The Devil's Punchbowl: A Novel by Greg Iles
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Book Reviews of The Devil's Punchbowl: A Novel
Book Review: Greg Iles has the magic back
Summary: 5 Stars
As many know, I am an uber Greg Iles fan. Have been since book one - although my favorites are Mortal Fear, and The Quiet Game.
For those of you not familiar with Penn Cage, his kith and kin, it would be good to read The Quiet Game, which holds one of my favorite quotes ever, told by a former FBI agent Stone, "The hour of justice does not strike on the dials of this world."
This outing Iles is back in his element, the old south dealing with the new. Now there are offshore gambling boats and the money and corruption that comes with that -
Time has passed and Caitlin and Penn have gone their separate ways, and he has also broken up with another lady - Annie, his daughter, has grown into a well adjusted pre-teen, thanks to Penn's parents.
Penn's boyhood friend, Tim Jessup, a card dealer at the Magnolia Queen, has uncovered horrible things going on - not only prostitution, but dogfighting off grounds.
For those of you who haven't been familiar with dogfighting, those of us in the south who have dealt with hearing about Michael Vick's involvement however extensive, with a dogfighting ring, the horrid 'sport' is heavily written about and a large part of this book. I was sickened by the extent, but Iles shows us it is beyond any thriller book author can possibly imagine, more cruel than anyone could think up - all in the cause of money.
This is not for the feint of heart.
When Penn's friend Tim is murdered, Penn had been waffling between quitting his mayorship of Natchez and leaving, but when his friend's death happens, he goes forth full steam.
Caitlin Masters, his old girlfriend, returns and we see the transition between them being estranged to working together for a common goal, to her opinion - it's just dogfighting, to a more violent awakening that the folks who do this aren't just folks providing entertainment.
Iles brings back the excitement of characterization, the beauty of the landscape, the horror of corruption.
This is who I call our generation's Faulkner.
It is a long book, and can be a stand alone book, but it is the third of the Penn Cage books, with at least one more coming -
But if you want to read the magic that introduces Penn, get The Quiet Game, and go from there.
Iles is a truly talented author and a worthy read.
Book Review: Brilliant, fast paced, compelling characters.
Summary: 5 Stars
Greg Iles simply never disappoints.
Bringing back Penn Cage, his Dad, daughter, Caitlin, Kelly, Mac Divitt, and a few other characters from prior books, you not only renew your connection with a main character but the supporting cast. That is both unusual and impressive. To actually feel like you know a dozen characters in a book is something special.
As with most books Greg Iles pens, the reader needs to be prepared for a real life...gritty...and honest look at the dark side of human nature.
Sadly, it's all too plausible...
The book opens just after Hurricane Katrina has happened. Penn Cage is back, now as Mayor of Natchez. A riverboat casino quickly becomes the center of attention as the management are not who they appear to be. In all too real detail you find out how AND how quickly organized crime can dig into a community. Worse, you see how the government becomes involved.
An old high school friend of Penn's is brutally murdered. Penn looks into the murder and gets in deeper than he ever has.
Perhaps what is so extraordinary about this book is it's plausibility. A lot of fiction writers work with the implausible, requiring suspension of belief.
That's not how this book works. Here the evil that men do is real. We all know that what is happening here, is happening everyday all around the United States and I imagine all over the world.
Greg Iles, knows precisely how to keep you turning pages by tightly weaving relationships and events together through forceful and very real characters.
Iles brings our fears and dark side and sets it before us and asks us to really look and see who people are down deep.
Rarely is there good or evil, but a cocktail of weaknesses and strengths that all of us.
This book is one of Iles best books. He keeps getting better and better....and he was brilliant to begin with...
Kevin Hogan, Psy.D.
Author of The Irresisitble Attraction
Book Review: So much evil in Natchez
Summary: 5 Stars
So much evil in Natchez
(4 1/2 stars due to wordiness)
Greg Iles' The Devil's Punchbowl is definitely a return to his earlier high octane thrillers. Although a bit wordy and descriptively bloated, overall the novel is a fast-paced page turner. Still, Mr. Iles needs to be wary of falling into the Grisham-rut of beating the same theme into irrelevance. The Devil's Punchbowl returns to Natchez, and now Mayor Penn Cage, and the seedy underworld of that Mississippi river town. Nefarious characters abound with a shady Irishman leading the pack as the flamboyant manager of the infamous Magnolia Queen, a floating Natchez gambling casino. Gambling, dog fighting, prostitution, murder, and bribes are just some of the corruption that permeates The Devil's Punchbowl. At times it seems only Penn Cage, his family, and entourage are the only honest people left in Natchez. Enter an international Chinese crime syndicate, and questionable federal Justice department activities, and the stage is set for non-stop action of the Greg Iles kind. So much is going on at times that the reader must concentrate to keep the action scorecard straight. Except for the over drawn-out ending, A very good action read.
Sex, language, and violence abound throughout the book. Be ready for some very graphic dog fighting scenes and brutal violence to women. Mr. Iles pulls no punches. Could be a little over the top for some.
Superb character development, but at times simply too many to do them all justice. Sometimes less is more Mr. Iles.
Solid Recommend. I like Greg Iles. He is a complex writer who gives me the impression that he simply has "too much to say". His plots can get a bit convoluted at times but overall he is an excellent writer of high energy thrillers. I hope he can stay fresh. My only question is, Who is Jonathan Sands really?? You never really did say.
Book Review: Great book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Probably the best book I've read all year and I've read many books this year.
What I like about Greg Iles is that he has kept improving his writing skills when other authors who have become famous have put out rubbish. This is not only the best book I've read this year, but also I think the best book he's written so far. He's come a long way since Spandau Phoenix.
What I like:
1) The basics: the book is well written and easy to read. Even though I last read about Penn Cage and Natchez more than a year ago, it was easy to get back into. The author didn't try to start chapters in the middle of an action, which some others too, and things were well explained and uncomplicated.
2) I liked the plot. With so many books being written, it seems like that every author is trying to outdo themselves or others in fantastic plots but this plot was believable. OK, so this book did have "super" dogs and a boogie man from China, but it's not as bad as some of the others I've read!
3) Mechanics. I am also glad that Iles did not resort to fantastic situations or multiple twists to keep his readers interested, or should I say that I was interested in spite of the lack of multiple twists or fantastic situations, and it was a relief that he didn't have to resort to them. However, Iles did have to resort to the super buddy character (Daniel Kelly) who gets our protagonists out of all trouble. I've always said that I don't like the super buddy characters since authors can always use them to get the protagonist out of a corner instead of using creative writing to get them out of tight spots.
I judge books how good they are if they can keep me past bedtime and I'm glad to say this book was one of them. I highly recommend it.
Book Review: Couldn't put it down
Summary: 5 Stars
Just finished it last night!
I am a huge fan of Greg Iles, have read every book and now I just pick them up, don't even see what the book is about because I just know it is written well, with passion and much reality. I wasn't thrilled to read a book that had to do with dogfighting, I am an animal lover and really try to keep myself sheltered from the horrors of this world. But, I could not put this book down - I was up way to late every night devouring each page.
I agree with the other reviewers about the graphic violence and details, I had to skip over a little here and there - however, I believe that it is an unfortunate reality with regards to the subject matter - these things go hand in hand and the people who do this have to be far worse that Iles portrays. I am sure that if compared to reality, we got the PG version.
I liked that the book was longer, felt it was important to get more details and properly finish the story. I actually didn't want it to end.
I love Penn and was so glad to see that there will be another book coming to continue his story! I enjoyed all the characters and was really excited when Penn got Shad! Then somewhat disappointed that Sands lived - I really wanted him to die in a much harsher fashion than Quinn. Interesting that I am in a small town in Southern California, mom, housewife, small business owner and I am completely sheltered for the most part from violence and crimes - but I felt passionatly about the deaths of the bad guys and how they had to die in order for me to go on with MY life! That is testimony to the Author - my heart was pounding at times and crying others.
I can't wait for the next novel!