The Devil's Punchbowl: A Novel

About this book

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Penn Cage series and the Natchez Burning trilogy comes a steamy swampy tale of international nastiness (Kirkus Reviews) in an electrifying thriller that reveals a world of depravity sex violence and corruption in a Southern town. Penn Cage was elected mayor of Natchez Mississippithe hometown he returned to after the death of his wifeon a tide of support for change. But two years into his term casino gambling has proved a sure bet for bringing in new jobs and fresh money to this fading jewel of the Old South. But deep inside the Magnolia Queen a fantastical repurposed steamboat a depraved hidden world draws high-stakes players with money to burn on their unquenchable taste for blood sport and the dark vices that go with it. When a childhood friend hands him blood-chilling evidence Penn must beat the odds tracking a sophisticated killer who counters his every move placing those nearest to himincluding his young daughter his renowned physician father and a lover from the pastin grave danger and all at the risk of jeopardizing forever the town he loves. With his gift for crafting a keep-you-engaged-to-the-very-last-page thriller (USA TODAY) at full throttle Greg Iles brings back Penn Cagethe sharply honed unforgettable hero from his most popular novelsin this electrifying suspense masterpiece.