We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It’s not often that I find myself sitting back and really appreciating the beauty of the words in a novel. I tend to read mysteries and thrillers and true crime books which aren’t generally known for gorgeous prose. I mean, it happens but it’s not what I expect. But sitting back and appreciating the narrator perform We Begin at the End is exactly what I did.

The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Walker, the sheriff of a small California town, and Duchess Day Radley, the 13 year-old daughter of one of Walk’s childhood friends. Duchess is a tough young person who has become primary caretaker of her 6 year-old brother, Robin, and, with Walk’s help, keeps her mother, Star, together, too. Star is a mess and the whole town appears to be aware of it since they see the ambulances called out for accidental overdoses…

I loved everything about this book. The story, the characters, the setting, the twists and turns, and the narrator. I was emotionally gut-punched a few times and nearly dropped a tear towards the end. I can see myself listening again. I’m sure there are bits here and there that would have new meaning now that I have all the information. I love that. There’s so much to this book and all is not what it appears.

I’d recommend We Begin at the End to everyone. I don’t recall anything particularly graphic or violent or sexual so it would be appropriate for teens and up. Of course, my memory is shit so I could be wrong…

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for hooking me up with the audiobook. I loved it.



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