The Devil's Punchbowl by Greg Iles

Penn Cage is mayor of his hometown, Natchez, Mississippi and is discouraged. His plans for making changes for the better have not panned out and he is thinking about quitting. Caitlyn Masters, journalist and former lover, is in town stopping on her way to New Orleans. When a childhood friend contacts Penn for help in exposing the seedy side of gambling and the evil men do, Cage realizes that his town and his friend needs help. It takes two or three chapters to get into this story, but the read is well worth it. I recommend to Greg Iles fans. I think this is his best yet. Sandy Penton