A taut, shocking murder mystery with enough twists & turns to keep you hanging right ‘til the end. I devoured it!

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.

This was a phenominal book. I love Iles, his books are so in depth and really pull you in. He doesn’t skimp on details and never abruptly ends the story as I find so many of my favorite authors doing recently. I finished this book during the first half of the Superbowl. At a Superbowl party. With people screaming and hollering all around me. It was that good that I really could not put it down. If you are looking for a new author, try out Greg Iles.

Turning Angel is the story of Drew Elliott, accused of murdering his pregnant, teenage lover; and his best friend Penn Cage who believes in his innocence and risks everything to prove it. Its also the story of the what really goes on underneath the sleepy, picturesque town of Natchez, what people dont see and dont want to see. It could be anytown USA.