Questions About Natchez Burning (Penn Cage, #4)

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Answered Questions (23)

I have heard this is a long read ... is it worth the investment of time? THANKS ... I have limited reading time and I try to use it well, and to learn something or feel uplifted.

M.D. Gonzales Do not read this book if you want to feel uplifted because it's a fictional book that deals with such a dark and depressing time in our history. I fou…moreDo not read this book if you want to feel uplifted because it's a fictional book that deals with such a dark and depressing time in our history. I found it a great read and not long at all as it flows so easily. The minute I finished it I downloaded his next book in the series, The Bone Tree, which picked up exactly where this one left off. I have read where some people just could not get into it but I can't understand why. It was a major page-turner for me. On top of that, it is very well written.(less)

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Did anyone else find this a hard depressing read? Maybe I didn't read far enough. Quarter of the way through. Does it get better?

Kristian maybe, that Mr. Iles got his facts pretty straight, but he isn't a good writer, everything considered it's more of cheap (and not very coherent) thril…moremaybe, that Mr. Iles got his facts pretty straight, but he isn't a good writer, everything considered it's more of cheap (and not very coherent) thriller than a historical fiction novel(less)

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Can this book be read as a stand alone, it says it's the first one in a trilogy but at the same time is book #4 of the Penn Cage series? Could I still enjoy it if I haven't read any of the previous books in the series? TIA

Lacey I wondered the same thing, so I'll share my opinion: YES, you can start with this book and just read the Natchez Burning trilogy! I have NOT read the …moreI wondered the same thing, so I'll share my opinion: YES, you can start with this book and just read the Natchez Burning trilogy! I have NOT read the first three books in this "series", and chose to start with Natchez Burning (Book #4 of the series, but Book #1 of the trilogy). It worked out fine.

However, there are a LOT of characters in this novel, and some of them clearly have a "past" together. There are several allusions to episodes from the previous novels, but not having read them does not take away from this trilogy.

Basically, it's the equivalent of starting the Star Wars movies with #4 (the "first" movie that came out) and then watching #1-3 later. ;) The first books tell background, but this trilogy CAN stand alone!

This is a long book, but I thought it was worth the time. Very intense situations, so if you're squeamish or don't want to read through descriptive passages of rape, abuse, murder, and other heinous acts... be warned.
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Does anyone know what is the reference the author made on the last pages for doctors saving his life?

Diane Klajbor My edition has a section in the back "About the author: Meet Greg Iles". Iles was in a car accident, as he was pulling onto Highway 61 near Natchez, a…moreMy edition has a section in the back "About the author: Meet Greg Iles". Iles was in a car accident, as he was pulling onto Highway 61 near Natchez, a truck slammed into his car door at 70 mph. He had life threatening injuries including a torn aorta. He spent 8 days in a coma and lost his right leg. The doctors said his recovery was miraculous.

It didn't mention when the accident occurred, but it was less than a year after his father died. He patterns Dr. Tom Cage after his father.(less)

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Anybody key in on the biographical underpinnings of this book? To expect too much from a historical fiction book is like expecting too much from and negatively criticizing A Yankee in King Arthur's Court. I got it from my public library, free. The fact that it is the start of a trilogy tempered my rating. What say you?

Bravegirl01 It's based on a cold case race murder committed in Louisiana in 1964. Iles discusses the truth of the case (which the FBI has closed as "unsolvable") …moreIt's based on a cold case race murder committed in Louisiana in 1964. Iles discusses the truth of the case (which the FBI has closed as "unsolvable") vs his fiction of it in the Afterward.(less)

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