Divine Evil [Paperback]

Nora Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1992

Bestselling author Nora Roberts dazzles once again with a powerful tale of passion, murder, and small-town scandal. In this classic novel, a woman returns to the home she left behind, to a past that is waiting to kill her....

A decade ago, sculptor Clare Kimball fled Emmitsboro, Maryland, to take the art world by storm. Now she’s celebrated as the artist of her generation. But no amount of success can eclipse the nightmares that haunt her—or the memories of her father’s suicide. Just as her star is shining brighter than ever, Clare leaves it all behind to face her demons.

Emmitsboro sheriff Cameron Rafferty loved Clare from afar all through high school. Now that she’s back, they form a bond that grows stronger each day—fueled by an attraction that’s been simmering for years. But Clare’s past soon rises up with a vengeance, rocking the town with a sinister murder that is clearly linked to her return. As an investigation gets under way, Clare and Cameron will learn that evil can linger anywhere—even in those you love and trust the most. But it’s a discovery that may come too late to save them.…

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Clare Kimball, an accomplished sculptor, is troubled by depression and the return of childhood nightmares. So she takes a break from New York City and heads for her sleepy hometown in Maryland, despite its association with her beloved father's violent but apparently accidental death. Cameron Rafferty, formerly the town hellion, is now the sheriff and faced with a puzzle: the century-old grave of an infant has been dug up. In fact, the grave was robbed by Satan worshipers; Clare's dreams date from the night in her childhood when she saw them performing a coven ceremony--and they know she saw them. Cam's problems are compounded when the mutilated corpse of his hated stepfather is discovered in a field after the two have a public fistfight. Cam and Clare are an engaging couple, but by relying on the most obvious plot complications, Roberts has made her latest romantic mystery a virtually no-thrills thriller. (Is there a single reader who won't prediet that Clare will end up in the coven's clutches?) Also, while this tale is about ritual murders instead of a serial killer, the work's marked similarities to last year's Carnal Innocence give it the feeling of being a rerun.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“[Roberts] can make romance seem fresh and hopeful every time.”—Time

“The undisputed queen of romance.”—New York Post
 
“A consistently entertaining writer.”—USA Today


From the Trade Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553294903
• ISBN-13: 978-0553294903
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( R ) > Roberts, Nora

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT A ROMANCE!!, October 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Divine Evil (Paperback)

I would actually give this book two different ratings as a horror/suspense a 4. As a romance a 1.

This book should NEVER be categorized as a romance. One problem with this book is that I wanted to read a character driven romance and ended up with a Stephen King horror. I also felt that this book ended abruptly, there was no closure. How did the town feel afterward, what happened to the cult worshipers, etc.

This book was difficult and disturbing read. I don't recommend that you read it before bedtime. I generally am not that disturbed by what I read, but I definately did not sleep well the night I finished this book.

Be warned not your typical Nora Roberts romance. If you are bothered by the occult and graphic violence pass this by.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark & Romantic, March 9, 2001

By 

K. Weber - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divine Evil (Paperback)

Some will disagree with me but I love this book. I became a Nora fan last summer and haven't been able to stop reading her wonderful novels. When I started reading this book, I was taken aback by the graphic nature of it. Not that it offended me but that Nora had the guts to write a novel that would touch so many nerves! I love the characters and how she always has a way of describing each and every one of them, even the small bit players, so that you can picture just how they would look and be. This novel is definitely dark and not a "typical" romance novel but it still is a great read. I recommend if you like suspense and romance tied together. If you are squeamish about cults and satanism, I would avoid reading this book and stick to one of her many other brilliant novels. She has so many to choose from and you won't be disappointed!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chilling and romantic, April 19, 2000

By 

BarkLessWagMore (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Divine Evil (Paperback)

This is another great read from Nora Roberts who rarely disappoints me. Her characters are nearly always lovable and her stories emotionally satisfying and this one is no exception. It's about satanic cults and, although never gruesomely graphic, certain scenes may bother some readers (read this one with all the lights on!).

The heroine, a famous artist, decides it's time to go back home and face the demons of her past when she finds herself struggling with her creativity and having terrible nightmares. There she meets the hero Cam, former town troublemaker turned sheriff, who has his own set of problems. Mixed in between the terrific love story is a gripping tale of a town caught in the midst of a satanic cult and its effects on the people surrounding the h/h. The ending was a shocking surprise. This one makes you think twice about how well we ever really know someone.