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Chiefs

Will Lee, Book 1

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About this listen

 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 Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Small Town & Rural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting

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)
All stars
Most relevant
it pains me that no one I ever come across has ever read this book. it is simply the best story I have ever read. I must the 25 times in and it just gets better. the narrative is exceptional, the story never let's up. it is amazing.

My most favourite book of all time

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I was a bit unsure if I would enjoy the political side of this, but it is brilliantly narrated and written. I tried to make it last, but was unable to let go of the ipod as the plot unfolded.
If you do not listen to this you have missed something special.

Wonderful listen

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I thoroughly enjoyed this. it's divided into 3 parts and the gear change is always difficult, but I soon found myself invested in each new section.
The narrator is perfect, the exact fit for the story.
I never give away a plot in a review, suffice it to say this one weaves in and around small town Georgia, the politics and the Politics of the place and the evolution of both.
There is a crime story underpinning it and an enormous historical car crash approaches throughout, which we will know, but the characters will not.
Excellent stuff.

Huge Story Spanning Generations

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I have just listened to Chiefs and cannot recommend it too highly; it works both for lovers of a great detective story and those who like a very good story, beautifully narrated.

Like many of the books I've chosen since joining Audible, this is yet another author I seem to have missed - much to my regret - but I certainly cannot wait until next month when I will listen to the same author again.

A wonderful audiobook

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A fascinating listen. It starts gentle and entices you with the story of a small town at its origins, then just as you are drawn into the characters the vice starts to turn and the darkness underneath comes out. Three times you learn to like people then learn to fear for their lives. Three times the social history of America at the grass roots is exposed. Well worth listening to.

Soft and hard

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