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Blood Memory
Forensic expert "Cat" Ferry has a stellar reputation until a panic attack paralyzes her at a New Orleans murder scene. Praying the attack is a one-time event, she continues working, but when the same killer strikes again - raising fears that a serial killer is at large - Cat blacks out over the victim's mutilated corpse. Suspended from the FBI task force, Cat returns to her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to regroup.
Though her colleagues know her as a world-class forensic odontologist, Cat lives a secret life. Plagued by nightmares, and deeply involved with a married homicide detective, Cat holds herself together with iron nerves and alcohol, using her work as a substitute for life.
But her family's secluded antebellum estate provides no sanctuary. When some of Cat's forensic chemicals are spilled in her childhood bedroom, two bloody footprints are revealed. This discovery sets in motion a quest to piece together Cat's past - buried memories that could tie her father's murder to the grisly deaths occurring in New Orleans in the present. For only by finding this remorseless killer can Cat save her sanity - and her life.
Though her colleagues know her as a world-class forensic odontologist, Cat lives a secret life. Plagued by nightmares, and deeply involved with a married homicide detective, Cat holds herself together with iron nerves and alcohol, using her work as a substitute for life.
But her family's secluded antebellum estate provides no sanctuary. When some of Cat's forensic chemicals are spilled in her childhood bedroom, two bloody footprints are revealed. This discovery sets in motion a quest to piece together Cat's past - buried memories that could tie her father's murder to the grisly deaths occurring in New Orleans in the present. For only by finding this remorseless killer can Cat save her sanity - and her life.
800 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
1541 people are currently reading
7712 people want to read
About the author
Greg Iles
122 books7,203 followersGreg 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,188 reviews
September 20, 2008
Everything about this book makes me think that Greg Iles is too good to be true. He did everything against the rules--a male writing from a female character's point of view, making the main character so incredibly flawed that it blows your mind, having a supporting character that accepts those flaws without question. He was able to blend the touchy subjects of sexual abuse, race relations, and economic class differences into one hell of a whirlwind ride. This was the first Greg Iles book I've read, and it definitely won't be the last. I was so involved in this book, and to me involvement = good.
July 28, 2018
Fast-paced, well written, engaging, and filled with raw emotion. An all around good psychological thriller and solid read.
February 9, 2011
A dark, disturbing, passionate, and horrific novel of sexual child abuse, violence, killing, suicide, depression, and mystery. This was a well written book, which contains one of the best female characters created by a male author I have ever read. The powerful first person narrative propelled me from the first page to the last with startling speed. The combination of repressed memory, forensic dentistry, incest, and psychology make this a read that is not for everyone because of its unsettling content which is shocking in many parts. Though I don't recommend this book for anyone below sixteen because of its mental imagery, gristly descriptions, and mature subject matter I cannot deny that Greg Iles is one of the most flexible and unique writers of fiction today. The mix of three-dimensional characters, razor fast plot, varied and fascinating narrative, multitude of subjects, and horrible topics make this one of the best thrillers I have ever read not only because it is fast paced but also because it informed, provoked, and disturbed me in a way that only thoughtful and reflective thrillers with depth can be.
April 22, 2023
As far as psychological thrillers go, Greg Iles has come up with a real heart-stopper in Blood Memory, incorporating recovered memory syndrome into a story that initially appears to be a more common serial killer mystery.
Cat Ferry is a forensic odontologist working in New Orleans, Her life is a little complicated when the story opens, dealing with a drinking problem plus the pressure of hiding an affair with a married homicide cop with whom she works. The complications intensify while she is attending a murder scene, the handiwork of a serial killer who bites their victims, hence her presence. For the second time in as many crime scenes she suffers a panic attack, as unexpected as it is embarrassing and it brings to a cataclysmic head all of the pressures that have been building within her.
It's at this point that the story takes a complete 90 degree turn as Cat escapes New Orleans and heads to her childhood home in Natchez, Mississippi. It's been many years since she has been home and as she gets closer begins to feel some disturbing emotions that she can only put down to the length of time since she had been there. These feelings grow and rather than providing her with the much needed relief from her problems she craved, she actually stumbles upon another mystery that has been hiding in Cat's past.
She is suddenly faced with the prospect that everything she had believed about her family is a lie. Against the strongest of opposition she is driven by an inner need to open up the secrets of her past.
Blood Memory is a tremendous book filled with pain and frustration, lies and half truths and a slow revelation of the truth that could be overshadowed by a terrible fight for survival. While not exactly a fast-paced thriller, after all we have a lot of nightmares to endure, souls to be searched and past secrets to unearth, there are plenty of moments that will have you engrossed.
The strong emphasis on detailed characterization is crucial to the story. It is the past of every major player that determines the answers that Cat is looking for and by a quirky link, it is the ongoing serial-killer investigation that gives her an unlikely insight into her own past. Iles has run the full range of character traits, too, whether they are unforgivably evil, hatefully sleazy, woefully naïve or simply mentally tortured, he examines them all in detail bringing them to full life for us.
It's unusual that the outcome of a murder investigation, particularly one as unusual as this one sounds, takes secondary importance in a thriller, but such is the emphasis given to Cat Ferry and her single-minded determination to find the truth. Greg Iles has told an engrossing story dealing with the emotional subjects of recovered memory syndrome and child molestation in a very confrontational style.
Incidentally, readers of past Greg Iles books may recognize the return of a past character, FBI profiler John Kaiser. Kaiser last made an appearance in Dead Sleep where he played a major role. This time his role is significantly smaller but, from past experience you know that he is a strong, decent law officer who can be trusted, and believe me, if there's something that Cat Ferry needs in this story is a trustworthy ally.
Greg Iles has a knack of writing thought-provoking thrillers and he has achieved that once again with Blood Memory. I would recommend it for people who enjoy psychological thrillers on a grand scale.
Cat Ferry is a forensic odontologist working in New Orleans, Her life is a little complicated when the story opens, dealing with a drinking problem plus the pressure of hiding an affair with a married homicide cop with whom she works. The complications intensify while she is attending a murder scene, the handiwork of a serial killer who bites their victims, hence her presence. For the second time in as many crime scenes she suffers a panic attack, as unexpected as it is embarrassing and it brings to a cataclysmic head all of the pressures that have been building within her.
It's at this point that the story takes a complete 90 degree turn as Cat escapes New Orleans and heads to her childhood home in Natchez, Mississippi. It's been many years since she has been home and as she gets closer begins to feel some disturbing emotions that she can only put down to the length of time since she had been there. These feelings grow and rather than providing her with the much needed relief from her problems she craved, she actually stumbles upon another mystery that has been hiding in Cat's past.
She is suddenly faced with the prospect that everything she had believed about her family is a lie. Against the strongest of opposition she is driven by an inner need to open up the secrets of her past.
Blood Memory is a tremendous book filled with pain and frustration, lies and half truths and a slow revelation of the truth that could be overshadowed by a terrible fight for survival. While not exactly a fast-paced thriller, after all we have a lot of nightmares to endure, souls to be searched and past secrets to unearth, there are plenty of moments that will have you engrossed.
The strong emphasis on detailed characterization is crucial to the story. It is the past of every major player that determines the answers that Cat is looking for and by a quirky link, it is the ongoing serial-killer investigation that gives her an unlikely insight into her own past. Iles has run the full range of character traits, too, whether they are unforgivably evil, hatefully sleazy, woefully naïve or simply mentally tortured, he examines them all in detail bringing them to full life for us.
It's unusual that the outcome of a murder investigation, particularly one as unusual as this one sounds, takes secondary importance in a thriller, but such is the emphasis given to Cat Ferry and her single-minded determination to find the truth. Greg Iles has told an engrossing story dealing with the emotional subjects of recovered memory syndrome and child molestation in a very confrontational style.
Incidentally, readers of past Greg Iles books may recognize the return of a past character, FBI profiler John Kaiser. Kaiser last made an appearance in Dead Sleep where he played a major role. This time his role is significantly smaller but, from past experience you know that he is a strong, decent law officer who can be trusted, and believe me, if there's something that Cat Ferry needs in this story is a trustworthy ally.
Greg Iles has a knack of writing thought-provoking thrillers and he has achieved that once again with Blood Memory. I would recommend it for people who enjoy psychological thrillers on a grand scale.
July 21, 2019
This being my seventh Greg Iles book, it's unique as compared to others. Set in both Natchez and New Orleans, the narrative is an emotionally troubled female which Greg executes with perfection. Cat Ferry's life explodes in the midst of an investigation of a mysterious serial murderer. In parallel, her desire to uncover the childhood death of her father, illuminates how she was abused, the root of her troubles as an adult. Her dreams expose some of the pieces; as she slowly assembles them, a link with the serial murders clarifies. Greg's mastery of building momentum, this story rockets from the first chapter and like a growing snowball as it speeds down a hill, explodes towards the end. With each revelation, danger grows from the dark side as well as the law, a contradiction in terms if there was one. With today's #Metoo movement, its hard not to draw parallels. For those are new to this author, we're introduced to Dr. Cage and Agent Kaiser, two characters that play pivotal roles in the Natchez Burning series. Highly recommended page turner, driven by a child abuse theme I can't wait to read the next one!
May 22, 2008
I went back and forth on this book. It is a good/fast read and I did enjoy it, but I really hated the protagonist. I mean she defined bitch for me and I didn't sympathize with her. She dated a married man, and felt no responsiblity for it (event though she knew he was married). She got pregnant by him. She always made the wrong decisions when it came to her job. She got people killed and didn't seem to care as long as she got what she wanted in the end. I know I sound terribly b/c you find out she's a survivor of sexual abuse, but you just hate so much else about her that seems secondary...not his best work.
August 26, 2025
Greg Iles is the master of thrilling edge of the seat dialogue. Dialogue examples are the weird psychiatrist and the grandfather in this fine epic. Throw in two murder mysteries, one of the main character's father and a totally weird serial murderers and you have a great thriller.
May 11, 2012
I've read all of Greg Iles's books and though there are some I like better in the end than others, they all have one thing in common: they grab your attention from the first few pages and don't let go. Whatever you think of his writing style or the preposterousness of his plots at times, Iles has a way of pulling you in immediately and not letting go until you've read the last page.
Blood Memory revolves around Cat Ferry, an odontologist working with the police in New Orleans to catch a serial killer. She is also an alcoholic who is sleeping with a married detective and has just found out she's pregnant. She goes back home to Natchez Mississippi to get away and clear her head. While there, she accidentally finds an old blood stain on the carpeting in her room. She begins investigating as she thinks it may lead to the truth of her father's death when she was a child. As the story unfolds, Cat finds out many things about all members of her family that horrify her, but help explain why she is so screwed up.
The two mysteries intertwine at times and keep you guessing to a point. You will probably figure out one of them before it is revealed, but not the other. Blood Memory is an excellent thriller, albeit too long. You could pare 150-200 pages off of it and have the same book. However, the story will keep you reading and there will come a point where you have to continue no matter how late it is or how tired you are.
Blood Memory revolves around Cat Ferry, an odontologist working with the police in New Orleans to catch a serial killer. She is also an alcoholic who is sleeping with a married detective and has just found out she's pregnant. She goes back home to Natchez Mississippi to get away and clear her head. While there, she accidentally finds an old blood stain on the carpeting in her room. She begins investigating as she thinks it may lead to the truth of her father's death when she was a child. As the story unfolds, Cat finds out many things about all members of her family that horrify her, but help explain why she is so screwed up.
The two mysteries intertwine at times and keep you guessing to a point. You will probably figure out one of them before it is revealed, but not the other. Blood Memory is an excellent thriller, albeit too long. You could pare 150-200 pages off of it and have the same book. However, the story will keep you reading and there will come a point where you have to continue no matter how late it is or how tired you are.
August 28, 2025
No one can say Iles was not afraid to tackle difficult subjects, in this case incest and pedophilia. Our lead, Catherine "Cat" Ferry works as a forensic odontologist in New Orleans; in other words, she specializes in human bite marks and the clues they provide primarily in murder cases. She often works with the New Orleans police department and the FBI. The novel starts with a series of murders taking place in New Orleans which has the cops and FBI stumped, for the victims are all older men (50s-60s) and there seems to be no connection whatsoever except they all died via the same MO-- first shot in the spine, then bitten repeatedly, then killed with a bullet to the head.
Iles created a complex character with Cat. Aged 31 and a functional alcoholic, while investigating the third victim she has a panic attack; something that never happened before. Ditto for the fourth victim. The only change in her life is that she recently discovered she is pregnant. Now Cat, sexually active, always goes for older, married men, something her various shrinks have been working with her about. Her current lover (married with three kids) works homicide for the NOPD and together, they have solved several murders in New Orleans. The FBI finally turns up a lead-- several the victims have female relatives that consulted with the same shrink, someone Cat met while she was in med school. Oddly, when the shrink is confronted, he asks to speak with Cat...
Iles knows how to pace a thriller and employs a frenetic pace here from the drop. While the various investigations proceed apace, much of the tale involves Cat's process of self discovery. Her father, a Vietnam vet, was murdered when she was 8 years old. Traumatized by the incident, Cat did not speak for one year. Further, she has few memories of the time before her father's murder. She does, however, have nasty nightmares, is manic/depressive, and has been working with shrinks for years on and off. Cat comes from a wealthy family in Natchez, Mississippi (naturally for Iles!), and although somewhat estranged from her mother and grandfather, early in the novel (after her latest panic attack) she heads back there. Due to some accidently spilled forensic chemicals, she discovers old blood stains in her old bedroom, which has not changed since she was 8 (she moved out as a teenager and never went back much; it seems her mother keeps her room as a shrine of sorts).
I will stop with the plot here, but we soon learn that some mystery surrounds her father's death and Cat becomes determined to find out what really happened. Is this mystery somehow connected to the serial killer in New Orleans? What is the connection with the shrink implicated in the murders in New Orleans and Cat? One taut thriller, even if it tips the scales into doorstop territory. 4 grim stars!
Iles created a complex character with Cat. Aged 31 and a functional alcoholic, while investigating the third victim she has a panic attack; something that never happened before. Ditto for the fourth victim. The only change in her life is that she recently discovered she is pregnant. Now Cat, sexually active, always goes for older, married men, something her various shrinks have been working with her about. Her current lover (married with three kids) works homicide for the NOPD and together, they have solved several murders in New Orleans. The FBI finally turns up a lead-- several the victims have female relatives that consulted with the same shrink, someone Cat met while she was in med school. Oddly, when the shrink is confronted, he asks to speak with Cat...
Iles knows how to pace a thriller and employs a frenetic pace here from the drop. While the various investigations proceed apace, much of the tale involves Cat's process of self discovery. Her father, a Vietnam vet, was murdered when she was 8 years old. Traumatized by the incident, Cat did not speak for one year. Further, she has few memories of the time before her father's murder. She does, however, have nasty nightmares, is manic/depressive, and has been working with shrinks for years on and off. Cat comes from a wealthy family in Natchez, Mississippi (naturally for Iles!), and although somewhat estranged from her mother and grandfather, early in the novel (after her latest panic attack) she heads back there. Due to some accidently spilled forensic chemicals, she discovers old blood stains in her old bedroom, which has not changed since she was 8 (she moved out as a teenager and never went back much; it seems her mother keeps her room as a shrine of sorts).
I will stop with the plot here, but we soon learn that some mystery surrounds her father's death and Cat becomes determined to find out what really happened. Is this mystery somehow connected to the serial killer in New Orleans? What is the connection with the shrink implicated in the murders in New Orleans and Cat? One taut thriller, even if it tips the scales into doorstop territory. 4 grim stars!
April 2, 2016
Ok so this is a first for me. I have read every book written by this author and I am anxiously awaiting his latest work, however, in spite of this I have never written a review on any of his books as it just seemed to daunting of a task. How does an average person like myself begin to express the sheer pleasure of reading a book by someone who they feel to be a genius with the written word. I don't know to be honest I just felt it was time to try. I have lost myself in the stories so often, I have raged at Mr. Iles villains, I have fallen in love with his heroes (yes Penn Cage you are the only man I would leave my husband for), I visited the world he creates and the times...never before has anyone prompted me to read a war story I just don't they're not my thing and yet I have read and thoroughly enjoyed both Spandau Phoenix and Black Cross they were amazing stories, I have wept over his story of youth gone wrong, Turning Angel but at the top of the list for me is this book Blood Memory. In these pages Mr. Iles deals with the traumatic subject of incest not the event at the time but the devastating impact it has on the victim for the rest of their life. This is woven around an incredibly well told mystery. It has actually been several years since I've read this book, 8 to be exact as it was released in 2005 and without fail I was there to catch it as it came off the presses. The hard copy of this book holds a special place on my book shelf along with the rest of Mr. Iles's books. If I could write a review that would prompt people even one person to read one author or one book it would be this author and this book, Blood Memory by Greg Iles.
April 29, 2011
An airplane book. Fast reading but overly long. This was typical Greg Iles in that it was violent and graphic. It was also unbelievable. I simply cannot understand how the protagonist managed to scamper from Nachez to New Orleans and then back again (even getting dunked in a river after being shot) repeatedly without packing a suitcase. But she did. I guess what put me off to this is the credence given to the repressed memory movement and the suggestion that child sexual abuse can cause bipolar disorder. Iles, do your homework. Bipolar disorder has nothing to do with child sexual abuse!
January 16, 2014
This is my second Greg Iles book. I really enjoy his writing and his way of telling a story. I love how the mystery unfolds/the case is solved, etc. like other reviewers, I wasn't the biggest fan of the protagonist. Cat doesn't come across as too warm or friendly but I don't think she is meant to. Already emotionally and physically worn out. She is an alcoholic going through withdraw, pregnant with her married lover's baby, on leave from her job she returns home to hidden family secrets(horrible secrets) and a crime. A great story about predator(s) and their prey. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey Iles takes us on in Blood Memory. I will definitely be reading more of Iles in the future.
April 9, 2021
This is my first book by Greg Iles and will be my last. I didn't like the narration style, though the subject was promising. It was in first person and in present tense. Getting into Cat's head was the last thing I would want to do !
The original novel is apparently 800 pages long. Thankfully I read the abridged version in the Readers Digest Select Edition. I can't imagine the level of details the original book had.
The way Cat and her BF Sean connected the serial murders to a psychiatrist was weird, the connection was so flimsy. They are casually discussing the murders and started putting together far fetched conspiracy theories, sitting in her den. The FBI agent Kaiser was a big fool to place all the evidences in Cat's hands though she was herself a suspect.
The subject of child abuse is very very sensitive. But the way Cat keeps saying she was abused in her childhood, felt like she was thrilled to have had this experience. And the author's poor narration style is to be blamed for this.
If you want to read a good book on repressed memories, I recommend Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon. And for pointers on how to write an engaging story in first person, I recommend books by Dick Francis.
I have added Cat to my list of the most annoying heroines along with Kay Scarpetta, Maura Isles, Temperance Brennan, Carol Jordan.
The original novel is apparently 800 pages long. Thankfully I read the abridged version in the Readers Digest Select Edition. I can't imagine the level of details the original book had.
The way Cat and her BF Sean connected the serial murders to a psychiatrist was weird, the connection was so flimsy. They are casually discussing the murders and started putting together far fetched conspiracy theories, sitting in her den. The FBI agent Kaiser was a big fool to place all the evidences in Cat's hands though she was herself a suspect.
The subject of child abuse is very very sensitive. But the way Cat keeps saying she was abused in her childhood, felt like she was thrilled to have had this experience. And the author's poor narration style is to be blamed for this.
If you want to read a good book on repressed memories, I recommend Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon. And for pointers on how to write an engaging story in first person, I recommend books by Dick Francis.
I have added Cat to my list of the most annoying heroines along with Kay Scarpetta, Maura Isles, Temperance Brennan, Carol Jordan.
January 27, 2016
It has been a long time since I started a book that I could not put down until I finished. (Well, I did put it down about 1 this morning to sleep). Set in New Orleans and Natchez, the setting is a winner for me. The main character is at first sight an accomplished professional, but as her story unravels we are drawn into a world of child abuse and repressed memories, murder, and the old South.
March 24, 2019
Man war das gut!
Intensive, außergewöhnliche Story die einen nicht loslässt.
Cat ist labil und depressiv, hat manische Phasen, trinkt zu viel, nimmt starke Medikamente und trifft oft falsche Entscheidungen. Dazu kommt die Affäre mit einem verheirateten Mann, von dem sie jetzt auch noch schwanger ist. Und gerade weil sie so traumatisiert und und kaputt ist, war sie mir so sympathisch.
Die Auszeit, die sie sich nehmen wollte läuft nicht so wie gedacht. Erst finden sich Blutspuren und sie hofft herausfinden zu können, was damals passiert ist, als ihr Vater erschossen wurde. Und nach und nach kommen alle furchtbaren, schockierenden Geheimnisse ihrer Familie ans Licht.
Figuren und Umgebung sind so facettenreich, authentisch und bildhaft gezeichnet. Zwei Fälle, interessant verschachtelt, beide heftig, weil man so nah am Geschehen ist.
Grausame Themen wie Kindesmissbrauch und Inzest, mitleidlose Täter und hilflose Opfer. Furchtbar weil deutlich wird, wie die Schatten der Vergangenheit die Opfer verfolgen, auch wenn die Erinnerung erfolgreich verdrängt werden konnte.
Was Cat passiert ist, die Geschichte ihrer Südstaaten-Familie, die Insel des Grauens - und dann noch der aktuelle Fall. Alles zusammen der Wahnsinn.
Atmosphärisch und super spannend geschrieben. Ich muss mehr von Iles lesen.
Intensive, außergewöhnliche Story die einen nicht loslässt.
Cat ist labil und depressiv, hat manische Phasen, trinkt zu viel, nimmt starke Medikamente und trifft oft falsche Entscheidungen. Dazu kommt die Affäre mit einem verheirateten Mann, von dem sie jetzt auch noch schwanger ist. Und gerade weil sie so traumatisiert und und kaputt ist, war sie mir so sympathisch.
Die Auszeit, die sie sich nehmen wollte läuft nicht so wie gedacht. Erst finden sich Blutspuren und sie hofft herausfinden zu können, was damals passiert ist, als ihr Vater erschossen wurde. Und nach und nach kommen alle furchtbaren, schockierenden Geheimnisse ihrer Familie ans Licht.
Figuren und Umgebung sind so facettenreich, authentisch und bildhaft gezeichnet. Zwei Fälle, interessant verschachtelt, beide heftig, weil man so nah am Geschehen ist.
Grausame Themen wie Kindesmissbrauch und Inzest, mitleidlose Täter und hilflose Opfer. Furchtbar weil deutlich wird, wie die Schatten der Vergangenheit die Opfer verfolgen, auch wenn die Erinnerung erfolgreich verdrängt werden konnte.
Was Cat passiert ist, die Geschichte ihrer Südstaaten-Familie, die Insel des Grauens - und dann noch der aktuelle Fall. Alles zusammen der Wahnsinn.
Atmosphärisch und super spannend geschrieben. Ich muss mehr von Iles lesen.
January 16, 2012
It is an entertaining book with serious repercussions. Within the frame of entertainment it is an excellent read. The plot is engrossing and deals with the everyday hidden social, moral, and sexual 'disease' of child molestation and its aftermath and impact on the life of a victim.
It is also a painful journey into the past of the protagonist, who is indeed a very resilient and stubborn young lady. Her dysfunctional lifestyle and behavioral patterns can be used as clues when she is tentatively finds the way to recall the scenes from her past.
Sometimes I questioned the plausibility of some facts in the novel, but surprisingly they are not connected with the child abuse and suppressed memories. The procedural side of the story, however, did raise some questions.
It is not the book when the artistic value is 'ah' and 'oh', and it has never meant to be, but it does serve its function to entertain and to provoke thoughts and make people question and re-evaluate their attitude to child molestation.
It is also a painful journey into the past of the protagonist, who is indeed a very resilient and stubborn young lady. Her dysfunctional lifestyle and behavioral patterns can be used as clues when she is tentatively finds the way to recall the scenes from her past.
Sometimes I questioned the plausibility of some facts in the novel, but surprisingly they are not connected with the child abuse and suppressed memories. The procedural side of the story, however, did raise some questions.
It is not the book when the artistic value is 'ah' and 'oh', and it has never meant to be, but it does serve its function to entertain and to provoke thoughts and make people question and re-evaluate their attitude to child molestation.
April 15, 2014
This book was fast-paced and kept me reading, so I guess for that reason I have to say it wasn't bad.
However, I think when somebody told Greg Iles to write what he knows, he really, really took it to heart. This is the third book by him that I've read, and they're starting to seem pretty repetitive. Every one takes place in the city of Natchez, Mississippi; every one has a character who wants to "save" the city; there's always somebody having an affair, and a separate couple with a budding romance; one character is always a doctor and another is always a lawyer; and finally, snakes and the Mississippi river generally seem to feature heavily. I'm beginning to question this author's creativity, as it seems like he just sticks these same elements into a blender and randomly selects which one will be the main plot point.
However, I think when somebody told Greg Iles to write what he knows, he really, really took it to heart. This is the third book by him that I've read, and they're starting to seem pretty repetitive. Every one takes place in the city of Natchez, Mississippi; every one has a character who wants to "save" the city; there's always somebody having an affair, and a separate couple with a budding romance; one character is always a doctor and another is always a lawyer; and finally, snakes and the Mississippi river generally seem to feature heavily. I'm beginning to question this author's creativity, as it seems like he just sticks these same elements into a blender and randomly selects which one will be the main plot point.
August 16, 2007
Buried in this massive book are two compelling mysteries - a serial murder case set in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a more personal family drama set in Natchez, Mississippi. While both stories interested me and were well written, I found myself wondering whether a third of the book could have been cut without compromising the plot. That said, the story illustrates well the issues of repressed memory, child abuse, family secrets and revenge.
June 2, 2021
Ganze 4,8 ⭐️.
Die Botschaft die hinter diesem Buch steckt, ist grandios. ♥️😳 Ich habe zu Beginn wirklich nicht damit gerechnet. Aber niemand darf die Augen verschließen, wenn es um unsere Kinder geht. ♥️
Die Botschaft die hinter diesem Buch steckt, ist grandios. ♥️😳 Ich habe zu Beginn wirklich nicht damit gerechnet. Aber niemand darf die Augen verschließen, wenn es um unsere Kinder geht. ♥️
July 21, 2018
Quick summertime read. Very dark book, but a page turner. I enjoyed it, but avoid if you don't like dark books and sexual abuse.
December 27, 2019
Don't you hate it when a guy writes a book that he thinks describes a strong woman, but it shows what an idiot he is? I know I do.
February 9, 2015
A very dark and brooding tale from author Greg Iles, "Blood Memory" is an exceptional mystery thriller with punch. This murky novel comes out of the worst parts of New Orleans, and Natchez, MI. Forensic odontologist Catherine "Cat" Ferry is assisting local police tracking a serial killer who bites the victim before shooting them. Working with Detective Sean Regan, Cat is in free fall emotionally creating havoc on this case. Carrying on a relationship with the married Regan, Cat realizes she's pregnant, further hindering the case. Cat escapes to her childhood home in Natchez to regroup emotionally. Things spiral beyond crazy when the FBI get involved, and suddenly Cat is a person of interest. Cat continues to fall apart as she learns the real history of her childhood. Complete with incest, rape, murder, betrayal and misery Cat is in an ocean of hurt and confusion. Whichever way Cat turns she digs deeper into a morass of confusion. With some very colorful characters to be sure, "Blood Memory" is a trail into some very deep and dark secrets of the south. Meanwhile as the bodies continue to drop in New Orleans, Cat must try to hide from FBI, being devastated by her family at every turn. The plot is a very complex murder mystery with it's parts coming from different eras. As usual with an Ilse's book, it's a monster 800 pages. 800 pages is not a negative for this read. It takes it's time to unwind like a huge snake in the backwoods of Mississippi. Danger and suspense at each turn will tax Cat Ferry as she deals with the most complex case of her career. I thought it was a very good read. I've been a fan of Greg Iles's books for many years. This one as expected delivers. I gave it 5 stars out of 5 without question. Greg Iles is a master story teller. It's very enjoyable to get lost in one of his very long yarns of mystery and suspense. Give "Blood Memory" a try. It's worth the length of time it'll take to navigate. Without question it's a heck of a read.
March 4, 2020
This was on some "great horror" books list and set in New Orleans area so I thought Oooh, fun. Unfortunately ... its only "fun" if you like super slow serial killer set up with incredibly capable (doctor, dentist, scientist, deep water free diver, probably a ninja too) heroine from an old money family (but doesn't rely on her trust fund cause she's her own woman!) who is a tragically flawed over sexual, depressive, alcoholic in an affair with an older (but very attractive) detective. Add in sexual abuse, repressed memories, a super stud psychiatrist who is smarter than everyone and some FBI folks ... and you have a recipe for falling asleep while driving to work (yes, audio book). Holy slow boring cliche ... I abandoned it about 2/3rds thru and it wasn't even close to being a horror book. But if thats all your thing ... enjoy!
July 27, 2018
I loved the author's more recent triology books that took place in his hometown of Natchez, MS...so when I saw this book in my Little Free Library, I was interested...but thought, "Oh, it's an earlier book, and can't possibly be as good." I was hooked almost immediately, as Iles is one terrific story teller, and his writing is simple and fabulous. It's a tough subject: child abuse...and then, there's repressed memories, unethical characters, murder, family mysteries. All very intriguing, with lots of plot twists and intrigue. I stayed up late with this one, for sure...and it won't be one to leave my memory for a very long time...once again, Natchez calls...
March 7, 2023
Other authors may steer clear of topics like the one in this book, but Greg Isles tackles it head on and tries to show the life long psychological impact this type of crime has on the victims. Bravo to the author for portraying this unspeakable type of crime from the victim’s viewpoint. While the story takes place in Louisiana and Mississippi, it could just as easily take place anywhere in the world…which is just part of the shocking reality of this type of crime. My heart goes out to the victims and the unimaginable pain and suffering they must feel on a constant basis, regardless of when the original events occurred.
Definitely a worthwhile read!!
Definitely a worthwhile read!!
July 7, 2017
The story-line was good, but as other reviewers stated, the main character was somewhat selfish and annoying with a bit of a whiner personality. I loved the other one I read by this author, but this one was overlong with too much focus on what seemed to be the secondary story-line. I kept wondering when it would get back to the story that grabbed me at the beginning. The other "cold case" mystery was good, but might have been more interesting in a separate novel.
October 28, 2021
A dark, disturbing story of historical child sexual abuse mixed with a current serial killer case in New Orleans. An older book from 2005, the author penned a fast paced, action packed, very touching story with lots of twists and turns. Once again, we see why Greg Iles is near the top of his field. Excellent book.
March 8, 2018
This by far has been the most pages of a book I have read and finally decided to read it... Page turner, absolutely and a VERY ( Emotional) book as well. So glad I finally decided to read it. Greg Iles, Superb Writing and will definitely read more books by this Author!!!
April 25, 2025
This is a long one, but so worth it. For fans of dark true crime and psychological thrillers, this is a top notch story! It unfolds at a nice slow pace, giving the reader plenty of time to digest and integrate information as it’s revealed. The only small issue for me was the abundance of therapy-speak among the detectives in this book because that’s definitely not normal, but it does make for a more interesting read! There were parts that were hard to listen to, but the ending was very satisfying.
September 14, 2017
ma mogao je i skratiti za 200 str :)
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