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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
I did not realize when I picked up this book that it was book two in a series. I have not read Natchez Burning, book one. Having not reading book one, I did suffer a little reading book two. It jumped right into the story a little while after the first book. This was not such the problem for me as I was able to quickly piece together a good idea of what transpired in the first book and who the major key players were from both the good and bad sides. In fact, I had no issues that I got all the way to page 276 before I took a break. This is something as this book is a whopping tome at 816 pages long! My issue was that I could not gain an instant connection with the characters. It took me a while to get this connection. However once I did, I was all in.
This is not just a book but a whole production. Mr. Iles knows how to spin a good story. Although if you do not like graphic gore or crude language than take this as your warning.
This is not just a book but a whole production. Mr. Iles knows how to spin a good story. Although if you do not like graphic gore or crude language than take this as your warning.
Really enjoyed this book aside from the JFK assassination parts of the story. Felt a bit far fetched or odd to me for it to go that in depth. Other than that, another excellent read from the author.
Top 30 Books of 2015 "Best Modern Southern Trilogy."
Southern storyteller, Greg Iles continues the powerful and compelling saga of Penn Cage, delivering THE BONE TREE, a hard-boiled explosive multi-layered follow up after sensational Natchez Burning which landed on my TOP 30 BOOKS OF 2014 Again, Greg does not disappoint his fans, with this complex and emotional conspiracy of greed, power, politics, civil rights, and racial injustice--spanning across history and generations.
Let me start by saying, the length of the novel is not intimidating (more to enjoy) as Greg is the “best of the best” of modern literary thriller writers; however, will say I typically listen to Greg’s books via audio, as it captures the full essence, emotion, and suspense-- David Ledoux was outstanding in NB and hoping Robert Petkoff can live up as narrator for TBT.
I just finished the audiobook, and even though good, I like Ledoux much better than Petkoff, so hoping Iles goes back to his original narrator for his next book. Since I am not a patient person, was thrilled to attain an ARC, and decided to dive in with the book, and listened again later—yes, that good as devoured it in a few days.
With the prologue summary, Greg quickly gets readers up to speed as a refresher since last year with Natchez Burning. This was helpful since it has been a while; however, would recommend to readers to read Natchez Burning first to grasp a good understanding of this mesmerizing riveting thriller.
Penn’s physician father, Tom is a fugitive suspected of murder and combined with the unsolved civil rights case from the sixties, Double Eagles, and the KKK--- may be linked to assassinations. In Penn’s quest for answers, he is sent into the dark past of conspiracy, greed, and murder involving some powerful, evil, and wealthy men. As he follows this bloody trail from decades past, these guys do not want any stones uncovered--will do anything to keep their dark secrets in the past.
Penn, a former prosecutor, now Mayor of Natchez, MS, and his pregnant fiancée, reporter Caitlin Masters, are in the middle of danger with a flamethrower sadist.
There are old grudges, hatred, and revenge, and lives are at stake. Caitlin, publisher of the Natchez Examiner is busy trying to track down the bad guys and danger is lurking around every corner.
Penn’s dad, Dr. Cage, of course, has been the target for years regarding some long ago grudge and then there is his former African American nurse, and mistress Viola’s death and her son which may or not be Cage’s son, or could be the rapist’s son. Henry Sexton a fearless journalist has clues which they need to crack.
From the Deep South we have the KKK, the Double Eagles, Forest Knox, and Brody Royal – these are some evil bad ass guys, with some dirty dark secrets; and criminal behavior or murder does not phase this group of southern terrorists.
Special Agent FBI John Kaiser is the on the case in Natchez, Mississippi and he works his magic in many ways. Caitlin gets closer to learning about the illegal activity surrounding the bone tree and what it represents, putting her in immediate danger.
As the plot thickens you will be engrossed in the KKK, RFK, MLK, and JFK connection of racial violence and hatred. As a southern native, and a baby boomer, growing up in the sixties --seems like only yesterday when the teacher came in to inform us of JFK’s assignation. The evil and racial tension, which lurks inside these pages are spellbinding.
Greg grabs you with intensity, fear, and emotion surrounding the events which threaten Penn, his daughter, his family, his fiancé, and those he holds dear to his heart.
Cage and his supporters are hoping to find the key to old mysteries from nearly 40 years at the legendary “bone tree” deep in the swamps, a giant cypress, where Double Eagles took their victims—black men, women and even children, to be tortured and killed.
From the local police, the politicians, and the corrupt calculating feds—Dr. Cage accused of murder and now Penn, Caitlin, and a fearless investigative reporter; survival is on the line.
Will Penn be pushed to the brink to save his own life and his family? Can they be stopped, or will they die— trying? Will Walt Garrity and John Kaiser be able to save him, and his family?
THE BONE TREE is a multi-layered, richly plotted electrifying account of racial injustice and corruption, making you think twice about the cruelty of the South, clouding the lines between reality and fiction.
American History has never been so scandalous! No one does tells it better than Greg Iles- cannot wait for his next book. Southern Fiction at its FINEST!
Looking forward to [b:Mississippi Blood|31139037|Mississippi Blood (Penn Cage, #6)|Greg Iles|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474482950s/31139037.jpg|52812751], Coming 2017 as we continue this powerful trilogy.
A special thank you to HarperCollins, William Morrow, and LibraryThing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDC Must Read Books
Congrats! Amazon Books ‘Natchez Burning’ Drama From Tobey Maguire, David Hudgins & Sony TV.
Southern storyteller, Greg Iles continues the powerful and compelling saga of Penn Cage, delivering THE BONE TREE, a hard-boiled explosive multi-layered follow up after sensational Natchez Burning which landed on my TOP 30 BOOKS OF 2014 Again, Greg does not disappoint his fans, with this complex and emotional conspiracy of greed, power, politics, civil rights, and racial injustice--spanning across history and generations.
Let me start by saying, the length of the novel is not intimidating (more to enjoy) as Greg is the “best of the best” of modern literary thriller writers; however, will say I typically listen to Greg’s books via audio, as it captures the full essence, emotion, and suspense-- David Ledoux was outstanding in NB and hoping Robert Petkoff can live up as narrator for TBT.
I just finished the audiobook, and even though good, I like Ledoux much better than Petkoff, so hoping Iles goes back to his original narrator for his next book. Since I am not a patient person, was thrilled to attain an ARC, and decided to dive in with the book, and listened again later—yes, that good as devoured it in a few days.
With the prologue summary, Greg quickly gets readers up to speed as a refresher since last year with Natchez Burning. This was helpful since it has been a while; however, would recommend to readers to read Natchez Burning first to grasp a good understanding of this mesmerizing riveting thriller.
Penn’s physician father, Tom is a fugitive suspected of murder and combined with the unsolved civil rights case from the sixties, Double Eagles, and the KKK--- may be linked to assassinations. In Penn’s quest for answers, he is sent into the dark past of conspiracy, greed, and murder involving some powerful, evil, and wealthy men. As he follows this bloody trail from decades past, these guys do not want any stones uncovered--will do anything to keep their dark secrets in the past.
Penn, a former prosecutor, now Mayor of Natchez, MS, and his pregnant fiancée, reporter Caitlin Masters, are in the middle of danger with a flamethrower sadist.
There are old grudges, hatred, and revenge, and lives are at stake. Caitlin, publisher of the Natchez Examiner is busy trying to track down the bad guys and danger is lurking around every corner.
Penn’s dad, Dr. Cage, of course, has been the target for years regarding some long ago grudge and then there is his former African American nurse, and mistress Viola’s death and her son which may or not be Cage’s son, or could be the rapist’s son. Henry Sexton a fearless journalist has clues which they need to crack.
From the Deep South we have the KKK, the Double Eagles, Forest Knox, and Brody Royal – these are some evil bad ass guys, with some dirty dark secrets; and criminal behavior or murder does not phase this group of southern terrorists.
Special Agent FBI John Kaiser is the on the case in Natchez, Mississippi and he works his magic in many ways. Caitlin gets closer to learning about the illegal activity surrounding the bone tree and what it represents, putting her in immediate danger.
As the plot thickens you will be engrossed in the KKK, RFK, MLK, and JFK connection of racial violence and hatred. As a southern native, and a baby boomer, growing up in the sixties --seems like only yesterday when the teacher came in to inform us of JFK’s assignation. The evil and racial tension, which lurks inside these pages are spellbinding.
Greg grabs you with intensity, fear, and emotion surrounding the events which threaten Penn, his daughter, his family, his fiancé, and those he holds dear to his heart.
Cage and his supporters are hoping to find the key to old mysteries from nearly 40 years at the legendary “bone tree” deep in the swamps, a giant cypress, where Double Eagles took their victims—black men, women and even children, to be tortured and killed.
From the local police, the politicians, and the corrupt calculating feds—Dr. Cage accused of murder and now Penn, Caitlin, and a fearless investigative reporter; survival is on the line.
Will Penn be pushed to the brink to save his own life and his family? Can they be stopped, or will they die— trying? Will Walt Garrity and John Kaiser be able to save him, and his family?
THE BONE TREE is a multi-layered, richly plotted electrifying account of racial injustice and corruption, making you think twice about the cruelty of the South, clouding the lines between reality and fiction.
American History has never been so scandalous! No one does tells it better than Greg Iles- cannot wait for his next book. Southern Fiction at its FINEST!
Looking forward to [b:Mississippi Blood|31139037|Mississippi Blood (Penn Cage, #6)|Greg Iles|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1474482950s/31139037.jpg|52812751], Coming 2017 as we continue this powerful trilogy.
A special thank you to HarperCollins, William Morrow, and LibraryThing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDC Must Read Books
Congrats! Amazon Books ‘Natchez Burning’ Drama From Tobey Maguire, David Hudgins & Sony TV.
Picks up right where Natchez Burning leaves off and continues with the same non-stop action and suspense ! Now I can't wait till the 3rd installment to see what happens to Penn Cage and if his father answers all the questions he's looking for.
Almost lost me with the conspiracy stuff, but really liked the rest.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Great middle part to a trilogy. Kept the momentum going from the first part and I am looking forward to the conclusion in part 3.
The Bone Tree picks up where Natchez Burning left off. And in similar fashion, it follows the trials and tribulations over a few days in the life of Penn Cage, his family, and his enemies. And again, it's an epic story. You see even more than Penn is a flawed hero, as is his father. In fact, nearly everyone in this story has shades of grey, with the exception of the worst antagonists whose hearts are black as night.
As with the first novel, it's hard not to think that Iles could use a good editor to trim the story down. Iles is a gifted writer with an extreme eye for detail. He really puts you in the scene, and you see and sense every single detail. However, it can get to be a bit much. Clocking in at 800 pages, it's a long read. I read Natchez Burning on vacation, which helped, but this book was my nightly read...and as such it took me a long time to get through. Although I love descriptive reads, this is very much like the TV show 24. You are living every second of every minute of every hour - and not just in Penn's life. The story is told in multiple POVs, including his girlfriend Caitlin, evil force Forrest Knox, his dad Tom Cage, and a few others. So often you will read a period of time through multiple eyes. Not the same scene, but what else was going on at the same time. It's a lot and there are occasions that a bit of explanation would have done. Iles takes "show don't tell" to an exhausting extreme.
The story is worth reading, but it's an investment. Block out some time!
As with the first novel, it's hard not to think that Iles could use a good editor to trim the story down. Iles is a gifted writer with an extreme eye for detail. He really puts you in the scene, and you see and sense every single detail. However, it can get to be a bit much. Clocking in at 800 pages, it's a long read. I read Natchez Burning on vacation, which helped, but this book was my nightly read...and as such it took me a long time to get through. Although I love descriptive reads, this is very much like the TV show 24. You are living every second of every minute of every hour - and not just in Penn's life. The story is told in multiple POVs, including his girlfriend Caitlin, evil force Forrest Knox, his dad Tom Cage, and a few others. So often you will read a period of time through multiple eyes. Not the same scene, but what else was going on at the same time. It's a lot and there are occasions that a bit of explanation would have done. Iles takes "show don't tell" to an exhausting extreme.
Spoiler
This novel is also much more violent than the previous, which is saying something considering the fiery end. The body count is high by the time you finish this book, with the most surprising being Caitlin. It bothered me that much of the first half is told in her POV (albeit not first person). It somehow felt disconnected that we experienced Caitlin's actions and thoughts told in the past when she was not alive by the end of the story. It also ramps up the pathos. Penn is a guy who has already lost one wife and now he's lost his fiancee as well as his unborn child. It's brutal and made finishing the novel tough. Penn's killing of Forrest (as well as the death of Ozan) was redemptive, but it was still difficult, for me, to lose the only strong female protagonist.The story is worth reading, but it's an investment. Block out some time!
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First of all, WHY IS THIS BOOK SO LONG? It was, like, a million pages. Cut out about 200 of them next time, Mr or Ms Editor.
Otherwise, very smart and deep second part of a trilogy. The end was a little far-fetched and not very satisfying for me, and of course it was another cliffhanger. I like the characters, although I like some more than others (why you so annoying, Penn Cage?).
Otherwise, very smart and deep second part of a trilogy. The end was a little far-fetched and not very satisfying for me, and of course it was another cliffhanger. I like the characters, although I like some more than others (why you so annoying, Penn Cage?).