Dirty Darlings

by Catherine Chagra

A story covered by Texas Monthly, the Las Vegas Review Journal, and the El Paso Times

"Jimmy Chagra was a lot of things: a high-rolling gambler who chummed around with celebrities in Las Vegas [like Muhammad Ali, Joe Namath, Redd Fox], the biggest pot smuggler in the Western world and a father to children he arguably adored and unarguably failed." –excerpt from the Austin American-Statesmen

Catherine Chagra and her two sisters, Cindy and Christa, were the darling daughters of Jimmy Chagra, the biggest pot dealer in the history of the U.S.A., and one of the kingpins of Las Vegas casinos in the 1970's. But after their father was arrested and his hundred-million dollars had disappeared, they were left penniless, at the mercy of a Texas society that vilified them. With the help of their principled mother before her tragic death, and haunted by the shadow of their father, Dirty Darlings is a portrait of courage as three women attempt to reassemble the shattered pieces of their lives.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2015

Reviews

[Edna Loosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book a must read

I love this book. It is the real life story of a young girls life going into adulthood. Take a little time out of your day and read this far book.

[Nicholas Rome · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb short memoir! Although I'm not a native Texan, I remember the legend of Jimmy Chagra going around Las Vegas in the late 70's and early 80's. What I didn't know was the story behind the man, and the women in his life-his wives and children-who were left behind to pick up the pieces of their lives after his unbelievable run was over. It's truly an amazing story, at times head-shaking, sometimes humorous, and most times very moving as these brave women fight against the odds to make their ways in the world. Thank you Ms. Chagra for telling the world your story with such honesty.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

The truth of the development from child to adulthood is often a painful journey that one we must endure to hopefully arrive at a place of understanding one self as well as of those who a profound impact in our life some times some time not I think by the time decide to accept the realities of th good as well as mean spirited of others we have lost so d me that feels like it is to late I wish the Author complete recovery from her illnes.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I commend Catherine for her courage. The story comes from the heart. An adventurous and heart wrenching tale. Her loyalty and honesty are a rare quality in this day and age. Not many people would be so forthcoming with their lives. A great read! We should all admire her charity in giving a major part of the proceeds to help the children of incarcerated parents.

[Danne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling read. A story of survival that is extremely well written.

[Toni Navarrette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those Chagra sisters are warriors the book is excellent ❤️❤️❤️

[Elizabeth Jurado · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sins of her father were costly! This is a memoir of the Jamiel (Jimmy) Chagra. It details his rise and fall as a notorious kingpin, gambler, drug addict, and womanizer from El Paso, Texas as told by his daughter, Catherine Chagra. Along with Jimmy Chagra, there was Lee Chagra, his older brother, and Joe Chagra, his younger brother. I am from El Paso and remember the Chagras as a family of wealth and privilege. I also remember the thunderbolt of shock when the scandals broke out and shone an ugly light on the Chagras. (Though there were many who knew it and saw it coming) Ms. Chagra uses her book to redeem Jimmy’s reputation which she felt was unfairly blackened by the government and the media. The facts do stand that Jimmy Chagra was a drug trafficker, gambler losing hundreds of millions of dollars, and implicated in the May 1979 assassination of United States District Judge John H. Wood Jr. of Federal Judge. This book was filled with one incident after another, one tragedy after another. It held my interest and I read it to the end. I felt when I finished the last page that Ms. Chagra had to reluctantly admit that her father was not a nice person. Jimmy Chagra along with his brothers remain in my opinion blackened to the core. However, this book did generate a strong sense of compassion for his children who suffered greatly for his sins. I recommend this book.

[Victor Muthoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know exactly how to review this book. When I picked it up, I expected scandalous stories of a smuggler. What I got was so much more.

Sure, we see the smuggling story. It the author goes beyond that to paint the arc of a lifetime in 214 pages. The overarching lesson? A father’s choices have deep, reverberating consequences on several generations & levels.

What caught my eye (& soul) was how through it all, the author and her family plowed through. As a dad, this was a very poignant read.

If you are a parent, or want to see how your choices impact the lives of those around you then read this book. Kudos to the author 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book to be a bit whiney and repetitive. Although it was nice that she stood by her father and visited him in prison, she let her love and concern for him dominate and ruin her life.
The fact of the matter is that he was a drug smuggler, who was fast and loose with money and it caught up to him. Because of his out of control gambling addiction, that's the way he lived before he went to jail and that's the way he lived when he got out. I feel sorry for all the lives that were negatively affected or lost because of this man.

[Mikki O · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING

I rarely give really bad reviews and even if a book is just ok, I try really hard not to give up.. but this book... yeah, it's a hard NO from me. I just couldn't get into it.. and it just dragged on and on...I finished the book by skimming I'm not even gonna lie.

[Nancy Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good thing I got this book for free. I was interested in the family because I had lived in Vegas during the same time period. I was in my mid-twenties and oblivious to the dangerous persons I hung around with until I saw movies later in life. Jimmy Chagra's daughter Catherine penned this memoir. It lacked editing and was so poorly written that I could finish reading it.

[David Sprague · Rating 2 out of 5]

This brought out an interesting part of history I was unaware of. The reader gets to know Cathy, the one daughter, very well. All the characters in the family and outside the family were interesting. The best part of the book was the honesty of Cathy. She was likable though at times she seemed too carnal and weak. As she aptly pointed out one must be careful in judging others and others need to walk in their shoes. Both Cathy and her Father's good attributes were extraordinary.

This book would get 3 stars if not for the constant reiterating of the same issues. Maybe Cathy had no choice because all she said was sincere and honest. The addiction to drugs was ugly to read. Her failure to find a good man without problems was difficult to read through.

Part of the book was uplifting and positive but most of it was thoroughly sad. It could have been a more entertaining book with more success and happiness. I do suspect that was impossible to do and still keep it truthful.

[usan Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

This is a fascinating story written by Jimmy Chagra's daughter. Catherine writes her story and tells what she and her family went through as the daughter of one of the biggest drug smugglers in the 1970s. It's a great read and helps you understand what a child of a person incarcerated goes through. It's also one of the most fascinating stories of her father and his exploits. I can definitely see this book being turned into a movie . Catherine writes with passion and complete honesty, nothing is sugarcoated . I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in true crime and how the entire family is affected.

[Isabel Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written about your memoirs family,hopes God gives life to you and see the wonderful job on your book.

Ms. Chagra you're an amazing example of many people around the world, you be clear and honest to show the world your experience :: I love the way you description of your love for your parents, not matter what,love all the pictures::God Bless you whenever you're free to received lots of Blessings:: Highly Recommended.

[Will Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read. What I found interesting is the author's ability to tell the story from the mind set of the person she was at the time. I would have never been so bold or honest. We are all flawed people but try to sanitized our poor judgements of the past. She is open an honest about them. This makes the last few chapters read wonderfully as you see a blossom bloom out of the dirt of many lives lived poorly.

[Revaro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not worth reading... I think the author wanted sympathy... nothing of value to be gained. Father was a high roller hood! The End

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Darlings is more than just a story,it’s a wild,intoxicating journey filled with grit,glamour,and heart. Catherine Chagra paints each scene with vivid emotion,pulling you into a world where loyalty is tested,love burns deep,and danger lurks in every shadow.Her writing has this magnetic pull that keeps you turning pages long after you promised yourself just one more chapter.It’s bold,beautiful,and utterly unforgettable,like stepping into a storm you never want to end.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Narcissistic and self-absorbed view of life as the daughter of a drug-dealing-high-roller. It's whiny. I finished reading it only to see if the attitude of the author changed along the way and it sounded like she was a bit humbled near the end.