The Paragons

Rating:
Summary: A novel of new life, lasting love, and success amidst chaos.
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: A novel of new life, lasting love, and success amidst chaos.
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: How far up is the bottom of crime?
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: How far up is the bottom of crime?
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Author! Author!
Review: If you're looking for a crime story mystery, look no further. Cliff Chandler's debut Novel "The Paragons" is escapist entertainment of the highest order. Mr. Chandler introduces the reader to hard nose, no nonsense detective Vic Morgan, then navigates you through a complex game played by those with money and power.

Rating:
Summary: Author! Author!
Review: If you're looking for a crime story mystery, look no further. Cliff Chandler's debut Novel "The Paragons" is escapist entertainment of the highest order. Mr. Chandler introduces the reader to hard nose, no nonsense detective Vic Morgan, then navigates you through a complex game played by those with money and power.

Rating:
Summary: The Paragons Will Knock Your Socks Off
Review: 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.