The Death Factory

Penn Cage, Book 3.5

By: Greg Iles

Narrated by: David Ledoux

Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Death is the end, and if a man doesn't speak before it silences him, then his deepest secrets go with him.

From number-one New York Times best-selling author Greg Iles comes an original novella featuring former prosecutor Penn Cage, a story of family secrets and justice denied, plus an excerpt from his new novel, Natchez Burning.

When a heart attack sends Penn's father, Tom Cage, to the ER, Tom begs that his son be brought to his side to hear a dying declaration. But when Penn arrives, Tom denies ever making the request - keeping his secrets for another day.

The emergency hurls Penn back to a chilling case in Houston, where he worked in a DA's office known as the "death factory", which sent more killers to death row than any other in America. While Penn cares for his ailing wife, a tormented forensic technician brings him evidence of a crime lab in chaos, throwing past convictions into doubt and begging Penn to prevent an imminent travesty of justice. With the desperation of a man fighting death in his own home, Penn must find a way to bring the machinery of the death factory to a halt.

Included here is an extended sneak preview of Natchez Burning, the first installment in an epic trilogy featuring Penn Cage.

©2014 Greg Iles (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

short? yes. but Oh! soooooo sweet!

this short story was the perfect companion to the series and told at the perfect time. by now if you, like myself, are listening to these in order and for the first time, you will be invested in the main characters. this short gives you some well needed background info that makes you love them even more.

I really love Greg iles books

I really love greg iles books , read about every one of them but , I was disappointed that it was only 3 chapters. Caught me off guard when it ended , thought maybe it didnt downloaded completely. I loved it and wanted more , wasnt quit fulfilled.. xoxo #wasn'tsatified

Too short

This is way too short to have counted towards a full credit. I have read many of Iles' books. All of the Penn Cage books have been good except for this one. I would skip it and read one of his others.

The length

Too short!!! I love his books but this one was way too short for me!!!

Hits close to home for a Southern Girl

If you could sum up The Death Factory in three words, what would they be?

hard cold truth

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Death Factory?

The revelation that Dr Cage had a past

What about David Ledoux’s performance did you like?

His realistic accent and ability to portray all the characters with their own voice

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but physically impossible

Any additional comments?

For a 57 yr old woman born and raised in the South, this is very much a humbling experience. Although fictional, these things happened over and over, again and again. The shame I still feel for my family and how most people in Mississippi never realized much of their everyday language and attitudes were so destructive. But then knowing how dearly my mother loved Tissie, her Mammy. I have to agree with Oprah......some folks are just going to have to die before these deep wounds can be healed.

That’s it?

I was expecting so much more after reading most other books by Ike’s. This one disappointed me.

loved it for giving us a look into Penn's past.

Great story of the past and conclusion to previous novel! Was worth it this time.

Great book needs better voice.

Great story. however, Dick Hill is the true voice of Penn Cage. However. David LaDoux is Penn Cage at 20 instead of 38.

Novella to set up a future story?

‘The Death Factory’ is a novella, the 3rd ½ book in the Penn Cage series.

There are a couple of stories wrapped into one in this novella leading me to believe that Mr. Iles has planted seeds for characters and storylines to be included in future stories in this series.

I’ve learned one other important thing about Mr. Iles style of writing. Each book revolves around a character out of Penn Cage’s past that comes back to life in the present day to build a story around. Along the way, we meet some bad characters. We meet shady characters that will most likely be around for at least several, if not all the Penn Cage series as they act as a foil for Penn Cage. We meet important supporting characters who also have a longstanding place in this series. And then we have the people who are central and crucial to Penn Cage and these stories. These include his daughter Annie, fiancé Kate, his Mom and his Dad. We become invested in these people. In this story, we have a close call with death with one of these central characters, leaving us on the edge of our seats in hopes of good news, while we fear the worst.

As I have stated before, I really wish Mr. Tom Stechschulte would narrate the entire series. His voice is perfect for the setting.

Now, it’s on to the 4th book in the series, ‘Natchez Burning’.

Good--But Why Is It a Separate Book?

This is very good, but it's really just the final chapters of "The Devil's Punchbowl," which ended abruptly with a cliff-hanger. Since this is so short, I wonder why it was published separately.