lpobryan's review
5.0
An engaging and fascinating read. Greg has done a great job with Natchez Burning. I highly recommend it and I am only 100 pages in.
scknitter's review
5.0
"Greg Isles is an amazing story teller and his eagerly anticipated new novel proves this beyond a doubt. Natchez Burning is the first in an epic trilogy which starts in 1964 during the heated days of civil rights action in Natchez and the nearby areas of Louisiana. The past comes back with a vengeance as Penn Cage is forced to find out the long hidden truths about what happened during this turbulent time in order to defend his father, the beloved Dr. Cage, from a murder charge. We are treated to a fascinating history of corruption and evil which may still be going on in present time. We are tantalized with hints at conspiracies on a national level. But most of all, we are shown how far family will go to protect family."
theas1a4f5's review
3.0
At 97 chapters Natchez Burning is a big book but a part of me thinks it could have and should have been cut down. There was a lot of description that I eventually started to skip as the library check out period got shorter and it didn't detract from the story at all, in fact it sped it up and made it quite interesting. Highly suggest that if short on time or patience. The real hero here and most useful person is Henry. Penn and Tom are both dim witted and Caitlin is a stupid selfish woman. Also why end the book there in that spot? I understand it is the first in a trilogy, oh dear me! I mean where else do you go from there? Everything else needed could've been wrapped up in 5 to 10 more chapters; the paternity test, the wedding, clearing Tom. You already have 97 chapters another 10 will not be noticed.
jessicaesquire's review
3.0
As someone who reads as much crime fiction as I do, I'm kind of surprised I haven't read any Greg Iles before. I've heard his name, I've seen his books, but until now I never sat down and got through one.
NATCHEZ BURNING isn't terribly new or different, there are certainly plenty of books out there about cold cases in the South from the Civil Rights era. But as far as stuffing a book full of as much action as possible? Well, this one certainly takes the cake. Where a normal book would be heading for the finish line, Iles is just getting started. Which means it's a great choice for the beach or a plane, and I'll definitely keep Iles in mind in the future.
While this is one of several books about Penn Cage, Iles doesn't leave you feeling too much like you're entering mid-series.
Note, this book is pretty violent, so if you're squeamish you may want to avoid it.
NATCHEZ BURNING isn't terribly new or different, there are certainly plenty of books out there about cold cases in the South from the Civil Rights era. But as far as stuffing a book full of as much action as possible? Well, this one certainly takes the cake. Where a normal book would be heading for the finish line, Iles is just getting started. Which means it's a great choice for the beach or a plane, and I'll definitely keep Iles in mind in the future.
While this is one of several books about Penn Cage, Iles doesn't leave you feeling too much like you're entering mid-series.
Note, this book is pretty violent, so if you're squeamish you may want to avoid it.
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