The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles
Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Suggested Age: Adults
What is this Book About?: This is a prequel to Iles’ trilogy beginning with Mississippi Blood. Penn Cage, the mayor of Natchez, Mississippi is confronted with evidence brought to him by a childhood friend, of crime and corruption on one of the city’s gambling boats, the Magnolia Queen. When this same friend is brutally murdered and Cage’s family is threatened with harm, the mayor begins an intensive investigation into the charges. This investigation implodes into a full-scale expose’ of crime, brutality, and espionage which reveals the frightening level of depravity some are capable of inflicting on other humans and animals.
My Review: This book is NOT for young readers or those adults easily shocked by descriptions of humans’ ability to inflict pain, suffering and abuse on others. I found some of the graphic descriptions of blood sport, abuse of women and cruelty toward other human beings hard to read at times. Iles is an outstanding storyteller and I loved his trilogy also set in Natchez. Penn Cage is a courageous, dedicated civil servant who follows his conscience to pursue crime even when those he loves are endangered by his actions — and there is much danger as sophisticated, evil killers attempt to stop Cage and his band of helpers and law enforcement officials. This book is definitely a thriller! And Greg Iles is a brilliant, masterful storyteller.
3 Words That Describe This Book: Graphic, Spell-binding, Horrific
Give This a Try if You Like… Iles’ other books about the South — The Quiet Game, Mississippi Blood, Natchez Burning, The Bone Tree or Cemetery Road
Rating: 4.5/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
