The Devil's Punchbowl

By: Greg Iles

Narrated by: Dick Hill

As a prosecutor in Houston, Penn Cage sent killers to death row. But as mayor of his hometown - Natchez, Mississippi - Penn will face his most dangerous threat. Urged by old friends to try to restore this fading jewel of the Old South, Penn has ridden into office on a tide of support for change. But in its quest for new jobs and fresh money, Natchez has turned to casino gambling, and now five steamboats float on the river beside the old slave market, like props from Gone With the Wind.

But one boat isn't like the others.

Rumor has it that the Magnolia Queen has found a way to pull the big players from Las Vegas to its Mississippi backwater. And with them - on sleek private jets that slip in and out of town like whispers in the night - come pro football players, rap stars, and international gamblers, all sharing an unquenchable taste for one thing: blood sport - and the dark vices that go with it. When a childhood friend of Penn's who brings him evidence of these crimes is brutally murdered, he begins a quest to find the men responsible. But the local authorities have been corrupted by the money and power of his hidden enemy and, with his family's lives at stake, Penn realizes his only allies are those bound to him by blood or honor.

Together they must defeat a killer who has an almost preternatural ability to anticipate - and counter - their every move. Ultimately, victory will depend on a bold stroke that will leave one of Penn's allies dead - and Natchez changed forever.

©2009 Greg Iles (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Not his best but Iles can't be bad

I prefer some of his other books (Spandau Prison, Black Cross, Blood Memory) but Iles develops his characters so fully that I found (1/2 way through the book) that I really cared about them. The story is about gambling, dog fighting, a lot of nasty evil people, and the others you care about. The people I cared about made it so that I couldn't stop listening, even though I didn't like parts of the story. I have liked Dick Hill reading other books, but didn't like the accent he assumed in this one. I don't know if it's my bias (I'm a Yankee). It did take awhile for me to get used to the accent, but eventually the story took over.

The best yet!

Even though this book in the audio format is long, I found myself wishing it would never end. The author accurately portrays the deep South and the narrator has the perfect "southern" inflection nailed! The writing style of Mr. Iles and the voice of Dick Hill makes this book one of the best listening experiences I have had in a long time. I am anxiously awaiting the next one!

Worth your time!

I'm a fan of Greg Iles and have found his character development and plots twists to be a good recipe for an entertaining read. Like the books of Grisham and Conroy, the Southern flavor of his writing adds a charm that keeps me coming back to his books. This Audible version does not disappoint either as I found myself totally immersed in the harrowing struggles of Penn Cage. The narrator has a Southern drawl which adds an authenticity to the story.

Great story

I found this book to be a page turner. A little tough to read at times due to the violence, but overall a great thrill ride. Highly recommended. The narration is par excellence!!!

Animal lover's be forewarned

What did you love best about The Devil's Punchbowl?

Always enjoy a Penn Cage book!

If you’ve listened to books by Greg Iles before, how does this one compare?

The animal cruelty was too overwhelming for me.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I was not happy when he spoke so quietly that I had to keep messing with the volume.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Well no......

Any additional comments?

Just could not stand the emphasis on the dog fighting, the horror of their treatment and the information regarding cats and weak dogs being used as bait.