Book Review: "We Begin at the End" By Chris Whitaker

"The Outlaw v The Murderer!"

Character Motivated, Adrenaline Driven, Junky Ridden, Survival of the Fittest story in which all characters must pull their own weight and entice readers to become one with them on this journey.

So much can be said for the written word when it evokes such a visceral response as this new work by Chris Whitaker has created.

It all begins with a jilted situation from the Chief Walk who placed Vincent behind bars.
Fast forward thirty years as he's now being released with plenty to say from his experiences both while in prison, post and pre-prison release, and while encountering life as a now civilian entity.

The character I've loved from the go was Dutchess because she earned her stars and stripes on 'Tobacco Road' or the 'Life of Hard Knocks' for those not aware of hardships -she's the true meaning of Star. She was quick witted, attentive, assertive, reacted on impulse, often without thinking things through to fruition and I can't imagine anyone like her -or perhaps I can.

Speaking of which she's had to become parent to her mother named STAR whose a single mom and junky yet actively engaged with individuals not up to par or kosher in certain aspects of social acceptance. Star's two children Robin and Dutchess weren't her only kids. Sissy was killed by Vincent many years earlier.

Shortly after Vincent's release we learn that a murder occurred in a citizen's home. That citizen was surely not anyone associated with Vincent new found freedom. Right?!
Sadly, WRONG!!

Star was murdered and the worse equation of random thoughts comes to mind as many wonder could he have killed someone he professed to love?

The plot continued to develop as Vincent became enemy#1 for good reason. He was a target, a wanted man, and the children were sent off to reside with Hal the grandfather.
Yet, Hal wasn't without his own faults. A flawed individual in his own right. Now caring for grandkids he's never met.

Oh, but wait there's so much more as this is a developing story that will take you to revisit every higher calling in life.

Dutchess in many ways was never dealt a fair hand. This unfortunate set of scenarios continued to follow her throughout the years. The lucky break never really came her way.
Life was not fair nor kind nor did it relish in positive acumens.

Unfortunate encounters and unfortunate situations continued to follow her and in the end it resulted in one hell of a read.