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 returns to form
Summary: 5 Stars
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!Book Review: Iles is Back
Summary: 4 Stars
The writers last book was not up the usual standards that this reviewer has seen in his other works. That is not the case with this work which brings back Penn Cage and a plethora of characters from other works by the author. Without going into the actual story, this may be the most complex story that Iles has written. There are numerous plots and sub-plots that the writer is able to manipulate like a skillful juggler and he is able to do this very deftly. The characters are very well developed on all levels as this book made for a rapid read. The ability to betwwen the numerous plots and maintain the readers interest is an art that few writers posess. The only area that I found somewhat disturbing was the excessive violence throughout this work. The same points could have been made as effectively in a different manner. This is still an excellent read.Book Review: 2:30 am....
Summary: 2 Stars
It was 2:30am when I finally set this book down. For the last time. I haven't fought to finish a book for a long time. Last night I decided I was through fighting and wouldn't put it down until I was finished.
The book has violence against women. Heck, it's got violence against men and animals too.
But that's not the book's crime.
The book's crime is the constant author voice that overshadows every page, "Look at how cool this book is...the atmosphere...check out where I put in some touching parental moment....see how slick I am at inserting the violence....isn't this book special....aren't I talented?" This author needed to be edited down about 300 pages and asked to tighten up the plot.
Meandering self indulgence is beneath the Iles I've always known....sigh
Book Review: Another winner
Summary: 5 Stars
Greg Iles has given us a few books that can be forgotten, but this is not one of them. In the setting of Natchez, Ms. shortly after 9/11 Penn Cage, a character familiar with readers, is now the mayor and sees himself as a failure in the job. He is met with an evil that resides within his community and he must confront it despite danger to himself and family.
Iles writes a thriller that is a compulsive page turner. It is certainly not a one day read (at least not for someone who works full time) but you cannot wait to get back into the book at the next potential moment. The inertia is tremendous! Clancy's Patriot Games is similar in structure with a set up and then several hundred pages of excitement. Iles does not take as long to get started, and the ride is longer.
Great stuff!!!
Book Review: Love Iles, Did Not Like This Particular Story
Summary: 3 Stars
Although a big fan of Greg Iles, and the two previous Penn Cage novels, I was very frustrated with Devil's Punchbowl. First, it was way tooooo long. If he had dropped just one element (easiest would have been the Chinese bad guy) it may have helped. I put this book down at least three times and said, "forget it, it's rambling on and on" but I just hate to leave a book unfinished. So I made it through the end, only to be disappointed, even angered over the snarky ending paragraphs: Penn is rushing to the hospital where his father is (maybe) dying and has something important to tell him. The end. Great - he might as well have added "HA HA, you'll have to buy my next book to find out if his father lives, what he has to say, and if Penn and Caitlin will indeed marry." Now I just don't care.