The Devil's Punchbowl (Penn Cage)

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.

"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.

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.

I really enjoyed a couple of the earliest Greg Iles' novels (Spandau Phoenix, Quiet Game) and found them to be uniquely suspenseful with great complexity. While still good and better than a lot of other new fiction, the last few books were not quite as good as the earlier ones, in my opinion. Iles took his time completing this one, and it shows. I would much rather wait for a more finely-tuned yarn than to get a lesser product on schedule or in a shorter time. Devil's Punchbowl was worth the wait. Penn Cage is the best character Iles has crafted, and he's back in this novel. Greg Iles is a great storyteller, but what makes his best novels special is how the story is unfolded and shaped and how much extra depth there is besides just the plot. It's so much more than a mere whodunit that is the model for so many other popular authors. Looking forward to the next one - keep them coming!