When I started reading Turning Angel, I found myself arguing about reasons why I should like it.Synopsis: In a small American town in the South called Natchez, a high school girl called Kate Townsend is found dead. Beautiful, intelligent, and popular, her death sends the town reeling. Penn Cage, for whom this book is the second in his series, finds even more surprises. Namely, that his long-time friend, Drew Elliot, admits to having sex with the deceased girl. And by the way, this isn't a spoiler - it's revealed in the back cover and the first couple of pages.ProsIt's a really good thriller. Really. It's interesting, with lots of murders, keeps the pace going without having cheap thrills, and there's a lot of suspense from the constant surprises that are revealed about Drew and Kate's relationship. And everything keeps getting worse, not only for Drew, but for Penn as well.It raises some questions for sexuality in small towns. Maybe drugs and so forth are just as prevalent, but hidden - and when something like a high-profile death occurs, the town explodes.Penn's struggle about Kate's death is rather fascinating. I like how there's his visceral reaction against a married, middle-aged man sleeping with a vulnerable high school girl, be she ever so mature, and his admiration and friendship towards his friend the doctor, who is accomplished, and noble, and intelligent, and has helped so many people. But more on that later.ConsThere's some distinct racist overtones in this book. Among the other suspects for Kate's death, there's a South American exchange student, a black pimp and drug dealer, and her Caucasian estranged boyfriend. And Drew, sure. But out of the other three suspects, guess who is never seriously implicated in the crime? (view spoiler)[And the South American exchange student is heavily implied to be responsible for a lot of the crazy things that the local high school gets into, not to mention that he's responsible for Kate's death. The black pimp also becomes a serious suspect, and he's definitely not portrayed in a flattering light. Whereas the original statutory rapist - because that's what Drew Elliot is - and Kate's boyfriend are both cleared. (hide spoiler)]
There’s been a lot of buzz for Greg Iles’ latest novel “Turning Angel” and after reading it, all I can say is that it deserves every bit of it.Dr Drew Elliot seems to have it all-he’s the trusted doctor in the small town of Nachez, Mississippi. He’s successful professionally, he’s married with a family, he’s got the big house and all the trappings. But he has a dark secret-he’s been carrying on an affair with a 17-year old cheerleader and tennis phenom, who is bound for Harvard. When the girl’s body turns up in the river, Elliott’s love for her comes to light and he’s the prime suspect in the killing.Elliot asks his good friend (whose life he saved), Penn Cage for help in representing him and finding the real killer.But what could have been a simple who-done-it thriller becomes something more. Iles not only documents the mystery of who killed the girl but rips off the innocent veneer of the town of Nachez. We come to understand how Elliott could fall for the girl, carry on an affair with her and even plan to give up his life to be with her. There are no heroes or villians here, just real, breathing characters painted in shades of gray.The case is pushed through by oportunistic politicians, one of whom wants to use the case as a springboard to the mayor’s office and beyond. Along the way, we find out about the underbelly of a small town and the frightening implications of the death of one girl.Iles pulls no punches in his harsh, frank examination of the murder and the consequences and fallout from it. The book is close to 500 pages but it feels shorter than that becuase Iles prose is compelling and his characters fascinating. This is an absolute must read and it’s made me into a huge fan of Greg Iles.
What do You think about Turning Angel (2006)?
This was the author's 2nd book to feature prosecutor turned writer Penn Cage. After successfully solving a 30 year old murder in the previous book Penn has decided to remain in Natchez to raise his daughter there, after all that's where he grew up and he didn't turn out so bad. He even serves on the school board of his old school, where Annie also now attends. Another member of the board is his friend from childhood, who also happens to be a successful Doctor. Then the school's star pupil turns up dead, and various rumours and accusations are levelled at Penn's friend, but what can Penn do when asked to help?This was a 'whodunnit' of the highest order, and I was constantly having to rethink my list of suspects with each page I turned. As with the previous book there is a certain amount of racial tension, partly due to the dealings Cage had with the man who is now the DA in Natchez. There is also the background of small town politics being played out, not to mention bigotry, drug abuse and disruptions to Natchez's normal quieter life. An excellent book which really gripped my imagination, and a worthy follow up to 'The Quiet Game'
—Neil
Greg Iles has written a 500 page novel which would make any person's stomach turn when thinking of the corruption of Natchez, Mississippi or I guess Anytown USA. This was at the core a murder mystery with a fairly engaging lawyer/writer Penn Cage. He is a good core character, but what ruined it for me and I can bet lots of fans was the disgusting portrayal of the affair of the town's 40 year old physician and resident hottie with the town's 17 year old high school queen. I'm not naive I know these things happen, but Isle's justification for this throughout the book is that the physician was "in love" even though it's considered a felony in this country with a 30 year punishable offense. The side running story between Penn and his 17 year old babysitter is nauseating. Maybe I am more sensitive than most because I have teenage daughters. Regardless of how Isles puts it, the high school hottie fantasy with the especially lurid description from the girl's diary and porno pictures was sick. I kept reading to the end to see if finally although the good doctor was acquitted for murder he would be sentenced for at least sexual battery ........nope. All the peripheral characters have met their judgement day; the drug dealer, the druggy wife, the gangster exchange student,and even the politically ambitious distric attorney, but the pedophile doctor and the pedophile highschool coach both go free with no mention of justice for their actions and Penn Cage considers this a moral victory as the killer is behind bars. I found this novel poorly written especially the dialogue, it was stilted and unnatural and the subject matter really distastful. It disturbed me that pedophilia was glorified and that the fantiasies of middle aged men doing it with high school girls was attributed to "the girls today aren't like the girls we knew." Not worth your time.
—Lori
This audio book got us from Leemore, CA to home. While it kept my interest (I just wanted to see/hear how stupid it would actually get), it will/should not win any awards for literature. As a man, I am insulted by the characterization of men in general and their apparent lack of ability to think with their big head...not the other one...especially concerning teenage girls. Redeeming qualities? Maybe the middle aged professional(?) men of the world who live on their high school glory can come away feeling good about themselves. Come on...really?
—Jim
