We Begin at the End: Chapter Sampler

by Chris Whitaker

Download a free excerpt from Chris Whitaker's We Begin at the End!

Right. Wrong. Life is lived somewhere in between.

Duchess Day Radley is a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Rules are for other people. At school the other kids make fun of her—her clothes are torn, her hair a mess. But let them throw their sticks, because she’ll throw stones. Duchess might be a badass, but she’s really just trying to survive. She is the fierce protector of her five-year-old brother, Robin. She is 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’s the chief of police, trying to keep Cape Haven, with its beautiful bluffs overlooking the sea, not only safe, but safe from becoming a cookie-cutter tourist destination for the rich. 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 as their mother slides deeper into self-destruction.

Now, thirty years later, Vincent is being released. As soon as he steps one foot back into his childhood town, trouble arrives. It shows up on Walk’s and Duchess’s doorsteps, and they will be unable to do anything but usher it in, arms wide closed.

We Begin at the End looks at families—the ones we are born into and the ones we create. Duchess and Walk—and everyone they love and whose hearts they break, who deserve so much more than life serves them—will sear your heart in this extraordinary novel.

Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

Chris Whitaker is the author of the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling All The Colours Of The Dark. His other acclaimed and bestselling novels include We Begin At The End, Tall Oaks, and All The Wicked Girls.
Chris’s novels have been translated into thirty-one languages and have won the CWA Gold Dagger, the CWA John Creasey Dagger, the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, the Ned Kelly International Award, and numerous awards around the world.
His books have also been selected for the Read With Jenna Book Club, Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Good Morning America Book Club, and for BBC2’s Between The Covers.
All The Colours Of The Dark is currently in development with Universal Pictures.
Chris was born in London and lives in the UK.

Follow him on Instagram @chriswhitakerauthor

Reviews

[Elisa King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved and hated this book off and on. I kept picking it up only to put it down for a few days. It was full of pain, heartbreak, and characters that I wanted to grab and hug and make it all better. It was stressful and exhausting to read yet cathartic. But, I’m glad it’s over!

[Michelle Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found my new favorite author and quite possibly the best book I’ve ever read! Chris Whitaker is a brilliant storyteller - he weaves beautiful characters throughout a twisting plot that left me crying. The characters… Duchess Radley - the little thirteen year old badass outlaw. She is a modern Scout of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Her brother Robin is a tender, traumatized little boy. They deserve so much more than the life they have been given. The way Duchess cares for Robin is heart wrenching. Then there’s Walk, Grandpa Hal, Vincent. They are all extraordinary characters, that you can’t help but love. Run out and buy this book - you won’t regret it!!!

[Mari Engleby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this whole book in 3 days, absolutely loved it. Such a gripping story with an intricate plot and characters you don’t know if you should hate or love.

[E C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I applaud and respect anyone who follows their ideas to fruition but I honestly could not get into the rhythm of this book nor understand the awe struck reviews. Duchess the 13 year old gun toting philosopher whose dialogue was quite implausible and cringeworthy. The book rights will probably be bought and a movie churned out. I imagine I would watch it to see who would be cast and to see if perhaps they can improve on it. Still shaking my head on this one.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to love this book. Especially after reading all the great reviews. The writing was poetic, but the storyline was crap. It kept trying and then failing and then would try again and fail. This could’ve been a really great book had the author pulled it together a bit more.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word: WOW.

It's the kind of book that satisfies your emotional cravings. Feelings are raw. It's as real as it gets. One of those rare finds that makes you want to stay up the whole night, but you can't because you find yourself out of breath and too overwhelmed, too caught up with the thickening plot that you just need to put the book down. Take a deep breath and process whatever's going on in that chapter.

You won't regret adding this book to your collection. What I loved most about it is its ability to make you step into the shoes of people whose lives embody the word "UNFAIR". It's a presentation of life for what it truly is, but also a celebration of hope and the will to move forward. Because as always, we begin at the end.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling read. Was not a book I could put down easily. The characters are interesting. I don’t know what type of writing style this is, but the author uses little punctuation and it took me a while to understand the rhythm. But once I did I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Johanna (RWMB_bookclub) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sucked so much.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a conflagration of disfunctional relationships. Duchess (13) tries to care for her 5 yr old brother Robin while their addicted mother, Star, is taking in numerous men, occasionally getting beat up, being spied on by de-ranged male neighbors. The police chief, Walk, tries to keep an eye on all of them as he grew up with Star and others in the small town years ago. All was well until Star's sister was "accidentally" killed by Walk's best friend and Star's boyfriend, Vincent. Vincent spends 30 years in prison and is released, setting off a chain of events that kill at least 5 people. The book follows Duchess Day Radley, Outlaw and her brother Robin as they try to find a "normal" life amidst all the chaos.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a preview or sample of the book. I have been trying to purchase the book for some time now, but the publish date keeps changing. I decided to try the sample to see if it is worth keeping on my to read list! Both the story and the characters I found interesting enough that I will purchase the book if it ever does hit the shelves!

[Katie]

I read this book mostly in one day which was a lot to take. In reading the authors notes from the Barnes and Noble edition, this was the authors therapy. This is not an uplifting book, rather it’s very gloomy and depressing. I did not care for this book, though I hope it proved to be therapeutic for the author.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok. Poor Dutchess and her brother Robin. Some nice people in the book,Walk the chief of police and his friend Martha.
Vincent killed Dutchess's sister(a child) by accident with a car and spends 30 years in jail wanting to be punished for this crime.
Protective of Dutchess's mother when he gets out of jail, and takes the rap when she is killed. (He didn't do it.)

[Colleen Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the book was not predictable. The language was a bit much, but the story was well worth the read and although the language was rough, it was authentic. I also appreciated the fact that the ending wasn’t perfect. You always want things to turn out, but in real life they often don’t.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this novel intime for our book club today. Interesting to see all the characters come together. It has many turn of events not expected. I wonder if anyone else pinned the characters correctly.

[Chris Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run don’t walk to get this book! Best book I’ve read in a long time. Deep and very emotional with surprising twists and turns

[Holly Shamberger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish

[Holly Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite the story!

[Rose Potatoes]

He has become my favorite author, such an amazing story teller.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to start off a new year.

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

On and off book for me. Reminded me a bit of Demon Copperhead. Good story line but Duchess character was a bit overboard.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only wish there was a sequel to follow this heroine's journey. We should all be such brave outlaws.

[C.Elaine Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit depressing

[Christina Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Lynda Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books Ever have ever read. you will be drawn in immediately and unable to put this book down! Wherever you think it’s going… Well, just hang on.

[Jen Geyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Whitaker is quickly becoming my new favorite author. Best book of 2025. held my breath through most of it.

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little hard about the kids lives but overall good story

[Erin Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, so good-!

[Pattie aka Grand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the lovely audio version of this book. It was filled with wonderful character after wonderful character whose lives were toppled by one single senseless mistake that happened as teenagers. Think of the butterfly effect that only resulted in terrible occurrences. So many people with damaged existences because of a drunk teenager who killed a small child in a auto accident. Duchess, Walk, Robin, Vincent, and Star fought the demons left behind as long and as much as they could, until they all in some way gave into the hand that “fate” had dealt them. They strived for more, knew they deserved better, but happiness or even just peace of mind either eluded them completely or was just out of reach. The ending yielded a surprise that I wasn’t prepared for, and promised that for some, better days just might be ahead. Four stars for gratuitous use of the “f” word. I am no prude but it felt forced in many of its utterances.