I absolutely adore Nora Roberts books and I especially love it when I find one that I haven't read before. That was the case with this book. It is definitely an older book and readers need to be aware of that. The book is written in the way that people viewed things back then. That needs to be remembered.

I enjoyed this romance and murder mystery set in the southern delta very much. I didn't think I was going to like the main character, Tucker, too much. But, that slow southern charm worked and I was a fan before we ever got to the middle of the book. Caro...she's a gem. The character and world building was a definite home run...once again. ( )

World famous concert violinist Caroline Waverly goes to Innocence, Mississippi, (a small southern town) to spend some time at her late grandmother’s house. After being in the hospital, and going through a grueling concert schedule, Caroline needs some time for rest and relaxation. When she arrives at her grandmother’s house Caroline discovers that there has been a series of killings in Innocence recently. Pretty girls are being murdered by a serial killer. Caroline also meets handsome, wealthy, and charming Tucker Longstreet who happened to be involved with some of the victims. As the murders continue Caroline wonders if she may be next…

This was a very entertaining read. Innocence had many lively characters, some likable, some not. (At times I had trouble keeping track of them all!) Tucker was a laid-back kind of hero who loved fast cars and 50’s music. The ladies in town liked him. I liked how he befriended young Cy and helped him out. Caroline was a sweet, reserved, and kind heroine. From childhood on, Caroline’s mother really pushed her to be a violinist. Good wasn’t enough, Caroline had to be the best. Endless tours and rehearsals. Caroline also discovered her fiancé was cheating on her. She eventually collapsed from the stress and exhaustion and needed a well-deserved rest. The more time she spent in Innocence, the more she felt like she was home and wanted to fit in.

The story started off a bit slow but the pace picked up as the book progressed. I liked the small town setting and the variety of gossipy characters, mostly hanging out at the town restaurant, the Chat ‘N Chew. I had fun trying to figure out who the culprit was.

Another enjoyable read by Nora Roberts. ( )

I'm not a big romance reader, but Audible Escape, Audible's romance package, had a free trial period so I gave it a shot. And I like mysteries and thrillers so this one seemed like a good choice. And for the most part, it was. There are murders and secrets and red herrings. There is a little too much corn pone and celebration of ol' Dixie for my tastes. Despite that, I enjoyed it until close to the end. Then it devolved into a soap opera. Too much sex & romance for me. But the characters were interesting up to that point, and I did enjoy most of the book. ( )

The title is ridiculous. It makes the book sound much more like a work of erotica than the rather charming romantic-suspense story that it is. ( )

Carnal Innocence
3.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Burned out from her hectic career, concert violinist, Caroline Waverly seeks the peace and quiet of her grandparents’ home in Innocence, Mississippi. Not only is Caroline’s tranquil getaway about to be disrupted by a serial killer on the hunt but she soon finds herself the object of affection for the prime suspect: handsome and privileged, Tucker Longstreet.

Review:
This is one of Nora’s earlier novels originally published in 1991. The book has been re-issued several times, most recently in 2010.

Two things in particular stand out about this book. The first is the witty dialogue and banter, especially between Tucker and Caroline, and the second is the small town characters and shenanigans that make you chuckle out loud. Carnal Innocence is a wonderful example of small town Southern culture and charm, which I am definitely a fan of.

Nevertheless, the story is long winded and drawn out with overly descriptive passages. One of the most significant problems with the novel is the imbalance between the romance and the suspense. While the murder mystery is good, the romance feels secondary and there is very little spark to Tucker and Caroline’s relationship. As individuals these characters are charming and likeable. Tucker is the seemingly lazy yet hardworking plantation owner and Caroline the emotionally vulnerable yet strong willed woman quite capable of blowing a man away. The identity and motivation of the culprit are unexpected but not surprising and one can figure it all out quite easily before the big revelation.

In sum, the setting and basic premise are the high points of the story and remind me of Carolina Moon, one of Nora’s later and better books, which I highly recommend for fans and newbies alike. ( )