Carnal Innocence
Table of Contents
Carnal Innocence
Carnal Innocence is the latest novel to be checked off my to be read list. It is one I read when I was much younger. In my teens, I loved Nora Roberts books. I stopped reading them for whatever reason, and now I’ve decided to go back and read some of them again.
I’ve always found it fascinating how books read differently at different ages or stages of life. Which is one of the reasons I enjoy going back and reading books again. It can almost be like reading a totally different book, yet the text is exactly the same.
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Have you read Carnal Innocence? Come on in and let me tell you about it!
About Carnal Innocence
New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts provides a potent mix of small-town secrets, scandalous romance, and down-home Southern atmosphere as a young woman searching for some bayou R&R finds herself entangled in a serial killer’s wicked web.
Burned out and still reeling from a love affair gone bad, world-class violinist Caroline Waverly goes to her grandparents’ home in Innocence, Mississippi, for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Instead she finds herself overwhelmed all over again—first by Tucker Longstreet, a charming local with a sideline in no-strings-attached relationships, and then by a deadlier, more disturbing development.
For Innocence is being stalked by its very own serial killer, whose brutal knife blows have pierced the veil of tranquility in this sleepy Southern town and left a trail of mutilated female corpses in their wake. When a federal agent arrives to investigate, the town’s deepest secrets bubble to the surface and suspicion turns on Tucker as the most likely suspect. After Caroline finds the latest murder victim floating in the murky waters behind her house, she too is inexorably drawn into the path of a crazed killer who may be closer than she could have ever imagined.
Thoughts on Carnal Innocence
I enjoyed Carnal Innocence the second time around a lot more than I expected to. Given I could only rate other second-time-read Nora Roberts books at three stars, I was kind of impressed that this one sticks out and is more memorable.
My biggest complaint is the sheer volume of characters. There were a lot to keep track of, and that was sometimes difficult. Many of them were supporting characters, but did little to add to the story. But there were some supporting characters I absolutely loved. Cousin Lulu was my all time favorite. I always want to see more characters like her.
The ending was a bit anticlimactic, but it also fit at the same time, and made sense. It certainly didn’t turn out how I expected it to, and I think that is wonderful. Sometimes novels are predictable, and especially romance novels, but this one was good.
I think the main reason I enjoyed Carnal Innocence as much as I did was because it wasn’t the same standard stereotypical Nora Roberts romance novel, where she takes a basic outline and just plugs new characters into it and calls it a different book. This was more unique and that is what I appreciated about it.
My favorite aspect of this story was the roots. Roots are deep and can’t just be pulled up and ripped out. They sprout and take hold of us. Sometimes coming back to those roots is just what we need, despite not knowing it. It isn’t always about being alone or finding solitude. It is about finding roots, community, and a place to be a part of that we need.
I should note that there should be some trigger warnings here, if you are a person who needs them. There is religious mania, rape, deep racism, and murder. This novel was written in a time when trigger warnings didn’t exist, so I think they should be noted.
Final Thoughts on Carnal Innocence
I found Carnal Innocence to be one of the better Nora Roberts books I’ve read. The interesting thing is, I distinctly remember the title and book cover from the first time I read it years ago, but I don’t remember enjoying it as much as I did this time.
I am giving Carnal Innocence four stars. Because it was one I actively enjoyed reading and it sucked me in and kept me reading. It isn’t a five star read because I’m not raving about it and buying it for everyone I know. But it is definitely above a three star, as it is memorable and kept me entertained and interested, so that is why I settled on four stars.
Discussion
Have you read Carnal Innocence or any other writing from bestselling author Nora Roberts? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
About the Author
Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Shelter in Place, Year One, Come Sundown, and many more. She is also the author of the bestselling In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than five hundred million copies of her books in print.
Purchasing Carnal Innocence
- If you are interested in buying the paperback version of Carnal Innocence, click here.
- For the hardcover version, click here.
- If you prefer audiobooks, click here.
- Click here for the Kindle version.
- Click here for my favorite Kindle I currently own.
More from Nora Roberts
Did you enjoy my review of Carnal Innocence? Need another great Nora Roberts novel to read? Here are my favorites!
In Death Books
Written as J.D. Robb
- Naked in Death
- Glory in Death
- Immortal in Death
- Rapture in Death
- Ceremony in Death
- Vengeance in Death
- Holiday in Death
- Conspiracy in Death
- Loyalty in Death
- Witness in Death
- Judgment in Death
- Betrayal in Death
- Seduction in Death
- Reunion in Death
- Purity in Death
- Portrait in Death
- Imitation in Death
- Divided in Death
- Visions in Death
- Survivor in Death
- Origin in Death
- Memory in Death
- Born in Death
- Innocent in Death
- Creation in Death
- Strangers in Death
- Salvation in Death
- Promises in Death
- Kindred in Death
- Fantasy in Death
- Indulgence in Death
- Treachery in Death
- New York to Dallas
- Celebrity in Death
- Delusion in Death
- Calculated in Death
- Thankless in Death
- Concealed in Death
- Festive in Death
- Obsession in Death
- Devoted in Death
- Brotherhood in Death
- Apprentice in Death
- Echoes in Death
- Secrets in Death
- Dark in Death
- Leverage in Death
- Connections in Death
- Vendetta in Death
- Golden in Death
- Shadows in Death
- Faithless in Death
- Forgotten in Death
- Abandoned in Death
- Desperation in Death
- Encore in Death
- Payback in Death
- Random in Death
- Passions in Death
- Bonded in Death
- Framed in Death
- Stolen in Death
In Death Short Stories
Written as J.D. Robb
- Midnight in Death
- Interlude in Death
- Remember When
- Haunted in Death
- Eternity in Death
- Ritual in Death
- Missing in Death
- Big Jack
- Possession in Death
- Chaos in Death
- Taken in Death
- Wonderment Death
In Death Collections
Written as J.D. Robb
- Three in Death
- Time of Death
Short Stories
Written as J.D. Robb
- Home for Christmas
- All I want for Christmas
- Spellbound
- Ever After
- Winter Rose
- A World Apart
- The Witching Hour
- In Dreams
- Wolf Moon
Bride Quartet Books
- Vision in White
- Bed of Roses
- Savor the Moment
- Happy Ever After
Calhoun Women Books
- Courting Catherine
- A Man for Amanda
- For the Love of Lilah
- Suzanna’s Surrender
- Megan’s Mate
Celebrity Magazine Books
- Second Nature
- One Summer
Chesapeake Bay Saga Books
- Sea Swept
- Rising Tides
- Inner Harbor
- The Quinns’ Christmas
- Chesapeake Blue
Chronicles of The One Books
- Year One
- Of Blood and Bone
- The Rise of Magicks
Circle Trilogy Books
- Morrigan’s Cross
- Dance of the Gods
- Valley of Silence
Irish Born Trilogy
Cordina’s Royal Family Books
- Affaire Royale
- Command Performance
- The Playboy Prince/
- Cordina’s Crown Jewel
The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy Books
- Dark Witch
- Shadow Spell
- Blood Magick
The Donovan Legacy Books
- Captivated
- Entranced
- Charmed
- Enchanted
The Dragon Heart Legacy Books
- The Awakening
- The Becoming
- The Choice
Dream Trilogy
- Daring to Dream
- Holding the Dream
- Finding the Dream
Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy
Great Chefs Books
- Summer Desserts
- Lessons Learned
The Guardians Trilogy Books
- Stars of Fortune
- Bay of Sighs
- Island of Glass
Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy
- The Next Always
- The Last Boyfriend
- The Perfect Hope
In the Garden Books
- Blue Dahlia
- Black Rose
- Red Lily
Irish Hearts Books
- Irish Thoroughbred
- Sullivan’s Woman
- Irish Rose
- Irish Rebel
Order of Key Trilogy Books
- Key of Light
- Key of Knowledge
- Key of Valor
Lost Bride Trilogy Books
- Inheritance
- The Mirror
- The Seven Rings
Loving Jack Books
- Loving Jack
- Best Laid Plans
- Lawless
The MacGregors Books
- Playing the Odds
- Tempting Fatae
- All the Possibilities
- One Man’s Art
- For Now, Forever
- Rebellion
- In from the Cold
- The MacGregor Brides
- The Winning Hand
- The MacGregor Grooms
- The Perfect Neighbor
- MacGregor Ever After
The MacKade Brothers Books
- The Return of Rafe MacKade
- The Pride of Jared MacKade
- The Heart of Devin MacKade
- The Fall of Shane MacKade
Night Tales Books
- Night Moves
- Night Shift
- Night Shadow
- Nightshade
- Night Smoke
- Night Shield
The O’Hurleys Books
- Dance to the Piper
- Skin Deep
- The Last Honest Woman
- Without a Trance
Reflections of Dreams: The Bannions Books
- Reflections
- Dance of Dreams
Sacred Sins Books
- Sacred Sins
- Brazen Virtue
Sign of Seven Books
- Blood Brothers
- The Hollow
- The Pagan Stone
The Stanislaskis: Those Wild Ukrainians Books
- Taming Natash
- Luring a Lady
- Falling for Rachel
- Convincing Alex
- Waiting for Nick
- Considering Kate
Stars of Mithra Books
- Hidden Star
- Captive Star
- Secret Star
Three Sisters Island Books
- Dance Upon the Air
- Heaven and Earth
- Face the Fire
The and Again: Hornblower-Stone Books
- Time Was
- Times Change
Standalone Novels
- Blithe Images
- The Heart’s Victory
- Island of Flowers
- Search for Love
- Song of the West
- From This Day
- His Mother’s Keeper
- Once More with Feeling
- This Magic Moment
- Tonight and Always
- Untamed
- Endings and Beginnings
- First Impressions
- The Law is a Lady
- Less of a Stranger
- A Matter of Choice
- Opposites Attract
- Promise Me Tomorrow
- Rules of the Game
- Storm Warning
- Boundary Lines
- Dual Image
- Partners
- The Right Path
- Risky Business
- Treasures Lost, Treasures Found
- A Will and a Way
- The Art of Deception
- Mind Over Matter
- Hot Ice
- Temptation
- Local Hero
- The Name of the Game
- Gabriel’s Angel
- Sweet Revenge
- The Welcoming
- Impulse
- Public Secrets
- Genuine Lies
- Carnal Innocence
- Divine Evil
- Honest Illusions
- Unfinished Business
- Private Scandals
- Hidden Riches
- True Betrayals
- Montana Sky
- Sanctuary
- Homeport
- The Reef
- River’s End
- Carolina Moon
- Midnight Bayou
- The Villa
- Three Fates
- Birthright
- Remember When (as J.D. Robb)
- Northern Lights
- Blue Smoke
- The Best Mistake
- Angels Fall
- High Noon
- Tribute
- Black Hills
- The Search
- Chasing Fire
- The Witness
- Whiskey Beach
- The Collector
- The Liar
- The Obsession
- Come Sundown
- Shelter in Place
- Under Currents
- Hideaway
- Legacy
- Christmas Everlasting
- Nightwork
- Identity
- Mind Games
- Hidden Nature
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