The Blurb:
'You can't save someone that doesn't want to be saved . . .'
Thirty years ago, Vincent King became a killer.
Now, he's been released from prison and is back in his
hometown of Cape Haven, California. Not everyone is pleased to see him. Like
Star Radley, his ex-girlfriend, and sister of the girl he killed.
Duchess Radley, Star's thirteen-year-old daughter, is part-carer,
part-protector to her younger brother, Robin - and to her deeply troubled
mother. But in trying to protect Star, Duchess inadvertently sets off a chain
of events that will have tragic consequences not only for her family, but also
the whole town.
Murder, revenge, retribution.
How far can we run from the past when the past seems doomed
to repeat itself?
We Begin At The End was published by Zaffre as in eBook on
26th March 2020 and in hardback on 2nd April 2020. You can buy it from Hive, Waterstones and Amazon, but do check if your usual independent store is taking orders just now. Many are, and they could really do with our support. It will be released in
paperback on 15th October 2020 and is available for preorder now.
My Review:
Oh my! Duchess Day Radley, you have stolen my heart! I can't think of a character who has moved me more.
This was my first Chris Whitaker novel, but it won't be my last. I'm compiling a list for when my favourite indie bookshop reopens and his other two have been added to it. I finished this devastating, beautiful book and sat with tears streaming down my face wondering how I was ever going to write a review. But I'm going to give it a try...
The book opens when Star, Vincent, Walk and Martha May are fifteen years old, and seven year old Sissy Radley has gone missing. It is Walk who finds her body. His best friend, Vincent, boyfriend of Sissy's sister Star, is arrested and charged.
Fast forward thirty years. Walk is the chief of police, and essentially the only cop, in their home town of Cape Haven, Martha May has moved away and become a lawyer, Star gets depressed and drunk and brings home a succession of unsuitable men. And Vincent is coming home after spending all of those thirty years in prison for Sissy Radley's murder, and more. His return will impact many in the small town community, but none more so than Star's children, Duchess and Robin.
Duchess Day Radley is amazing, such a beautifully crafted character. Older than her thirteen years, she looks after her mother, and protects her little brother, who she loves more than anyone or anything in the world. Self declared outlaw, she is fierce, fearless, and full of attitude and curse words. And she doesn't cry. Anyone who threatens Robin, or bad mouths her mother, has to face her wrath. But we see her gentler side in all her interactions with Robin, the care of her mother and the bond she develops with the old gray horse at her grandfather's homestead. And Robin. Robin is five years old and the sweetest, purest wee soul. Duchess is determined for him to stay that way, as she strives to shelter him from the evils of the world. This is their story, hers particularly.
But it's also Walk's story (the point of view swaps between him and Duchess). He's world weary, haunted by memories of the past and carrying pain of his own and others. He's yearning for a simplicity that no longer exists. And as darkness pervades his small town he fights against the flow in his efforts to get justice not only for the children, but also for his boyhood friend. And all the while trying to hide the fact that he's ill.
However, I would be wrong to say this is just Duchess and Walk's story. They are the main players in this tragedy, certainly, along with Vincent and Star, but this story belongs to everyone. There is not a wasted, redundant character here - every one plays their part in the tapestry Whitaker weaves. I loved Hal and Dolly, and Thomas Noble. And the characterisation is so rich - they were absolutely real to me. And the settings and backdrops are beautifully described - I want to visit Hal's place!
I know I've used 'beautiful' far too much in this review - need to get the thesaurus out - but the writing is that too. Whitaker has captured small town America perfectly. Ordinary folks caught up in bad decisions and life spinning out of control. He has a way with words too '...the little girl who sliced heaven open, her soul bared and burned...' but often it was the simplest of phrases that were the most devastating.
Yes, there is a crime at the centre of this story, an awful, sad one, but We Begin at the End is so, so much more than a crime story. It's a character driven tale of regular people making awful, difficult choices in the worst of circumstances. It's a hugely emotional read and as truths were revealed at the end, I was knocked back again and again. Wow. Just wow. It's a story about love, loss, sacrifice and hope. And Duchess Day Radley made me smile but also broke my heart. We Begin at the End will be one of my books of this year. Buy it or borrow it (don't steal it!), but read it. You will not be disappointed.
Oh my! Duchess Day Radley, you have stolen my heart! I can't think of a character who has moved me more.
This was my first Chris Whitaker novel, but it won't be my last. I'm compiling a list for when my favourite indie bookshop reopens and his other two have been added to it. I finished this devastating, beautiful book and sat with tears streaming down my face wondering how I was ever going to write a review. But I'm going to give it a try...
The book opens when Star, Vincent, Walk and Martha May are fifteen years old, and seven year old Sissy Radley has gone missing. It is Walk who finds her body. His best friend, Vincent, boyfriend of Sissy's sister Star, is arrested and charged.
Fast forward thirty years. Walk is the chief of police, and essentially the only cop, in their home town of Cape Haven, Martha May has moved away and become a lawyer, Star gets depressed and drunk and brings home a succession of unsuitable men. And Vincent is coming home after spending all of those thirty years in prison for Sissy Radley's murder, and more. His return will impact many in the small town community, but none more so than Star's children, Duchess and Robin.
Duchess Day Radley is amazing, such a beautifully crafted character. Older than her thirteen years, she looks after her mother, and protects her little brother, who she loves more than anyone or anything in the world. Self declared outlaw, she is fierce, fearless, and full of attitude and curse words. And she doesn't cry. Anyone who threatens Robin, or bad mouths her mother, has to face her wrath. But we see her gentler side in all her interactions with Robin, the care of her mother and the bond she develops with the old gray horse at her grandfather's homestead. And Robin. Robin is five years old and the sweetest, purest wee soul. Duchess is determined for him to stay that way, as she strives to shelter him from the evils of the world. This is their story, hers particularly.
But it's also Walk's story (the point of view swaps between him and Duchess). He's world weary, haunted by memories of the past and carrying pain of his own and others. He's yearning for a simplicity that no longer exists. And as darkness pervades his small town he fights against the flow in his efforts to get justice not only for the children, but also for his boyhood friend. And all the while trying to hide the fact that he's ill.
However, I would be wrong to say this is just Duchess and Walk's story. They are the main players in this tragedy, certainly, along with Vincent and Star, but this story belongs to everyone. There is not a wasted, redundant character here - every one plays their part in the tapestry Whitaker weaves. I loved Hal and Dolly, and Thomas Noble. And the characterisation is so rich - they were absolutely real to me. And the settings and backdrops are beautifully described - I want to visit Hal's place!
I know I've used 'beautiful' far too much in this review - need to get the thesaurus out - but the writing is that too. Whitaker has captured small town America perfectly. Ordinary folks caught up in bad decisions and life spinning out of control. He has a way with words too '...the little girl who sliced heaven open, her soul bared and burned...' but often it was the simplest of phrases that were the most devastating.
Yes, there is a crime at the centre of this story, an awful, sad one, but We Begin at the End is so, so much more than a crime story. It's a character driven tale of regular people making awful, difficult choices in the worst of circumstances. It's a hugely emotional read and as truths were revealed at the end, I was knocked back again and again. Wow. Just wow. It's a story about love, loss, sacrifice and hope. And Duchess Day Radley made me smile but also broke my heart. We Begin at the End will be one of my books of this year. Buy it or borrow it (don't steal it!), but read it. You will not be disappointed.
The Author:
Chris Whitaker was born in London and spent ten years
working as a financial trader in the city. His debut novel, Tall Oaks, won the
CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger. Chris's second novel, All The Wicked Girls,
was published in August 2017. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and two
young sons.
Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour to see what everyone else thinks!
Brilliant and beautiful review Suze x
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you. Loved this so, so much. x
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