• Chiefs

  • By: Stuart Woods
  • Narrated by: Mark Hammer
  • Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,308 ratings)

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Chiefs  By  cover art

Chiefs

By: Stuart Woods
Narrated by: Mark Hammer
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Publisher's summary

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)

What listeners say about Chiefs

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,719
  • 4 Stars
    1,112
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    799
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  • 2 Stars
    84
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    64
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    2,351
  • 4 Stars
    760
  • 3 Stars
    210
  • 2 Stars
    69
  • 1 Stars
    47

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Chiefs

Stuart Woods never lets me down. Always a great read

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • kc
  • 07-19-17

Slow start with a strong finish

Really, I almost stopped this book while listening to the 1st couple of chapters. Found the narration was better when I upped the speed setting to listen! I've never had to do that with any of the other books I've downloaded to listen through Audible. This is a great story and truly one that will grab the reader with its intensity of the human condition in the South.

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  • ng
  • 04-07-15

Thankful for its length

I almost didn't want it to end, story spanning a lifetime and yet it doesn't tire.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Chiefs

Book was great but it the narrator was terrible. Almost stopped listening. I would recommend the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Remarkable

Like rocking on a southern porch. This book takes it's time but never loses it's way. Highly recommended.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great start

Been listening to the Stone Barrington series for years. Wonderful to be able to see where it all began.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Truly a suspenseful, eye-ooeninf story

A very believable story of prejudice, politics, power , corruption in the old south.Tthe story felt complete at the end, with all threads ties together. This was my first Stuart Woods book I have experienced, and I will seek out more of his work.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Best I’ve read in awhile

Just a good read kept me engaged non stop!!! I will be sure to read more of his books

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great read / listen

Well told story. I enjoyed the narration and the story very much. Time for the next one. 💛💛💛

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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I saw this mini series in 1983 as a television movie. I read the book in 1994, so I was curious about the audiobook. This story gets better each time I read or listen to it. I highly recommend this book. It’s a good good mystery, but not to the reader. A surprise in every chapter.

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