The Devil's Punchbowl: A Novel by Greg Iles
|
List Price: Our Price: $0.98 You Save: $26.01 (96%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Devil's Punchbowl: A Novel
Book Review: This is Greg Iles' Best Novel in Quite Some Time
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoy the work of Greg Iles, who is probably the most underrated thriller writer in the business. When he's in top form, with books like BLACK CROSS, THE QUIET GAME, 24 HOURS and DEAD SLEEP, there is nobody better.
THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL is a comeback of sorts for Iles, whose last few books have been mild disappointments. With this novel, Iles returns to his most likable character, lawyer Penn Cage from THE QUIET GAME, who is now Mayor of his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi. The plot deals with a cat-and-mouse game that Cage is forced to play with some sadistic thugs who run the local riverboat casino. The result is an exciting nailbiter of a story.
Iles took two years to write THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL, and it shows in the execution. All the novel's characters are well developed, and its plot is well layered and continuously suspenseful. Iles writes in a melodramatic style, but his books have an intense narrative power that few thrillers possess. As I rushed through this novel, I felt completely absorbed by it, and by the ending literally felt depleted.
It should be noted that THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL has more than a fair amount of brutal violence, including violence against women and animals. There are several harrowing scenes that will require a strong stomach. Personally, I felt that Iles handled the violence in a manner that was non-exploitative. Still, I would not recommend this novel to readers who are easily offended by such graphic content.
Overall, THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL a great suspense work, one of the best thrillers I've read in 2009. Iles is going to write a sequel that is due out next year, and I can't wait to read it.
Book Review: A worthwhile read....
Summary: 5 Stars
Just when I was bemoaning the fact that there was nothing I was interested in reading, I found The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles. This Iles book is my first and now I have a whole body of work to catch up on; one of the dangers, and benefits, of reading an author for the first time.
The story in The Devil's Punchbowl is pretty straightforward. Natchez, Mississippi is a town that has seen better times. Like many places in America, the once golden American dream seems to have passed on, leaving a mere shell of its form self behind. Penn Cage is elected Mayor of Natchez on a now-a-days common platform of economic recovery. Before Penn can get really started, a childhood friend, Tim Jessup, tells Penn of some not so savory activity on the casino river boats operating from the old slave market. Tim is murdered before he can deliver proof of this accusation, however. Those who operate these activities assume that Jessup did deliver proof to Cage and warn him off. The setting is there and the rest of the book is a thrilling "mind" ride for the reader. Very well done!
Since I haven't read any of Iles other novels, a comparison to other authors is dangerous, but what the heck. Iles The Devil's Punchbowl is very reminiscent of the early works of James Lee Burke, at least to me. Burke's stories such as Neon Rain, Black Cherry Blues, or even Dixie City Jam come to mind. Iles is perhaps less gritty than Burke, and Cage isn't as earthy as Dave Robicheaux, but the story elements and plotting seem to be similar.
I highly recommend. This is a great beach read.
Peace to all.
Book Review: The Punchbowl Holds a Fine Brew!
Summary: 5 Stars
"I just finished THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL by Greg Iles and found it to be the best read I have had in a very long time."
So read the E-Mail from a good friend who often shares opinions on books with me and who's views on books I value. Luckily for me I did not have to wait long to start the book as it was already on my "To Read" table, as Isles is an author I keep tabs on.
This is his third novel featuring Penn Cage and given the end of the novel, it seems pretty clear it will not be the last. The story line is well set out by others, but what is more elusive to describe is the haunting way that Iles draws you into the life of his characters and holds your interest as events unfold. I once thought that Jeffrey Deaver probably has the best imagination for conjuring up evil, but I have to tell you that Iles is definitely a contender after this effort. Jonathan Sands and Seamus Quinn are more than a handful for Cage and the small cadre he assembles to get to the bottom of activities which are taking place on the floating casino, The Magnolia Queen.
I have only passed through Missisippi in my travels about the US, but after reading the Penn Cage novels, I feel as though I have spent a lot of time in Natchez.
If this book has any weakness, it does seem a tad long, but even that small complaint could not deprive it of the five stars I believe the exceptional writing clearly deserves.
Book Review: Intense, Disturbing, and Captivating, But Readers Should Be Forewarned About Subject Matters
Summary: 5 Stars
This was by far one of the most disturbing books I've ever read. Don't get me wrong--it was very, very good, and a captivating page-turner. However, the abuse to women and animals was almost too much to stomach. Virtually nothing was left to the imagination, the abuse recounted in vivid, frank and explicit detail. SO BE WARNED regarding subject matter: dog fighting, animal cruelty, torture, and abuse, rape and sexual abuse, extreme violence.
It was very good to revisit one of his recurring characters, Penn Cage. I love him as a hero. He is flawed, but he has integrity. That comes out loud and clear in this book. You'll meet some other characters that you've met before in "Turning Angel".
I can't say I really "enjoyed" the book--somehow, that seems like the wrong word. Let's just say the book captured my attention, and never let me go until the very last page. I had to take periodic breaks, because of my intense emotional responses to the subject matters, and of course, I was totally wrung out by the time I finished the book. Perhaps that was just Iles's purpose--to wring out every emotion, to make us take our heads out of the sand and see "what's what." Well, Mr. Ilse certainly got my attention. Very Well Done Indeed!!!!
Book Review: Another Penn Cage thriller!
Summary: 5 Stars
Greg Iles is such a great suspense writer that he's one of a handful of authors whose books I preorder, since he's never disappointed. Penn Cage has developed into Greg Iles' greatest character, and "Devil's Punchbowl" is as good as any of his Natchez, Mississippi books. The bad guys are REALLY bad in this one. Former IRA members Sands and Quinn are easily the most dangerous characters that Penn Cage has run into. They torture and kill without mercy, not just for business, they enjoy it.
As much as I enjoyed "Devil's Punchbowl," I had to discourage my wife from reading it, as much as she has loved every Greg Iles' book. My wife is one of those people who can't sleep after reading a really intense book, and the torture scenes in this book are intense enough, especially for a woman, to keep her awake and screaming for a year!
If you're okay with incredibly intense, suspenseful, violent imagery, don't miss "Devil's Punchbowl." My comments are not meant as criticism, since I enjoyed the book very much, but Iles' has outdone himself in ratcheting up the tension in this one!
Jim Chambers, author of "Recollections: A Baby Boomer's Memories of the Fabulous Fifties."