Carolina Moon

By: Nora Roberts

Narrated by: Dean Robertson

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents a novel of redemption and suspense, as a woman haunted by the unsolved murder of her childhood friend returns to her small South Carolina hometown....

Tory Bodeen grew up in a run-down house where her father ruled with an iron fist and a leather belt - and where her dreams and talents had no room to flourish. Her one escape was her neighbor Hope, who lived in the big house just a short skip away, and whose friendship allowed Tory to be something she wasn’t allowed to be at home: a child.

Then Hope was brutally murdered, and everything fell apart.

Now, as she returns to Progress with plans to settle in and open a stylish home-design shop, Tory is determined to find a measure of peace and free herself from the haunting visions of the past. As she forges a new bond with Cade Lavelle - Hope’s older brother and the heir to the family fortune - she isn’t sure whether the tragic loss they share will unite them or drive them apart. But she is willing to open her heart, just a little, and try.

But living so close to those unhappy memories will be more difficult and frightening than Tory could ever have expected. Because Hope’s murderer is nearby as well....

“Roberts may have achieved her personal best in this tense Southern Gothic. As atmospheric and unsettling as a Tennessee Williams play.... This is romantic drama at its best.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

©2004 Nora Roberts (P)2004 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"This is romantic drama at its best." ( Publishers Weekly)

Ignore narrator, listen to the story.

What did you love best about Carolina Moon?

I enjoyed the interaction between all the characters. The story line is very interesting and kept me listening.

What other book might you compare Carolina Moon to and why?

I think Nora Roberts Sanctuary. It has similar suspense and character dynamics that keep it interesting.

Would you be willing to try another one of Dean Robertson’s performances?

I would prefer not. There just wasn't any emotion. I couldn't tell the difference in many of the characters and there were many times that a sentence blended with the next one so it was hard to make sense of what was being said.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It may have been with someone else reading.

Any additional comments?

I have many Nora Roberts (as well as many other authors) and even if you have a strong story, if the narrator doesn't do a good job, it detracts considerably from the book.

Loved the story / narration, not so much

While I truly loved the story, I really had trouble with the narration of it. It seemed rushed and the timing was off. It was as if the narrator did not notice commas or periods. The narrator’s voices were done well. It was just read with weird timing.

Narrator did't match the story

I enjoyed the story once I got past the narrator. I really struggled to get into the book because the voice and inflections just didn't do it for me. Other stories maybe, but not romance.

Enjoyable

I love southern books Especially NR Books. I didn't think I was gonna like the narrator But I did. I definitely recommend this book.

Great story

I wish I had read the book rather than listened to this narrator. And I will probably go back & do that. If I can return this audible, I will probably do that. I really enjoyed the story though.

Riveting

I couldn’t stop listening to Carolina moon. The narrator brought all of the characters to life. It felt like I was there.

great story

just amazing! I wasn't sure I liked the narrator but it fits right in with the story and the characters. well told and FANTASTIC story!

Engrossing Nora!

loved it but didn't care for the narrator, whose voice was too mature & businesslike for the age of the characters, although she did an excellent job.

Authentic and Effective Narration Reflective of Carolina Culture

I most appreciated the narrator’s authentic and effective reading and performance. Having spent my summers in the Carolinas growing up, I was moved by these reflections of the culture, attitudes, affectations, and the speech style I recall of my grandparents and other friends and family members there. I found the narration enriched the story tremendously. I also enjoyed the character development and I think the integration of romance and suspense was particularly well executed in this Nora Roberts story. The story was also somewhat dated, but that is part of the appeal for me in less recent NR books. They are my occasional guilty pleasure when I seek mindless entertainment, particularly on long road trips.

great listen!

loved it. suspenseful. riveting. well narrated. happy ending. great romanticism. plot twists. real to life.