Carnal Innocence

Rating:
Summary: Nora Robert's BEST
Review: Don't hesitate. Buy this book today.

This is Nora Robert's best book. The characters are warm and funny and realistic. I have spent enough time in small towns in Missouri that I can see many of those townspeople in the characters in Carnal Innocence. I find myself going back and reading it again once or twice a year.

Rating:
Summary: Who would of thought!
Review: Nora does it again she manages to captivate the reader. I'm sure everyone thought the book was stuck to my glasses. If you like 'who done its' pick this one.

Rating:
Summary: Hey Jethro, stop doing that in the SEEment pond!
Review: ....

... I like a sexy murder mystery as much as anyone (on the other hand, I guess not), but I kept doing double takes as I kept going through the book. I found I was reading a story about a bunch of characters that make "Hee Haw" and "The Dukes of Hazzard" look like high-brow art. Every woman has two first names, everybody carries a gun, everybody has a Jack Daniels intravenous tube attached. You would think there would be no place to move around in Mississippi, as everyone's activities during all their waking hours are enough to populate every square inch of the state.

I was doing the double takes because at first I thought it was a satire. I like the stories of Carl Hiassen, who writes about characters like this all the time, but with a devilish style that lets you in on the joke. But no such tone here, as this is meant to be a serious novel.

I always liked the works of Southern authors like Pat Conroy and Carl Hiassen, and thought the people they wrote about were representations of that area of the country. Reading this book, one does indeed get the impression that all the women down there DO have two first names, everyone DOES carry a gun, the corn likker comes out of the drinking fountains, and the folks make the mating habits of rabbits look downright reserved!

Forgive me if this book brings out my cynical streak.

Rating:
Summary: Eh.
Review: This is the best Nora Roberts book! I loved the characters! Tucker with his laid back, sexy charm who was a whole lot more substantial than he seemed! Caroline who had been mistreated by the ones she loved but still managed to show a solid strength and independence. And the humour! The funeral scene had me in stitches! Great suspense and an unexpected ending twist!!

Rating:
Summary: Nora has given innocence a new name
Review: Now, Nora you really flexed you superior muscles on us this time. You knew that we would fall for the obvious when you chose Innocence as your town for this story. Sweet Caroline was also introduced to us as extremely innocent. Combined those features with southern comfort which we all have loved to love and you have the setting for your masterpiece.

THIS IS A PERFECT BOOK FOR A BLOCKBUSTER THILLER MOVIE!!

SO, don't be surprised, Nora, when the major power brokers juggle for those rights.

The plot involves overpowering parents, exhausting responsibilities among family members, murder, addiction, race rivalry, family/town tradition, love, sex and surprise. If these qualities peak your interest, read this book before it becomes a movie and then read it again after you see the movie. Your will not be disappointed.