The Bone Tree (Penn Cage, Book 5)

This is a Greg Iles thriller, set in Natchez with his group of characters, Penn Cage lawyer and mayor, Caitlin, love interst but career driven journalist, Annie, and a father who is by all accounts a saint with feet of clay, etc and as with Iles's books, Penn is up against an implacable cabal - foe. There are parts of the conspiracy he is fighting that seem a bit far fetched, but Iles ratchets up the tension beautifully, his characters are generally well drawn, and the resolution sufficiently challenging but Iles still draws his threads together in a pretty satisfying way. he has a nice way of making what appears to be red herrings, pertinent to and very relevant to the main narrative. So well done. This book is a stand alone, of course, but actually it is better to start with The Quiet Game, the first in the series and follow Penn Cage and his family through their trials and tribulations, and to be very thankful the people in your life do not bring such a sense of danger and doom down on your heads. But isnt that why we read these books to vicariously enjoy the terror?

We are getting VERY close now to the finale of the Natchez Burning Trilogy (actually containing books 4, 5 and 6 of the Penn Cage series) I have been devouring these as they come out although I've only just realised that I never reviewed this anywhere when I read it last year I simply read it. Sometimes that has to be what its about!Onto The Bone Tree then and I’m not going to say much about it because I’m sure some people are yet to start this and I don’t want to give TOO much away. Suffice to say it is a direct continuation of the explosive events in Natchez Burning, following Penn as he tries to save his Father from a murder charge, keep all those he loves alive and still dig deep into the Clan and unspeakable deeds.Greg Iles is such a brilliant and insightful writer, who with this trilogy is really digging into a readers emotional responses, especially when examining the Father/Son relationship – Penn has always looked to his Dad for moral guidance and to find that his life is not entirely an open book is hard for him. Even harder when he is surrounded by truly evil men – the historical aspects of this. blending fact and fiction, are genuinely heart stopping, examining a time in history that still resonates.I really can’t speak highly enough of this series, not just the first two books in an ongoing story, but the ones that came before. If you havent yet taken a look at them then I can’t say anything other than highly recommended that you do. Bring on book 3. That is one reading weekend I simply cannot WAIT for.

I have to admit that after a very overlong first book, i nearly did not buy this one, but i am so glad i did. Yes, it is long, far too long, yes it wanders all over the place, but i found it far more riviting than Natchez Burning. In fact i spent two whole afternoons reading! The characters have developed and boy are there some characters. The historical references are amazing and who knows, could be true. I am looking forward to the final part, even though some of the main players are missing, but i have to say, one long book would have been far better. I think the author has indulged himself a tad too much.

I've just finished it. Having read Natchez Burning, the first in this trilogy when it came out, I bought this one on release too. Trouble is, after however many months it is between the books, I found it hard to pick up where Natchez Burning left us, despite the author's efforts. Certainly don't read it without reading Natchez Burning first. Also, as a UK reader, I'm frankly not that bothered about who killed JFK, so that aspect of the extremely convoluted plot dragged a little. But, having said that, I struggled to put it down and was quite shocked at one of the brave moves the author makes in this book. I do think this book is a tremendous achievement and will have no hesitation in buying the last of the trilogy. And despite my reservations, I still think it worth 5 stars. Otherwise I'd have given it 6.

Before The Bone Tree, the reader should look at Greg Iles' Natchez Burning. Although The Bone Tree can stand on its own, it would gain very much by having previously enjoyed Natchez Burning. The times of history the books cover are very familiar to many people, but there are so many details, real and presumed, that make the story really interesting and gives the reader the chance to make up his/her mind about some facts that really happened. A deep and wide research has been done by the author and it pays well in the end. It takes a few pages of Natchez Burning to get to know the characters of the action and the same goes for The Bone Tree, but after a while they become very familiar and you can pass judgement as you go! Both very good!

If you do nothing else this year, you must read the Natchez Trilogy. I eagerly awaited the publication of The Bone Tree and devoured it whilst on holiday, a mammoth of a book with over 800 pages.I would recommend reading the first of this particular trilogy, (or indeed picking up the entire back catalogue featuring Penn Cage) Natchez Burning and The Bone Tree in close proximity, I unfortunately, did not; so recalling who was whom and what had gone on towards the end of the first book took a little time. Nevertheless Iles is adept at character formation and my goodness the twists and turns along the way, not to mention tackling one of THE biggest (potential) conspiracy theories the USA has ever seen, is enough to keep even the most apathetic of readers happy.I am happy to say that I will buy ANY book that Greg Iles writes, without bothering what it's about. He is THAT good.If you like gripping thrillers that twist and turn at a fast pace this is for you. I for one cannot wait until the trilogy is complete!

This was an amazing follow up to the first book. I was not sure it would be as good or keep me as enthralled but it did from start to finish and I cannot wait to start the final book to find out what happens.