From #1 New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles comes the first novel in his Natchez Burning trilogy—which also includes The Bone Tree and the upcoming Mississippi Blood—an epic trilogy that interweaves crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former prosecutor Penn Cage. Raised in the southern splendor of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn … splendor of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn Cage learned all he knows of duty from his father, Dr. Tom Cage. But now the beloved family doctor has been accused of murdering the African American nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the 1960s. Once a crusading prosecutor, Penn is determined to save his father, but Tom, stubbornly invoking doctor-patient privilege, refuses even to speak in his own defense.
Penn’s quest for the truth sends him deep into his father’s past, where a sexually charged secret lies. More chilling, this long-buried sin is only one thread in a conspiracy of greed and murder involving the vicious Double Eagles, an offshoot of the KKK controlled by some of the most powerful men in the state. Aided by a dedicated reporter privy to Natchez’s oldest secrets and by his fiancée, Caitlin Masters, Penn uncovers a trail of corruption and brutality that places his family squarely in the Double Eagles’ crosshairs.
With every step costing blood and faith, Penn is forced to confront the most wrenching dilemma of his life: Does a man of honor choose his father or the truth?
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A true awakening to the treatment of Blacks as late as the 1960’s.
Loved it!
Was a real page turner.
I just finished reading Greg Iles’ “Natchez Burning” for the second time, and I thought I’d add my voice to the other 4,500-plus people who have reviewed this superb crime novel on Amazon.com.
“Natchez Burning” is the first in a trilogy of novels about a series of fictional unsolved civil rights-era murders in Natchez, Mississippi and its surrounding areas. It is also the fourth in a series of novels featuring protagonist Penn Cage, a former Houston, Texas prosecutor, a published novelist, and currently the mayor of Natchez, Mississippi. Cage suddenly finds himself confronted with the fact that his father, Dr. Tom Cage – the town’s most respected and beloved physician – is about to be arrested for murdering Viola Turner, an African American nurse who worked for him forty years earlier, and with whom he briefly carried on a torrid love affair.
Penn Cage believes his father didn’t do it, but his father refuses to answer any questions about what happened to Viola. Nothing seems clear about the case. It somehow appears to be linked to a series of unsolved, forty-year-old racial killings by members of an ultra-violent offshoot of the Ku Klux Klan. Penn Cage can be sure of only one thing: the local district attorney, a bitter personal and political enemy of his, is determined to send Dr. Tom Cage to prison for the rest of his life, as an act of revenge against his son…
I have read several of Greg Iles’ novels, and I have enjoyed each one tremendously. I am especially impressed with the books in his Penn Cage series. Iles populates his novels with fascinating characters, engrossing and suspenseful plots and sub-plots, and plenty of twists, turns and surprises. Iles writes with a wonderful flair. His prose is smooth, literate, and easy to read, and it keeps getting better with each book.
“Natchez Burning” is easily the best of the Penn Cage novels I’ve read… so far. It took me only four days to devour its 789 pages. This is crime fiction at its best. Most highly recommended.
This is the first book in Greg Iles’s epic trilogy featuring Penn Cage. The story picks up where Iles’s book, “The Quiet Game” leaves off but you don’t have to read it first. I read “The Quiet Game” after finishing the Natchez Burning trilogy. I was at first a little hesitant to take on an 800 page novel, especially when it is only the first of three equally long books. However, I’m glad I met the challenge because Iles manages to craft such a brilliant story it is almost impossible to put down. The story takes place in Natchez, MS where Penn Cage has become the mayor of his home town. As a former prosecuting attorney he’s well versed in the law and soon becomes entangled in an unsolved civil rights murder mystery that dates to the 1960’s. It involves his father, Dr. Tom Cage, and some of the most vile characters ever created. As Penn and his fiancee, Caitlin Masters are aided by a persevering newspaper reporter they begin to unearth secrets that some don’t want disturbed. Get ready to dedicate some serious reading time to this book because you won’t be able to stop until you’ve finished all three volumes.
Isles is a fabulous author. His stories are very engaging and have interesting twists along the way . I always look forward to his new books
This is the first in the trilogy of books by Greg Iles. The characters are all well developed and the descriptions of small town Mississippi are very realistic.
Even though the book is long I felt like I raced through it and then couldn’t wait to read the other 2 in the trilogy. The writing is suburb.
Written is a slightly different voice…..
Raised in the southern splendor of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn Cage learned all he knows of duty from his father, Dr. Tom Cage. But now the beloved family doctor has been accused of murdering the African American nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the 1960s. Once a crusading prosecutor, Penn is determined to save his father.
Penn spends the rest of the book chasing down leads with the help of his fiancee and a newspaper reporter who is anxious to solve civil rights crimes of the past. I must warn you that there are very realistic violent scenes in the book, which may be hard to stomach, but only adds to the realistic component.
If you like crime writing, particularly anything by James Lee Burke, try Iles. He’s superb.
Superb writing, excellent story, fully developed characters. This guy knows how to write.
Wonderful read.
The book drags on unnecessarily and is somewhat fantastical and senselessly violent for my taste.
Outstanding! Couldn’t put book down.
This book is well written, well researched and reminds me of what was happening in my young adult life. Very realistic about the KKK and a difficult time in our history.
Great book about race issues in the Deep South starting in 1964. The first book in the trilogy by Greg Iles
I have read all of Greg Isles books and recommend his books to everyone who asks me to name a good author to read.
Greg Iles’ Natchez series is excellent!
A wonderful historical novel concerning a tragic time in our American history. Well researched. We traveled to Natchez and went on a tour after reading the book.
Seems like History is repeating itself.