Chris Whitaker: We begin at the end, Zaffre/Bonnier UK, 9781785769405, paperback
(deutsch: Von hier bis zum Anfang, Piper, gebundenes Buch)

 

My attention was drawn to “We begin at the end” when the CWA Dagger Awards were announced; Chris Whittacker won the Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year.  Receiving high praises by such peers as Jane Harper, Louise Penny and Mark Billingham, I bought a copy and was very impressed by the fine writing and the  American noir story line. 

Centered on thirteen year old Duchess Radley and her little brother Robin the story is so raw, it is almost heartbreakingly sad at times particularly when their troubled mother Star and Duchess set a series of events in motion that have a disasterous effect on all characters in the book.  

Whittaker's writing is almost lyrical and carefully crafted, reminding me of Chandler in many ways  but yet a very different voice, unusual for a crime novel, making it stand out.

Set in Cape Heaven, California and Montana the nature and countryside descriptions are beautiful, as are the finely drawn out characters in the book who, I know it sounds like a cliché, stay in your head for some time.  But non as much as Duchess who makes your heart ache or police officer Walk who is doing his best to protect the children of his high school friend Star with a killer on the loose and trying to help his best friend Vincent King to get his feet on the ground after being recently released from prison. As a teenager Vincent was convicted of killing Star's sister Sissy with a devastating effect on their families and friends.  

"We begin at the end" ranks as one of my favorite and more memorable crime novels so far.