The Death Factory audiobook

Between 1999 and 2009, Greg Iles wrote three very good books featuring Penn Cage, a former assistant D.A. in Houston who returned home to his native Natchez, Mississippi and who ultimately became the city's mayor. Now, on the eve of the release of the new Penn Cage novel, Natchez Burning, Iles has written this brief novella which fills in some of the back story surrounding Cage's return to Mississippi.As the story opens, Cage's father, a Natchez physician, has suffered a heart attack and may not live. He has called Cage to his bedside from Houston for the purpose of telling him some dark secret that he apparently needs to get off his chest before he dies. However, by the time the younger Cage arrives, his father has rallied and now insists that he has no recollection of asking Penn to come. He also claims that he has no secret to share.Other family members rally to the bedside, including Penn Cage's uncle. They go for a ride, which gives Penn the opportunity to tell a long story about the events that caused him to leave the D.A.'s office and return home. It's an interesting tale, involving the infamous "Death Factory," in the Houston D.A.'s office that sent large numbers of alleged killers to death row on the basis of evidence, some of which may have been tainted.This is a novella that will appeal principally to fans of the series of which there are a great number, and it may not be that interesting to people who have not yet discovered this series. It is a very good one, but people approaching it for the first time would be much better advised to begin with The Quiet Game and then get to this novella in the natural order of things.

I have been waiting for the next instalment of Penn Cage from Greg Iles ever since The Devil's Punchbowl was released (I read that in a couple of days). This taster ahead of Natchez Burning is full of high quality writing and reminded me why I so enjoy Greg Iles books. Not much more than a week to go for the long awaited Natchez Burning

You may remember me raving about Greg Iles' new book Natchez Burning - the first in a planned trilogy. I only discovered after reading the book that Iles had penned an 'in-between' Penn Cage novella called The Death Factory that is set just before the beginning of Natchez Burning. Before returning to Natchez, Penn worked in a DA's office that became known as The Death Factory - that office sent more people to death row than any other. But when an evidence tech still working there becomes concerned that sloppy evidence handling has put an innocent man behind bars, it is Penn he turns to - not his current employer. For those that haven't yet read Natchez Burning, this is a great 'opening' chapter for that book, setting the scene in so many ways. We learn of Tom Cage's illness, and wonder what it is he wanted to tell Penn, see more of Penn's brother Jack and get the full story of Penn's wife's illness and death. And for those new to this series (!!) it's a great introduction to this fantastic character and series. And, there's a great case to boot! Iles's stories are simply a joy to read or listen to. The Death Factory will only whet your appetite for the main course - Natchez Burning. However, that being said, I listened to The Death Factory after reading Natchez Burning, and still hugely enjoyed it. More like dessert for me. As I said, I did choose to listen. The reader is David LeDoux. He has a great voice with a lovely gravely undertone that just resonates. His southern accent is not overdone or affected, but is understated and just right.

The Death Factory by Greg Isles in a 2014 William Morrow Impulse publication. This novella bridges the gap between “The Devil's Punchbowl” and “Natchez Burning”. There was a long gap between the novels and “Punchbowl” ended with a cliffhanger. So, this novella brings the reader up to date before diving into “Natchez Burning”, and it reminds us of Penn's past, and events that shaped him into the man he has become. As “Punchbowl” ended, Penn had just become engaged to his long time girlfriend, but before he could tell his family the news, he receives word his father has had a heart attack, and the prognosis is bleak. As Penn is summoned to the hospital he is told his father must speak to him alone because there is something he must tell him before he dies. However, once the opportunity presents itself, he backs out, leaving Penn to wonder what great burden his father had been about to unload. Instead, Penn touches base once more his uncle, and begins to recall a case he was involved in right on the cusp of his wife's final stages of cancer, the outcome of which still haunts him and was the precursor to his move to Natchez. Once you have been brought up to date a little, the story abruptly ends, but there is a sneak peak into the “Natchez Burning” , a book you do not want to miss. While reading this novella is not necessary for you to enjoy “Natchez”, I still recommend it, because frankly, I did not recall some of the vivid recollections of the case Penn shared with his uncle or the poignant and painful memories of his wife's premature death. So the story was a little dark and somewhat emotional and maybe a little uncomfortable. Greg Isles certainly knows how to draw a person into his world which is always interesting, conflicted and often dangerous. 4 stars

Just enough!This novella only has me wanting more! It has been a while since The Devil's Punchbowl! No one writes like Greg Iles and I can harldy contain my excitement waiting for Natchez Burning! Welcome back Mr. Iles, I'm sure it's going to be incredible!

Sucked in!!! From the very first word, Iles sucked me in. Penn Cage is back!!!!!

TOM CAGE IS A STRONG OLD BIRD!!!! The finial book I have to read in the Penn Cage Series.(Not counting Unwritten Law, WHICH NEEDS TO BE RELEASED LIKE A YEAR AGO!LOL. But I'm sure it will be out soon enough, and it will be worth the wait!)Penn and Caitlin's wedding proposal gets interrupted by the news of Pennsylvania father TOM CAGE heart attack and has a "deathbed confession, what happens next is a wild ride taking us from Pennsylvania days as A Texas D.A., To his Wife (Annie's mother) Sara's strength, pain, and ultimately her death from cancer, get a feel for Tom Cages family; Especially youngest brother Jack.(we see a little bit of him in the Natchez Burning series but you get a real sense of him in this short story, get more back story on Penn's D.A. service, to one of the most suspenseful reads ever.This should have been a longer, full book, and possibly done earlier in the series.The details, the facts, the main story plot..... (I am happy to read this DON'T GET ME WRONG...) I just feel it should have been in one of the earlier books or done this way sooner after book 1(The Quite Game) or book 2(Turning Angel) I'm sure Mr. Greg Iles has his reasons... A GREAT STORY PACKED INTO A 90PAGED NOVELLA!!! I can not wait for Unwritten Law!!!!!!! It needs to come out soon!!!

This novella was just too short! It's a great story-line that could have kept me happily reading for hours. The story was very compelling and told by a compelling man. I could just see Penn and Jack...each strong men trying to handle a crises by re-living another crises. People approaching it for the first time would be much better advised to begin with "The Quiet Game" and then get to this novella in the natural order of things. "The Death Factory" tied up a ton of loose ends, in my opinion. Also, it sets the table nicely for the next novel in the Penn Cage series "Natchez Burning".

After a five-year wait Greg Iles returns in this novella which is a prequel to his next novel Natchez Burning. I have always greatly enjoyed Iles's writing. I first encountered him many years ago when he was writing World war II espionage thrillers. His more recent novels have concerned Penn Cage and his home town of Natchez, Mississippi.If you like Iles you will enjoy this long short which is a bridge between two full fledged novels.

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The Death Factory a novella by Greg Iles. Greg Iles is one of my favorite mystery authors. He's another lawyer turned writer that writes about his hometown, Natchez, Mississippi. I've always enjoyed his books,but he can be a little wordy. Over the past three years he has published a trilogy about the KKK in Mississippi. As he said, a lot of the story in those books is true it just safer to fictionalize it. This little novella takes place just before that trilogy transpires. His protagonist's (Penn Cage) father thinks he's about to die and he wants to confess something to Penn. When he arrives his dad is doing better and has changed his story. That little confession that never takes place is the spark that ignites the story that takes place in Natchez Burning. The rest of the story relates to Penn's time as a ADA In Houston. The story helps to establish the characters Penn and his father which will be the strength in the next three books.Greg Iles always writes an interesting story that pull you in and hold your interest. I would highly recommend his Natchez Burning Trilogy. It's gripping and with a lot of information. The stories can be disturbing at times.

A quick and entertaining read.