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Chiefs Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,847 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Over 40 years ago, Stuart 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. This novel won an Edgar Award and was made into a popular TV miniseries.
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.
As Stuart Woods’ riveting tale spans three generations, Chiefs also probes deep into Southern small town attitudes and behavior. The residents of Delano, and their reluctance to disturb a familiar social order, provide the perfect environment for this tale of dark secrets and murder.
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"Very good book! I couldn't put it down.Woods has wide range of talent. Winds the plot through years of circumstances, portrays racial cruelty, prejudice and just plain stupidity in a small Georgian town. But balances this with compassion of a few southerners. "
— Marianne (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Wonderful…Stuart Woods has written a classic!”
— Pat Conroy -
“Chiefs is a fascinating, compelling tale…Woods accurately draws characters and puts into historical perspective events and emotions as current as the morning newspaper.”
— New York Times
Chiefs Listener Reviews
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Jackie, 3/3/2021
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" Top of list - great book. Generations of southern families and their connections. Corruption, family and even murder "
— Bonnie, 2/7/2014 -
" A supreme example of storytelling the way it should be, unfolding in layers with bits of intrigue, twists and turns that hold you all the way through to the end. "
— Scott, 2/5/2014 -
" WOW What a great book. I checked my library and I have more in this series :). Can't wait to see where the story goes next. "
— Shirley, 1/30/2014 -
" This is my favorite Stuart Woods series. I'm always waiting for the next about Will Lee "
— Dawn, 1/30/2014 -
" Chilling story. Page turner with a good plot keeping the reader captured till the end..... "
— Annica, 1/23/2014 -
" Excellent. This is the second time I have read this book. The story follows a seriel killer through three generations of Police Chiefs. Stuart Woods first book and one of his best. "
— Sandra, 1/22/2014 -
" good story full of suspense! "
— Judy, 1/14/2014 -
" Not a fan of historical fiction no matter the topic.... "
— Erin, 1/10/2014 -
" Excellent police and family saga. "
— Ladyjexie, 1/10/2014 -
" Too much sex for me, including violent. Didn't get involved with characters--some I really disliked, no one I loved. "
— Tessa, 12/12/2013 -
" One of my favorite multi-generational sagas. So different than much of what he writes today.... "
— karen, 11/15/2013 -
" Ok Mystery. More about segregation and small town politics "
— Julie, 9/30/2013 -
" This is where at all began, in Delano. As the police chiefs come and go, they all notice a pattern of crimes. The culprit stays just out of reach. Foxy has his name for a reason. "
— Librarian, 9/19/2013 -
" Stuart Woods best!!! I saw the mini-series when it first came out and loved it.......before I knew of the book. When I want to re-read a Stuart Woods book.....it's one of the three go-to books. "
— Dave, 9/5/2013 -
" great if you're taking a flight...simple and easy, quick read "
— Leigh, 6/20/2013 -
" 4-1/2 stars, but I'll round up. I really liked the setting of the novel - the historical aspects of Georgia from the 1920s to 1960s. I believe Chiefs was a mini series back in the day, and its one I will have to look up online. "
— Kenny, 6/12/2013 -
" Woods creates a great collection of characters...The Lees of Delano continue in several good books after this... "
— Pete, 10/11/2012 -
" this is one of my all time favorite books. great mystery--i recommend it all the time. i never read books twice but recently i have thought about re-reading it because i read it in high school (a couple of years ago hee...hee...) "
— I, 8/18/2012 -
" A re-read of perhaps Wood's best book. Wish we could see the mini-series again. "
— Marianne, 8/18/2012 -
" I was drawn into the mystery and the tragedy of the search for the killer. The story takes place over several decades. "
— Arlene, 4/4/2012 -
" I really enjoyed this book. I remember seeing the movie as a child. "
— Michelle, 2/9/2012 -
" A good book. I'm not one for 'retro' time periods, but the story was very interesting and more about the people than the time period. A nice change of pace from Woods' other work. "
— Jennifer, 11/16/2011 -
" This book is a different path for Stuart Woods. I believe it is his first novel and really a good tale over generations. "
— Dan, 10/10/2011 -
" Another one of Stuart Woods' early novels. Can be read before or after Run to the Wind, but they definitely go together. An excellent read. "
— Andrea, 9/23/2011 -
" I was listening to the audio version. There are 15 CDs, I left off on the 12th CD as it would not play. Hopefully I will finish it sometime in the future "
— SueAnn, 8/30/2011 -
" Just LOVE a novel that mixes in a fictional story with historical facts! "
— Christopher, 6/26/2011 -
" I have read all of Stuart Woods books and this is one of my favorites. It is a story of the Deep South that mixes murder mystery <br/>and race with political intrigue. Mr. Woods makes you keep the pages turning. "
— Glenda, 5/25/2011 -
" this is my favorite book, greatest book i ever read, now on to the sequels to see if they are worthy of the same praise "
— Charla, 5/2/2011 -
" not his best BUT different from his other books give it a chance laura i think you would like it "
— Janet, 4/21/2011 -
" Good book to get lost in on a rainy afternoon. "
— Laurie, 4/16/2011 -
" Stuart Woods's first novel. Well-written crime novel. Dates from early 80s, and still a good read. "
— Geni, 3/22/2011 -
" Excellent. This is the second time I have read this book. The story follows a seriel killer through three generations of Police Chiefs. Stuart Woods first book and one of his best. "
— Sandra, 3/19/2011 -
" It was pretty goood and seemed like it was a little long. But overall, I enjoyed the plotline of the developing a stable police department and finding the right person to do the job. It was also nice that it was generational tale and displayed a lot of regionalism. "
— Jill, 1/13/2011 -
" This one is my least favorite series by him, it was good but not great! "
— Denise, 1/4/2011 -
" Not a fan of historical fiction no matter the topic.... "
— Erin, 12/19/2010 -
" A terrific crime story with agreat backdrop of history and the way things change in a small Southern town. "
— Gary, 7/23/2010 -
" For years I've resisted Stuart Woods. I've always considered him more of a "man's" author and just didn't think I'd enjoy his books. I started "Chiefs" on Wednesday and stayed up verrryyy late on Thursday finishing it. Now I'm hooked! "
— Brenda, 5/12/2010 -
" I like Wiil Lee's character. He's a break from Stone. "
— Vicki, 5/9/2010 -
" Oh My! What a fabulous book this was. My husband read it, then both of my in-laws read it. We all loved it. I will look for more Will Lee books by Mr. Woods. "
— Pam, 5/8/2010
About Stuart Woods
Stuart Woods (1938-2022) wrote more than ninety novels, including the #1 New York Times bestselling Stone Barrington series. He is a native of Georgia and began his writing career in the advertising industry. Chiefs, his debut in 1981, won the Edgar Award.
About Mark Hammer
Mark Hammer has had long and distinguished career in the theater. After earning an undergraduate degree from Stanford University, he completed an MFA degree at Catholic University. For twenty-three years after that, he served on the drama faculty at that university and as co-chairman of its MFA acting program. For the last sixteen of those years, he was also a member of the resident acting company at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage. There, he had significant roles in both classic and contemporary dramas. He was twice nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for his performances in Cloud Nine and The Wild Duck. He has also appeared in several Broadway plays. Hammer was proud to be chosen to narrate the opening film of the permanent exhibit for the National Holocaust Museum.