• Chiefs

  • By: Stuart Woods
  • Narrated by: Mark Hammer
  • Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,304 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)

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What listeners say about Chiefs

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    2,716
  • 4 Stars
    1,111
  • 3 Stars
    305
  • 2 Stars
    101
  • 1 Stars
    71
Performance
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    2,241
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    256
  • 2 Stars
    84
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    64
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,349
  • 4 Stars
    758
  • 3 Stars
    210
  • 2 Stars
    69
  • 1 Stars
    47

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A Twisted Tale

Keeps you hanging. Sad ending. Title appropriate. Is not a story about Indians.

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Great story

It was a little slow getting started, but once I got into this I couldn't quit listening. Really great story.

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Chiefs is the beginning of a Great Series

What did you love best about Chiefs?

Having recently been introduced to the Stuart Woods characters, it was great to learn where
and how one character (Will Lee) came into existence.

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Very Very Good

Atmospheric, timeless and beautifully written.The story flows and grows so well you dont even notice the depth of the story until it unravells.

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Randy

Very good storyline that makes you think about politics and attitude in early 1900s America. Some parts make you understand why some people still live in a world of hate. Can we ever rise above these lies? I know this is a work of fiction but it can make you think.

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Excellent

Great, long enjoyable audiobook that engages and intrigues all along the way. I was very satisfied for having listened to this fine work.

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Best book by Stuart Woods

Listened to all of his books. This was his best. So sorry for our loss.

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Easy to read

Good story easy to follow and I like that it covered fortyish year span. Good reader.

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Compelling!!!

I couldn’t put it down! Great story, great narrator!
This is one I will read many times.

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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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29 people found this helpful