Chiefs

By: Stuart Woods

Narrated by: Mark Hammer

In 1919, Delano, Georgia, appoints its first chief of police. Honest and hardworking, the new chief is puzzled when young men start to disappear. But his investigation is ended by the fatal blast from a shotgun. Delano's second chief-of-police is no hero, yet he is also disturbed by what he sees in the missing-persons bulletins. In 1969, when Delano's third chief takes over, the unsolved disappearances still haunt the police files.

Author Stuart Woods' riveting novel spans three generations while also probing deep into Southern small-town attitudes and behavior. The residents of Delano, with their reluctance to disturb a familiar social order, provide the perfect backdrop for this tale of dark secrets and murder.

Over 40 years ago, Woods found a battered chief-of-police badge in his grandmother's house. It had belonged to his grandfather, who had been shot in the line of duty. The story of the lawman's death inspired Woods to write Chiefs, which won an Edgar Award and was made into a popular TV miniseries.

©1981 Stuart Woods (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"A riveting story of the Deep South that mixes murder mystery with political intrigue." (Publishers Weekly)
"A fascinating, compelling tale." (The New York Times)
"The homey wisdom of [Hammer's] voice, coupled with Woods's engaging story, makes this audiobook memorable." (AudioFile)

Slow Start but worth it!

The reading is so slow that if I had not been at work alone on a Saturday I probably would not have had the patients to stick with it through the first 2 hours or so ... but thankfully I did, once you get used to and in rythym with the reader, wow ... I didn't want to shut it off. Chiefs is definately one of my fave downloads so far ... now I want to find the movie that was made from it over 20 years ago.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!

I was really upset when the book was finished - I had so enjoyed hearing about this slice of Southern Life. The story centers on crimes committed in a small Georgia town - but its main achievement for me is that it is also an amazing portrayal of human relationships, changing racial relationships, local, state and national politics from the Twenties to the Sixties as seen through the eyes of the local protagonists. Mark Hammer's warm narration made it an absolute gem! Go get it!!!!

fun4gracie

I've read all of Stuart Woods books over the years and this by far is his best work. This book contained some of Stuart's own family history and it was definately written from the heart. Read all of his other books if you want a great read you can't put down. His style flows without huge descriptive sections that can put you to sleep. By far my favorite author.

Slow but good

I wanted to comment on the slow reading other reviewers have mentioned. I groaned when this book started. I thought the reader was reading too slow and his voice sounded too old for the story, but it became one of those audio books I never wanted to end. I got absorbed into the lives of the people in the book. I adjusted the audio book speed of my ipod, but I quickly changed it back. The readers slow reading seemed to make the story better for me.

GREAT book

I work on our farm all day, and a book plugged into my ear keeps me company, so a good story is my friend, and this book had me so absorbed I felt like I lost a friend when it ended.
Great reading.