This was my first Greg Iles novel, suggested by friend Kirk
Michie, and it’s the first Iles book reviewed in the blog. I chose The
Devil’s Punchbowl, his 13th of 16 novels, published in
2009. The protagonist Penn Cage is an author/lawyer/politician, and the action
takes place in Natchez, Mississippi. Penn has become the first term mayor of
Natchez with dreams of truly integrating and improving the public educational
system, but he has become discouraged because the segregation forces that kept
ethnic groups separate are still alive and powerful.
Meanwhile, the town is economically dying, only saved
recently by the legalization of gambling in the state. But, not all people are
just satisfied with the legal games on the casino floors. More exotic action
like secret dog fighting brings big international interest, and the gamblers
that want that action also expect to have all of their needs met. Iles reveals
the history of dog fighting and it’s current underground ugly status in most
places in the world. In Natchez, Penn’s childhood friend, Tim Jessup did not
quite have the progressive life that Penn experienced. Although they were both
the sons of doctors, attended the best schools, and grew up with privileges,
Tim took a rebellious and deviant direction. As he got his life together, he
ended up dealing cards at the biggest of the casinos, The Magnolia Queen, which
of course is backed by the most questionable of international resources. He
discovered that bad schemes were happening, and feeling guilty about the way he
had led his earlier life, decide to try to bring the bad guys down, only to
lose his life in the process.
The plot is complex, and the story is well written, vivid,
engaging, and at times, horrifying. Penn’s ex-love Caitlin Masters has returned
unexpectedly, and she becomes a prime part of the story. The book is not short,
nearly 600 pages, but that gave the author time to flesh out his characters in
detail and for the subplots to coalesce. There were only a few moments when I
felt that the story was too long. I’m impressed with Iles and I plan to read
more of his works. We should have know about this author before now – so thanks
to Kirk for the recommendation.
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