Set in Natchez, Mississippi, the book reflects on the distance between classes and races even in this day and age. The use of gambling heightens the differences and draws a harrowing picture. Penn Cage, the main character and flawed hero, and his group of friends set out to clean a town riddled with prostitution and gambling. This debauchery was invited in to save a town drowning in economic crisis, racism and strong class divisions. Seemingly good for the town were the taxes and tourist income but lying beneath was a world not many could see or would ever want to imagine; dogfighting, sexual degradation and murder.
Greg Iles spares no feelings with the graphic storytelling. A weak stomach you cannot have with this novel.
I give this book a three star rating out of five. Give him a chance to reel you in and then hang on for dear life.