“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.”
NO MAJOR SPOILERS
ust finished We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker.
This is a story about a few people who grew up best friends as kids. Walk, Vincent and Star. Inseparable. Then there is an accident and Vincent kills Star’s younger sister. Walk is the one who turns him in. Vincent does his time and more and now, many years later, Vincent is getting out. Walk is now the sheriff in town and Star who has two children, does what she can to get by, including working at the local strip club. His return will change everything.
This story is also about a thirteen year old girl and her five year old brother. The girl takes care of her brother, something the mother should be doing but she mostly can’t.
Duchess Day Radley. Remember that name, because you won’t meet many characters like her in literature. Duchess is an outlaw. At least she thinks she is. She acts like one at times, very tough, takes no crap from anyone and will protect her family with her life if she has too. There is no one like her. Robin, her baby brother loves her and relies on her for everything. They are bound together through all the problems a person can handle. No Dad, mom unable to handle her own life, even though she tries and she does love her kids.
Vincent is back and the trouble soon follows. What will then occur will be devastating to all their lives. The plots will twist and turn and you are caught up in a web of lies and deceit that will leave you breathless, waiting to turn that page to find out what happens next.
The surprises never stop until the final page. The scenes when Duchess and Robin are together are brilliant and sometimes you wish the book was only about them. Together in their own little world they are safe and secure with each other. But the outside forces will make this a book,not just about love, but about pure survival. Duchess, the outlaw, may have to live up to her reputation to save them both.
This is the best book I have read this year so far. I think it’s brilliant, exciting, happy, funny and sad. It has a little bit of everything. But mostly if has Duchess Day Radley. Self proclaimed outlaw. From beginning to end.
Reviewed by:
Richard Franoc
Added 9th September 2021
