due to the inaccessible style of writing as well as the narration. The pair did not fit well together and it was not enjoyable to try and get to the story through both the written narrative as well as the narration and it was not for me.

A heartbreaking and well written story about Duchess, a 13 year old with an attitude who is responsible for both her troubled mother and her younger brother. Walk, the small town sheriff, and a long time friend of Duchess' mom feels responsible for her and for his friend, Vincent, who has recently been released from prison. The three have a long history and it may be clouding his judgement. This is an excellent book with a complex story and characters. This is almost a five star book for me but something is holding me back. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys books about small towns and multilayered, flawed characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. "We Begin at the End" is available now.

Intricately woven, beautifully written. Characters that grab ahold of your heart. Unquestionably a 5 star read. I know that I want to reread this one; I’m going to create a “want to reread” shelf and add this book. This will absolutely be at the top of the best reads for the year list.

I know that any description of the plot will not do this book justice; not even going to try.

Audiobook is very well done, narrated by George Newbern.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Macmillan Audio) and the author (Chris Whitaker) for the opportunity to read this advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is well written, and drives its plot home with well-measured words and realistic, flawed characters. Duchess...a 13 year old girl who pictures herself as an outlaw to keep people away from her but who would do anything for her little brother. Walk....an aging Chief of Police whose own body is now failing him. And a whole cast of small town characters flawed and broken by life choices, secrets, lies, and fate.

This story is haunting and sad. After the last year we have all endured, I found it difficult to listen to this story. I think I just read this book at the wrong time in my own life to become fully immersed in it. I recognize the skilled writing and the wonderful narration in the audio book.....this is a superbly crafted tale. I'm just not in the right headspace now to enjoy sad stories where there is no happy ending. But life is like that right? Some people deserve better than they get -- and some earn worse than they ever experience. That's the way it goes.

Beautifully haunting. Sad. A book that will leave you thinking well after the last word is read.

I loved it and hated it at the same time. I couldn't stop listening to the audio book, even though at times I really wanted to abandon this story. Isn't that the mark of a well crafted, but emotionally difficult, story? I think so. Full stars from me....despite the fact I personally found this story difficult. I have added this book to my list of stories I want to re-visit when things are a bit less stressful. I think I will enjoy it more after some time has passed.

The audio book is 10.5 hours long and narrated by George Newbern. Newbern is a skilled voice actor. He didn't try to sound female as he read sections about Duchess and other female characters, but imparted their personalities in other ways. So much better than an adult man trying to sound like a 13-year old girl, as many narrators attempt.

This is the first book by Chris Whitaker that I've read. I'm curious about his other novels and what he might write next. I am sure that I will be reading more! I highly recommend this book! But be aware going in that it's emotionally heavy stuff.

**I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

We Begin At The End is a really well done story that will draw you in and then hold on to you. These characters - especially Duchess will get right into your heart. Duchess is a 13 year old who is quick to tell you she’s an outlaw. She doesn’t want anything to do with your laws or idea of what’s right. But she will do whatever it takes to protect those she loves.

This story isn’t gentle. It won’t go easy on you. I usually read romance or thrillers and am not used to having my heart yanked on so hard - but I’m really glad I read this story and will carry Duchess with me.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the free audiobook.

Are you in the mood to be a blubbering fool? Okay, great. Read this book.

Really. If you want a story that will make you feel so many things, this is the one.

It’s difficult to summarize We Begin at the End without saying too much, so I won’t try. Just know it’s a story of people - children and adults - doing all that they can to preserve some sense of peace while haunted by either impetuous or difficult decisions and the resulting consequences of those choices.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book in the beginning. It was an interesting story, but after seeing so many reviews about it being an emotionally compelling read, I felt confused. Aside from a moment of shock, I wasn’t feeling much at all, and it went on that way for a while. Somewhere along the line, after spending so much time with these characters, a quiet attachment formed that I’d been oblivious to. Slowly, as the author pulled all of the pieces together, I understood exactly why others had sung the story’s praises. There’s no denying that I was a mess of teardrops and smeared mascara by the end of it.

I had expected the tone to be dreary, but it wasn’t. There is an undeniable sadness to it, but also a sweetness, along with carefully portioned servings of humor. The author did a commendable job balancing what could have solely been a somber narrative.

Chris Whitaker created a cast of multifaceted, abundantly flawed humans (like the rest of us). As he shares their stories, he molds the reader’s heart into a ball of doughy compassion that he then beats with a mallet or throws against the wall or maybe all of the above, which seems kind of cruel, but he does it so masterfully that it’s difficult to hold it against him. He captures the harsh reality of human frailty, but not to suggest that we are all beyond repair. This nuanced tale poignantly illustrates the far-reaching effects of every choice that we make. In many ways, I think we can find pieces of ourselves in these characters, both in their brokenness and in their tenacity.

I often shy away from the most hyped up books and We Begin at the End had been hyped to high heavens long before publication day. It was hard to resist the premise, though. I went in with low expectations, knowing my propensity to dislike many of the most popular reads. This one, however, makes sense to me! I completely understand all the love it’s received and I’m over here, nodding along, giving it just a little bit more. This is a wholly human story - the kind that stays with you forever.

I am immensely grateful to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my audio review copy. All opinions are my own.

We Begin at the End was a quintessential “bookstagram made me do it” read. I must have read the synopsis 5 times at different points and continually decided not to read it. However, seeing the title and rave reviews eventually led me to dive in.

It turns out this book is filled with broken, but entirely loveable characters. From Walk the ever protective sheriff to Duchess Day Radley the most lovable self proclaimed outlaw you will ever meet.

I had a similar experience as the tag line for this book, “Right. Wrong. Life is lived somewhere in between.” As my experience was not good or bad, but somewhere in between. I was engrossed by the characters, but didn’t feel the pull of the plot. I was mesmerized by some characters, but completely uninterested in others.

In the end We Begin at the End packs a powerful punch as it explores the situations life hands us and how we preserve. What lengths will we go to protect those that we love? And most importantly what are we willing to do to hide our mistakes and the mistakes of those who are seemingly innocent?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review! I actually read an advance copy of the book because I did not find myself driving (where I typically listen due to kids virtual school and a spouse working from home) because of weather and COVID related quarantining. Now going to go back and listen too! Thinking I will enjoy it just as much as I did the print version!

I enjoyed this one in audio and let me tell you it broke my heart over and over. It was so emotionally riveting I had to stop playing it while I was driving because I found myself so engrossed in the story. Duchess Day Radley is a tough as nails teenager who is a self proclaimed outlaw. She will look you in the eye and tell you who she is and not let you get away with anything. She lives to take care of her younger brother, Robin. This story has so many twists from the mother who just cannot pull it together enough to take care of herself let alone her children to the Chief of Police who we know has a medical condition but it is not revealed what until later in the story. Then, there is the man who is let out of prison and comes back to town, the one who accidentally killed Duchess' aunt in a hit-and-run and was sent to prison for it and then killed a man there and spent even longer. He is now hardened and his self-esteem is so low. When he is found in the house when Star is killed he says nothing to defend himself. So many twists and turns and it takes the entire book which leads us through all the backstory and brings us to the present to find out what happened. So good. The narration was absolutely perfect. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

I received a complimentary copy of WE BEGIN AT THE END by Chris Whitaker thanks to @HenryHoltBooks. I also received the ALC thanks to @Macmillan.Audio and @Netgalley!

WE BEGIN AT THE END begins in a coastal California town with the search for a missing girl. As a youth Walk testified against his best friend in the hit and run death of their friend Star’s sister. Now, thirty years later, Walt is the chief of police, but that old experience still haunts him.

Duchess is Star’s 13 year old daughter. She’s a self-proclaimed outlaw and a fiercely protective older sister. Walt looks out for Star and her family, but Star's addiction struggles are tough. When Vince is released, old feelings and new trouble are stirred up and people are put in danger.

This book gives us the alternating POVs of Walt and Duchess. Walt isn’t perfect, but he’s loyal and he tries to do right by Star and the kids. He’s also stuck by Vince, there to support his friend as he’s released and quick to side with him when things get tough.

Even moreso, I loved Duchess. She is stubborn and sometimes impetuous, but she’s had to grow up fast without a father and with a mother who probably shouldn’t be in her current situation. She’s built up walls around her heart, but she’s going to do what’s best for her younger brother and she wants to learn the truth when there are mysteries to be solved. There were many times when my heart broke for her!

This book hooked me in from the opening chapters and it kept me enthralled throughout. I was so thrilled when Henry Holt reached out to offer me a copy of this book and once I got started I could not put it down and even downloaded the audiobook from Netgalley so I would have every opportunity to keep the story going! I loved it both in print and on audio, so definitely recommend you check this one out!

I'm not sure what it was about this audiobook, but I had a hard time focusing and following the story. Perhaps this simply isn't the narrator for me? Overall, it was a decent story, but in audio format, it just didn't grab and hold my attention well.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

We Begin at the End is the story of two people, 13-year-old Duchess and an aging police officer who goes by Walk. Duchess and Walk live in (fictional) Cape Haven, California. Duchess's mother Star is a woman broken by life and her battle with addiction. Duchess is left to parent her brother Robin, and Walk tries to look out for Star, Duchess, and Robin. It isn't going well at the start, as once again, Star has OD'd and is rescued from the brink of death. In this small town, everyone knows about Duchess's private life. In the meantime, Walk is preparing for the return of his best friend from his youth, Vincent King, a man he helped send to prison at age fifteen for manslaughter in the death of Star's baby sister, Sissy. Once in prison, Vincent was implicated in the death of another prisoner and sentenced to an additional twenty years. Walk is still consumed with guilt over the role he played in his friend's imprisonment, though it was justice for Sissy. Star cannot quite deal with Vincent's imminent return, for complex reasons the reader will learn over the course of the book. Star, Duchess, Robin, and Walk are linked to Vincent in complex ways and his return to the town sets up a series of tragic events.

This novel is a poignant murder mystery. Duchess, in particular, lives through so much heartbreak. She is incredibly resilient and I found her behavior, based on my years in the child welfare world, to be authentic. You keep reading because you have to know who did what, but everything about the lives it recounts is just heartbreaking. Don't be deterred by the sadness. This is such a good book.

The audiobook is warmly narrated by George Newburn, whose voice I recognized from the much-loved Boy's Life by Robert McCammon.

CW: addiction, murder, PTSD

I received a digital audio and paper review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.