This is the first book I have read from Greg Iles and I can certainly state that he is an excellent writer—a marvelous word-smith. In looking at the product details, you can see that this is a HUGE book. Eight hundred (800) pages of detailed, descriptive material with many fascinating characters and multiple story plots. This translates to approximately two hundred thousand (200,000) words. I had to really concentrate to get into this book and follow at least half a dozen story lines that travel back in time then move forward. You will see from several reviews below, this is not a book always enjoyed by every reader. A compilation of scores may be seen as follows:
PRODUCT DETAILS
- Series:Penn Cage Novels (Book 4)
- Hardcover:800 pages
- Publisher:William Morrow; First Edition (April 29, 2014)
- Language:English
- ISBN-10:0062311077
- ISBN-13:978-0062311078
- Average Customer Review:4 out of 5 stars 3,939 customer reviews
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank:#429,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
I always like to know something about the author feeling it helps me understand his purpose in writing and specifically writing the book I’m discussing. Mr. Ille’s very brief biography is given as follows:
BIOGRAPHY:
Greg Iles was born in 1960 in Germany where his father ran the US Embassy medical clinic during the height of the Cold War. After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1983 he performed for several years with the rock band Frankly Scarlet and is currently member of the band The Rock Bottom Remainders. His first novel, Spandau Phoenix, a thriller about war criminal Rudolf Hess, was published in 1993 and became a New York Times bestseller. Iles went on to write ten bestselling novels, including Third Degree, True Evil, Turning Angel, Blood Memory, The Footprints of God, and 24 Hours (released by Sony Pictures as Trapped, with full screenwriting credit for Iles). He lives in Natchez, Mississippi.
STORY LINE:
Penn Cage is shocked to learn that his father, Dr. Tom Cage, is about to be charged with murder in the death of a local woman, a nurse who worked with Dr. Cage back in the 1960s. Stymied by his father’s refusal to discuss the case, Penn digs into the past to uncover the truth and discovers long-buried secrets about his community and his own family. Natchez Burning (the title is surely a nod to the infamous “Mississippi Burning” murder case of the 1960s, and others like it) is the first of a planned trilogy. The story ends in mid-stride, leaving us on the edge of our seats, but that’s not a criticism. This beautifully written novel represents some of the author’s finest work, with sharper characterizations and a story of especially deep emotional resonance, and we eagerly await volume two. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Several of Iles’ thrillers have found their way to best-seller lists, but his new publisher is touting this one (his first novel in five years) as a breakout book and seems ready to put marketing dollars behind that claim.
When reviewing a book I have just read, I like to indicate comments from other readers. A few of these are as follows:
REVIEWS:
CONCLUSIONS:
I can certainly recommend the book but you really need time for completion. Also, the ending carries a big big surprise. GO FOR IT.
cielotech
Cielotech Online 
NATCHEZ BURNING
August 30, 2018
This is the first book I have read from Greg Iles and I can certainly state that he is an excellent writer—a marvelous word-smith. In looking at the product details, you can see that this is a HUGE book. Eight hundred (800) pages of detailed, descriptive material with many fascinating characters and multiple story plots. This translates to approximately two hundred thousand (200,000) words. I had to really concentrate to get into this book and follow at least half a dozen story lines that travel back in time then move forward. You will see from several reviews below, this is not a book always enjoyed by every reader. A compilation of scores may be seen as follows:
PRODUCT DETAILS
I always like to know something about the author feeling it helps me understand his purpose in writing and specifically writing the book I’m discussing. Mr. Ille’s very brief biography is given as follows:
BIOGRAPHY:
Greg Iles was born in 1960 in Germany where his father ran the US Embassy medical clinic during the height of the Cold War. After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1983 he performed for several years with the rock band Frankly Scarlet and is currently member of the band The Rock Bottom Remainders. His first novel, Spandau Phoenix, a thriller about war criminal Rudolf Hess, was published in 1993 and became a New York Times bestseller. Iles went on to write ten bestselling novels, including Third Degree, True Evil, Turning Angel, Blood Memory, The Footprints of God, and 24 Hours (released by Sony Pictures as Trapped, with full screenwriting credit for Iles). He lives in Natchez, Mississippi.
STORY LINE:
Penn Cage is shocked to learn that his father, Dr. Tom Cage, is about to be charged with murder in the death of a local woman, a nurse who worked with Dr. Cage back in the 1960s. Stymied by his father’s refusal to discuss the case, Penn digs into the past to uncover the truth and discovers long-buried secrets about his community and his own family. Natchez Burning (the title is surely a nod to the infamous “Mississippi Burning” murder case of the 1960s, and others like it) is the first of a planned trilogy. The story ends in mid-stride, leaving us on the edge of our seats, but that’s not a criticism. This beautifully written novel represents some of the author’s finest work, with sharper characterizations and a story of especially deep emotional resonance, and we eagerly await volume two. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Several of Iles’ thrillers have found their way to best-seller lists, but his new publisher is touting this one (his first novel in five years) as a breakout book and seems ready to put marketing dollars behind that claim.
When reviewing a book I have just read, I like to indicate comments from other readers. A few of these are as follows:
REVIEWS:
CONCLUSIONS:
I can certainly recommend the book but you really need time for completion. Also, the ending carries a big big surprise. GO FOR IT.
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Tagged: Book Reviews, Commentary