The Edgar Award-winning mystery that launched the career of bestselling novelist Stuart Woods.In the bitter winter of 1920, the first body is found in Delano, Georgia; the naked corpse of an unidentified teenager. There is no direct evidence of murder, but the body bears marks of what seems to be a ritual beating. The investigation falls to Will Henry Lee, a failed cotton farmer newly appointed … cotton farmer newly appointed as Delano’s first chief of police. Lee’s obsession with the crime begins a story that weaves through the decades, following the life of a small southern town and the role of three police chiefs in unraveling the crime.
Chiefs is the best kind of thriller, where the investigation plays out against the drama beneath the surface of a seemingly placid community, seething with the pressures of race, love, hate, and; always; political power, extending from the town fathers all the way to Washington, DC.
Includes a new foreword by the author on the twenty-fifth anniversary of its publication.
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I love all of his books!
Really really liked it! Couldn’t put it down!
Good smalltown Southern story with an air of mystery.
Beginning of the Will Lee Series. Such a great read.
One of Stuart Woods best works.
excellent book with a historical perspective that was fascinating
I wish Stuart Woods was still writing books as good as this instead of the formulaic books he writing now. Really a good read !!
I was really surprised at how much I loved this book; I could not put it down. I always enjoy Stuart Woods but this was actually a pleasant departure from his series books. It is a MUST read.
I enjoyed it. The murderer, caught almost by accident, seemed quite realistic, and people’s failing to see him for who he was seemed frustrating. At some point, I expected to see him die of natural causes after a long life.
Stuart Wood can write my kind of book…..This is definitely one of them…..
Unfortunately this book shows just how things were in the south (Georgia) in the early 1900’s. The story is captivating, funny, tragic and sometimes express the unjust practices by the law enforcement of those days, all with the sanctions of the public in general. Be prepared to get angry, but also enjoy the story as it follows the Chief’s of Delano through decades.I enjoyed it and have passed it on to someone else that says it has grabbed his attention.
Excellent book – intriguing story told in an unusual way. I was sad to finish it and will look for other books by this author. Highly recommended.
I tried and tried and couldn’t get interested so I stopped reading at about page 65.
This book was different than most of the Stuart Woods books I have read but it was very good. I really enjoyed it.
Woods’ first book, and it was great. Follow through three generations of police chiefs in one community, with a common thread through the story. Always find Stuart Woods books hard to put down.
I liked this book. Enjoyed learning new things and enjoyed the characters
A great story with real character’s . You feel as if you have known people and towns like them.
I first read this book years ago and I loved it – I am looking forward to rereading it – it is one of Wood’s best books
Very interesting historical fiction.
I loved how the history of these characters repeated in today’s world. Very entertaining.