The Devil's Punchbowl: A Novel
by Greg Iles
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Book Reviews of The Devil's Punchbowl: A Novel
Book Review: Greg Iles has the magic back
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: A gripping thriller from Iles, perhaps a bit too long
Summary: 4 Stars
For many years, Greg Iles appealed to me as an author because each book was a totally unique experience. With THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL, Iles brings back crusading lawyer/writer/polician Penn Cage for his third appearance in a novel that tackles corruption in Natchez, the cost of doing the right thing, and the choices one must make. Although the story never draged, the novel seemed too long and the book lacked the typical internal struggles that have haunted the characters in other Iles novels.
Cage has been mayor for two years, and was instrumental in expanding the riverboat casino industry in the city. Cage is considering resigning to spend more time with his family when a childhood friend Tim Jessup tells Cage of some horrible evils and corruption occuring on one boat, the Magnolia Queen. Jessup offers evidence of prostitution and dog fighting and promises to get more if Cage is willing to help. Cage agrees, but Jessup is murdered the next night and then his entire family is threatened by the sauve Englishman Jonathan Sands. Sands wants the evidence Jessup took, or Cage's family could be in danger.
Cage is conflicted and doesn't know if he should fight Sands, or just look for the evidence, surrender it, and ignore Sands like every one else in the town. Of course, Cage decides to fight. He enlists the help of ex-girlfriend Caitlin Masters, who left town when he decided to run for mayor. He also has the services of Danny McDavvit, a pilot, Kelly, a ruthlessly efficient soldier, a ex-marine sniper and an old Texas Ranger. With his all star team in town to fight Sands, the action scenes are numerous and exciting.
The best parts of the book are the portrayal of the dog fighting culture. It is new and fresh and enlightening. Even at over 500 pages, the plot flows seamlessly. On the downside, the book went on forever. Cut out a few fights and you lose one hundred pages and still retain the power of the novel. In the author notes, Iles says he couldn't fit all he wanted into this novel, so look for another Penn Cage novel sometime next year.
Book Review: Brilliant, fast paced, compelling characters.
Summary: 5 Stars
Greg Iles simply never disappoints.
Bringing back Penn Cage, his Dad, daughter, Caitlin, Kelly, Mac Divitt, and a few other characters from prior books, you not only renew your connection with a main character but the supporting cast. That is both unusual and impressive. To actually feel like you know a dozen characters in a book is something special.
As with most books Greg Iles pens, the reader needs to be prepared for a real life...gritty...and honest look at the dark side of human nature.
Sadly, it's all too plausible...
The book opens just after Hurricane Katrina has happened. Penn Cage is back, now as Mayor of Natchez. A riverboat casino quickly becomes the center of attention as the management are not who they appear to be. In all too real detail you find out how AND how quickly organized crime can dig into a community. Worse, you see how the government becomes involved.
An old high school friend of Penn's is brutally murdered. Penn looks into the murder and gets in deeper than he ever has.
Perhaps what is so extraordinary about this book is it's plausibility. A lot of fiction writers work with the implausible, requiring suspension of belief.
That's not how this book works. Here the evil that men do is real. We all know that what is happening here, is happening everyday all around the United States and I imagine all over the world.
Greg Iles, knows precisely how to keep you turning pages by tightly weaving relationships and events together through forceful and very real characters.
Iles brings our fears and dark side and sets it before us and asks us to really look and see who people are down deep.
Rarely is there good or evil, but a cocktail of weaknesses and strengths that all of us.
This book is one of Iles best books. He keeps getting better and better....and he was brilliant to begin with...
Kevin Hogan, Psy.D.
Author of The Irresisitble Attraction
Book Review: Unanswered questions but still a great read
Summary: 4 Stars
I am a huge Greg Iles fan. I've read every single one of his books and have enjoyed most of them, barring his last novel (Third Degree). I won't go over the plot or storyline of The Devil's Punchbowl, as it's already been explained many times. Like most of Ilse's work, once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Living in Louisiana, I am familiar with Natchez, making his already- vivid portrayel of the city literally come to life.
As others have duly noted, the book is extremely graphic and violent -- more so than perhaps was necessary. (Maybe that's just me being an animal lover...I skipped those scenes without losing the storyline at all.) It's hard to imagine that people are capable of this level of evil and cruelty.
On the downside, I thought the characters were too one-dimensional. The "bad guys" who ran the dogfighting, prostitution and money laundering (Jonathan Sands and his dutiful strongarm, Quinn) were 100% bad. No redeeming qualities whatsoever. Similarly, Penn Cage, Tom Cage (dad) and girlfriend Caitlin are all "good," despite the occasional struggle with their conscience. And the physical and mental prowess of Daniel Kelly -- much less Cage's ability to call him and Danny McDevitt to save the day -- were quite a stretch. There were also many unanswered questions (how did Linda Church survive in the Mississippi River with her hands bound?)and downright implausible scenarios. But if you want to read a mystery/thriller that's completely believable, head to the true crime section. The high-stakes drama drew me in and kept me burning the midnight oil. When you read a fiction novel, you have to keep in mind that it's just that.
Despite its flaws, Iles is masterful storyteller and creates compelling characters. I read this book in about 2 days and was sorry when it ended. I love Iles' Penn Cage novels and I look forward to the next one.
Book Review: So much evil in Natchez
Summary: 5 Stars
So much evil in Natchez
(4 1/2 stars due to wordiness)
Greg Iles' The Devil's Punchbowl is definitely a return to his earlier high octane thrillers. Although a bit wordy and descriptively bloated, overall the novel is a fast-paced page turner. Still, Mr. Iles needs to be wary of falling into the Grisham-rut of beating the same theme into irrelevance. The Devil's Punchbowl returns to Natchez, and now Mayor Penn Cage, and the seedy underworld of that Mississippi river town. Nefarious characters abound with a shady Irishman leading the pack as the flamboyant manager of the infamous Magnolia Queen, a floating Natchez gambling casino. Gambling, dog fighting, prostitution, murder, and bribes are just some of the corruption that permeates The Devil's Punchbowl. At times it seems only Penn Cage, his family, and entourage are the only honest people left in Natchez. Enter an international Chinese crime syndicate, and questionable federal Justice department activities, and the stage is set for non-stop action of the Greg Iles kind. So much is going on at times that the reader must concentrate to keep the action scorecard straight. Except for the over drawn-out ending, A very good action read.
Sex, language, and violence abound throughout the book. Be ready for some very graphic dog fighting scenes and brutal violence to women. Mr. Iles pulls no punches. Could be a little over the top for some.
Superb character development, but at times simply too many to do them all justice. Sometimes less is more Mr. Iles.
Solid Recommend. I like Greg Iles. He is a complex writer who gives me the impression that he simply has "too much to say". His plots can get a bit convoluted at times but overall he is an excellent writer of high energy thrillers. I hope he can stay fresh. My only question is, Who is Jonathan Sands really?? You never really did say.