The Quiet Game

Penn Cage #1

by Greg Iles

Alternate cover edition for 9780451180421

Is there space in the overcrowded courtroom for one more writer of sharp, very suspenseful legal thrillers? Yes--if that writer is Greg Iles, who has proven in such varied efforts as Black Cross, Mortal Fear, and Spandau Phoenix that he knows how to squeeze the last drop of suspense out of all sorts of situations.

Iles immediately makes us feel both sympathy and empathy for his glossy hero, Penn Cage--a former ace Texas prosecutor turned suspense novelist whose sales are up there in the John Grisham Himalayan range.

Trying to cope with the recent death of his wife, Cage takes his 5-year-old daughter to Florida's Disney World, where the child sadly sees visions of her mother everywhere in the fantasy-filled environment. Wouldn't a trip to his parents' stately home in Natchez be more soothing for all concerned? Wrong, as it turns out--and before Cage can catch his breath, he's deeply involved in several dangerous matters. His father, a dedicated doctor, is being blackmailed for a past mistake in judgment, and a powerful judge (who just happens to be the father of Penn's high school sweetheart) has a nasty personal agenda of his own. Then there's the unsolved 1968 murder case of a black man, which Cage insists on reopening with the help of an attractive, ambitious newspaper publisher.

Iles does for Natchez what John Berendt did for Savannah in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, creating a gothic Southern landscape where elegance and depravity walk hand in hand. --Dick Adler

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Audiobook

576 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 1999

About the author

Greg Iles spent most of his life in Natchez, Mississippi. His first novel, Spandau
Phoenix, was the first of seventeen New York Times bestsellers. His Natchez
Burning trilogy continued the story of Penn Cage, the protagonist of The Quiet Game,
Turning Angel, and #1 New York Times bestseller The Devil’s Punchbowl. Iles’s novels have been made into films and published in more than thirty-five countries. He was a
member of the lit-rock group The Rock Bottom Remainders.

Reviews

[Kimber Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our actions have consequences that last long after us, entwining the present with the future in ways we cannot begin to understand."
—Greg Iles, The Quiet Game

Going into this book, I didn’t know what to expect. I read Cemetery Road last year and was nearly waterlogged by the time I'd finished. As far as I was concerned, this author had a mountain to climb, but Mr. Iles soon proved that it wasn’t even a hill for a high-stepper like him!

The main character, Penn Cage, is brilliantly fleshed out and I liked him from the outset. Surrounded by a great supporting cast, I was invested in the well-being of these people, with whom I got cozy as I settled into the fictional streets of Natchez, Mississippi.

"We are always spiraling around something, whether we see it or not, a secret center of gravity with the invisible power of a black hole."

Cage is the quintessential small-town-boy-done-well until tragedy strikes. He soon realizes he is metaphorically swimming against the current with one arm tied behind his back and is losing the fight. The young lawyer packs up his life in Houston and heads back home to Natchez to figure out his next steps. In this case, the saying ‘you can’t go home again’ should be changed to ‘going home again will kill you, boy!’ From the moment he steps onto a plane bound for Mississippi, fate throws a wrench into the works of every plan, changing the course of his life and those of everyone around him.

Filled with explosions, gunplay, and some southern heat, The Quiet Game is anything but quiet.

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first book by this author and I am not quite sure how to rate it.
Firstly it was far too long. I like long books but only when the length contributes to the narrative. This one was just padded and I did skim large parts of it.
Then it had far too many and too violent deaths with apparently no repercussions. At times it seemed every character was getting bumped off without a policeman in sight. Or if there was one he was corrupt. Unrealistic.
On the other hand I found Penn Cage a very likeable character and wanted to hear more about him. I felt that the author could have made a lot more of the court room scene and a bit less of being shot at and riding water rapids in an inflatable dinghy.
The story was good and there was plenty of excitement. It really just needed an editor with a red pen to reduce it to an appropriate length. Having been assured by someone whose reading choices I trust that Iles is an excellent author I will try another of his books.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Iles sure knows how to pack a lot into one novel! Starting somewhat slowly with lawyer and author Penn Cage returning to his home town of Natchez where he discovers his father being blackmailed this moves into a full-on thriller about a supposedly unsolved 35 year old murder that was covered up. Initially thought to be racially motivated Penn soon discovers other motives involving power, greed, corruption and politics. It's a complex and action packed thriller that soon has the bodies mounting up as Penn strives to untangle the lies and deception to find the truth, aided by journalist Caitlin, risking his own life and that of his daughter and parents.

It took me a little while to get into this book, and perhaps it is a little longer than needed, but Iles is a very good writer and spinner of tales and it was well worth sticking with it. I loved Penn's relationship and care for his little daughter Annie while they are both still grieving for Penn's wife after her death from cancer the previous year. I also enjoyed the courtroom scenes where Penn is up against his old high school sweetheart and lost love, Olivia Marston. The southern vibe of Natchez works well with old prejudices and loyalties affecting Penn and Caitlin's search for the truth. Recommended for those who like big thrillers with lots of action, multiple bodies and some well placed twists and turns.

[Janie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best I have read from Iles so far. A very riveting tale full of lies, deceit, mistrust, and brutal honesty. The plot was brilliant, the characters even more so, so vivid that you could place yourself there among them. My favorite character would have to be Penn Cage. I can honestly say that I will not forget him for a very long time, if ever. I look forward to the other books in this series. I can only see Cage becoming even more amazing.

I loved the twists that Iles included in this book. As soon as you recover from one, he gives you another to ponder over. The plot was so believable, that it got me thinking about how real it all could be. All the possible cover ups, conspiracy, FBI, the government at it's finest. Iles takes you back in time to life in the 60's in the deep South. And then brings you up to present day with a Prosecuting Attorney, turned Author, trying to right a 'very' wrong. Simply Awesome!

It is a very fast paced, exciting read. I became so involved in this story I could not even dream of putting the book down. At first I thought it was gonna get way too political for me but that was not the case at all. So many surprises that keep you turning the pages. I loved every minute of it. This is definitely suspense at it's finest.

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read, with interesting characters and plot, and sustained tension.

It also provides a look at the ugly prejudice against blacks that apparently still exists in the deep South, including among some in law enforcement, and the hypocrisy with which people try to hide but not deal with or change their feelings.

Iles has at least two instances of unexpected help coming from unexpected places, a device that often gets to me. He also has his main character (author Penn Cage) reflect on how sometimes writing blocks can be solved by just stepping away from the page and letting the words sort themselves out in your subconscious. Obvious, I guess, but still a useful reminder.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long and well penned story that is brutal at times, but with an excellent ending. 7 of 10 stars

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this 3.5 if I could. I really liked the story line but I'm tiring of the formula in a lot of mystery/thriller type books where the main character, whether it be a male or female, is always very attractive and therefore attracts a very attractive love interest. A lot of time I think it detracts from the main story line and is just filler. One love interest in this story is necessary for the plot but the other one? Maybe they could have been cohorts in solving the crime instead of lovers? Just a pet peeve of mine, so I needed to vent that thought 🙂. I did really like the plot!

[Jonathan K (Max Outlier) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Greg Iles months ago when I stumbled across "Natchez Burning" on the staff picks section at our library. Unfamiliar with the author, I found the pace, plot twists and character depth on par with Pulitzer winners and a momentum factor, similar to a rocket launch. I found Penn Cage, the central character someone I could relate with due to his humanity, selflessness and passion for 'doing the right thing'. Having finished the trilogy, I have been working my way through all of Greg's stories and have yet to be disappointed.

As a writer, it's always a joy to see a best selling author evolve. This being the first Penn Cage novel, Greg introduces the character's back story, which finds him at a loss having lost his wife to cancer. The 'quiet game' is an analogy to secrets held by people of power who are out of touch with integrity. Those that embody this quality tend to be greedy, narcissistic and fail miserably at what it is to be human. Penn identifies these qualities in the father of a high school lover who he believes is responsible for the murder of a black Natchez citizen, and goes after him with a vengeance. The journey to uncover details of the man's connections to Hoover and others is mind boggling, as is the 'quiet game' he plays with his daughter

Personally, I find it difficult NOT to enjoy Greg's storytelling due to how he engages the reader at many levels. For all who want to immerse in the world of Natchez, MS and experience an author of depth and tremendous talent, I urge you to read Greg's books, this one included. He weaves historic elements, science and profound insights into the story fabric which is the true mark of a great author. Enjoy!

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg Iles is an author who paints a portrait of his characters, laying out the good, bad, and the ugly. Connecting us to the emotions he creates. Thank you, Jonathan for your suggestion to start this series.

Penn Cage was a successful prosecutor out of Houston, Texas. Now turned famous author and a up and coming famous one at that. Losing his wife to cancer almost a year ago, he is left to care for his four year old daughter. Broken and torn, Penn seeks solace in the very place he grew up in, Natchez, Mississippi.

When Penn arrives back home to his parent’s home, he discovers his father, a prominent local doctor, has been harboring secrets. One that could surely ruin him and everyone in his family.

As Penn teams up with a local reporter, Caitlin Masters, he discovers this town has been burning with dark secrets of its own. My favorite parts were the courtroom scenes. Nothing like a shocking legal thriller mixed in!

Iles can definitely write an enthralling story. He was suggested to me after falling in love with Allen Eskens’s work. Being compared to Eskens, I knew he was talented right away. I have the next two books in the series and look forward to reading them in the future. My only complaint is the length of the books. Each one is pretty long, so this series is definitely an investment.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Paul Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There’s no middle ground. Whatever’s there gets crushed to powder by the sides.”

The USA is unquestionably a country divided. Today that near unbridgeable gap reflects the ever widening gulf between so-called left-wing socialists and hard core right wing Trump supporters the world increasingly labels as fascist. It wasn’t always that way. In the mid- to late 20th century that cultural gap was based on race and color. White was white and black was black and, as has been pointed out, there was no middle ground. Segregation was the expected natural state and integration was fought against by virtually every state of the union. Rights for embattled (and embittered) negroes were denied at every turn despite their ostensible assurance under law.

In search of an oasis of repose, peace, and mental healing for his troubled and confused daughter after the death of his wife, Penn Cage, a skilled prosecuting attorney turned best-selling author, has returned to his home in Natchez, Mississippi, a jewel of the antebellum south and a hotbed of simmering racial tension that never cooled over the fifty years that had passed since the Jim Crow era ended.

In search of calm? Good luck with that! THE QUIET GAME sets Penn Cage against his father’s blackmailer, the highest levels of municipal, state, and federal government administration and the courts, as well as local police and the FBI who would go to any lengths to keep the town’s darkest secret covered – the thirty year old cold case murder of a black Korean war veteran. And, of course, no self-respecting thriller would neglect the possibility of romance. Despite the unwavering love, respect, and memories he has for his dear departed wife, Cage finds himself drawn inevitably into warm feelings for a young newspaper publisher who has her eyes firmly fixed on the possibility of a Pulitzer prize.

THE QUIET GAME is an eyebrow-raising, jaw-dropping, gripping thriller from first page to last that draws unflinchingly on the ugly side of American culture that is racism, political power games and cover-ups, wealth, corruption, and entitlement, and (of course) guns, guns, and more guns! Definitely recommended.

Paul Weiss

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

How I rated this book.

All books start with 5-stars then have stars or partial stars deducted.

1. This book was not jaw-droppingly amazing in the way The Remains of the Day or Things Fall Apart were. Neither was it brilliant, ground-breaking, and thought provoking like pretty much anything by Jonathan Coe or by Denis Johnson is.

Deduct one star for non-brilliance.

Rating now at 4-stars.

2. First person. I am not particularly in love with first person. There are times when it works and times when it doesn't. In this case, it's a draw.

Deduct no stars or partial stars for first person, but keep in mind when rounding.

3. Present tense. I abhor present tense. The only reason for it is in the case of an unreliable narrator as in Fight Club.

In this case, the present tense became so annoying and so completely unnecessary that I was forced to skim the verbs so that I could pretend it was in past tense. Did this change the tone or impact of the book? Not one bit.

Deduct 1/4 star for unnecessary present tense.

Rating now at 3.75 stars.

4. Were the characters, the plot, and the action believable?

This lawyer is on the scene and involved in several murders, yet never reports them. He is shot at, beat up, threatened, and knocked silly yet he still keeps a tickin'.

The characters aren't badly drawn, but they are cliché: The old flame, the new girl friend, the perky little girl, the rich and powerful bad guy. The list goes on and on and on.

And the twists! Gracious the twists! I lost count of how many there were. A few twists well done add spice and interest to a crime novel. This many turns it into drudgery.

Deduct 1/2 star for unbelievability.

Rating now 3.25 stars.

5. How does the book rate with its genre contemporaries?

Iles has to compete with the contemporary crime writers such as Michael Connelly(his earlier work), Jo Nesbo, etc. He tries, but from the beginning of the book, it's obvious that he is playing way above his league.

Deduct 1/4 a star for missing the bar.

Rating now at 3 stars.

6. Did I learn anything about the setting, the main character's occupation, or human behavior from this book.

Paul Doiron has taught me more than I ever wanted to know about what it means to work in the backwoods of Maine.Jasper Fforde has opened my eyes to the world inside books. Tony Hillerman has taught me about the Navajo people. It is important that writers entertain as well as open your mind to new places, people, thoughts, and experiences.

I'm certain that Iles felt he was explaining the culture and people of Mississippi while writing. Unfortunately, he failed and failed miserably. Coming away from the book, I felt that not only did I still not understand modern Mississippi's problems stemming from the Civil Rights Era, I felt that I was being handed a line. When the writer spoke through the main character's thoughts, rather than hearing the explanations and justification that I'm sure the writer intended, I just kept hearing same old tired cop-out: "But don't you see? Some of my best friends are black."

Deduct 1/2 star for failing to open a new perspective on an old or unknown topic.

Rating now at 2.5 stars.

7. Rounding. Because Goodreads doesn't allow partial star values, and because of the first person irritant, I'm rounding down 1/2 a star.

Final rating: 2 stars

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

After enjoying Iles’ standalone, Cemetery Road, I quickly put his Natchez trilogy on my shelves, but wanted to dive in even earlier, to the origins of Penn Cage and that’s this book, the very first in the Natchez saga and it did not disappoint.

Iles delivers that perfect combination of an absorbing plot, intriguing characters and writing that is intelligent without trying to impress. Having recently read an author whose overwrought prose drove me to distraction, I appreciate Iles’ writing and storytelling style all the more.

This is a propulsive narrative with its origins tracing back to J. Edgar Hoover, an unsolved murder whose tentacles surround the town of Natchez, conspiracies abound, the trail of bodies stack up and all eventually lead to an unforgettable trial. It’s multi-layered and suspenseful, emotional and action packed, this latter a little over the top and my only quibble. I’d like to see a wee bit less testosterone in the next in the series, incredulity was stretched with what Cage endures.

I read more books last year than any previous and yet enjoyed my reading life less. A combination of a lot of factors which I won’t bore you with, but that has led me to a different approach, one of which is to include more of the authors I’ve enjoyed in the past, even if it’s not the current ‘must read.’ The Quiet Game paid off dividends on my new reading strategy and reading investment and I’m looking forward to more. 4+++

[Britany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penn Cage is a famous author with his own personal demons, after unsuccessfully trying to move on from the unexpected death of his wife, he takes his young daughter Annie home to Natchez, Mississippi to be with his family. Natchez brings back memories that Penn didn't expect, chief among those is a 30 year old murder motivated by racial tension, politics, and class warfare in 1968. The mystery aspect was interesting, although slightly predictable and not nearly as exciting as all the attempted murder plot points inserted throughout the book.

While there was lots of action, and some lovable characters, the book left me wanting more from the story. It dragged on in parts, and could have been cut down significantly. Penn Cage is an engaging character and one I found myself rooting for, however the ending was a little too complex and overly wrought for my liking.

[Retired Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely great! I love fiction by Southern authors, and you can almost feel the sultry heat in Greg Isle's words. I was gripped by the story from the first page to the last. Can't wait to read the next in the series. There are so many truths about the South in the pages of this novel, and I am going to make all my friends read it.

[Esil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit that I read this book for a strange reason. I read a brilliant review of Natchez Burning, and discovered that it was the 4th in the Penn Cage series. While the review was clear that it's not necessary to read the first three to appreciate Natchez Burning, I am a bit obsessive about reading mystery series in order. A long rationale, but mostly it ended up being worthwhile. I like Penn Cage. I like the setting. I liked the plot. It kept me reading to the end wondering how it would all unfold. But parts of it were a bit trashier than I usually enjoy my mysteries. Also the pacing was a bit crazy and there were long stretches of uninteresting violence. So 3 stars will do it for this one. But the negatives were not enough to turn me off from reading the rest of the series, and in fact I have now started no. 2 in the series, which I am enjoying more. So I might make it to Natchez Burning...

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 * It’s hard to fill 624 pages and keep the reader interested to the very end. Greg Iles has the ability to achieve this with a well crafted story of murder and settling of scores with those in power. With many smarmy characters along with action packed scenes, it is an engrossing read that will keep you turning the pages well into the night.

[☮Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Natchez, MS, is from where Penn Cage hails and, following the death of his wife, to where he flees with his little girl. Good memories abound, but danger now, as he looks into a 1968 unsolved murder of a black citizen. His ex, Livy Marston, comes back at the same time, and he wonders if they'll have a second chance at love. She escaped years before, and her father set forth trying to ruin Cage's father for some mysterious reason.

Looking up from the bridge, I see Natchez as the tourist sees it: the high bluff where sun-worshiping Natchez Indians massacred the French soldiers of Fort Rosalie in 1729; where Aaron Burr was arrested as a traitor and set free to the cheers of crowds; where an African prince labored twenty years as a slave; where Jefferson Davis wedded Varina Howell in the halcyon days before the Civil War. But I see so much more. I see the city Livy Marston captivated with a beauty and poise not seen since P. T. Barnum brought Jenny Lind down the river in 1851. I see the thin edge of a universe of vibrant life and mysterious death, of shadowy secrets and bright facades, and of races inextricably bound by blood and tears, geography and religion, and above all, time. “This is a good place to be from,” I murmur.

Natchez is definitely a main character of the book, and I love Iles' descriptions of it, despite the fact that I know I'll probably never set foot there. Other characters are well drawn and interesting. Also present are the ghosts of long-gone folks like Medgar Evans, Martin Luther King, Jr., J Edgar Hoover, and Cage's deceased wife, to name a few.
In no time, Penn stirs up the citizenry, who all seem to know who was responsible for the murder but won't talk about it. Even the FBI had been involved, and Hoover sealed the files on the case. All playing "the quiet game." This only makes Cage bolder and more curious to investigate further.

There is a bit much going on in this town and in Cage's world to keep up with, and the book being on the longish side became rather exhausting. Answers came slowly, but when they came, wowza! It definitely made me care for Penn Cage and continuing on with another book or two from this series.

[Edwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only recently discovered Greg Iles (Summer of 2010). The Quiet Game is the second book of his that I have read. Yes, he is a better read than Grisham and his characters are more alive and his description of events closer to home. A little too much violence and murder to be real, but it is a thriller and that is why we are reading him. Iles is particulary adept at bringing the reader into the relationships, and creating the chemistry of Penn Cage and Livy and Penn Cage and Caitlin is nothing short of masterful. The sexual content is descriptive and sensual, yet not crass. We have all experienced some of what Iles is telling us when he laments about the past and the present and what we wanted and probably left behind with no hope of ever recovering. As a trial lawyer I am a bit critical of some of the procedural legal gaffs in this book, but they do not detract from the theme or pleasure of reading the book. I don't know anyting about Mississippi legal procedure so I may be wrong anyway. What intrigued me about this book is Iles honest discussion about race. There are so few books, movies, media reports or other dialogue that so honestly deal with the race relations of our country. He calls it as it is, at least from his perspective as a southerner. We should all be so honest. This book is a page turner and I found myself unable to put it down. If you have not read the book, you should.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was a mediocre, deeply lazy, paint by the numbers waste of time. For full disclosure I listened to rather than read this book and the narrators unintentionally hilarious attempts to do female southern accents really did not help. But the real problem with this book was a plot that stunk a mile away, a love for every cliche under the book, and some very clunky dialogue.

Back to John Grisham.

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penn Cage goes home, to Natchez, Mississippi, after the death of his wife to find his father is being blackmailed. Being Houston prosecutor and familiar with the law he tries to protect his father, but he then becomes wrapped up in the 30 yr old murder of a black veteran. Along with Caitlin Masters, a newspaper publisher, he gets involved with the FBI, the memory of an old girlfriend, and a judge who threatened to ruin him and his family years ago.
I found it a bit hard to get into the swing of Greg Iles' writing. However once settled in, found the story and plot to be one that induced me to turn the next page.

[Sallie Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Greg Iles book. I've managed to accumulate a few - on Kindle, in used book stores, and decided I wanted to start with the first Penn Cage book.

I was not disappointed. Penn Cage is a native of Natchez, Mississippi and has returned home after attaining some fame as an attorney turned author . This is a crime thriller full of interesting characters and all the hot button issues prevalent in the deep south. There's racism, love, hate, crooked cops, crooked attorneys, the very poor and the very wealthy. Very satisfying ending. I can't wait to get started on the 2nd Penn Cage book!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two thumbs up to Greg Iles for a stunning legal thriller. I was totally engrossed in this page-turner which is packed with courtroom drama, politics, scandal, secrets and lots of action. I love the character Penn Cage, who is now a best-selling author but earlier was a prosecuting attorney in Texas. Penn and his young daughter have returned to Natchez, Mississippi after the death of his wife in the hopes that his parents can help the 4-year-old get back to some semblance of normalcy. After a short time with his parents he finds out his father is being blackmailed. Penn becomes drawn into the investigation of a murder that happened in 1968, 35 years earlier, where a young black man was killed by a car bomb outside the factory where he worked.

The writing style reminded me some of John Grisham's early novels. A fun book - I totally enjoyed it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me trapped in the stinging closet of self-loathing for the very short time it took me to race through it. And thank goodness is was fast-paced, because oh my God did it cause some eyerolling that would have been medically marginal had it continued unabated. The characters were so incredibly stereotypical and alternately condescending/patronizing in so many ways that I audibly sighed to myself while reading this, as if to beg myself to turn back and put this book down. But I couldn't. It was a fun romp and an enjoyable, not too wreckless waste of brain cells. If you like a good murder mystery and don't mind the phrase "poor man's John Grisham" constantly running through your head, pick it up today!

[Cody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun fact: I almost DNF’d this book thirty pages from the end. No real reason, I was just that bored. Bored out of my friggin mind, matter of fact.

Look, maybe I went into The Quiet Game with high expectations. It has been reviewed quite favorably by many friends of mine — friends whose opinions I trust. And that isn’t to say they are wrong, or I am wrong; it simply means we all digest art differently.

This book commits arguably the largest sin possible for a book to commit: I cared not one bit for any of the characters. The narrator (what is his name? I already can’t remember — oh, Penn Cage, that’s right . . .) is bland stale bread; his “romantic interests” are forced, the villains are laughably cliché, the whole narrative feels ripped straight from John Grisham, only done much worse . . .

Oh, and Mr Iles, black people do not smell “funny” or “different”, despite what your protagonist says. WTF?

Giving this two stars for the occasional “thrilling” twist, the minute hints at literary depth, and the town of Natchez itself . . . which is, I must admit, given more life than any of the humans who populate it.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors, this first book in a series did not disappoint. Complex and well written, as usual, I enjoy every book I read by this author. My husband is also a fan and we have all of his books so far. I have not read them all yet but plan to.

This story takes place in Natchez, Mississippi in two time periods -- 1968 and a more present time. Penn Cage is a prosecutor in Houston, when his wife dies and he must care for his young daughter. He has become an author and returns to his childhood home where his parents can help pull the little girl out of her grief. Racial tensions are still high but held close as Penn is driven to reopen a 30-year-old crime that is not talked about in this small town.

There are many characters and nuances and even more astonishing acts in the past that he learns about gradually. No one wants to talk, out of fear, and he wants to know why.

[reading is my hustle · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was off putting. i'm not sure if it just does not age well or if the author is writing only for what (he thinks) a male audience wants to read. he likes to use the words tits and ass when describing women. classy. i was also troubled by the generalizations made about black folks in the south because lazy writing.

2 stars for the plot but the misogyny makes me want to give it one star and the generalizations push it towards the negative star category.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read most of Iles' work back in the day and decided to reread some after hearing he passed away just a few days ago. Like many of Iles' novels, The Quiet Game takes place in Natchez, Mississippi, and here he introduces Penn Cage, a lawyer turned novelist, who returns to his home town Natchez after the tragic death of his wife. Penn hopes staying with his parents will help his 4 yo daughter cope with her mother's passing.

Well, upon returning to Natchez, Penn soon finds a mess of problems. I will not go into great detail here, but first, Penn's father is being blackmailed by a lowlife in town. Second, Penn gives an interview to the manager of the local rag; Penn now is pretty famous as an author and has the notoriety of a 'home town boy made good'. In the interview, a side topic concerns the secrets of old Natchez and Penn mentions the case of a black man who was murdered in 1968 via car bomb, but the case was never solved. Caitlin, the manager of the paper, publishes an article about the black man, Del, digging up the old dirt. This quickly becomes a flashpoint in town, which is divided pretty evenly among black and white folk...

Iles tosses in enough plot twists, action, and political intrigue to keep the pages turning rapidly. Penn quickly becomes a 'Southern Man' hero of sorts, not being racist but tough on crime and an advocate of the death penalty. I liked the Southern Gothic feel of the novel, the social/political dynamics and the occasional subtle tweaks of those who see Mississippi as basically a racist wasteland. My only complaints concern who Iles made Penn into a Gary Stu at times, but that sometimes happen with thrillers. 4 quiet stars!

[Laurene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quiet Game written by Greg Iles in 1999. It is the first of the Penn Cage series. I have heard from a few other readers how much they enjoy the writing of Greg Ilse's Penn Cage -- Penn is a lawyer who has made the tough conscious decision to do the right thing. The Quiet Game is one of those books, (plus others), sitting on the shelf known as "I will get to you one day". I am so sorry I have waited this long. The Quiet Game is an excellent read which has enough twist and turns to keep the reader engaged to the end.

"Our actions have consequences that last long after us, entwining the present with the future in ways we cannot begin to understand. I have resolved a simple thing: I will do those things which make me happy today, and which I can live with ten years from now."

[Purple Country Girl (Sandy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quiet Game is slow to get off the ground. It took me almost a month to finish it, after putting it aside several times because the buildup was so, to put it nicely, leisurely. Somewhere around the 100 page mark, it finally picked up and my interest was piqued. It is also very long - my copy, a rather tall paperback, is over 600 pages in length. In all honesty, I think it could have been at least 100 pages shorter and nothing would have been lost. Some of the scenes are very drawn out and there are some scenes I don’t think are really necessary to the plot. I don’t like filler in the books I read and I feel there is quite a bit of it here.

That said, the story is strong and engaging. Penn Cage, a prosecutor and best-selling author, has returned to his parents’ home in Natchez, Mississippi, following the death of his wife. Penn is still trying to cope as is his young daughter and, with the impending execution of a man he put on death row and the ensuing media circus, it is definitely a good time to lay low with family. What was supposed to be a break for Penn, however, turns into a personal hell as he learns that his father is being blackmailed by a very sketchy character who is also a ex-cop and ex-con.

To add further to his troubles, during an interview with Caitlin Masters, an ambitious local journalist, he mentions a decades old cold case that is long-considered to be a racially-motivated murder. A young man, Del Payton, was blown up in his car in 1968, just days after the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. Payton, a civil rights worker, was a veteran of the Korean War and he was about to be promoted to a new position at the factory where he worked - a position his white colleagues felt was a “white job.” Penn, under the impression that the conversation is off the record, says more than he should and the next morning, after Caitlin has written and printed a story about the unsolved murder quoting Penn, the poop hits the fan and many in the town are angered, leading to violence and threats.

To make matters even more complicated, Penn finds Payton’s mother and widow on his parents’ doorstep, pleading with him to find out who murdered Del and to bring the killer to justice. So, instead of finding peace and quiet, Penn finds himself trying to help his father with his blackmailer and also trying to solve a murder that is thirty years old and may involve officials high up in government as well as a man who almost destroyed Penn’s father. The story that follows is full of ups and downs, suspense and lulls, tense scenes full of gunfire and mind-numbing scenes involving Penn and his annoying, selfish ex-girlfriend, Livy. When the suspense is there, it is full on but from time to time, it drags as the more mundane parts of the investigation are pursued and, among other things, as Penn’s relationship with Livy is explored.

The Quiet Game is a really good book with some wonderfully-written characters. Watching Penn work to discover the truth is often exciting. So many characters are playing the “quiet game,” basically the last one to talk wins and there are a lot of characters not talking about the Del Payton murder. Iles does an excellent job of describing Natchez past and present. It’s hard to read at times with the racial slurs and the prejudices in both the 60s and 90s. Occasionally, since the book is set in the late 90s, it becomes dated, but not overly so, with the mentions of beepers, camcorders and Sally Jessy Raphael, whose original talk show disappeared in the early 2000s, I believe.

While I enjoyed the story, the characters and the twists and turns, the length and slowness did dampen my overall enjoyment. I’m really surprised to see quite a few reviews calling it fast-paced from page one. It was several dozen pages before I would call it fast-paced and even then, there were places were it just idled. I also did not like the use of present tense, I always find this distracting in books. Eventually, I got used to it but I am still not a big fan.

Iles is a very good writer and The Quiet Game is an intelligent, complex book but I’m not sure I would read anymore in the Penn Cage series. I glanced at the descriptions and lengths of the next books in the series and I feel they would be more of the same. I won’t say never but definitely not anytime soon.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oooh, boy. This is legitimately the closest I've come to quitting a book discussion group selection. I read the first 11% on audiobook and found the pacing so slow that I couldn't bear to go on. OneClick Digital's app, it should be noted does not have a speed button. I swapped out for an ebook, and kept at it, but by the last 25%, I was basically anger reading it.

My first issue with the book is that Penn Cage is such a male fantasy character - rich, powerful, appealing to the ladies, good in a fight, and made of rubber, so he can fight the fight again tomorrow. That would be bad, but worse Cage is also an author insert of the first order, from Wikipedia:

Iles was born in 1960 in Stuttgart, Germany, where his physician father ran the U.S. Embassy Medical Clinic. He was raised in Natchez, Mississippi, the setting of many of his novels. After attending Trinity Episcopal Day School, he graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1983.

When people say write what you know, they don't really mean that your character should be an author from your hometown with your dad.

As bad as that is, his women are written with an even bigger ham hand and are disconcertingly cliche. I think that he only added the dead wife and sad daughter as a way to make his character seem vulnerable and then promptly ignored Annie unless she could serve as a plot point (kidnapping, what?). Someone mentioned at discussion group how moved they were by the parts with Ruby, and I was startled, because he never actually sold me on an emotional connection to her. I truly think that he tried to put thought and history into his character development, but that he's not as imaginative as one might hope.

I also thought the book was way too long. Several people mentioned that this was quintessential summer reading (one person even compared it to Jurassic World), but for me a beach book should top out about 350 pages. Additionally, several people mentioned that they felt they had to speed through it, lest they forget the minor characters. I read this over three weeks without losing anyone, but I can see how that would be a concern. Some of the length is due to research and description, and that was something I actually appreciated. I think that Iles did an excellent job with his settings.

Also in the good category was his early conversation with Caitlin in which he discusses blacks, whites, and Southern culture. That part was a little gem buried in rather a lot of dross. As to what I could toss out....

I skimmed the action scenes, which were many. I could not care less. Iles uses the "everything up to and including the kitchen sink" method of plotting. There's so much going on, people dying all over the place, twists, counter-twists, imminent danger, dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria! Oops, sorry about the descent into quoting there. It was too much, and the resulting book is an over-written, sloppy, contrived mess, and silly in its bid to do everything. One week murder trial, why not? Multiple last minute saves? Why not? Let's just do everything!!

This is certainly not the worst book I've ever read; it has some redeemable qualities. The book discussion group was lively and hysterically funny. I think what was the most telling, however, was that even though some of the readers liked it better than me, only one out of the nine attending said they were planning on reading more Greg Iles.

2.5/5 rounded down.