We Begin at the End

By: Chris Whitaker

Narrated by: George Newbern

2021 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year

An Instant New York Times Best Seller

"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, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds)

Right. Wrong. Life is lived somewhere in between.

Duchess Day Radley is a 13-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, 30 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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

"Heartbreaking, unexpected, and hopeful, this audiobook is a must-listen. Narrator George Newbern's nuanced delivery engages listeners and helps the layers of the story unfold." (AudioFile Magazine)

©2021 Christopher Whitaker (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Fabulous characters

I enjoyed this book more than I have enjoyed a book in a long time.Great story, characters very engaging. I could not stop listening.
I could visualize the characters, the scenery.
Terrific plot line.
I highly recommend the book.

Great Listen Great Listen

Great book. I would recommend to everyone. Great character development and timing is great too.

Best book I’ve listened to in a long time

Had me guessing, hanging in every word, laughing and sobbing. Absolutely loved it and I loved the narration which doesn’t always happen! I’d give it ten stars if I could!

Real. Sad.

Heartbreaking and dark story with sad players with a great story that ends not all neat and tidy but right.

Engaging, original, relatable

A strong story line with enough unique turns to keep it fresh. Well told from a seasoned small town police perspective. The narrator speaks in a casual first person with great presentation of horrific, family, loss, friendship situations that most of us have had at least a distant experience of. The story addresses the gray areas in fault, blame, punishment but mostly the complicated lives many children must navigate

Awesome

Duchess is a 13 year old trying to complete her family tree. Her mom is a dysfunctional singer. Duchess takes care of and tries to protect her younger brother Robin. Sometimes it seems as though the story is going in circles and yet each tiny part is important, integral to the plot. it left me in tears .... and a smile.

Kept me wondering what was coming!

The characters were charming and alarming at each twist and turn. Walt and the outlaw were the very flawed hero’s. Loved it!!!!

Wonderful Story But ...

Loved this book. Whitaker is fabulously talented and has crafted a wonderfully intricate story with adequately drawn characters and interesting plot twists. The only critique I have is that there are way too many instances of the author introducing random, insignificant characters by race ... "a Black lady at the counter" ... "a large Black man" ... "the Black lady that ran the place" ... and on and on and on. Enough! It would be fine if the author also introduced OTHER characters by race ... but it's not done. Only the Black characters. Which makes it feel suspect to the point it becomes distracting.

A Child raising a parent.

A wonderful story full of twist and turns. A lot of heart break, love and forgiveness. Finally, finding a place to call home.

WONDERFUL

Funny, but in the beginning, I wasn't sure I was liking this book. As it continued, I was drawn in by the characters and their stories. By the time it finished, I was teary eyed and happy! Thank you for a wonderful book!