Southern Man: A Political Thriller from the Natchez Burning Series, Penn Cage Book 7 By Greg Iles

In Southern Man, Greg Iles delivers a pulse-pounding political thriller that builds on the legacy of the Natchez Burning trilogy. Set fifteen years after the events of his earlier novels, the story finds Penn Cage isolated and burdened by a secret that distances him from society. His solitary existence is shattered when a violent confrontation at a Mississippi rap festival results in a mass shooting, nearly claiming the life of his daughter, Annie.

As Natchez and Bienville struggle to cope, historic antebellum homes are set ablaze, and attacks are claimed by a radical Black group demanding justice. The region is thrust into chaos, escalating tensions that threaten to ignite a racial conflict. The situation is further inflamed by Robert E. Lee White, a Southern war hero and third-party presidential candidate, who becomes a national sensation. Known as “the Tik-Tok Man” and backed by a wealthy Mississippi financier, White’s campaign gains unprecedented momentum.

Amidst this turmoil, Penn Cage, his daughter—now a civil rights lawyer—and a former Black Panther, join forces to confront White’s campaign and its dangerous implications. As they unravel the motivations behind White’s bid for the presidency, they face the potential for a second Civil War and a nation on the brink of disintegration. Southern Man combines historical depth with contemporary relevance, exploring themes of race, power, and the fragility of democracy in a gripping narrative that challenges the very fabric of America.