Turning Angel (2005)

My second read of a Greg Iles novel. I am very impressed with this author. He writes in a way that makes you feel like you are sitting on the sideline while the story unfolds right in front of you. He doesn't have so many characters that the reader gets lost. Instead, there are only essential characters that allow the reader to really get to know them.

I cannot offer enough praise. I will definitely read all of his books. He spins a really great yarn. ( )

Although I'm not much of a fan of murder mysteries, I've come to like the writing of author Greg Iles very much. What stands out for me is that his home town of Natchez, Mississippi, has just as big a role in his novels as do his characters. A sense of love for his hometown is always in the forefront even if the plots of his novels are somewhat malevolent.

Turning Angel is the third book by Iles that I have read, and it does not disappoint. I like the level-headed character of former lawyer, and now writer, Penn Cage. I also like that the novel, although pretty hefty at almost 500 pages, moves along steadily. It's not like other mysteries in which nothing is unravelled until the bitter end. It could have been a bit shorter (and maybe a bit more believable), but I think the author wanted to take time to develop the story and provide the reader with unexpected plot twists.

The history of the south seems to rattle through Iles' books with an eye to educate rather than anger. I especially like this quote:

What's the third type of black leader? ... The prophetic leader. That's Martin, Malcolm...Ella Baker. Or James Baldwin in the intellectual sphere ... The current generation has produced no leaders of this type, much less of that caliber. I'm watching Barak Obama, but I'm not sure yet.

After reading those lines, I was curious to see when this book was written. It was copyright 2005, well before Barack Obama was a household name.

The story begins with the revelation that stunningly beautiful Kate Jennings, a 17-year-old Harvard-bound high school senior is found raped and murdered. Penn Cage's friend Dr. Elliott, a well respected 40-year-old physician, reveals that he has been involved in a secret love affair with this woman although he firmly states that he did not kill her. So who did? If the true killer is not found, a jury is soon to put Dr. Elliott behind bars for 30 years.

If you've never read a book by Iles before, I must admit that I liked Mortal Fear and The Quiet Game better. However, this story will give you an idea of how Greg Iles can twist the history, the setting, and the people of Natchez, Mississippi, into a captivating story. ( )

After reading this book by Greg Iles, I actually went out and bought all his other books and read them. He has a remarkable gift for suspenseful storytelling, and I love Penn Cage as a not-over-the-top protagonist. Given that his stories focus on the south, another love of mine, everything about this book (and his others) are highly recommended.

NIL

My favorite book by Greg Iles. I could not put it down read it in 2 days. ( )