Helpful Score: 6
This is an excellent book. The protagonist, Penn Cage, is multi-dimensional and believable as a father, son, and widow. I have a few quibbles with Iles about the likeliness of some escapes and the timing of some revealed evidence. I kept reading past 10 pm and it is a rare book that I will do that for these days. I have never been to Natchez, but the descriptive power of Iles allows me to almost think I have. There is a second book with Penn Cage as protagonist (Turning Angel) and two more set in Natchez (Blood Memory, True Evil).
Helpful Score: 6
Although it takes place in Natchez, Miss., and is flavored with the violence and seamy undertones of a Southern Gothic, this fourth thriller by Iles (Spandau Phoenix) owes just as much to a familiar parallel universe where wealthy male lawyers double as tragic heroes, women are invariably smart and attractive, and trials are by definition "high profile." After his wife's death, Penn Cage, a former Houston prosecutor and a bestselling suspense novelist, retreats to his parents' home in Natchez with his grieving young daughter. The healing process is interrupted when Cage learns that someone is blackmailing his father, a saintly family doctor who once made a lethal mistake. In tracing the source of his father's moral dilemma, Cage stumbles upon a trail of lies surrounding the unsolved murder of a black man in 1968. He determines to reopen the case, even though his antebellum hometown is smoldering with racial tension. With the assistance of Caitlin Masters, the attractive, smart and ambitious publisher of the local newspaper, Cage gradually uncovers an intricate conspiracy that reaches up to the highest levels of the FBI.
Helpful Score: 5
Iles is one of my favorite authors! This is truly one of his best.
Helpful Score: 3
Good read, keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite Greg Iles books.
Helpful Score: 1
Exciting as all his books are this onr grabs you in the first chapter and holds on.
Helpful Score: 1
Natchez, Mississippi, is the jewel of the antebellum South, a city of old money and older sins, where passion, power and racial tensions seethe beneath its elegant facade.
It is here that Penn Cage, a Houston prosecutor turned novelist, returns to his childhood home, hoping to find some solace in the aftermath of his wife's death. But peace is not what he finds.
Penn is stunned to discover that his own family is trapped in a web of intrigue and danger. But as Penn tries to right the wrongs, he stumbles over the town's darkest secret-and soon learns that this haunting mystery is inextricably bound up with the highest levels of government. With the town closing ranks around him, Penn suddenly realizes that his crusade for justice may cost him his illustrious career-and his life....
It is here that Penn Cage, a Houston prosecutor turned novelist, returns to his childhood home, hoping to find some solace in the aftermath of his wife's death. But peace is not what he finds.
Penn is stunned to discover that his own family is trapped in a web of intrigue and danger. But as Penn tries to right the wrongs, he stumbles over the town's darkest secret-and soon learns that this haunting mystery is inextricably bound up with the highest levels of government. With the town closing ranks around him, Penn suddenly realizes that his crusade for justice may cost him his illustrious career-and his life....
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book that I have read by Iles and it definitely will not be the last. I have to say this is probably one the best books that I have read in a long time. I truly enjoyed the story from beginning to end and I found it very difficult to put down. Iles developed his characters with depth and substance and I felt as though I was actually living the story. If you like thrillers or just a good mystery this is an excellent read overall.
I find all of Iles' characters to be interesting and well drawn. Former attorney and best selling author Penn Cage is one of my favorites. This was another book I could hardly put down.
Lawyer turned author, small town in Mississippi, Racial problems from the 1960's, murder. The latest John Grisham ? No. This is from 2000, by Greg Iles. If someone gave you this book and you didn't know the author, you'd understandably think it was Grisham. But around page 500, you'd realize it's not.
While this book has a good story, good characters, and courtroom action, It's about 100 pages too long (over 600). Grisham tells his stories succinctly. While the plot is juicy enough, this book drags somewhat about 2/3 of the way through. This is a first of a series, so maybe later on Mr. Iles figures out how to get his point across without so many pages.
While this book has a good story, good characters, and courtroom action, It's about 100 pages too long (over 600). Grisham tells his stories succinctly. While the plot is juicy enough, this book drags somewhat about 2/3 of the way through. This is a first of a series, so maybe later on Mr. Iles figures out how to get his point across without so many pages.
If you like Greg Iles like I do, this one is a great one for you to read. Plus, it is the pre-quel to Turning Angel, Iles's new book. Set in the south in the 60's, as well as present day Natchez, this book is taught with racial tension. Worth reading!
Well written but it less well plotted. Still a decent read
Grabs you fast and keeps you glued. A deliciously complicated plot.
Penn Cage, a houston prosecutor returns to his hometown in Mississippi hoping to find peace in the aftermath of his wife's death, but he discovers that his family is trapped in a web of intrigue and danger. As he tries to right the wrongs he stumbles onto the towns darkest secret wound up at the highest level of government. Penn soon realizes that his crusade could cost him his job and even his life.
Penn Cage, a houston prosecutor returns to his hometown in Mississippi hoping to find peace in the aftermath of his wife's death, but he discovers that his family is trapped in a web of intrigue and danger. As he tries to right the wrongs he stumbles onto the towns darkest secret wound up at the highest level of government. Penn soon realizes that his crusade could cost him his job and even his life.
I like Greg Iles and this was a good one.
Great read. I could not put the book down!
My first book by this author and I have to admit I was very impressed and entertained. I couldn't put the book down. I'll definitely check out some of his other titles.
Intrigue and danger in antebellum South. Good read.
excellent and gripping, grabbed me and I could not put it down, set in the South it presents an interesting twist as the main character is a prosecutor turned novelist! Loved it.
Excellent; Iles at his best.
Love the character Penn Cage. An exciting read.
Rivals Grisham.
Grabs you fast, keeps you glued. Prosecutor Penn Cage returns to his hometown of Natchez, MI to find peace after his wife's death. He finds his own family is trapped in a web of danger. As Penn tries to right some wrongs he stumbles on the town's darkest secret.
This is the first in the series about Penn Cage, a Houston prosecutor-turned-novelist. He returns to his childhood home, Natchez, Mississippi. This book grabs you quickly and doesn't let you go until the end, leaving you wanting to read the rest of the series.
Very good plot.
Another great read by Greg Iles!!
This is the first book by Greg Iles that I have read and I am hooked.
The story continuely moves forward and is a fantastic mystery.
The story continuely moves forward and is a fantastic mystery.
I have loved all of Gree Iles books. This one was another great one.
Greg Iles is at his best with his character, Penn Cage. Keeps you going until the very end.
First in the Penn Cage series. Really good, lots of action and twists.
Love Greg Iles, this one is set in Natchez Mississippi. A prosecutor turned novelist returns home to find peace after his wife's death. Of course mystery and danger await him.
Very fast paced, nicely developed characters. Puts Grisham to shame.
Good read
A wonderful mystery/thriller! I couldn't put it down!
A very good read. JFK, Martin luther King, and this murder......what did they have in common? Very well written.
An excellent thrilling read
This is the first Greg Iles book I've read and I enjoyed it very much. It was our neighborhood book club selection and was given a rating of 7.5 out of 10. I think he did a good job of interweaving the plot lines. Look forward to reading more of his books.
good book - love this author
Excellent mystery, ripe with southern culture and southern justice. Peen Cage a Houston prosecutor turned movelist returns to his childhood h ome in Natchez,Mississippi hoping to find solace after the death of his wife. Instead he becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue and danger involving his family, the government and put his career and life if high jeopardy.
Penn Cage, a Houston prosecutor-turned novelist, returns to his childhood home, hoping to find some solace in the aftermath of his wife's death. But peace is not what he finds. He stumbles over the town's darkest secret-which may cost him his career-and his life.
lush, rich story line.
Penn Cage, a Houston prosecuter-turned-novelist, returns to his childhood home, hoping to find some solice in the aftermath of his wife's death. But peace is not what he finds
This is greg at his best
Great read
Engrossing Novel!!
Natchez, Mississippi, is the jewel of the antebellum South, a city of old money and older sins, where passion, power and racial tensions seethe beneath its elegant facade. It is here that Penn Cage, a Houston prosecutor turned novelist, returns to his childhood home, hoping to find some solance in the aftermath of his wife's death. Penn is stunned to discover that his own family is trapped in a web of intrigue and danger. But as Penn tries to right the wrongs, he stumbles over the town's darkest secret and soon learns that this haunting mystery is bound up with highest levels of government. His crusade for justive may cost him his career and his life.
Great book looking forward to reading his new hardcover book, that brings back the same character.
In Natchez, Mississippi, a jewel of the south, in a city of old money and older sins-a novelist returns to his childhood home after his wife's death. He hopes to find peace, but stumbles into a mystery involving the highest levels of government.
Excellent story. This story takes part before "The Devil's Punchbowl", when Penn Cage first meets Caitlin (the reporter). I couldn't put it down!
A gripping page-turner, set in Mississippi tells the story of a prosecutor who has lost his wife and returns home with his daughter to heal. Instead, he finds his own family wrapped in secrets and intrique. Compare author to John Grisham.
great book!
John Grisham-type book. Based in Natchez, Missippi. Prosecutor/novelist Penn Cage returns to childhood home after his wife's death. He discovers a town secret that leads to the government. To protect his family, he must fight to discover the truth.
I'm getting more of Ile's stuff. He is one of the best!
excellent read
Natchez, MS is the setting for this story. It is here that Penn Cage, a Houston prosecuror returns to his childhood home hoping to find some solace in the aftermath of his wife's death. Instead he finds his family trapped in a web of intrigue and danger.
Enjoyed this one!!!
I enjoy Greg Iles alot; I think this is one of his older ones. Good plot and characters; kept me reading at night.
If you enjoy suspense you'll love this book.
A good book about web and intrigue.
I love Greg Iles' books, they're always page turnets!
Another great read by Greg Iles
Greg again writes a spell binding book. Enjoyed it to the very last page.
The novel where Iles introduces Penn Cage, who puts his career, his credibility, and ultimately, his life, on the line to save his family and himself. A well written and crafted thriller that will keep you up well into the night, wanting to know what happens on the next page....
An excellent southern mystery/thriller concerning a lawyer who recently lost his wife to cancer moving home to Natchez Mississippi to his parents. The mystery involves a racial murder from the 1960's that the protagonist accidentally reopens, a sexy young ambitious newspaper publisher who helps him re-open it, and the sudden re-appearance of the protagonists high school sweetheart. An excellent, if weighty (600+ pages) story.
This is the 1st book I've read by this Author, and I will definetly read the rest of his books. There was not a dull moment in this book, I found myself not wanting to put it down until I finished it.
Great Story!
Excellent book!! Lots of intrigue and twists and turns. It's definitely a page turner that keeps you guessing until the end!
Awesome!
great read
Fun and action packed! Dirk Pitt mixed with John Grisham; can't wait to read the rest of the Penn Cage books!!
Excellent suspense/thriller from Iles. This is only the second book I have read by Iles (the first was True Evil) but I have several more on my TBR shelf that hopefully won't be there long! This is actually the first book in a series featuring Penn Cage, a lawyer/writer who returns to his hometown, Natchez, Mississippi, with his young daughter to try to relax and forget after his wife dies. But returning to Natchez is anything but peaceful. He soon gets embroiled in trying to solve a decades old hate crime where a young black Korean war veteran was killed in a car bomb back in the sixties. The case involves one of the wealthiest families in town, the Marstons, including Penn's high school lover, Olivia Marston, who has also returned to Natchez after separating from her husband. Many ghosts from the past are uncovered as Penn prepares to uncover secrets long buried. But are things really what they seem? Was the murder of the young black man a hate crime or was there another motive? And why did Olivia abandon Penn and leave Natchez shortly after high school?
The novel was engrossing and was hard to put down with its themes of racial injustice in the South and the hypocrisy of the rich and the government in dealing with civil rights issues of the 60s. The novel also was great in its descriptions of Natchez, the "jewel of the antebellum South," including both the privileged and not so privileged denizens of the city.
Overall, I would give this one a very high recommendation and I will definitely be reading more Iles sooner than later.
The novel was engrossing and was hard to put down with its themes of racial injustice in the South and the hypocrisy of the rich and the government in dealing with civil rights issues of the 60s. The novel also was great in its descriptions of Natchez, the "jewel of the antebellum South," including both the privileged and not so privileged denizens of the city.
Overall, I would give this one a very high recommendation and I will definitely be reading more Iles sooner than later.
very enjoyable . My first time reading a Greg Iles book.
I have already begun another one.
I have already begun another one.
Penn Cage,successful prosecutor/novelist, has returned home to Mississippi after the death of his wife to find pace and quiet but instead finds himself in the middle of a decades old murder mystery.
I have not had a chance to read this book. It is missing the front cover.
