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We Begin at the End

"Higher than highly recommended, this is a crime novel that delivers attitude, aching emotion, and beauty. Don’t pass on by, read this book!"

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LoveReading Says

LoveReading Says

Achingly painful and stunningly beautiful, be prepared to fall long and hard for We Begin at the End. This is a crime novel that will stay with me, and is now firmly ensconced on my list of favourite books. Duchess, full of awareness of the difficulties of life at just 13 years old, throws her family’s life into chaos when Vincent King is released from prison after 30 years. The first few sentences caught and held me, the prologue sets a shiver inducing scene. By the time the first chapter began I was already in thrall to Chris Whitaker’s writing. I felt, really felt the pain, the love, the joy, the desolation, each feeling clamouring to have its say. Duchess has stamped her way into my mind and will remain there, occasionally elbowing my attention into remembering. I adore her, she feels vibrantly alive to me. The ending felt truly perfect, and not that I would deface a book of course, but imagine ‘Highly Recommended’ stamped all over We Begin at the End. We have chosen this as a Book of the Month, Liz Pick of the Month, and a LoveReading Star Book too, because it is so completely gorgeous. I’m just sad that I don’t have the opportunity to experience it again for the very first time.

Liz Robinson

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Primary Genre Crime and Mystery
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Reader Reviews

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It is a very long time since I read a book which deals with many complex issues yet is so readable.

We Begin at the End is a brilliant book. It has everything you need as a reader - a thought-provoking story that needs to be told, characters with depth who go beyond the superficial, and very fine writing with an insight that stimulates. But it is also a very readable book that is hard to put down. There are several main characters. Vincent King is a convicted killer due to be released from prison, Star is his ex-girlfriend with two children, thirteen-year-old Duchess and her younger brother Robyn. The story is told mainly through the eyes of both Duchess and Walk. Walk is the small-town police chief who knits the threads together of a very old crime with what is happening now. Duchess, exceptional and extraordinary tries to make things work for her troubled family, yet she is not a saint.... Read Full Review

maxine broadbent

Emotional, descriptive, absorbing and passionate are only the beginning of how good this novel is!

As I began to read this novel I realised how powerful and emotional the storyline was. Based around Duchess Day Radley, a stubborn and defiant outlaw of thirteen and her brother Robin, who Duchess protects fiercely. Add to that Chief Walker a small-town police officer who is looking out for his community, in particular the two children. As the story progresses it is increasingly obvious how much is 'covered up' in this town, with murder, blackmail and other acts of crime amongst others. The writing is emotive, passionate and descriptive, and is going to be a best seller I'm sure. The chapters are not too long and keep you wanting more, I read this book in two days as I couldn't put it down.... Read Full Review

Glenda WORTH

Wow, this book is brilliant. The raw emotion and power with which it is written will have you reeling. If you haven’t yet discovered Chris Whitaker, why not?!

Wow, just wow!
I am not familiar with Chris’ other work, but I shall now be making sure they are in my tbr pile.
The passion, emotion, empathy and general brilliance with which he writes are incredible.
This is, in a roundabout way, a story about a love so strong it found a way to continue despite the odds.
It’s a story about the innocence of youth and how one tragic accident can turn so many lives in different directions.
The main character, Walk, is a middle-aged Chief of Police in a small town, where the biggest issue he has is a Mustang with a rumbling exhaust. He is set in his ways, he likes continuity, he doesn’t like change or progress.
Walk's best friend, Vincent, is in jail for murder.... Read Full Review

Amanda O’Dwyer