NATCHEZ — Greg Iles’ latest novel — “Mississippi Blood” — has given the Natchez author his first No. 1 USA Today bestseller.

The final book in Iles’ “Natchez Burning” trilogy is the last in the author’s series set in Natchez and centered on character Penn Cage.

“Mississippi Blood” is also expected to soon top the New York Times Bestsellers list. Iles’ publisher, William Morrow, tweeted congratulations Wednesday to the author on “his newly-minted #1 New York Times bestseller.” The New York Times announces bestsellers in advance to publishers.

“This is a real landmark day in my life,” Iles said. “No. 1 on The New York Times hardcover list, also their combined hardcover and e-book list and No. 1overall on the USA Today list.

“That means ‘Mississippi Blood’ outsold every book of any kind in the country this week, and many thousands of folks are reading about Natchez. A lot of them tell me they have visited Natchez because of these books, or are planning to, and today’s news means there’ll be a lot more of them. I only wish my father had lived to see this day.”