The Paragons [Paperback]

Cliff Chandler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 2000

Elizabeth Crainsworth, daughter of Ellis Crainsworth of Crainsworth industries found murdered in a Bronx apartment on Boston Road. The Murder is thought to be drug related. The crime-ridden area is known for, prostitution and drug dealing. The family has refused to comment on their daughter's murder and the police have been evasive about the crime. The question is what was Elizabeth Crainsworth doing there? There are no suspects at this time. The matter is still under investigation. When evidence concerning his daughters murder falls into the hands of the prominent Ellis Crainsworth. Ellis goes into action and contacts his long time friend, the Mayor Robert Doubleday, for help in finding her killer, but without the Press invading his and his wife's privacy. A special squad is put together, headed by Detective Vic Morgan. Come follow his investigation and it's long mysterious trail to find out just how far it will lead.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...Cliff Chandler has emerged full force in the literary world. The Paragons is a suspenseful thrilling page-tuner. -- Atlantas Elite Book club

Cliff Chandlers The Paragons was chalked full of mystery and excitement, with a flair for the big screen. -- Author Raven Styles

If youre looking for a crime story/mystery, look no further. -- Is It A Crime author, roy glenn

About the Author

Author Cliff Chandler was born in New York City during the thirties, and spent part of his life in Macon, Georgia. That was the custom during the thirties. His father was a sailor from Barbados and wanted to send him to the West Indies to be brought up by his parents, his mother thought otherwise and sent him to her parents in Georgia instead. Cliff returned to New York as a teenager, attended school at night and worked in various occupations. Like most artists he has worked as a taxi drive Hospital Aide, Paramedic, Professional Photographer -Germain School of Photography, Jazz Musician, and editorial writer for a local news paper. During the sixties his career in Law Enforcement began. He was trained and served as a Special Officer in the New York City Police Department, but spent most his time as a private detective. While he claims the work was dull, his novel, gives us a different view of what his life must have been like. Cliff says that he has been a writer all of his life, but his first taste of success was with his high school newspaper, The Balladite in Macon, Georgia. He likes to tell everyone that he has been everything but rich. We think that his life's experiences proves him wrong.

Cliff Chandler lives in Macon, Georgia with his wife Velma, where he is working on his next novel, Vengeance.

Product Details

• Paperback: 342 pages
• Publisher: Brittney Press Publishing (July 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893196038
• ISBN-13: 978-1893196032
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,575,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power and Money, July 20, 2000

By 

"nubiansister" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paragons (Paperback)

Once I began, I found myself totally consumed with the story; it's characters and the direction of this very well written story about what happens when those select few with power and money are permitted to go unchecked.

4.0 out of 5 stars How far up is the bottom of crime?, November 10, 2002

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paragons (Paperback)

Cliff Chandler’s first book, The Paragons is an excellent example of what a crime story should be. It contains plenty of mystery and enough twists and turns in the plot to keep the book interesting. The story opens immediately following the mysterious death of Elizabeth Crainsworth. Since there were no immediate suspects for murder, Elizabeth’s wealthy father Ellis Crainsworth hires an investigator to look into the crime in an effort to find some answers and gain some closure. As a result of the investigation, Ellis obtains some critical evidence. Eventually this evidence is shared with the police and an elite police squad headed up by maverick cop Vic Morgan is formed to further investigate the crime. Thus the roller coaster ride of a mystery begins, featuring sex, drugs, small time hustlers and the seemingly untouchable elite.

Chandler deftly explores issues of class, while keeping the reader engrossed in a hard hitting yet true to life plot about the impact of drugs in American society and the true roots of the drug problem in America. He cleverly demonstrates that criminals come in all shapes, sizes and social backgrounds and that sometimes the most dangerous criminals are the ones that never make the news because of their high powered connections. This is a multi-layered story, not the kind of mystery where you can skip to the end and discover all the answers. As Detective Vic Morgan and his team discover the answers to some questions, new questions emerge until the book reaches its final explosive ending. With interesting characters and a high paced plot, The Paragons is a crime story that should not be missed.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

5.0 out of 5 stars A novel of new life, lasting love, and success amidst chaos., March 3, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paragons (Paperback)

Cliff Chandler is a multi-talented man, who is probably best known for his photography, art, and music. His photographs of Duke Ellington can be seen on the Brittney Press website. Chandler was born in New York, and has spent most of his life there, with the exception of fourteen years in Macon, Georgia. His exhibit entitled "3 Social Contrast in the Black Community" can be seen in New York city.

When Elizabeth Crainsworth was found murdered in a Bronx apartment, no one could believe she had any connection to the drugs scene. Her mother spent a year as a recluse, and her father finally tapped the Mayor for help in solving the murder. He gives the Mayor a package that cost the private investigator Crainsworth had hired to solve the case his life. The Mayor tapped Ben Chapman, Police Commissioner, to provide the best he has, who happens to be Lieutenant Vic Morgan. Morgan has been "desked" since an unfortunate incident that made for some bad press. Morgan picks Jess Norman as his partner, and the ride begins.

Vic and Jess quickly establish that Elizabeth Crainsworth entered a limo and lost her life. But how far up does the connection go, and who is the "classy lady" at the center of the action?

"Monica removed her clothes and stepped into the shower. No matter how hard she tried to adjust to her trips there, the Bronx always left her feeling dirty. `Damn recession, it almost wiped out my father. Now it's up to me to keep the Woolford tradition in tact. Besides, the poor deserved what they get. I don't make the rules and I didn't start their habits. They were the ones who turned me on, so why shouldn't I make a living from them -- what's morality got to do with it?'"

Chandler patiently builds layer upon layer of intrigue, interspersing plenty of action and ruthlessness along the way. One can tell he is an artist and photographer, because his pictorial descriptions of the Bronx and Manhattan are breathtaking, as is his depiction of the utter corruption that the drug world produces. Chandler produces a page-turner that exposes the dark side of our society; drugs and prostitution, as the easy money/quick death trip that it is. Vic Morgan is a hero who finds a new life, a lasting love, and success amidst chaos.

Shelley Glodowsky, Reviewer