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bookwoman37's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This a Penn Cage novella. Penn has been summoned to father’s side after he suffers a heart attack. While there Penn is drawn back to a time when he was working as a prosecutor in Houston, also known as the death factory. He is asked by a lab technician to look into problems with forensic evidence being used to convict defendants. It was a good story but I would recommend reading some of the other novels first. It was interesting to go back and read about Penn’s earlier experiences. Enjoy
piccolochic90's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
smalltown_librarian's review
3.0
nice little backstory
Not bad. It's a touching and complete mini story. Worth it if you're an avid Iles reader and Penn Cage fan.
Not bad. It's a touching and complete mini story. Worth it if you're an avid Iles reader and Penn Cage fan.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Greg Iles’ Natchez Burning (Penn Cage #4, which I loved, a 5 Star!), was unaware there was a novella,THE DEATH FACTORY Penn Cage #3.5, so decided to buy the audiobook, as did not want to miss a thing. I am playing catch up, as usual, I start with the newest releases and work my way backwards. Now have to go back to read 1-3.
Penn Cage, a former prosecutor is back with a family of dark secrets, when Tom (Penn’s dad-physician) is taken to the hospital with a scare, and has a dying wish, or so he thinks but says he cannot recall and has no secret. Cage had returned previously to his native home town, Natchez, Mississippi and became the city's mayor.
Tom's brother Jack arrives in town and Penn goes back to his time in Houston, TX, Sarah’s death (cancer), and coping with their daughter, and previous case in Houston known as the Death Factory (sending a ton of killers to death row), on the basis of evidence, some of which may have been tainted.
A great teaser for Natchez Burning and highly recommend the audiobook with narrator, David Ledoux, as he keeps the suspense high with a pleasant voice (listened to the audio version of both)! Love Penn Cage’s character and Tom!
Looking forward to reading Bone Tree #5 (2015) and Unwritten Laws #6 (2016).
Penn Cage, a former prosecutor is back with a family of dark secrets, when Tom (Penn’s dad-physician) is taken to the hospital with a scare, and has a dying wish, or so he thinks but says he cannot recall and has no secret. Cage had returned previously to his native home town, Natchez, Mississippi and became the city's mayor.
Tom's brother Jack arrives in town and Penn goes back to his time in Houston, TX, Sarah’s death (cancer), and coping with their daughter, and previous case in Houston known as the Death Factory (sending a ton of killers to death row), on the basis of evidence, some of which may have been tainted.
A great teaser for Natchez Burning and highly recommend the audiobook with narrator, David Ledoux, as he keeps the suspense high with a pleasant voice (listened to the audio version of both)! Love Penn Cage’s character and Tom!
Looking forward to reading Bone Tree #5 (2015) and Unwritten Laws #6 (2016).
hoserlauren's review against another edition
4.0
This short novella is an add on to the Natchez Burning trilogy from Greg Iles. In this book, Penn Cage's father has had his heart attack and is called to the hospital. While family members come in from around the USA, Penn ends up driving his uncle around in a car so his uncle can explore his old town of Natchez.
Penn tells his uncle of a story from a certain part of Texas called the Death Factory because of the volume of death row cases. The story is told entirely as Penn speaking to his Uncle. It's about a case of a young girl who is raped and the accused gets a super easy plea deal due to the lab screwing up. A different worker from the lab tells Penn about the error and Penn tries to right the wrong.
An interesting little book. I would recommend reading it after the Natchez Burning trilogy.
Penn tells his uncle of a story from a certain part of Texas called the Death Factory because of the volume of death row cases. The story is told entirely as Penn speaking to his Uncle. It's about a case of a young girl who is raped and the accused gets a super easy plea deal due to the lab screwing up. A different worker from the lab tells Penn about the error and Penn tries to right the wrong.
An interesting little book. I would recommend reading it after the Natchez Burning trilogy.
grackback's review against another edition
4.0
This novella was amazing. Considering I have never read any of the Penn Cage books, I followed along extremely easy and found it intense and captivating. I'm definitely considering reading more of Greg Iles' books!
sci_mom's review
3.0
This was a goodreads giveaway, but I love the Penn Cage series and was happy to read it. It's a good little story, but doesn't really add a lot to the character or Natchez storyline in general, so I don't think it is a must read for anyone who is into the series. I got into the Penn Cage series late, though, and didn't need the filler. Overall, it provides some background and, I'm guessing, sets the foundation for a future PC book.
heffalumpwoozle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
yrsbrn's review
4.0
Short and sweet, but once you get past the clunky introduction, it’s a tight, interesting story that seems to have its roots in many real, accurate issues.