Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

I just saw this and am heartbroken.

Legendary Mississippi author Greg Iles died Friday after a long battle with cancer.

The 65-year-old best-selling author, who wrote 17 novels, lost his battle to multiple myeloma, a cancer in which white blood cells begin to grow abnormally in the bone marrow. He had been battling the disease since 1996.

https://mississippitoday.org/2025/08/...

So sad.

I was just going to post this. Such sad news.

It is sad. I’ve wanted to read his books but haven’t yet. Does anyone have any favorites by him?? Do you prefer is series or stand alones??

Linda there are so many good ones, both series and standalone. The Penn Cage books are epic sized, particularly the later ones. Starting with The Quiet Game - book one of the Penn Cage books would be my recommendation. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (my review)
Mortal Fear is the start of a three book Mississippi trilogy and also excellent.
Third Degree was a very good standalone.

I found my 2015 post on the time I saw Greg Iles at the Southern Festival of Books.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

From Greg Iles’ website on his illness.

https://www.gregiles.com/about-5

thanks for sharing, ann. i still haven't read Southern Man but need to move it up the pile

I also was heartbroken when Sherry shared the news with me. Thanks for re-sharing your post about the Southern Festival of Books. 10 years ago!!!! It was fun to read all our comments (and to be reminded that I too saw him, at Bouchercon. He was much lauded there as well.)

I read his books in order and remember thinking The Quiet Game was extraordinary. I never looked back, reading every one he published, especially the Penn Cage series. I was wow'd by the way he wrote about attitudes about race in the South, opened my eyes to a few things.

I guess the TV series based on his books never came to fruition. Too bad.

He struggled with cancer for almost 20 years. An amazing writer. He will be missed.

Carol, it was fun to read our comments on the 2015 post. His writing methodology was pretty amazing, especially considering the length of most of his books.

I also read his medical report on his web site, which was heart wrenching. Poking around the web site, it was interesting to see that there is a real life Edelweiss, purchased by him and his wife, and renovated, now available for rental as a guest house. I can't imagine being able to afford to stay there but it looks beautiful. I hope to visit Natchez one day.

Not good news, but it is interesting that he dealt with this for such a long period of time.

Dan, it is interesting how long ago Greg Iles was diagnosed. And also that he put off some of the heavier treatments when it flared back up to finish writing Southern Man. The man was dedicated to his work. He was also so hopeful when he started the transplants. He will be missed.