Mississippi lost one of its most successful contemporary authors on Friday with the passing of Greg Iles at age 65.
Iles, a Natchez native who wrote 17 novels, died around 5 a.m. after a decades’ long battle with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. The newspaper in his hometown and one that he often referenced in his New York Times bestselling Penn Cage series, The Natchez Democrat, was the first to report the news.
Iles informed readers in early 2024 that he had cancer and would soon be undergoing a stem cell transplant. In a public letter, he revealed his diagnosis first came in 1996, but he had been living as “one of the luckiest patients alive.”
“After nearly dying from an experimental treatment, I – with the blessing of my father, the inspiration for Dr. Tom Cage – withdrew from the medical system and continued my writing career, while keeping my illness completely secret,” he penned. “…Against all odds, I became one of the luckiest patients alive, and survived more than twenty years with a ‘smoldering’ form of cancer, without terminal progression.
“Two years ago, however, my extraordinary run of luck ran out, and myeloma ‘switched on.’ I nearly died before I was even aware that the disease had reawakened.”
Shortly after the letter, Iles appeared in Jackson for an in-person event in May 2024 celebrating what would be his final book, “Southern Man.” Unable to shake hands or sign books in-person, hundreds of pre-signed first editions were available for readers to buy before Iles took the stage.
He read an excerpt from “Southern Man,” explained his belief that the book is a vital representation to the country’s current political climate, and even revealed that he intentionally delayed getting treatment to be able to finish the book – essentially telling those in attendance that it might be his very last one.
Those across the literature world and the state of Mississippi are mourning Iles, with condolences being publicly issued by thousands of readers, bookstores, and even elected officials.
“I am heartbroken of the passing of our beloved native son, Greg Iles,” Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson stated. “Greg was a talented and brilliant author who never backed away from standing for justice and being an outspoken advocate for change.
“His books were captivating and mesmerizing. Once I would start reading one, I struggled to put it down. Sometimes, I would stay up all night straining to stay awake as I turned each page. I was so blessed to call Greg a friend, not only personally but a friend to all of Natchez. We will forever miss him.”
Iles’ final book was the seventh in his Penn Cage series, following “The Quiet Game,” “Turning Angel,” “Devil’s Punchbowl,” “The Death Factory,” “Natchez Burning,” “The Bone Tree,” and “Mississippi Blood.” Spanning a variety of genres with his work, Iles wrote 17 novels and one novella before his passing.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
