Natchez Burning: A Novel

By Greg Iles

#1 New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles returns with his most eagerly anticipated novel yet and his first in five years—Natchez Burning—the first installment in an epic trilogy that interweaves crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former prosecutor Penn Cage.

Growing up in the rural Southern hamlet of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn Cage learned everything he knows about honor and duty from his father, Tom Cage. But now the beloved family doctor and pillar of the community is accused of murdering Violet Turner, the beautiful nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the early 1960s. A fighter who has always stood for justice, Penn is determined to save his father, even though Tom, stubbornly evoking doctor-patient privilege, refuses to speak up in his own defense.

The quest for answers sends Penn deep into the past—into the heart of a conspiracy of greed and murder involving the Double Eagles, a vicious KKK crew headed by one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the state. With the aid of a local friend and reporter privy to some of Natchez's oldest and deadliest secrets, Penn follows a bloody trail that stretches back forty years, to one undeniable fact: no one—black or white, young or old, brave or not—is ever truly safe.

With everything on the line, including his own life, Penn must decide how far he will go to protect those he loves . . . and see justice done, once and for all.

Rich in Southern atmosphere and electrifying plot turns, Natchez Burning marks the brilliant return of a genuine American master of suspense. Tense and disturbing, it is the most explosive, exciting, sexy, and ambitious story Greg Iles has written yet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Apr 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9780062359742

Greg Iles

Greg Iles spent most of his youth in Natchez, Mississippi. His first novel, Spandau Phoenix, was the first of thirteen New York Times bestsellers and his new trilogy continues the story of Penn Cage, protagonist of The Quiet Game, Turning Angel, and #1 New York Times bestseller The Devil's Punchbowl. Iles' novels have been made into films and published in more than thirty-five countries.

Reviews for Natchez Burning

[waldhaus1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my second Greg Iles book. THe first was Cemetery Road which got my attention enough to bring me to this book. It is always challenging to decide where to deep into the books written by a successful author. Reviews and guidelines are helpful - in the end for me it is a leap of faith or the excitement of hoped for discovery. This book does not disappoint. While it is labled the 4th Penn Cage book it certainly doesn’t stand on the prior stories. Most likely the life changing events of Greg’s auto accident added a lot to the book. His comments about the need to suffer to really understand pain surely reflect his personal experiences. It is a long book. At first I was concerned that would detract from its qualities as a thriller - but instead it allowed tremendous character development bringing the reader into many minds - some more sympathetic than others but all human at many levels.The book comes to a conclusion, but not really. One of the central questions is left with an uncertain answer and the surviving characters still face unresolved challenges. Because the author took years to write the trilogy I will pause before reading the next installment. If you enjoy good thrillers, find stories about the American south interesting, and don’t mind investing time into a long book give this a try. While it has many characters, they are distinct enough so as to be easy to keep sorted out.

[addunn3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Mayor Penn Cage is forced to delve into his father's past to keep him from being jailed for murder. The plot and action were over the top - Penn is truly an activist mayor!- fast moving.

[decaturmamaof2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very suspenseful, lots of action!! I liked this one a great deal.

[roses7184_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As you might have noticed, this is actually the fourth book in a series. Natchez Burning is, however, the beginning of a brand new story arc that readers can start at. I came into this story knowing nothing about Penn Cage and his family. What I left with? Well, I can absolutely attest to the fact that Greg Iles has mastered the art of the tie in. With no information dumps, and virtually no flashbacks, I quickly came up to speed with Penn, his family, and Natchez as a whole. It felt like home after only a few chapters, and the story that was spun for me has me extremely eager to see what comes next.

I admit that Natchez Burning had me a little wary at the beginning. This book is a tome. At 816 pages in paperback, it's definitely not a light read. Somehow though, Iles manages to use up every bit of that page count without a second of down time. Every sentence is perfectly placed. Each moment, each event, expertly situated to make this book read at a breakneck pace throughout the entire story. Suffice it to say, I was highly impressed. I was worried that this book would be a chore. Afraid that I might have to read through pages of police procedures and information dumps. That wasn't so, I'm happy to report. While this definitely took me time to finish, it was worth every page.

Penn Cage is one of those characters that you can't help but root for. His heart is huge, his motives pure, and he's willing to throw himself into any kind of terrible situation that comes his way if it means protecting his family and his town. It's tough not to fall for him. I figured out very quickly that Iles knew this, because he threw Penn into the fire and dragged him through hell and back. I found myself gripping the pages, white knuckled, as Penn and those he cared about were put into yet another terrifying encounter. This book has it all. Murders, drug deals, mafia bosses, and the types of "bad guys" who make your skin crawl because they're so wholly evil. Which, in truth, is true of every personality that Iles pens into this book. Each character is treated lovingly, and fully developed. Which means the reader is allowed to love, and to hate, as the case calls for. These are real people, and it makes the story all the more compulsively readable.

If I had one small gripe it would be that, ironically, the ending felt a little rushed. I know that it seems ridiculous coming from a person who as worried about reading 800 pages originally. Truth be told though, the climax was built up so well that I couldn't wait to see what happened. Which is probably why the ending felt a little quick, and the cliffhanger at the end left me breathless. Luckily, I know that there are more books in this series. So I'll have my hands on the next one very soon. This series is well worth your time! Don't be afraid to start with Natchez Burning.

[maneekuhi · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The only other really lengthy novel I've read about the South is "Gone With The Wind" (1058 pages +/-). GWTW was excellent story-telling, an epic story that you didn't want to end. "Natchez Burning" (NB) is no GWTW; it's OK, but frankly my dear, it's too damn long. And it's the fourth Penn Cage (what a name for a hero - does this guy have jail time in his future or what?) novel, but first in a trilogy. Got that? That's what we old-time marketers call "product positioning". So expect two more with some of the same or similar bad guys and themes, and maybe there'll be a Penn Cage #7, maybe not. If you are looking for something with more twists than a Coney Island roller coaster, you'll love this book. But my reaction ultimately was "Enough. C'mon already". I can only think that someone has even bigger plans for this series, like maybe a multi-season, cable TV series, ala "True Blood", but more violent. So what's it all about in 25 words or more?......Murders by a spin-off of the KKK, committed more than 40 years ago, still haunt two generations, including the mayor, his parents and fiance, a rogue reporter, an illegitimate son, a wealthy banker, a high ranking state police officer, and countless others, many of whom wind up dead. And by "murders" both past and present I mean lynching, flaying, torching, crucifixion, and stabbing. And there are references to rape, but I can't recall any sex/love scenes. Does it have a long, drawn out climax ? Does it wrap everything up in one, neat little package? Ha! - you guess....Will I read another Cage book? No.

[kimmerjohn_82 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

almost done with the book. pretty good so far,glad I am reading now because the bone tree comes out next month!

[alexezell · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Part of the problem is that this is just not the kind of book I like to read. That said, Greg Iles has done a great job putting this together. I give him high marks for the issues he's tackling and for his ability to spin a yarn. This is the fourth Penn Cage book and I've not read any of the others. There is some decent characterization done especially with regards to how Cage feels about his father and his fiance. I was intrigued by those too-brief moments. The thriller plot seemed to get in the way of truly developing those aspects. This is also the first book in a trilogy so maybe there's more to come on those fronts in later books.

Ultimately, I find myself not interested in what happens to these people and the villains they are facing. It was a struggle to make it through the second half of this LONG book. My lack of investment and concern held me back. Normally, I would just quit a book I felt this way about but I was hoping the last third would surprise me and lead me into the next two books. That didn't happen. The ending was more interesting than another book of this type might have pulled off but it wasn't enough for me. It reminded me of the end of so many thrillers where the bad guys talk incessantly.

If I tackle the second in this trilogy this year, I'd be surprised. But, you never know what might happen on a vacation or plane trip.

[timprsnl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic. Unquestionably fantastic. I can't wait for the next release.

[bdartnall_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Tried to enjoy this book ... Willing to have a new inheritor to the Southern legal thriller so long dominated by Grisham; Iles does provide incredibly accurate details for the realm of American jurisprudence & Southern atmosphere / characters ... But the reoccurring reviewing of racial & sociopathic grisly murders, the over abundance of points of view - too loose? - and the unnecessary repetition of one male character after another who considered all women as means to an end ( at best) and objects of subjugation in general ...why so many ? By page 280 or so I'd lost patience ... And I love a good Southern Gothic or robust legal thriller/ mystery. Author even seemed to be revealing his own methods/ authorial practices in unnecessary passages & internal dialogue from the predominant protagonist - very clumsy .

[patrickjiv_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good read, but think it could have been cut 200 pages and still have had the same ending.

[melissarochelle_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Read from June 04 to 15, 2014If the next two books in this series are as massive as this one, I'll definitely skip 'em and read the spoilers online.So...Umm...NOTHING was resolved in nearly 800 pages. The only thing is we found out who the witness was and the bad guy that we knew about from the beginning got his in the end. But all of the mysteries introduced were completely forgotten. There were so many overly lengthy passages that could have been edited right out of this behemoth. So many times we were in a character's head and ideas were introduced, but nothing ever came of the ideas. Just WAY too much for a book that didn't offer me much of an ending.

[sprocto · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although brutal at times, this novel is compelling and very well done. Even the physical book is a pleasure. Can't wait for the next one!

[fbswss · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book, fun reading, plot knitted together in typical Iles style. Quick and disappointing ending with someone of course kidnapped - again. And no final resolution to who killed Viola Turner, whether Lincoln is Tom's son, nor Tom's murder charge, actually no questions answered at ALL. I don't care if it's first in a trilogy - give us more satisfaction at least.

[niaomiya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ok, so I'm one of those fans who has been waiting patiently for 5 years for Greg Iles to publish a new book as he recovered from a horrific near-fatal car wreck. (And thank heavens he survived.) So here it is, the long-awaited book, which he'd nearly finished in 2011 but then overhauled after his accident. And it is SO, SO worth the wait. At 788 pages, this is a huge book - and the first in a planned trilogy. But I was absolutely mesmerized through all 788 pages. I have never read a book of this length in which I haven't felt some desire to skim some parts. Not so with "Natchez Burning." I didn't skim a dang thing because every page, every paragraph, every word was absolutely riveting.This is the type of book that I would call "epic," not because of the length but because it spans decades, delving into the dark and horrifying history of racism in the American South. I think BookPage describes it best: "This is William Faulkner for the Breaking Bad generation."Mayor Penn Cage returns in this story of family loyalty and deep-rooted prejudices. Penn's father, Dr. Tom Cage, is accused of the murder of Violet Turner, his former nurse. Tom is an upstanding citizen, beloved father and husband, an absolute pillar of the community, so the accusation of murder is greeted with disbelief by much of the community. Tom won't speak up in his own defense, not even to Penn. But is Tom who everyone thinks he is? Penn discovers that he doesn't know his father as well as he thought, and he also discovers that the sins of the past continue to feature prominently in the present. "Natchez Burning" follows Penn, his fiancee Caitlin Masters, Tom, reporter Henry Sexton, and a whole host of people from Tom's past and present, including Viola, business mogul Brody Royal, and former KKK members, as they delve into Mississippi's ugly past during the Jim Crow era and realize that what happened decades before still has deadly ramifications in modern-day Mississippi.As with any first book in a planned series, Iles leaves some loose ends. But what he doesn't leave is an annoying cliffhanger, thank goodness. There's a fine line between leaving your reader wanting more and leaving your reader screaming in frustration. Iles does the former. And I can't WAIT for "The Bone Tree," which is scheduled to be released on April 28, 2015.

[librarygeek33 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Overall, this was a good read. It was also interesting to find out that it was loosely based on a collection of true incidents. But...I believe the tale could have been told in 500 pages or less. Also, the "slapdash" ending was a disappointment. It seemed as though the author was coming close to 800 pages and decided he had to have the "bad guys" make a series of mistakes to end the novel. The "good guys" got even less attention and their stories were left hanging giving the impression (to me, anyway) of "time's up, gotta go..the end.".

[margaretdebuhr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Long book - but kept me reading almost straight through. The southern race issue was very interesting and at times alarming. This will no doubt be a movie soon. The suspense is great!

[bookdivasreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Natchez Burning presents a variety of societal issues without any sugarcoating, such as rampant racism, racially motivated torture and killings, rape, intimidation, adultery, illegal drugs, family, injustice, and, the worst thing of all, secrets. How far do you go to protect your past? How far do you go to protect the past of others? How far are you willing to go to protect a way of life?I've enjoyed reading all of the previous novels by Greg Iles that included the character Penn Cage, and Natchez Burning is definitely included in that list. However, Natchez Burning is now my favorite Greg Iles novel and the reasons why are multitudinous. Penn Cage is a flawed yet honorable man. This book presents Penn with the worst possible dilemma, supporting the truth or his family. Natchez Burning presents a painful part of American history that is not too distant and not easily addressed, if at all, by government officials or even appeased by the truth. Racism is still a part of American culture regardless as what some in the media may say. Natchez Burning points a bright spotlight on this ongoing issue and the past behaviors of a small group of racists that killed ruthlessly with impunity. I found Natchez Burning to be a difficult read simply because it spotlights hate crimes and the perpetrators in such a realistic manner. Reading about torture, killings, and rape, even if fictionalized, had me putting aside the book for a few hours before resuming. Natchez Burning portrays the South in a dark, gritty and realistic way that surpasses what has been revealed in other books dealing with racism and injustice. Yet even with the dark and heart-wrenching themes, Mr. Iles provides the reader with a sense of hope that justice will prevail and "truth will out."I could go on and on about the different characters, those I liked and those I despised. I could go on and on about the tragedies that are revealed, many in the past and some contemporary. I could rave about the amazing writing of Mr. Iles or the fact that this book is just as much literary masterpiece as it is mystery-suspense masterpiece. However the only thing I really need to tell you is to read this book! If you never take any other bookish recommendation from me, take this one — go out and buy a copy of Natchez Burning and read this book! For myself, I'll be re-reading Natchez Burning as I anxiously await the next book in this trilogy, The Bone Tree.

[corwin2634 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was eager to read this because of all of the great reviews, but found it way too long. The storyline was good, but half-way through I couldn't wait for it to end.

[ozzer_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The novel explores the dynamics of Southern racism in the 60’s from the present perspective, especially the acceptance of extreme levels of violence by most whites. Today we pretend that we are post-racial and Jim Crow is over, but Iles knows otherwise and makes an effort to demonstrate it using his trademark thriller genre, but he seems to be a little too close to his subject and the message often loses subtlety.The story has far too many characters, most of whom are not very complicated or even interesting. The main theme involves the tension between loyalty to family and class versus prevalent racism. The protagonist is Penn Cage who struggles with loyalty to his father versus doing the right thing with respect to some pretty depraved Southern racists. His girlfriend- Caitlin--is a reporter and has a similar struggle between her loyalty to Penn and his family versus getting credit for revealing the crimes of a particularly violent KKK offshoot known as the Double Eagles. Penn’s father is accused of the mercy killing of his former Black nurse and also struggles with his image as a beloved doctor and the knowledge that he fathered a child with a Black outside his marriage. The novel seems to go on forever and this is not a virtue for a thriller. The depravity of the racists seemed over the top and bizarre so I was surprised that some if it is based on real unsolved crimes and the character of the crusading reporter—Henry is also based on a real person.

[knittingmomof3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Greg Iles is a masterful storyteller and he skills shine brightly in his latest book, due to be released in April 2014, Natchez Burning. Technically Natchez Burning is the fourth book in the Penn Cage series, however Natchez Burning easily stands on its own and well it should as it is marked as the beginning of an exceedingly promising trilogy. Many of the racial crimes committed in the book are inspired from actual cases, which makes the reading of this masterpiece all the more disturbing and real. Iles will take the reader deep into racial tensions as Penn Cage, now the Mayor of Natchez, attempts to save his father, alternating between past and present, learning far more than he ever bargained for. Natchez Burning must unfold for the reader as Iles’ has intended it, rather I will speak of my experience. Natchez Burning did not take me long to read, once I become engrossed in a book of such substance as this one, it as though we become one. There are wonderful characters and others I wish I never became acquainted with, at times intense violence, which is only natural for the time period, yet still not easy to read, and through it all, the beauty of Iles’ prose, which has an almost lyrical quality to it, making the reader want to read the ever ubiquitous, one more chapter. I cannot praise Natchez Burning enough. It has been five years and this book was indeed worth the wait. I am already eagerly anticipating the second book in the trilogy.

[johnwbeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is Greg Iles' magnum opus and seems like the end of the Penn Cage series, it tells the story of an investigation into the actions of an ultra offshoot of the KKK and weaves it into the story of Cage and his family. I enjoyed it enormously and recommend it to serious thriller readers.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Even though I enjoyed the book, the story is too long and too many points remain unresolved. Greg Iles draws the reader into the story, but 36 hours of listening to the audio book turned into 36 hours of torture in Brody Royal's house of horror. The ending illustrates a modern gunfight at OK Corral with a few weary survivors remaining when the smoke clears. Iles masterfully utilizes language and provides vivid characters and settings. Torture and death glimmer in every scene, and love and hope hide in the most obscure scenes. Many scenes with Tom Cage remind me of the movie version of High Noon and also of To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Cage stands as a gentle hero, but later another side of Tom's personality emerges. Brody Royal’s personality never changes, and Penn Cage mistakenly trusts Brody. The Biblical references, images, and struggles remain constant throughout the story. The play on black as bad and evil, and white as goodness and truth remind me of the movie High Noon filmed in black and white to stress goodness and evil in reverse. Again, the book is too long, and needed to be written as two or three books, instead of one long book.

[tybeemiller · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

When I finished this book, I felt like I had been had. Too much effort reading it to have so inconclusive an ending. It seems more like a soap opera. I will not follow up with the next installment. Penn Cage has seen the last of me!

[shetreadssoftly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Natchez Burning by Greg Iles is a very highly recommended thriller that had me mesmerized and totally invested in finding out what was going to happen next for the whole 800 pages. I can hardly wait to start the next book in the trilogy, The Bone Tree, and am anxiously awaiting the third installment, Mississippi Blood, due to be released in March 2017. This is an excellent book on all points: great writing, check; intricate plot twists, check; complexity, check; well-developed characters, check; suspense, check, check, check. Forget my stuck-overnight-at-the-airport book rating. You'd miss them calling your next flight. In fact, just save yourself the trouble and postpone your trip to finish Natchez Burning and jump right into The Bone Tree. Greg Iles just made another fan."If a man is forced to choose between the truth and his father, only a fool chooses the truth." Penn Cage agreed with this writer's sentiments for years, but now he realizes that, as his distant relative, Robert Penn Warren wrote: "There is always something." Penn's father, Dr. Tom Cage, is a beloved family doctor in Natchez so it is unthinkable that he could be accused of murdering Viola Turner, the African American nurse who worked for him in the 1960's, let alone arrested for this. Viola was dying and returned to Natchez to spend her last days there. Tom wants to prove his father is innocent, but Tom won't assist his son in this endeavor, invoking doctor-patient privilege.There is a whole lot more going on and hidden, including an off-shoot cell of the local KKK that call themselves The Double Eagles. These men have been terrorizing and killing people for years. Somehow Dr. Tom and Viola are connected to them and the death of several men in the 1960's. We know what happened from the opening chapters in part 1 of the story. Part 2 jumps ahead to 2005. More is explained as the book continues through several different characters, including Penn, Dr. Tom, Penn's fiancée Caitlin Masters, reporter Henry Sexton, and several of the bad guys.This is a tale of illegal activities, racism, greed, murder, corruption, and brutality, as well as the different legacies a family may be passing on to the next generation. Penn must decide if he will choose his father or truth. Penn is a crusader at heart, one who wants to right wrongs, but what if the wrongs involve his father, or result in his father's death?Incredible, rich, vivid, descriptive writing highlight this fast-paced, engrossing thriller. You need to realize that there are some very vivid descriptions of violent acts in Natchez Burning, but they are also crucial to the plot. Iles does an remarkable job allowing the facts and secrets to slowly emerge as characters uncover the monumental truth of the past and the present, piece by piece, and realize how far-reaching the gross injustices reach. The character development is phenomenal. Iles has created characters that are memorable, complex, flawed, and totally believable.Natchez Burning is amazing. I am, quite simple, stunned at this incredible novel. This is surely in the running for my list of top ten novels of the year.Although this is the fourth novel featuring Penn, it is a stand-alone novel for the new series of three Penn Cage novels. While I need to get the previous three, you can start the series of three with Natchez Burning. And, currently (during the writing of this review) the digital edition is 1.99!Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from HarperCollins and TLC for review purposes.

[twink_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read everything Greg Iles has ever written - he's an incredibly talented wordsmith. His novels are all quite different but with one similarity - they're addicting reads. (And bestsellers as well)His latest book Natchez Burning has just released and it's an absolutely fantastic read - easily his best novel yet. It's been a while coming - Iles nearly died in an auto accident five years ago.Natchez Burning is the fourth book to feature lawyer Penn Cage, now the mayor of Natchez, Mississippi.Present day - Penn's father, Tom, the town doctor for over fifty years has been accused of murdering a black woman who was his nurse in the 1960's. Tom is known and loved by all of his patients, black and white. And Tom knows his father - there's no way he would have done such a thing. Penn is determined to clear Tom's name - even as Tom refuses to rise to his own defense. Penn's search for answers takes him back to..."...1964, with three murders. Three stones cast into a pond no one had cared about since the siege of Vicksburg, but which was soon to become the centre of the world's attention. A place most people in the United States like to think was somehow different from the rest of the country, but which was in fact the very incarnation of America's tortured soul. Mississippi."A splinter group of the Klan, calling themselves the Double Eagles, has been operating in Natchez for over fifty years, manipulating, controlling, killing and conspiring in this southern State. They're driven by hate and greed, with no intention of ever stopping. But Violet's death is the tipping point. Secrets buried and kept for a half century threaten to take down anyone and everyone - black and white.Where to start? Each and every character Iles brings to the page is fully developed and the reader can't help but become engaged (or disgusted) with every player. I've been a fan of Penn Cage from the first book, but found other favourites in Natchez Burning. I quiet enjoyed Tom, described as Atticus Finch with a medical degree. Iles explores the relationship between Penn and his father, as every belief he holds about Tom is put to the test in Natchez Burning. But my favourite was Henry, the newspaper reporter who has been pursuing the Double Eagles for many years."Fate doesn't let men choose their wars. Or even their battles, sometimes. But one resolute man can sometime accomplish remarkable things against overwhelming odds."Although Penn is the main voice of this novel, other characters are given a turn and we see the past and present from many differing views. Natchez Burning does not shy away from the violence that is the truth of this time and place. Gentle readers, there are some disturbing scenes and descriptions that may not be for you. Iles based his novel on actual events that occurred in Ferriday, Louisiana.Natchez Burning is powerful, gripping, thrilling, sweeping and simply spectacular - 800+ pages that flew by for this reader. Absolutely, positively recommended. Natchez Burning is the first of a trilogy. I'll be waiting and watching for the second book - The Bone Tree - due out in 2015.

[cln1812 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Penn Cage, now the Mayor of Natchez unbelievably finds his father, Dr. Cage, accused of murdering his former black nurse, Viola. A corrupt police department puts his father's life in peril, made even worse when Dr. Cage breaks bail and goes on the lam. Penn is not even sure if his father is guilty or not.Meanwhile, Viola's death has opened the doors for reporter Henry Sexton, who has been chasing a series of unsolved hate crimes from the 1960s linked to a radical group of the Ku Klux Klan named the Double Eagles. One of the most powerful men in the state, Brody Royal, has strong ties to the group and is suspected of calling the shots.Both Penn and Caitlin, Penn's fiance, put their lives at risk as they try to get to the bottom of Viola's death. I have read one or two of the other Penn Cage novels, and I would rate this one around a 4.5. It is a mountain of a book. I had to double-check it from the library (on a wait list) to finish reading it. On the other hand, I do love the Southern atmosphere and Penn's inner moral struggles as he grapples with what is morally right and what he must do to save his father. I also dislike the open ending as you never do find out what happens to Dr. Cage, his case, his relationship with Penn, and even if his illegimate son by Viola really is his son. The book left a lot of open questions at the end, which was disappointing considering the length of the book.

[bbofje · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Greg Iles best book yet! I was sad when I finished reading ---can't wait for 2nd book of trilogy.

[mikedraper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Penn Cage, mayor of Natchez, learns that his father, Dr. Tom Cage, is to be arrested for physician assisted suicide. This concerns his former nurse, Viola, an Afro-American.Penn wants to help but his father won't talk about it, citing physician patient confidentiality.The story goes back to the 60s when racial tensions in Mississippi were at their peak. The Klu Klux Klan is active but a more radical group splinters off. They call themselves the Double Eagles. This group thinks nothing of killing blacks and the first person they kill is a young black man who was sleeping with the daughter of one of the group's wealthy members.The book unfolds as if it were the history of the racial movement in Mississippi in the 60s. We read about the power of those who were anti racial equality. We also learn of reasons for the group's murderous ways and come across historical figures such as Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy.Penn Cage narrates the story and it goes back to what he is doing currently to clear his father's name and send the murderers to jail, and back in the 60s when many of the events took place.This elegant story deals with hope and despair. The author brings the story and characters to life as if we were in Natchez and the events were unfolding in front of us. The characters are not just names on a page but people we get to know and root for or against.The book is the first of a planned trilogy and I can't wait for the second installment.I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[mathenam_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read Natchez Burning by Greg Iles for a book discussion group. I have to admit that the size of the book intimidated me and I wondered if I would be able to skim through the book to finish it quicker. After I started reading it, I loved the book and the writing style of the author. I have to say that despite how wordy the book is, there are no wasted words. Everything is relevant and moves the story along. At the end of the book, I was a little surprised that several of the side-stories were left without resolution. I had no idea this was book one of a planned trilogy. Now I'm anxiously awaiting book number two!

[northfield_library · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The protagonist is cardboard, his fiancee is cardboard, his mother is cardboard. The main bad guy is cardboard. The most interesting characters are the racist rednecks. The plot is a convoluted mess but not complex. This book could have been one third its length. Not recommended. A bummer.