From the Publisher
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The Death Factory |
Natchez Burning |
The Bone Tree |
Mississippi Blood |
Southern Man |
Cemetery Road |
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| Penn Cage Novella (3.5 in series) | Penn Cage Book 4 | Penn Cage Book 5 | Penn Cage Book 6 | Penn Cage Book 7 – coming May 2024 | Stand-Alone Thriller |
DeeCeeGee –
I have not found a book by Isles that I didn’t love. The characters are believable and so is the story.
Bet –
I love this author and I have read everything he has ever published. This one didn’t disappoint. I have a story to tell also. 2 years ago my beloved grandson committed suicide as a result of drugs. He had 2 daughters and a wife who is and has been my best friend for years. The other night we had supper at her house and after supper we were talking about Christmas and she said she had no idea what to get her dad, he is getting ready to retire from 40 years with the highway patrol. I told to get him a Kindle and some books. I told her to get The Quiet Game because it is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I look on Amazon so I could show it to her it said by author of cemetery road. I knew I had read that book and when I clicked on it, I had purchased it in April 2019. I guess with our world all torn apart that I forgot, so it was like I got a free book and maybe a gift from Josh. Anyway thank you and I throughly enjoyed this book.
Scott E. High –
It’s worth giving Greg Iles a pass on his politics to read this finely crafted novel. After all, 50% of our population lies on either side of the line drawn in the sand. The fact that I’m a conservative shouldn’t require me to bash a liberal’s work.”Cemetery Road” is a well plotted multi-generational tale of small town corruption extending back to the Civil War. Mr. Iles takes you on a fast-paced yet intricate ride through the politics and hidden agendas of Beinville, Mississippi, a small town that has somehow managed to hold its own while most other river towns have given up the ghost. The ironic title of this novel works well here, covering the bases of each plot thread as it unravels — from private family deceptions to those bringing collateral damage for everyone in the town.This timely premise involves a Chinese company finding a home for their new billion dollar factory in Bienville. The large investment in this small town will bring prosperity to a lot of the local population as well as improving highway access that will also expand the local community. But the biggest beneficiaries of all will be members of the Bienville Poker Club, a group of corrupt businessmen who ancestors have controlled Bienville since The Reconstruction(1865-1877).However there is a dangerous complication, something that would cause all of their investments to collapse on them. The site of the new factory has been partially excavated by an amateur archeologist who believes that the site was the home of a native culture occupying it 4,000 years ago. Pursuing protection for this historical site will cause all of the Poker Club’s complicated manipulations to go up in smoke — and the local population to lose all of the benefits and amenities they are counting on.As always, Greg Iles delivers a well researched and fast moving novel with stark narrative and intricate personal relationships. Not all is what it seems to be but suffice it to say that not every player trusts even his/her closest associates/relatives. It appears to be “all for one and one for all”, until suddenly it doesn’t. More complicated then his previous works, the issues here range from interpersonal relationships to international issues. Well worth your time!
Kindle Customer –
Greg Iles is a storyteller whose weaving of history in his plots is masterful! The turns and twists in this novel I thought would give whiplash to an owl. The wording is so powerful that you almost (not really) forget the the images they bring to mind and the description of the people and places leaves no doubt as to souls of the people and the beauty of the country. This is one book you must not miss! Thank you Mr Iles for writing this story that for a while let this person cry, laugh, feel the fear, and then ease the anxiety all the while marveling at all the story lines which came together in the end.
Pat –
Another great read by Greg Iles.
Anne W –
“I never meant to kill my brother. I never set out to hate my father. I never dreamed I would bury my own son.Nor could I have imagined that I would betray the childhood friend who saved my life, or win a Pulitzer Prize for telling a lie. All these things I have done, yet most people I know would call me an honorable man.”WOW! I just finished my first book by Grey Iles, but I can assure you that it won’t be my last! In fact, I’ve already downloaded two more from his backlist into my TBR stack of books.Iles reeled me in from the beginning with the deeply intriguing quote above, along with an effective and potent opening chapter. And it never let up through the almost 600-pages that followed. The southern setting is vividly portrayed while exploring the loss and pain of loved ones, political shenanigans, and love triangles in a solid small town murder mystery. With an adrenaline-fueled plot he excels in crafting sharply drawn, engaging characters that fill the pages with intelligent and snappy dialogue. I was in awe of his character development, although I didn’t really like many of these characters, but I do love his unique writing style. The suspense was off the charts with unpredictable twists and turns thrown at you from all sides. On the edge of my seat, I couldn’t read fast enough. But it’s neither a quick or easy read, and you’ll certainly need time to digest and comprehend the interwoven intricacies throughout the plotting.Being somewhat of a political buff, I fell head first into this story. I wasn’t put-off by the rhetoric or what some have referred to as the “intrusion of current politics” into the mix of this gritty novel. It only made it more intriguing for me.Cemetery Road is an electrifying read where corruption, lies, secrets and scandalous misconduct run rampant – and always present front and center is the question of right versus wrong, the choices made and the resulting consequences.Emotions play an important role in how we think and behave – compelling us to make decisions in our lives, both good and bad. This book certainly played with my emotions. A complex and interesting character, Marshall isn’t a perfect man or hero. Sometimes walking a fine-line between right and wrong, he had a lot of regrets. There were times when I sympathized with him, while hating his behavior at the same time. Even at the end, I wasn’t completely won over by him – not the result of one specific action, but more directed towards the pattern of his behavior.That old saying, “the truth shall set you free” might not be the case here. Crackling with action and suspense, atmosphere and drama, Cemetery Road is simply a stellar crime novel and a tantalizing treat – one I found myself thoroughly immersed in from start to finish. Highly recommended for mystery and suspense lovers.
ZOMGPWN❗ –
Before I read The Quiet Game by Iles I had never even heard of him. After I saw the reviews of the Penn Cage series and saw the themes and content, it looked like a no-brainer for me. I’m so happy that I read that entire series. However, after finishing it, the bar was set pretty darn high for me, as far as what I expect from this guy’s imagination. I’m happy to say that Cemetery Road met that expectation. I’m not sure what specific sub-genre Iles inhabits but I think of it as “Post-Southern Gothic Literary Murder Mystery Thriller.” I think that covers all the bases.Cemetery Road is par for the course for Greg Iles but Iles’ typical course is a cut above the usual for this type of literature. The themes here are all familiar, but harrowing and emotional. Loss, betrayal, redemption, doing what’s right for others vs. doing what’s right for oneself… not to mention murder most foul and a grand cabal weaving an evil conspiracy that envelops an entire town in its corrupting influence. Protagonist Marshall McEwan is the prodigal son returned home to take care of his ailing father and the family’s sputtering yet once legendary newspaper. When McEwan’s most revered mentor turns up floating in the Mississippi with a skull fracture, the intrigue begins and the tension continues to build until the frantic climax.The characters here are mostly complex and all have parts of their nature that are unlikeable and/or not very nice. That’s part of what Iles is exploring with this book. Not just the nature of good vs. evil but how we can oversimplify those definitions and sometimes confuse doing what’s virtuous with doing what’s right. When push comes to shove, sometimes people have to make hard choices and even do things that hurt some people to save others.Yes, there is some mention of current politics and/or media coverage of politics in this book, but to me, it wasn’t obnoxious or overwhelming. The characters have opinions and for me, that’s just fine. It doesn’t get in the way of the story at all and in fact, informs the thoughts and actions of certain characters, providing motivation and or reasoning for their actions. Cemetery Road is not a political screed or diatribe… not by a long shot. Iles is merely placing the story and the characters in the current real-world setting.The plot is tightly wound and the action builds nicely. There was no huge “twist” or gut punch for me in the plot… I pretty much saw most of it coming but I still really enjoyed every minute of it. I just like the way Iles writes and how he tells a story. He is great at writing exciting dialogue and moving a story along with a satisfying pace. Perhaps growing up in a town of a similar size and temperament as Bienville makes this book more enjoyable for me, but I think anyone can enjoy the setting. Another great read from Greg Iles. I hope we get more books in this setting since there were still many areas to explore with Marshall, the Mathesons and the whole town.
Brenda Reed –
The book was a stocking gift for daughter, but I previously read it and really liked his style. He is right up there with Scott Turow!
C. M. Bunts –
Iles was recommended to me, and I decided to begin reading one of his standalone books.Cemetery Road weaves several storylines, characters, ethics, family dynamics, evolving love, friendships, Southern politics, war, political realities, journalism, pride, death and youth into a seamless narrative that touched different aspects of my soul. Oh, I forgot to add murder and intrigue.Iles writes in a clear way, with a vocabulary that I appreciate, including topics that I will further investigate and in a style utilizing short chapters that kept me turning pages.Now choosing my next Iles novel.
Rodney A. Norman –
Cemetery Road kept me involved and empathetic from the onset. Following the events and weaving through the lives of the characters allowed me to fully immerse myself in the story eager to learn the next turn.