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True Lies
Dr. Chris Shepard, a busy young doctor in Natchez, Mississippi, has never seen his new patient Alex Morse before. But the attractive young woman with the scarred face has come to Dr. Shepards office on a mission to catch a killer. This New York Times bestseller is available in a tall Premium Edition.
First published December 12, 2006
About the author
Greg Iles
103 books6,606 followersGreg Iles has 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 is a
member of the lit-rock group The Rock Bottom Remainders, lives in Natchez with his
wife, and has three children.
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 is a
member of the lit-rock group The Rock Bottom Remainders, lives in Natchez with his
wife, and has three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,210 reviews
January 15, 2016
True Evil by Greg Iles is a modern, psychological thriller blending elements of smooth yet relentless FBI detective work with what at least passes for a well researched biological terrorism plot.
Iles is also fairly adept at characterization as this Natchez, MS based novel teams with three dimensional, very real protagonists and antagonists. One of the selling points of this book is the great detail to which Iles addresses almost every subplot and character interaction.
Also refreshing is not only the very original storyline but also that Iles strays frequently from the beaten path and the novel takes several unexpected, but very amusing twists. Coming to the end, I really was unsure of how it would come out.
If this is ever made into a film, I hope that the Coen Brothers direct as they would be uniquely qualified to document the combination of very real terror filled and brutal scenes with what could also be some dark humor. Very entertaining.
Iles is also fairly adept at characterization as this Natchez, MS based novel teams with three dimensional, very real protagonists and antagonists. One of the selling points of this book is the great detail to which Iles addresses almost every subplot and character interaction.
Also refreshing is not only the very original storyline but also that Iles strays frequently from the beaten path and the novel takes several unexpected, but very amusing twists. Coming to the end, I really was unsure of how it would come out.
If this is ever made into a film, I hope that the Coen Brothers direct as they would be uniquely qualified to document the combination of very real terror filled and brutal scenes with what could also be some dark humor. Very entertaining.
August 25, 2016
Hands down this was one of the best books I have read in a long time. Greg Iles does a brilliant job of writing a book that reads like a movie, the plot and scenery so realistic that I had a hard time tearing myself away from the story, reading it in three sittings despite the 500 plus page span. I would suggest not reading too much of the dust jacket as it tells the reader a lot about the story and I found to be a bit of a spoiler so I waited until the book was over to read it and realized that not knowing some of those facts made the book even better.
The main meat of the story is about the wicked way in which people decide to get away from their spouses while keeping all the money without dealing with messy and long divorce procedures. Husbands and wives no longer keen on keeping their marital vows turn to Andrew Rush, a divorce lawyer who for a price gives them eternal piece of mind; he has the answer to a perfect murder that would be their solution if they proved to be capable of paying for and keeping it confidential. Working with a brilliant doctor who induces cancer or deadly diseases in people while they have no idea about it, Andrew seeks out rich and morally corrupt people to make money off the crimes they consent to. All was going well for the evil duo until they decided to kill of a wife whose sister is an FBI agent. Alexandra Morse is the heroine whose sister dies in agony telling her something that is terrifying, the dark truth about her husband and his plot that ultimately ends in her demise.
Outraged and lusting for revenge, Alex is on a mission while working on her own to prove that her sister was murdered. Using her FBI contacts and friends who can help her solve her sister's untimely death she seeks out all other victims who have died in a similar way with any connections to Andrew Rush. Along the way she finds the next victim of the lawyer and the scientist through an unfaithful wife who was seen meeting with Rusk. She decides to confront him and hopes that he can help her frame the murderers and saves his life at the same time.
There was so much more to this story that kept me at the edge of the seat that I wish I could tell about, but it would simply give away too much. The character development is flawless and so is the dialogue in this non stop ride of a thriller. The science behind cancers and diseases is well presented and very interesting while the main heroine is as real to me as my best friend. True Evil dealt with some really bad people and the quest to catch them while engaging in an iron battle of wits.
I can't wait to read more of this author as this was a delectable and engrossing book, something that will haunt my memory for a long time. I promise that the ending will be even better than one can predict and the book will leave a deep hunger for more good reading. This story will leave any bookworm full to the brim and deeply satisfied!
The main meat of the story is about the wicked way in which people decide to get away from their spouses while keeping all the money without dealing with messy and long divorce procedures. Husbands and wives no longer keen on keeping their marital vows turn to Andrew Rush, a divorce lawyer who for a price gives them eternal piece of mind; he has the answer to a perfect murder that would be their solution if they proved to be capable of paying for and keeping it confidential. Working with a brilliant doctor who induces cancer or deadly diseases in people while they have no idea about it, Andrew seeks out rich and morally corrupt people to make money off the crimes they consent to. All was going well for the evil duo until they decided to kill of a wife whose sister is an FBI agent. Alexandra Morse is the heroine whose sister dies in agony telling her something that is terrifying, the dark truth about her husband and his plot that ultimately ends in her demise.
Outraged and lusting for revenge, Alex is on a mission while working on her own to prove that her sister was murdered. Using her FBI contacts and friends who can help her solve her sister's untimely death she seeks out all other victims who have died in a similar way with any connections to Andrew Rush. Along the way she finds the next victim of the lawyer and the scientist through an unfaithful wife who was seen meeting with Rusk. She decides to confront him and hopes that he can help her frame the murderers and saves his life at the same time.
There was so much more to this story that kept me at the edge of the seat that I wish I could tell about, but it would simply give away too much. The character development is flawless and so is the dialogue in this non stop ride of a thriller. The science behind cancers and diseases is well presented and very interesting while the main heroine is as real to me as my best friend. True Evil dealt with some really bad people and the quest to catch them while engaging in an iron battle of wits.
I can't wait to read more of this author as this was a delectable and engrossing book, something that will haunt my memory for a long time. I promise that the ending will be even better than one can predict and the book will leave a deep hunger for more good reading. This story will leave any bookworm full to the brim and deeply satisfied!
July 15, 2009
People kept telling me to read Greg Iles because I like good crime mystery books. It didn't take long to see that his books are in the same class as James Patterson who I stopped reading long ago after he became a book factory.
This book has too many improbable plot tangents going on along with totally unbelieveable characters (a rogue FBI agent, a divorce lawyer offering murder as a way to simplify divorce, and a maniacal virologist conspiring with the government to develop a selective cancer causing agent while aiding said divorce lawyer, etc - OY!). Iles character development is so shaky that he uses continuous background flashback asides to justify each new improbable character action.
There are plenty of other good crime/mystery writers around that offer intelligent plots, colorful characters, and snappy dialog so that I think I can forget reading any more Iles books.
This book has too many improbable plot tangents going on along with totally unbelieveable characters (a rogue FBI agent, a divorce lawyer offering murder as a way to simplify divorce, and a maniacal virologist conspiring with the government to develop a selective cancer causing agent while aiding said divorce lawyer, etc - OY!). Iles character development is so shaky that he uses continuous background flashback asides to justify each new improbable character action.
There are plenty of other good crime/mystery writers around that offer intelligent plots, colorful characters, and snappy dialog so that I think I can forget reading any more Iles books.
July 21, 2019
This brilliant psychological-medical thriller, set mostly in Mississippi, kept me enthralled all the way through. Toward the end, it seemed to me that there was no way things could turn out well with so few pages left! As the title indicates, this book features a villain who is one of the most evil you'll run across in fiction. I definitely want to read more of Greg Iles' books.
March 31, 2015
WOW. What a great psychological thriller, and I have to admit to being totally engrossed in the book. So much so that what I was meant to do didn't get done until after the final page. Greg Iles paints a masterful landscape, which he peoples with care and attention. There are even cameo appearances from some familiar characters from the Penn Cage series of books.
The principal character is an FBI Agent, Alex Morse, supposedly destined for great things until her career takes a turn for the worse. Her father, a retired homicide detective, was shot in an unconnected burglary, her mother is dying of ovarian cancer, and her sister has just suffered what appears to be a stroke. Her dying words were that her husband had killed her, and charged Alex to protect her son Jamie. Through her investigations she meets Dr Chris Shepard, as he appears to be the serial killer's next target.
The serial killer leaves no traces behind him, even though we are privy to his identity, and even an autopsy reveals no signs of foul play. So how does he manage it? You'll have to read the book yourself, as i don't want to spoil things for you. You will not be disappointed to pick up this book if you enjoy a good thriller.
The principal character is an FBI Agent, Alex Morse, supposedly destined for great things until her career takes a turn for the worse. Her father, a retired homicide detective, was shot in an unconnected burglary, her mother is dying of ovarian cancer, and her sister has just suffered what appears to be a stroke. Her dying words were that her husband had killed her, and charged Alex to protect her son Jamie. Through her investigations she meets Dr Chris Shepard, as he appears to be the serial killer's next target.
The serial killer leaves no traces behind him, even though we are privy to his identity, and even an autopsy reveals no signs of foul play. So how does he manage it? You'll have to read the book yourself, as i don't want to spoil things for you. You will not be disappointed to pick up this book if you enjoy a good thriller.
December 27, 2023
I read a lot of Iles back in the day, but nothing for over a decade or so. After True Evil, I remember why I liked his work so much. Largely set in Mississippi (like most of his novels), this starts off with a bang. Alex (Alexandra) Morse, our lead, works for the FBI as a hostage negotiator, and she is damn good. We learn her back story by and by, but this begins with her rushing to see her sister in the hospital where she is dying. Her sister is only in her 30s, but seems to have suffered a massive stroke. On her death bed, she tells Alex that her husband killed her. What?
Alex loved her sister and also her son Jamie but never liked her husband. How could he have killed her with a stroke? Nonetheless, Alex uses up her sick time from work and her savings and vows to see justice done. Her diggings (with help from private detectives, etc.) seems to turn up more questions than answers, but arrows keep pointing at a divorce lawyer in Jackson. The lawyer seems to have had several cases where he was consulted about a divorce by very wealthy individuals (mostly men) and in a year or so their spouse dies some horrible death (cancer mostly). Finally, she hones in upon Dr. Chris Shepard, whose wife recently went to see the lawyer, and she goes to warn him. Maybe she can find out what the hell is going on if he will be the next victim...
Iles paces this so well it is hard not to stop turning the pages and I love his characters. The only author I can compare him to would be James Lee Burke; both really 'get' the South, warts and all, and their characters exemplify this, motivated by honor, prejudice, and often greed. He also does female protagonists very well and Alex is one of my favorites of his. The denouement dragged a bit; it seemed like Iles was going for major epic here with that but it felt a little clichéd ('lets toss in just one more twist!'). Still, if you are new to Iles, this is a good place to start. 4 thrilling stars!!
Alex loved her sister and also her son Jamie but never liked her husband. How could he have killed her with a stroke? Nonetheless, Alex uses up her sick time from work and her savings and vows to see justice done. Her diggings (with help from private detectives, etc.) seems to turn up more questions than answers, but arrows keep pointing at a divorce lawyer in Jackson. The lawyer seems to have had several cases where he was consulted about a divorce by very wealthy individuals (mostly men) and in a year or so their spouse dies some horrible death (cancer mostly). Finally, she hones in upon Dr. Chris Shepard, whose wife recently went to see the lawyer, and she goes to warn him. Maybe she can find out what the hell is going on if he will be the next victim...
Iles paces this so well it is hard not to stop turning the pages and I love his characters. The only author I can compare him to would be James Lee Burke; both really 'get' the South, warts and all, and their characters exemplify this, motivated by honor, prejudice, and often greed. He also does female protagonists very well and Alex is one of my favorites of his. The denouement dragged a bit; it seemed like Iles was going for major epic here with that but it felt a little clichéd ('lets toss in just one more twist!'). Still, if you are new to Iles, this is a good place to start. 4 thrilling stars!!
June 3, 2010
This is one of the most intelligent and entertaining reads I have had in a long time--difficult to find both in one book. It was full of excitement, fast-moving, and I kept thinking, this would make a great movie! This was my first Greg Iles book and I'll be reading his others, this book was obviously well-researched. The momentum never seemed to let up. Usually, I do much research on various websites and read review after review on books before I select just the right one. With True Evil, I just picked it up at an airport so I had something to read on the flight home. What luck! This turned out to be an extremely interesting book that I would likely have otherwise missed out on. I loved it. (It escaped 5 stars, as it did get more unbelievable and testosterone-ridden as it neared the end.) But I could really see this book made into a feature film. Exciting and enjoyable!
July 30, 2019
True Evil by Greg Iles
Stars: 4/5
Publication date: March, 2019
Scrappymags 3-word review: It IS evil!!
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com
Genre: Mystery
Shortest summary ever: Alex Morse, FBI agent hears her sister’s last dying words as she passes from illness - that she was actually murdered. Now Morse has gone rogue to discover the truth and in the process finds who she thinks could be the next victim - a doctor named Chris Shepherd. Can she save Shepherd? Find the killer? IS there a killer or is she merely chasing a ghost?
What’s good under the hood: Dang this freaked me out on several levels. Nifty science elevated this book for me - I’m a smart cookie, but lacking in a solid chemistry background, so it was a book where I LEARNED which is always fun. The other awesome feature is well, the book is TWISTED. Twisted plot, twisted characters, twisted surprises. It’s scary because it’s realistic or seemed realistic enough to me. My brain started to question “Can that actually happen?” Then there are snakes... Why did it have to be snakes? 🤦🏼♀️ Welcome to Heeby Jeeby-ville.
What’s bad or made me mad: A little more editing could sharpen and shorten the book. Some redundant facts were not needed.
Recommend to: Science/mystery folks will love it or those who like lengthier plot lines.
Not recommended to: If you’re looking for “quick” mysteries or don’t care for longer, involved plots.
Stars: 4/5
Publication date: March, 2019
Scrappymags 3-word review: It IS evil!!
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com
Genre: Mystery
Shortest summary ever: Alex Morse, FBI agent hears her sister’s last dying words as she passes from illness - that she was actually murdered. Now Morse has gone rogue to discover the truth and in the process finds who she thinks could be the next victim - a doctor named Chris Shepherd. Can she save Shepherd? Find the killer? IS there a killer or is she merely chasing a ghost?
What’s good under the hood: Dang this freaked me out on several levels. Nifty science elevated this book for me - I’m a smart cookie, but lacking in a solid chemistry background, so it was a book where I LEARNED which is always fun. The other awesome feature is well, the book is TWISTED. Twisted plot, twisted characters, twisted surprises. It’s scary because it’s realistic or seemed realistic enough to me. My brain started to question “Can that actually happen?” Then there are snakes... Why did it have to be snakes? 🤦🏼♀️ Welcome to Heeby Jeeby-ville.
What’s bad or made me mad: A little more editing could sharpen and shorten the book. Some redundant facts were not needed.
Recommend to: Science/mystery folks will love it or those who like lengthier plot lines.
Not recommended to: If you’re looking for “quick” mysteries or don’t care for longer, involved plots.
August 19, 2019
Yet another great page turner from a favorite author, this story like all the others was engaging from start to finish. What I really enjoy is how many of the Natchez characters have become a sort of family. This story centers around a female character never mentioned in the other books and yet Greg finds ways to bring in Penn Cage and his father along with Agent Kaiser who we see in the Natchez Burning trilogy. Iles has a formula that much like other best selling crime authors works across any situation. His talent with momentum building using unique characters is remarkable as is the copious research done that adds depth. This story poses a concept that devious minds could use to destroy civilization. That alone makes this worthy of adding to your list!
October 29, 2008
I bought this on impulse one day at Powell's. It had been over ten years since I last reads a Greg Iles book, Black Cross I think, and I really enjoyed that, as well as Spandau Phoenix. I figured I couldn't go wrong and I was right.
This book is a taut page turner with a complex plot. The characters are well fleshed out. The good guys are likable and the bad guys are assholes.
I couldn't put this one down.
This book is a taut page turner with a complex plot. The characters are well fleshed out. The good guys are likable and the bad guys are assholes.
I couldn't put this one down.
March 27, 2023
What a WILD ride !!! I used to read Iles back in the day. Thank you Matty (Matthew Dafoe) for sending me this book!! I devoured it !!
I don’t know where to begin - it’s OTT but by way of “what if this could happen”. It’s crazy. It’s outlandish. It’s got an ACTION PACKED ENDING too!
It’s also VERY well researched. There’s a lot of info about cancer that I loved. It wouldn’t have hit me the same way, I don’t think, upon release. I wasn’t diagnosed til 2013 and the book was published in 2006.
FBI, bio weapons, what lengths people will go for money, fighting for your family, honoring someone’s wish on their deathbed … and more !!
Trigger warnings galore. It’s all FICTION and for me I enjoyed the hell out of it !!
I don’t know where to begin - it’s OTT but by way of “what if this could happen”. It’s crazy. It’s outlandish. It’s got an ACTION PACKED ENDING too!
It’s also VERY well researched. There’s a lot of info about cancer that I loved. It wouldn’t have hit me the same way, I don’t think, upon release. I wasn’t diagnosed til 2013 and the book was published in 2006.
FBI, bio weapons, what lengths people will go for money, fighting for your family, honoring someone’s wish on their deathbed … and more !!
Trigger warnings galore. It’s all FICTION and for me I enjoyed the hell out of it !!
June 6, 2020
“True Evil” is one of Greg Iles’ books not included in the Penn Cage series (although Mr. Cage DOES make an appearance, it is not necessary to be at all familiar with Penn in this standalone novel) .
Dr. Chris Shephard is a local doctor working in Mississippi, living with his new wife and her son, Ben, whom he recently adopted. From the outside looking in, it appears that Chris has the perfect life. However, one day he receives a visit from FBI agent Alex Morse, who tells him that his wife has put a hit out on him, and that Chris’ life as he knows it is over. Although Agent Morse is going rogue on this case, without the FBI support behind her, she is desperate to get Chris to believe her. Alex’s sister, Grace, was also a victim of the same hit man, but the killer leaves no trace and disguises all of his murders as natural deaths, making him all the more difficult to find. Alex hopes that persuading Chris to help find out who wants to kill him will solve Grace’s murder, and bring an end to a disturbing trail of deaths in Mississippi.
“True Evil” is well-researched, full of some interesting information about the spread of viruses and some really intensely paranoia-inducing ways to cause terminal illness in human beings. It is clear that Illes did some hard-core information seeking, and managed to put it through to his reader in simple ways, that were not convoluted by heavy medical or scientific jargon.
I loved the character of Chris, and Alex was a great rebel-with-a-cause badass. Although the relationship between these two was quick to predict, I thoroughly enjoyed how the novel played out, leading to a gripping and powerful end.
Full of action, intrigue and murder, “True Evil” is scary on the sole basis of its reality and possibility , but it also never skips a beat and keeps a reader engaged from page one.
I have yet to complete Iles’ Natchez Burning series, but it is definitely on my list. I have yet to find a novel by Iles that does not disappoint.
Dr. Chris Shephard is a local doctor working in Mississippi, living with his new wife and her son, Ben, whom he recently adopted. From the outside looking in, it appears that Chris has the perfect life. However, one day he receives a visit from FBI agent Alex Morse, who tells him that his wife has put a hit out on him, and that Chris’ life as he knows it is over. Although Agent Morse is going rogue on this case, without the FBI support behind her, she is desperate to get Chris to believe her. Alex’s sister, Grace, was also a victim of the same hit man, but the killer leaves no trace and disguises all of his murders as natural deaths, making him all the more difficult to find. Alex hopes that persuading Chris to help find out who wants to kill him will solve Grace’s murder, and bring an end to a disturbing trail of deaths in Mississippi.
“True Evil” is well-researched, full of some interesting information about the spread of viruses and some really intensely paranoia-inducing ways to cause terminal illness in human beings. It is clear that Illes did some hard-core information seeking, and managed to put it through to his reader in simple ways, that were not convoluted by heavy medical or scientific jargon.
I loved the character of Chris, and Alex was a great rebel-with-a-cause badass. Although the relationship between these two was quick to predict, I thoroughly enjoyed how the novel played out, leading to a gripping and powerful end.
Full of action, intrigue and murder, “True Evil” is scary on the sole basis of its reality and possibility , but it also never skips a beat and keeps a reader engaged from page one.
I have yet to complete Iles’ Natchez Burning series, but it is definitely on my list. I have yet to find a novel by Iles that does not disappoint.
August 27, 2008
I really like this author. He basically writes suspense / beach reads, but he's so smart that you don't feel like you're doing guilty pleasure reading. This book is about an FBI agent whose sister suddenly dies under mysterious circumstances. After doing some digging she comes to believe that her sister's husband had her murdered, but not by any conventional means. Her investigation uncovers system where spouses of the rich are being murdered by being given cancer and other deadly diseases. After the agent pinpoints the next target she contacts him and it's all a big rollercoaster from there. Iles is great at writing page turners, but also creates vivid, fleshed-out characters. I have to mention in particular that he writes very believable women, which can be a challenge for most male writers, but not for Iles. This just might be my favorite book of his so far.
May 21, 2013
Ok. It took me three attempts over the course of two years to finally finish this potboiler.
It was the first Greg Iles paperback I ever bought. In the interim, I have read at least a half-dozen of his other books, including the downright amazing Penn Cage series. I ended up loving the end of this book, and thus gave the four star rating.
However,
This book was extremely dense, and I (obviously) found it hard to get into.
My wife read it about a month ago, and ripped through it in less than a week, and she absolutely adored it. I had to give it another chance.
I have to admit, the build up was worth it. This book featured one of the most exciting endings I have encountered in quite some time. The story took a long time to develop and there were a few plot twists that simply did not make a whole lot of sense to me, but again, it was a great book in the end. I recommend reading the Penn Cage books and then giving this one a try, as there are a couple of characters from that series that show up in this one, so at least you will have those "oh cool" moments to look forward to while you trudge your way toward the intense climax.
It was the first Greg Iles paperback I ever bought. In the interim, I have read at least a half-dozen of his other books, including the downright amazing Penn Cage series. I ended up loving the end of this book, and thus gave the four star rating.
However,
This book was extremely dense, and I (obviously) found it hard to get into.
My wife read it about a month ago, and ripped through it in less than a week, and she absolutely adored it. I had to give it another chance.
I have to admit, the build up was worth it. This book featured one of the most exciting endings I have encountered in quite some time. The story took a long time to develop and there were a few plot twists that simply did not make a whole lot of sense to me, but again, it was a great book in the end. I recommend reading the Penn Cage books and then giving this one a try, as there are a couple of characters from that series that show up in this one, so at least you will have those "oh cool" moments to look forward to while you trudge your way toward the intense climax.
May 16, 2013
I normally love Greg Iles, but this was not his best work. I think he made a tactical error when he revealed up front how the lawyer and the "evil scientist/doctor" were able to cause people's deaths without being caught. It would have been better if it had taken the main character a while to figure it out so that the reader could have the fun of trying to figure it out, too.
Another reason why I didn't like it that well is because I just couldn't identify with the main character, Alex. She was way too intense and didn't help her cause any by barging ahead with her investigation without considering the smartest way to do it.
I like a smart, well-thought-out mystery and this wasn't one of them. I do recommend Iles' other work, though. Just don't waste your time on this one.
Another reason why I didn't like it that well is because I just couldn't identify with the main character, Alex. She was way too intense and didn't help her cause any by barging ahead with her investigation without considering the smartest way to do it.
I like a smart, well-thought-out mystery and this wasn't one of them. I do recommend Iles' other work, though. Just don't waste your time on this one.
February 9, 2013
10 of 10 stars for this magnificent thriller!
July 1, 2019
I have read a few by this author and he never disappoints. The storyline was great. The idea of murdering someone through giving them cancer IS true evil. The characters were also great. There were ones to love and others to hate. Even though the book was long it kept a good pace. I listened on audible and did not like the narrator at all. His "kid" voice and "female" voices were horrible. Really bad.
October 31, 2014
I've read many a Greg Iles. Oh, I know me some Greg Iles. If someone dies, and it takes place in Mississippi, you can bet your bottom dollar Greg Iles wrote a novel about it.
For the most part, my experience with Greg Iles has been mostly positive. Nothing mind boggling or incredibly deep, but, hey, that's not why you read these kind of books. As far as mass production authors go though, (your James Pattersons, your Douglas Prestons, or whatevs) Iles is usually pretty good at making me feel some form of excitement. Not overly formulaic, but there are some tropes here and there as it might be. Some of them are a little "c'mon with that then", but they don't take you out of the story too much. So, good job on not making me feel too bad to the point where I don't want to read further. That's rarer than one might think.
Anywho, this book. While not part of the Penn Cage series, he was shoehorned into it for a scene without actually doing anything of value. I guess, fan-service? Anyway, the protagonist is an FBI hostage negotiator by the name of Alex Morse. A good strong female protagonist who goes on a massive rogue manhunt for a murderer that no one even knows about, aside from a dying sister. Her proof being that a "wife knows". (Oh yeah, she said her husband killed her.) So, legit.
What makes the book though, not necessarily in a good way, is the "brilliant" villain Dr. Eldon Tarver. The mad scientist type deal goes into force here, but I'm a little worried about his logic. For instance, having a photo of himself in front of his controversial side project on prominent display in his legitimate office.
"Hey, so you know how those people were asking if you could undetectably induce cancer in someone?"
"Yeah, I remember them."
"Well, if they're trying to find some link to a bioterrorism act, that picture of you in front of a facility that specifically makes virus' for use in warfare...like in CHINA....wink, wink....they might maybe look into that. Just sayin'."
"Well.....all they can see is an acronym. They'll probably just assume it's some kind of veterans association. There's a 'v' in it. People always assume that's what 'v's in acronyms stand for. They would need, like, the power of an FBI database or something to know the truth. We're fine."
"Yeah, no. See, I was actually able to find the organization on a Google search in, like, ten minutes, with your name prominently mentioned. Soooooo......"
"WE'RE FINE!!!!! IT'S 2006! NO ONE EVEN KNOWS HOW TO USE GOOGLE YET!!!!!"
(Two hours later)
"Hey, significant member of law enforcement. I looked into what I thought was a veterans organization, and it turns out they test and produce viruses. Good thing I took that night class on internet searching at the community college."
"Good job! Somehow, I've completely forgotten all the FBI protocol you've broken and the resources you've wasted on nothing more than a hunch. Oh wait, your still suspended."
But I digress.
So, this is the fourth Iles book I've read. And while I didn't "hate it" hate it, they're were many a thing that bugged me about it. Some characters who were probably supposed to be cared about weren't fleshed out enough for me to worry about them, which would have been handy in the climax. There were also some conflicts that weren't really resolved that I am still a little curious about. I don't know, maybe the next in the series will explain it. Or maybe, I'll just imagine something and leave it be.
OOOOH!!! That WOULD be cool!
For the most part, my experience with Greg Iles has been mostly positive. Nothing mind boggling or incredibly deep, but, hey, that's not why you read these kind of books. As far as mass production authors go though, (your James Pattersons, your Douglas Prestons, or whatevs) Iles is usually pretty good at making me feel some form of excitement. Not overly formulaic, but there are some tropes here and there as it might be. Some of them are a little "c'mon with that then", but they don't take you out of the story too much. So, good job on not making me feel too bad to the point where I don't want to read further. That's rarer than one might think.
Anywho, this book. While not part of the Penn Cage series, he was shoehorned into it for a scene without actually doing anything of value. I guess, fan-service? Anyway, the protagonist is an FBI hostage negotiator by the name of Alex Morse. A good strong female protagonist who goes on a massive rogue manhunt for a murderer that no one even knows about, aside from a dying sister. Her proof being that a "wife knows". (Oh yeah, she said her husband killed her.) So, legit.
What makes the book though, not necessarily in a good way, is the "brilliant" villain Dr. Eldon Tarver. The mad scientist type deal goes into force here, but I'm a little worried about his logic. For instance, having a photo of himself in front of his controversial side project on prominent display in his legitimate office.
"Hey, so you know how those people were asking if you could undetectably induce cancer in someone?"
"Yeah, I remember them."
"Well, if they're trying to find some link to a bioterrorism act, that picture of you in front of a facility that specifically makes virus' for use in warfare...like in CHINA....wink, wink....they might maybe look into that. Just sayin'."
"Well.....all they can see is an acronym. They'll probably just assume it's some kind of veterans association. There's a 'v' in it. People always assume that's what 'v's in acronyms stand for. They would need, like, the power of an FBI database or something to know the truth. We're fine."
"Yeah, no. See, I was actually able to find the organization on a Google search in, like, ten minutes, with your name prominently mentioned. Soooooo......"
"WE'RE FINE!!!!! IT'S 2006! NO ONE EVEN KNOWS HOW TO USE GOOGLE YET!!!!!"
(Two hours later)
"Hey, significant member of law enforcement. I looked into what I thought was a veterans organization, and it turns out they test and produce viruses. Good thing I took that night class on internet searching at the community college."
"Good job! Somehow, I've completely forgotten all the FBI protocol you've broken and the resources you've wasted on nothing more than a hunch. Oh wait, your still suspended."
But I digress.
So, this is the fourth Iles book I've read. And while I didn't "hate it" hate it, they're were many a thing that bugged me about it. Some characters who were probably supposed to be cared about weren't fleshed out enough for me to worry about them, which would have been handy in the climax. There were also some conflicts that weren't really resolved that I am still a little curious about. I don't know, maybe the next in the series will explain it. Or maybe, I'll just imagine something and leave it be.
OOOOH!!! That WOULD be cool!
October 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. You know who the bad guys in the book are...you know who the good guys are...but waiting for them to figure it out was fun. I will be reading more books by Greg Iles.
March 22, 2008
First time reading this author-- loved how he unfolded his story thru the perspective of all of his characters-- good and bad.
September 7, 2019
FBI agent Alex Morse was told by her dying sister that her own husband killed her. Determined to find out the truth Alex ends up uncovering multiple deaths of very rich people whose spouses have gained a lot from their deaths. Also, a divorce attorney that is linked to each them. Dr. Chris Shepard’s wife was seen leaving this divorce attorney’s office and he may be the next victim. Alex needs his help, but must first convince him that he is in danger.
This is my first Greg Iles book and it won’t be my last. The story was intriguing and informative. The theory behind the deaths is absolutely fascinating. This is definitely a book for anyone in the medical field or for anyone who enjoys science. There is no doubt that the author did his research for this book.
Alex Morse went through a horrific ordeal and has the scars to prove it, but she’s still an extremely strong woman whose dedication to her family is refreshing. I loved how she didn’t back down even when the odds were against her. She was willing to lose her job to continue her quest to prove her sister was murdered.
The characters throughout this book are great. The bad guy is smart and organized and feared by those who work for him. It’s kind of surprising that he employed people who weren’t on his intellectual level. His plan was flawless except for them. The book flowed well and was a quick read (for me).
This is my first Greg Iles book and it won’t be my last. The story was intriguing and informative. The theory behind the deaths is absolutely fascinating. This is definitely a book for anyone in the medical field or for anyone who enjoys science. There is no doubt that the author did his research for this book.
Alex Morse went through a horrific ordeal and has the scars to prove it, but she’s still an extremely strong woman whose dedication to her family is refreshing. I loved how she didn’t back down even when the odds were against her. She was willing to lose her job to continue her quest to prove her sister was murdered.
The characters throughout this book are great. The bad guy is smart and organized and feared by those who work for him. It’s kind of surprising that he employed people who weren’t on his intellectual level. His plan was flawless except for them. The book flowed well and was a quick read (for me).
June 10, 2018
Greg Iles is a gifted writer. My only complaint is that his books are usually at least 200 pages too long. Great story, great character development, but geez, how many pages need to be devoted to showing the bad guy is the bad guy - after the third occurrence, we get it and how many pages need to be devoted to a woman sitting at a bedside?
Anyway - the plot is solid - and wickedly creepy. A divorce attorney is finding a new way to help his clients. An out of favor FBI agent finds out from something that happens close to home and is on the hunt to stop the attorney and potentially save a bunch of folks from death.
I read this out of published order which irritates me, because, well, it just does. This novel has cameo appearances by Tom and Penn Cage - two of my favorite characters from later Iles books. Read the books in order. Even if they're long, they are definitely worth the effort.
Anyway - the plot is solid - and wickedly creepy. A divorce attorney is finding a new way to help his clients. An out of favor FBI agent finds out from something that happens close to home and is on the hunt to stop the attorney and potentially save a bunch of folks from death.
I read this out of published order which irritates me, because, well, it just does. This novel has cameo appearances by Tom and Penn Cage - two of my favorite characters from later Iles books. Read the books in order. Even if they're long, they are definitely worth the effort.
June 25, 2010
This is a truly preposterous tale of a psychopath, genius virologist who had worked for the government to create a virus that caused cancer. Alex Morse, FBI agent, is told by her sister that her husband killed her as she dies as a seemingly naturally caused stroke. Researching, she finds an attorney who meets with clients who would be hurt financially by divorce, but who spouses die of cancer and other natural diseases. The lawyer is working with the genius psychopath, and Alex finds his next victim Dr. Chris Shepard. Most of the plot is Alex rushing around suffering while no one believes her, and the inner workings and beliefs of the evil genius were ridiculous. The clues were things like Alex recognizing a building in a picture, big whoopee do. I didn’t care about the characters, but I did want see how it ended.
February 5, 2013
This author is new to me, but now I can't wait to get my hands on his other books! What a ride! From the 1st page to the last, this book had me firmly in its grip and never let me go. From the inside cover, " If you wanted to kill your spouse and get away with it, you had to do something truly ingenious: something that wouldn't even be perceived as murder . So it begins...
I can honestly say this book had me staying up late at night and well into the morning. I just had to find out what was going to happen next. It's a must read for suspense lovers!!
I can honestly say this book had me staying up late at night and well into the morning. I just had to find out what was going to happen next. It's a must read for suspense lovers!!
August 16, 2019
This book was way too long and painful to read!!! 614 pages - never so glad to be finished with a book!!! I’m sure some of this stuff on bio warfare is true but some of it seemed wayyyyy to embellished to be true and then the ending was pretty unrealistic as well - do not recommend this book and am SHOCKED them at it has received 4 stars!!!
December 20, 2015
2.5 stars
It's not a bad book. Hard-core thriller fans should enjoy it just fine. There are just so many cliches, I started laughing every time I found one. It should be a drinking game. Just make sure you're home before starting.
The story is one where we know who the killers/villains are known, so instead of a mystery you have a thriller. We must thwart the villains and collect evidence to convict them. The first half of the book is Agent Morse trying to convince a doctor that he is an intended victim. Half-way through, I still felt like it was the beginning. Then more things start happening, and the climactic ending is pretty good (at least compared to the rest of it).
I also had a problem with the logic of the villain: If he's so paranoid about being caught that he doesn't think twice about killing his business associates, how was he able to set up and run this spouse-killing business for so many years?
Lots of the book is dialogue -- single conversations go on for pages and pages. Then all these little backstory tangents get thrown in. This is the stuff the writer needs to know for himself but does not need to share with the audience.
Here are the most obvious cliches:
-- Main character is an FBI agent, haunted by a recent tragedy that got her partner killed. She is constantly stressed, and nobody believes her theories even though they are true. She's a very cardboard character. All of them are, actually.
-- Law enforcement bureaucracy is stubborn/stupid/useless, etc.
-- Villain is pure evil. He likes torturing puppies and watching porn. He wants lots and lots of money. He's racist. He thinks America is a great country. Evil, evil, evil. He is not realistic as a person.
--
--
-- The villain meets a fitting and spectacular end.
There are a few grammar errors, but the punctuation is actually pretty good. There's frequent swearing and some crude sex (not really graphic, but just crude).
It's not a bad book. Hard-core thriller fans should enjoy it just fine. There are just so many cliches, I started laughing every time I found one. It should be a drinking game. Just make sure you're home before starting.
The story is one where we know who the killers/villains are known, so instead of a mystery you have a thriller. We must thwart the villains and collect evidence to convict them. The first half of the book is Agent Morse trying to convince a doctor that he is an intended victim. Half-way through, I still felt like it was the beginning. Then more things start happening, and the climactic ending is pretty good (at least compared to the rest of it).
I also had a problem with the logic of the villain: If he's so paranoid about being caught that he doesn't think twice about killing his business associates, how was he able to set up and run this spouse-killing business for so many years?
Lots of the book is dialogue -- single conversations go on for pages and pages. Then all these little backstory tangents get thrown in. This is the stuff the writer needs to know for himself but does not need to share with the audience.
Here are the most obvious cliches:
-- Main character is an FBI agent, haunted by a recent tragedy that got her partner killed. She is constantly stressed, and nobody believes her theories even though they are true. She's a very cardboard character. All of them are, actually.
-- Law enforcement bureaucracy is stubborn/stupid/useless, etc.
-- Villain is pure evil. He likes torturing puppies and watching porn. He wants lots and lots of money. He's racist. He thinks America is a great country. Evil, evil, evil. He is not realistic as a person.
--
--
-- The villain meets a fitting and spectacular end.
There are a few grammar errors, but the punctuation is actually pretty good. There's frequent swearing and some crude sex (not really graphic, but just crude).
February 6, 2015
This is the first book I've read by Greg Iles and it will not be the last. It's exciting, a real page turner and thought provoking. Viruses scare me a lot more than nuclear bombs, snakes, terrorism and just about anything else you can name. I think it far more likely that the world will be brought to its knees by viruses either accidentally or with malice aforethought than any other candidate. Twelve years ago, in the prime of my life, healthy and with good genes, I caught a flu. I had had the flu before and I've had the flu once after this, but nothing comparable to this one. I had gone to see David Bowie with a friend and we had dinner afterwards. I could not stop drinking glasses of water. I can't recall ever being so thirsty. For some reason, this sticks with me in retrospect as the first indication that something was amiss. I got home, went to bed and when I awoke the next day, I was sick, sick, sick with the flu. I was off work for two weeks, did not feel normal for the next three months. There were times during those two weeks that I honestly thought I was going to die. Even though I knew people die from influenza, for the first time I understood why. I am afraid of the flu. I do everything I can to prevent being infected. I get a flu shot, I wear a mask over my mouth and nose in public from November through February, I wash my hands frequently and am cognizant of not touching my face. So, I was totally on board with this terrifying scenario that it would be possible to give people terminal illnesses through the methods described. I don't care if it is fiction and not possible...yet. It could be down the road.
One last comment...someone compared Greg Iles to James Patterson. Not true. Greg Iles is Hemmingway compared to Patterson.
One last comment...someone compared Greg Iles to James Patterson. Not true. Greg Iles is Hemmingway compared to Patterson.
November 15, 2015
"True Evil" is filled with suspense and quite a few twists and turns. The first chapter had me hooked with one of the victim's accusing her husband of murdering her. Unlucky for the husband, the dying wife tells this to her FBI sister, Alex Morse. Unfortunately, no one in the FBI seems willing to help and Alex then turns to finding out who the next victim might be. She finds her answer in Dr. Chris Shepard, who according to Morse is being set up to be killed via his wife's wishes. It is from there the roller coaster ride of a plot takes off!
At first, I was a little afraid that the book would just lose itself with clichés. The rogue FBI agent or the nice looking country living doctor with the fast living beautiful but cheating wife.
Like many modern suspense thrillers, readers get to have chapters devoted to the minds of our killers as well as the people trying to stop them. Often I have mixed feelings when authors do this but given the storyline Iles presents us with, I think it was a good move. In some ways, I felt that the bad guys were written much more *ahem* thoroughly than perhaps other characters.
At first, I was a little afraid that the book would just lose itself with clichés. The rogue FBI agent or the nice looking country living doctor with the fast living beautiful but cheating wife.
Like many modern suspense thrillers, readers get to have chapters devoted to the minds of our killers as well as the people trying to stop them. Often I have mixed feelings when authors do this but given the storyline Iles presents us with, I think it was a good move. In some ways, I felt that the bad guys were written much more *ahem* thoroughly than perhaps other characters.
February 5, 2009
a ridiculous amount of research had to have gone into this book because its a topic that not many people would think of right off the top of their head...i guess that's why he's the writer and i'm just in love with his books (because i'm not as creative as he is). a crazy genius and a crazy topic. i read this at work, and because of the title people thought i was crazy and, well..evil. if only they would have opened it to the first page. they never would have given it a second thought...they would have been sucked in just like i was. i would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves suspense!!!
April 18, 2018
I wasn't able to finish the book. Although I usually like Greg Isles, this one was slow and disjointed.
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It turned out that an illness that has been plaguing me was the reason for me not being able to get through the book.
Isles appears to be better at the description of his male characters, even when the protagonist is a female. Overall, the story was intriguing and kept my interest even through the epilogue. The antagonist was a little hard to believe because of his intelligence and his physical stamina.
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It turned out that an illness that has been plaguing me was the reason for me not being able to get through the book.
Isles appears to be better at the description of his male characters, even when the protagonist is a female. Overall, the story was intriguing and kept my interest even through the epilogue. The antagonist was a little hard to believe because of his intelligence and his physical stamina.
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