Carnal Innocence
by Nora Roberts
Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (December 1, 1991)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553295977
ISBN-13: 978-0553295979
Synopsis
A series of brutal murders terrorizes the small town of Innocence, Mississippi. Caroline Waverly, a successful professional violinist, takes to Innocence to clear her mind and find some relaxation. Instead she becomes intimately involved with someone who could be a suspect in the murders. Readers will enjoy a vibrant cast of characters, a touching love story, and a mystery that will keep them guessing until the last pages!
Characteristics consistent with Romantic Suspense (with help from Saricks Reader’s Advisory text)
- Elements of suspense novels are combined with the sensuality of romance novels merging into a genre with a specific appeal that may not interest fans of romance or suspense.
- The story is heroine-driven, taking into consideration her thoughts, feelings, and motivations above those of the other characters.
- Plot draws the reader in from the first paragraphs, action begins immediately. This book is somewhat slow-paced but this element still rings true.
- Witty repartee and some explicit descriptions of sexual acts.
- Interesting backgrounds of characters and a fascinating locale (Deep South)
- “Bad boy” characteristics of the male romantic lead
Suggested Read-a-likes
Denim Detective by Adrianne Lee
Southern Lights by Danielle Steele
Crash Into Me by Jill Sorenson
Whispers at Midnight by Karen Robards
The Hero (Sons of Texas #1) by Donna Grant
I love that you're working ahead! However, can you schedule this annotation to post the week that we discuss it? That way everyone will be commenting on the romantic suspense annotation at the same time. Kudos to you for looking ahead!
ReplyDeleteSure... I will try to figure out how to do that. :)
DeleteHi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me tell you that I love the title of your blog “Life Upon the Wicked Pages.” It is a fun sounding title.
I have heard of Nora Roberts books before, however I have not read any of her work. Your review of the characteristics for this book were hit and miss for me. It was a little bit enticing to me when you stated “witty repartee and some explicit descriptions of sexual acts.” I enjoy reading stories where the characters interact with each other in using fun and interesting language. I feel that if the witty repartee feels natural and fits the scene and characters then the story is more real and comfortable. Add in the erotic explicit descriptions of sexual acts and I am interested.
However, based on your synopsis I would have to pass on this book. This romantic suspense book does not sound like something I would want to read. This is actually a good thing. Your review leads me away from reading something I would not enjoy. Part of helping someone find a good book to read is to filter out the items that they do not want to read.
Thanks for the review.
Robert
I'm glad I was able to give an accurate depiction to help you choose whether or not to read the book!
DeleteI haven't read a Nora Roberts book yet and have always wondered what they're like--thanks for sharing insight into one! From your annotation this sounds like a really exemplary romantic suspense novel, and a nice updating/modernizing of the "southern Gothic" tradition. Also the town name of Innocence made me laugh out loud...not very subtle, but maybe that's exactly as it should be. Thanks for your annotation!
ReplyDeleteHahaha -yes Innocence as the town name was super subtle, right? The book definitely had a Southern Gothic flavor, where Prof. Cataldi said in the notes that gothic novels would have a pretty woman running from a house on the cover, I had to laugh because that would totally fit with this book.
DeleteHi Ashley.
ReplyDelete"Elements of suspense novels are combined with the sensuality of romance novels merging into a genre with a specific appeal that may not interest fans of romance or suspense."
Ha! I have absolutely experienced that with our patrons when it comes to Nora Roberts. And I always love it when I ask a Nora Roberts fan if they've read any JD Robb or vice versa. Without fail, the Roberts fan always dislikes the Robb books and the Robb fan always dislikes the Roberts books!
I will have to try one of the JD Robb titles to see the difference!
DeleteGreat job on your annotation! Nora Roberts is the queen of this genre! Excellent job outlining the appeals that make it romantic suspense. Full points!
ReplyDelete