konphuzed3330's review against another edition
3.0
As usual, iles's writing style makes the finale to this trilogy highly entertaining and very readable. However, as with the other books in the series I think a lot of fat could have been trimmed from the story. From long kept secrets, to court room drama that gets drawn out longer than necessary, I was often frustrated with the story. Penn cage is an interesting nlcharacyer but he often irritated ne with the secrets he held back from people who could help him and how his hesitation to do what's necessary stalled the story for no reason. I'm looking at you Snake!
By the end of the story I felt that all of the rclevelations werent that shocking to justify another entry into this series.
By the end of the story I felt that all of the rclevelations werent that shocking to justify another entry into this series.
na_thosd's review against another edition
1.0
Honestly, I only finished reading this book because I had previously read Natchez Burning and The Bone Tree, and I really wanted to know how the story would end for all the characters involved. Compared to the previous 2 books, I found the last part of the trilogy quite boring; the characters and the plot seem much weaker than the aforementioned books. There are some relationships that the author created in this book that didn't make much sense to me. They felt like a cheap trick to create drama, but failed to connect with the bigger and deeper siutations generated with interracial relationships, which I think was the purpose of the pairing Iles created with his main character and Tee. I don't really understand how this book was one of the top choices among goodreads members in 2017. This trilogy seems suitable to be adapted to a TV mini-series, but I don't think it would be a memorable piece of literature for me.
andiebrown's review against another edition
5.0
Truly amazing. Outstanding. Could not put it down. Complete genius.
dinipandareads's review against another edition
5.0
“I been all over the South, man. […] Mississippi blood is different. It’s got some river in it. Delta soil, turpentine, asbestos, cotton poison. But there’s strength in it, too. Strength that’s been beat but not broke. That’s Mississippi blood.”
Wow. This book... This Natchez Burning series! I have no words. I'm glad that I finally know the ending but I'm also sad that it is over. This series took me on a crazy and incredible ride and I loved every minute of it. Although this third and final book focused more on the murder trial of Dr. Tom Cage, which meant not as much blood-pumping action (and gore) as in the first two books, it still managed to hook me and keep me on the edge of my seat as more secrets were exposed, truths were divulged and finally, at the very end, the most vile and detestable of humans (if you wanna call them that), met the fate they so thoroughly deserved. If I'm honest, I was a little disappointed that Snake's end in particular was met so... quickly? So... seemingly "painlessly"? So... "and just like that"? I wish that he was put through the system and made to suffer as much as the countless numbers he tortured, murdered, raped, in his lifetime. I know this maybe makes me sound like a terrible person, but Greg Iles' storytelling brings out such emotions in me!
This series was gripping from start to finish and I learned so much about the history of a place that I have never been to and I'm not sure I will ever go to. Yet I have always found myself intrigued by this American history - with the KKK, civil rights etc. I don't know why. It fills me with intense disbelief, shock and anger that such hateful, vile creatures
How hard do we work to blind ourselves to things we don’t want to see? Even if they’re right in front of us?
And yet, this “history” isn’t really history, is it? How many people, not only living in America but worldwide, suffer injustices because of racism? Because of others’ fear(s) of someone different? The basis of this series are in many ways still relevant today. After everything that people have been through, to have Race still be such an issue in today’s “modern society” is baffling and in my opinion ludicrous. But it is still such an issue that it makes me wonder if it will ever be solved - if people will ever learn to just accept what is different, not because it’s better or anything like that, but just because it is.
“Our country’s messed up, son. Mortally wounded. And I can’t for the life of me see how we’re going to heal it. […] The new ones coming along, that’s where the hope lies, if there is any. We’ve got to acknowledge what we did to those people. But I don’t think we ever will. People hate admitting guilt, but we can’t blame it all on the Knoxes of the world. We’re all guilty… White people fight this so hard because they know the truth in their bones. You know? You don’t get that angry unless you know you’re wrong.”
But I digress. These are just some of the many thoughts that ran through my head while reading. In my opinion, this book had it all. Murder, mystery, love story, history, family drama and betrayal, politics, and so much more!
Also, I won’t lie. I am a big fan of Penn Cage - like literary-crush-type-fan. Although some of his actions in this book left me a bit miffed, overall, I really enjoy reading through his perspective. I like that this seemingly perfect character is in fact so human in his thoughts and actions and that Greg Iles writes him as so. I can't wait to go back to the very beginning, to the first Penn Cage book, to learn more about the crazy ride that he has been through from the start. I have a feeling I will not be disappointed! Thank you Greg Iles for this masterpiece!
sarenasbookadventures's review against another edition
4.0
By far the best book of the series. I flew through every page, hungry for what was next. The main mystery that was introduced in book 1 finally gets examined in a courtroom and the drama is not lacking. The main character might have been the most irritating person in the history of books. How did I finish the series then? Because I wanted to find out what happened. Once I was invested in the story, I got throttled on the rollercoaster that one takes while reading the Natchez Burning series. I really despised a few of the main characters and their ability to be so selfish and one track minded. Very detailed writing, had to skim some because I lost interest at some parts. Overall decent series but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
mverdoorn's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent ending to the trilogy. As always, Penn is fairly annoying, but without the grating presence of Caitlin, he was easier to deal with.
bobbo49's review against another edition
4.0
The final chapters of the trilogy are as captivating as the earlier stories. Focused on the trial of Dr. Cage for the murder of Viola Turner, the book delivers a powerful end piece of this intricate and intimate portrait of race relations in Mississippi - and indeed, in all of America - from mid-century to the present.
sewfrench's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2
Was not excited with how the end was told to us, than I might have been, if it had unfolded before us (as opposed to being told to us).
Greg Iles is such a great author, I can forgive him for most anything!
Was not excited with how the end was told to us, than I might have been, if it had unfolded before us (as opposed to being told to us).
Greg Iles is such a great author, I can forgive him for most anything!