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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Natchez Burning: A Novel by Greg Iles

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)
about book:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles comes the first novel in his Natchez Burning trilogy—which also includes The Bone Tree and the upcoming Mississippi Blood—an epic trilogy that interweaves crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former prosecutor Penn Cage.

Raised in the southern splendor of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn Cage learned all he knows of duty from his father, Dr. Tom Cage. But now the beloved family doctor has been accused of murdering the African American nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the 1960s. Once a crusading prosecutor, Penn is determined to save his father, but Tom, stubbornly invoking doctor-patient privilege, refuses even to speak in his own defense.

Penn’s quest for the truth sends him deep into his father’s past, where a sexually charged secret lies. More chilling, this long-buried sin is only one thread in a conspiracy of greed and murder involving the vicious Double Eagles, an offshoot of the KKK controlled by some of the most powerful men in the state. Aided by a dedicated reporter privy to Natchez’s oldest secrets and by his fiancĂ©e, Caitlin Masters, Penn uncovers a trail of corruption and brutality that places his family squarely in the Double Eagles’ crosshairs.

With every step costing blood and faith, Penn is forced to confront the most wrenching dilemma of his life: Does a man of honor choose his father or the truth?

my thoughts:

Cripes! Have I been hiding under a rock? I can't believe its taken me so long to read Natchez Burning!? Talk about a suspense-thriller at its best! I absolutely loved this book. The story is just so damn good (and addictive).  Its the fourth book to feature the protagonist Penn Cage, but the first book in a planned trilogy created by Greg Iles.  I loved getting to know Penn in NB and can't wait to find out what happens next in The Bone Tree (followed by Mississippi Blood).

Now, I'm not going to share any details from the story, because I want you to experience it for your self.  Its that kind of book.  However, I will share with you what I loved about it.  I enjoyed the writing.  It was excellent!  It was rich with vivid imagery (some a bit too graphic, but crucial to the story); filled with exciting twists and turns; fast-paced; and haunted you for days after you turned the very last page.  The characters were well-developed.  They were complex, messy, and real.  I couldn't help but be fascinated by Iles' portrayal of human nature in every aspect - at its most goodhearted and its most heinous.  It was truly captivating.  As for the story itself- wow! Talk about a page-turner. I didn't put this book down for anything. I was that hooked!  I found Iles' storytelling to be passionate, engrossing, and unforgettable. I absolutely loved spending all weekend with my copy of NB.  It was such an amazing read.  I would happily recommend this book to fans of Greg Iles and fans of suspense-thrillers (especially, trilogies) - you will LOVE this book!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Natchez Burning
Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

4 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I need to read this too. I know I'll love it.

Nadia said...

Kathy, definitely check it out. I think you'll like it.

Lisa said...

As I've been thinking about this one, I do feel that the "bad" guys are fairly one dimensional. But the "good" guys are all so well-developed with flaws and moral issues. Although both Glenn and Sonny do start to have some guilt. I wondered if Iles had intentionally made characters like Forrest and Snake just plain evil because he wanted it to be clear that he could find nothing that would in the least excuse the kind of men these guys became.

Heather J @ TLC Book Tours said...

Thanks for being a part of the tour. I'm glad you finally read - and loved - this book!