The Devil’s Punchbowl
by Greg Iles
The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles holds a highly rated rating of 4.05 out of 5, based on 10.6K reader ratings. First published in 2009. The book spans 580 pages.
About The Devil's Punchbowl
From New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles comes his most electrifying thriller yet. The Devil's Punchbowl reveals a world of depravity, sex, violence, and the corruption of a Southern town. As a prosecuting attorney in Houston, Penn Cage sent hardened killers to death row. But it is as mayor of his hometown -- Natchez, Mississippi -- that Penn will face his most dangerous threat. Urged by old friends to try to restore this fading jewel of the Old South, Penn has ridden into office on a tide of support for change. But in its quest for new jobs and fresh money, Natchez, like other Mississippi towns, has turned to casino gambling, and now five fantastical steamboats float on the river beside the old slave market at Natchez like props from Gone With the Wind.But one boat isn't like the others.Rumor has it that the Magnolia Queen has found a way to pull the big players from Las Vegas to its Mississippi backwater. And with them -- on sleek private jets that slip in and out of town like whispers in the night -- come pro football players, rap stars, and international gamblers, all sharing an unquenchable taste for one thing: blood sport -- and the dark vices that go with it. When a childhood friend of Penn's who brings him evidence of these crimes is brutally murdered, the full weight of Penn's failure to protect his city hits home. So begins his quest to find the men responsible. But it's a hunt he begins alone, for the local authorities have been corrupted by the money and power of his hidden enemy. With his family's lives at stake, Penn realizes his only allies in his one-man war are those bound to him by blood or honor: Caitlin Masters, the lover Penn found in The Quiet Can Game and lost in Turning Angel Danny McDavitt, the heroic helicopter pilot from Tom Cage, Penn's father and legendary local family physician Walt Garrity, a retired Texas Ranger who served with Penn's father during the Korean War.Together they must defeat a sophisticated killer who has an almost preternatural ability to anticipate -- and counter -- their every move. Ultimately, victory will depend on a bold stroke that will leave one of Penn's allies dead -- and Natchez changed forever.After appearing in two of Iles's most popular novels, Penn Cage makes his triumphant return as a brilliant, honorable, and courageous hero. Rich with Southern atmosphere and marked by one jaw-dropping plot turn after another, The Devil's Punchbowl confirms that Greg Iles is America's master of suspense.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Greg Iles |
| Published | 2009 |
| Pages | 580 |
| Genres | Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Suspense, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 4.05 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 10,626 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Devil's Punchbowl?
The Devil's Punchbowl is categorized as Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller, Suspense. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is The Devil's Punchbowl worth reading?
Based on 10.6K reader ratings, The Devil's Punchbowl has an average score of 4.05 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is The Devil's Punchbowl?
The Devil's Punchbowl has 580 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote The Devil's Punchbowl?
The Devil's Punchbowl was written by Greg Iles. It was first published in 2009.
What is the ISBN for The Devil's Punchbowl?
The ISBN-13 for The Devil's Punchbowl is 9780743292510.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
