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Key West #3
Sunburn
It's not easy being the Godfather. All those secrets and all that guilt add up to a terrible burden--a weight that's killing Vincente Delgatto. When the old man travels to Key West for a visit with his illegitimate son--Joey Goldman, the unlikely hero of FLORIDA STRAITS--Joey floats the idea of a conscience-easing memoir, to be written in collaboration with a local reporter. It's a well-intentioned but extremely dangerous idea, since no one--not the Mafia, not the FBI, not the legitimate heir to the Delgatto family business--wants to see that memoir published. Will Vincente live long enough to get a lifetime's worth of secrets off his chest? Will writer Arty Magnus ever actually finish a book? For that matter, will Bert the Shirt and his chihuahua Don Giovanni ever enjoy a completely successful walk, and are there punishments enough on earth for Gino, the ingrate son who'd rat out his own father? Balancing suspense and humor, double-crosses and tenderness, SUNBURN is both a full-throttle crime novel and a touching meditation on family, old age, and the many shades of human loyalty.
298 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
294 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Shames
40 books238 followersLaurence Shames has been a New York City taxi driver, lounge singer, furniture mover, lifeguard, dishwasher, gym teacher, and shoe salesman. Having failed to distinguish himself in any of those professions, he turned to writing full-time in 1976 and has not done an honest day’s work since.
His basic laziness notwithstanding, Shames has published more than twenty books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. Best known for his critically acclaimed series of Key West Capers--14 titles and counting!--he has also authored non-fiction and enjoyed considerable though largely secret success as a collaborator and ghostwriter. Shames has penned four New York Times bestsellers. These have appeared on four different lists, under four different names, none of them his own. This might be a record.
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951, to chain-smoking parents of modest means but flamboyant emotions, Shames did not know Philip Roth, Paul Simon, Queen Latifa, Shaquille O’Neal, or any of the other really cool people who have come from his hometown. He graduated summa cum laude from NYU in 1972 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a side note, both his alma mater and honorary society have been extraordinarily adept at tracking his many address changes through the decades, in spite of the fact that he’s never sent them one red cent, and never will.
It was on an Italian beach in the summer of 1970 that Shames first heard the sacred call of the writer’s vocation. Lonely and poor, hungry and thirsty, he’d wandered into a seaside trattoria, where he noticed a couple tucking into a big platter of fritto misto. The man was nothing much to look at but the woman was really beautiful. She was perfectly tan and had a very fine-gauge gold chain looped around her bare tummy. The couple was sharing a liter of white wine; condensation beaded the carafe. Eye contact was made; the couple turned out to be Americans. The man wiped olive oil from his rather sensual lips and introduced himself as a writer. Shames knew in that moment that he would be one too.
He began writing stories and longer things he thought of as novels. He couldn’t sell them.
By 1979 he’d somehow become a journalist and was soon publishing in top-shelf magazines like Playboy, Outside, Saturday Review, and Vanity Fair. (This transition entailed some lucky breaks, but is not as vivid a tale as the fritto misto bit, so we’ll just sort of gloss over it.) In 1982, Shames was named Ethics columnist of Esquire, and also made a contributing editor to that magazine.
By 1986 he was writing non-fiction books. The critical, if not the commercial, success of these first established Shames’ credentials as a collaborator/ghostwriter. His 1991 national bestseller, Boss of Bosses, written with two FBI agents, got him thinking about the Mafia. It also bought him a ticket out of New York and a sweet little house in Key West, where he finally got back to Plan A: writing novels. Given his then-current preoccupations, the novels naturally featured palm trees, high humidity, dogs in sunglasses, and New York mobsters blundering through a town where people were too laid back to be afraid of them. But this part of the story is best told with reference to the books themselves, so please spend some time and explore them.
His basic laziness notwithstanding, Shames has published more than twenty books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. Best known for his critically acclaimed series of Key West Capers--14 titles and counting!--he has also authored non-fiction and enjoyed considerable though largely secret success as a collaborator and ghostwriter. Shames has penned four New York Times bestsellers. These have appeared on four different lists, under four different names, none of them his own. This might be a record.
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951, to chain-smoking parents of modest means but flamboyant emotions, Shames did not know Philip Roth, Paul Simon, Queen Latifa, Shaquille O’Neal, or any of the other really cool people who have come from his hometown. He graduated summa cum laude from NYU in 1972 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a side note, both his alma mater and honorary society have been extraordinarily adept at tracking his many address changes through the decades, in spite of the fact that he’s never sent them one red cent, and never will.
It was on an Italian beach in the summer of 1970 that Shames first heard the sacred call of the writer’s vocation. Lonely and poor, hungry and thirsty, he’d wandered into a seaside trattoria, where he noticed a couple tucking into a big platter of fritto misto. The man was nothing much to look at but the woman was really beautiful. She was perfectly tan and had a very fine-gauge gold chain looped around her bare tummy. The couple was sharing a liter of white wine; condensation beaded the carafe. Eye contact was made; the couple turned out to be Americans. The man wiped olive oil from his rather sensual lips and introduced himself as a writer. Shames knew in that moment that he would be one too.
He began writing stories and longer things he thought of as novels. He couldn’t sell them.
By 1979 he’d somehow become a journalist and was soon publishing in top-shelf magazines like Playboy, Outside, Saturday Review, and Vanity Fair. (This transition entailed some lucky breaks, but is not as vivid a tale as the fritto misto bit, so we’ll just sort of gloss over it.) In 1982, Shames was named Ethics columnist of Esquire, and also made a contributing editor to that magazine.
By 1986 he was writing non-fiction books. The critical, if not the commercial, success of these first established Shames’ credentials as a collaborator/ghostwriter. His 1991 national bestseller, Boss of Bosses, written with two FBI agents, got him thinking about the Mafia. It also bought him a ticket out of New York and a sweet little house in Key West, where he finally got back to Plan A: writing novels. Given his then-current preoccupations, the novels naturally featured palm trees, high humidity, dogs in sunglasses, and New York mobsters blundering through a town where people were too laid back to be afraid of them. But this part of the story is best told with reference to the books themselves, so please spend some time and explore them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 21, 2020
My first experience with Shames, and a good one. The story of an aging mobster, mellowing in the Florida sunshine, and his dim-bulb son, pushing around his betters like a surly teenager. Only everybody has guns. The characters are charming, the story is very human, with only light action, and the finish is satisfying and warm. I'll read more Shames.
February 25, 2017
An aging Mafia don wants to write his memoirs? Fuhget about it. His illegitimate son in Key West thinks it’s a great idea; his dense, narcissistic legitimate son is appalled (along with other Mafioso friends and enemies). A wild set of events is set off from “New Yawk” to Key West and back again. The cast of “Florida Straits” returns for this funny, suspenseful sequel, including Bert the Shirt and his constipated Chihuahua, Don Giovanni.
Lawrence Shames’ writing is wonderfully descriptive and offbeat; the characters quirky, funny and very human. This was the third novel of his I have read and I now consider myself a big fan. I look forward to reading all of his books.
Lawrence Shames’ writing is wonderfully descriptive and offbeat; the characters quirky, funny and very human. This was the third novel of his I have read and I now consider myself a big fan. I look forward to reading all of his books.
August 4, 2020
Why isn’t this writer better known? Maybe he is across the water, but in the UK there is little spoken or written of him.
That’s a crime. This book is so wonderfully written and an outstanding follow up to the first in the series. I wholeheartedly recommend this. The command of prose is terrific. Read it!
That’s a crime. This book is so wonderfully written and an outstanding follow up to the first in the series. I wholeheartedly recommend this. The command of prose is terrific. Read it!
June 27, 2015
Audiobook. Lovely narration. The accents are perfect. I love Shames' Florida Keys series. Quirky and fun.
July 3, 2025
The third book in the series continues with the Key West vibe clashing with the New York mob. This is light on the humor aspect and heavier on the gangsters. Gino thinks he can easily slip into his father’s role, but bungles the job badly.
A newbie FBI agent trying to make a name for himself by bringing down the godfather gets a chance to reevaluate his decisions. If only there were enough senior agents left to cool the heels of the zealots.
Another decent fast read.
A newbie FBI agent trying to make a name for himself by bringing down the godfather gets a chance to reevaluate his decisions. If only there were enough senior agents left to cool the heels of the zealots.
Another decent fast read.
January 10, 2023
Third book in the Key West Capers Series and it picks up pretty much right where the 1st one left off....New York Family boss decides to have a ghost writer pen his life story and not everyone in his "Family" is happy about this.
March 21, 2025
Another voyage to the Florida Keys as Shames revisits the folk from his first Key West novel. Vincente Delgatto is the new mafia Godfather. But all is not well in the New York mob world. Delgatto is old and really didn't want the position...but whatcha gonna do. Well he's going to go to Key West and visit his illegitimate son Joey Goldman (the protagonist in Shames first Key West novel "Florida Straits"). While he's there he decides to work with local journalist Arty Magnus on a book about the mob, which is not to be published until after Vincente's death. Nobody who knows about it thinks that's a problem until Vincente tells his son Gino...who is just not tethered that tightly. Add that to Gino going rogue against the Don's wishes in relationships with the Miami mob and things get really dicey.
What a frustrating novel. I really liked Florida Straits and I was happy to revisit these characters. But Shames has a bad habit of extending a very plodding set-up before finally getting to the pay-off. And the third act in this one is quite good...it's just kind of a chore to get there. And I'll say this for Shames, he isn't at all afraid to mix things up and give us a decent ending that's dark (though maybe not as dark as I'd like).
Ultimately this is an okay book. The second Key West book was a step down from the first. This is kind of a lateral move. I know Shames has it in him to wow me, but he just doesn't seem to manage to do it. I'll give him another shot or two...but my patience is starting to wear.
June 21, 2020
Another crackerjack tale by Shames!
Taking up where book #1 in the series left off, we get another wild ride through Key West and NYC, as seen through the eyes of some wise guys, as well as some dumb ones.
Taking up where book #1 in the series left off, we get another wild ride through Key West and NYC, as seen through the eyes of some wise guys, as well as some dumb ones.
February 5, 2017
Recommended by Larry — thanks, Larry.
On first glance the characters came across as stock crime tropes, but by the end of the book I really cared about them as human beings. Fast paced, good plot.
Vincente is an aging Mafia don who wants to tell his story. Arty is a second rate journalist who is willing to listen and write the book. Then things get complicated.
January 18, 2017 - finished rereading this book again to Maggee. This was book #4 on our 2017 Read-aloud List.
On first glance the characters came across as stock crime tropes, but by the end of the book I really cared about them as human beings. Fast paced, good plot.
Vincente is an aging Mafia don who wants to tell his story. Arty is a second rate journalist who is willing to listen and write the book. Then things get complicated.
January 18, 2017 - finished rereading this book again to Maggee. This was book #4 on our 2017 Read-aloud List.
December 5, 2021
Another excellent Key West novel by Laurence Shames. A follow-on to Florida Straits, we read more about the Delgatto family: Vincent, elderly Mafia godfather, Gino his legitimate son, Mafia tough guy who exudes all the charm of rotting flesh, and Joey, illegitimate son, Mafia dropout gone legit in Key West.
While Vincent has a long visit with Joey, thinking about retirement, Gino comes down from NY crude, brash and throwing his weight around. He undermines his father over a deal made with the Miami family and the trouble starts. Meanwhile, Joey drops a hint to Vincent that he might consider writing his memoirs, which after some thought he decides to do, with an editor from the local paper to ghost write. The few who now are sworn to secrecy about the book but it gets out with very dangerous consequences. Vincent's ideas for the book are about culture and lifestyle, where family is everything, promises made are made for life, problems are solved internally and secrecy is prized absolutely.
It's a rollicking adventure, but one told with extraordinary sensitivity and nuance for people's feelings and motivations. The descriptions are wonderful, evoking scenes so well you feel you're there.
Shames is one of my favorites. He's often lumped in with other authors who specialize in Florida zaniness, Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, etc., but Shames is in a class of his own. Do not miss these.
While Vincent has a long visit with Joey, thinking about retirement, Gino comes down from NY crude, brash and throwing his weight around. He undermines his father over a deal made with the Miami family and the trouble starts. Meanwhile, Joey drops a hint to Vincent that he might consider writing his memoirs, which after some thought he decides to do, with an editor from the local paper to ghost write. The few who now are sworn to secrecy about the book but it gets out with very dangerous consequences. Vincent's ideas for the book are about culture and lifestyle, where family is everything, promises made are made for life, problems are solved internally and secrecy is prized absolutely.
It's a rollicking adventure, but one told with extraordinary sensitivity and nuance for people's feelings and motivations. The descriptions are wonderful, evoking scenes so well you feel you're there.
Shames is one of my favorites. He's often lumped in with other authors who specialize in Florida zaniness, Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, etc., but Shames is in a class of his own. Do not miss these.
March 7, 2021
A fun light read with colorful characters and vivid humor rich language. It made present day me rethink and eventually drop my mafia boss / journalism double major and switch to graphic design, or so future me says.
-- highlights --
Irrelevationists dismissed tradition as ancient error compounded by millennia of accreted ceremony.
==========
Then he stood back, glanced up at the sky, and spread his arms in a mock-hearty gesture, the gesture of a lounge comedian telling his audience that life is wonderful now that he's onstage.
==========
His voice was hoarse, and it brayed when he reached for emphasis.
==========
He pointed his stomach toward the patio and charged off after it
==========
With what you know and what I know, we almost know something. If we could tell each other.
==========
The neighborhood—she used to think it was made of buildings and street signs and fire hydrants; now she understood it was really built of old mistakes, old humiliations, everything that marked you, if only in your own mind, everything that shrank your world and held you back.
-- highlights --
Irrelevationists dismissed tradition as ancient error compounded by millennia of accreted ceremony.
==========
Then he stood back, glanced up at the sky, and spread his arms in a mock-hearty gesture, the gesture of a lounge comedian telling his audience that life is wonderful now that he's onstage.
==========
His voice was hoarse, and it brayed when he reached for emphasis.
==========
He pointed his stomach toward the patio and charged off after it
==========
With what you know and what I know, we almost know something. If we could tell each other.
==========
The neighborhood—she used to think it was made of buildings and street signs and fire hydrants; now she understood it was really built of old mistakes, old humiliations, everything that marked you, if only in your own mind, everything that shrank your world and held you back.
May 26, 2022
This is my third book in the Key West sequence of novels by Mr. Shames. I cannot describe the love I have for his writing. Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Elmore Leonard- move over there is a great writer of mysteries in Florida to read again and again. I have loved the characters Ahrty, Debbi Martini, Vincente, the mob characters and the other son. A great read, hard to put down, and again descriptions that one wants to read over and over again. His analysis of a setting are always memorable and so very description, as in poetry.
Well, going on the purchase the next of the series. Undestand, these novels do not have repetitive characters so far, and it is so nice to have such diverse plots, plus all of the innocence in his characters all in one book. The narratives of past characters have always been pleasant and memorable. I highly recommend this book and thanks again Mr. Laurenc Shames.
Well, going on the purchase the next of the series. Undestand, these novels do not have repetitive characters so far, and it is so nice to have such diverse plots, plus all of the innocence in his characters all in one book. The narratives of past characters have always been pleasant and memorable. I highly recommend this book and thanks again Mr. Laurenc Shames.
July 24, 2025
Another satisfying romp through the Florida sun with Joey Goldman, his mafioso father and the other players in their world.
We return to Key West where Joeys father is grieving the loss of his wife, the mother of Joeys half brother, the narcissist Geno who is trying desperately to take over the family business and making a mess of things.
Vincenzo has decided that he wants to write his life story. So Joey introduces him to the editor of the local newspaper, Artie, who has been wondering if he’s wasted his life and sees this as his big chance. Let the games begin!
We return to Key West where Joeys father is grieving the loss of his wife, the mother of Joeys half brother, the narcissist Geno who is trying desperately to take over the family business and making a mess of things.
Vincenzo has decided that he wants to write his life story. So Joey introduces him to the editor of the local newspaper, Artie, who has been wondering if he’s wasted his life and sees this as his big chance. Let the games begin!
December 21, 2021
Joey Goldman and the rest of the cast (well, the ones that lived anyway) from Florida Straits are back! I love them all so I was delighted to dive into this new adventure where Joey's father - the Godfather - decides to write his memoirs... other members of The Organization aren't real thrilled. Shames paints the most incredible detailed pictures. I'm going to try and hold off his next one Tropical Depression until it comes out in paperback in a couple of months... if I can.
July 11, 2021
Vincente Delgatto, an aging Godfather, decides to work with a ghostwriter and pen a book about his work as the FBI are looking to take him down for a crime. When word gets out, from his son none-the-less, the Godfather is not at risk but pretty much everyone around him is in trouble now.
While this book is a very quick read and a bit quirky, it just didn't feel like the story was put together well. The beginning was very slow and the end came up abruptly, but at least had a little more excitement. Not sure I will read another book by this author is it is a similar style.
While this book is a very quick read and a bit quirky, it just didn't feel like the story was put together well. The beginning was very slow and the end came up abruptly, but at least had a little more excitement. Not sure I will read another book by this author is it is a similar style.
September 5, 2023
This book is very confusing—or rather why this book, this writer, and this series aren’t more well know is confusing. Very confusing. From Joey to Bert the Shirt to Debbie to Vincente to Don Giovanni to Gino, there’s not a single dud character. The plot races, the characters spring to life, the writing pops and sparkles.
Try it. You’ll like it.
Try it. You’ll like it.
November 28, 2018
Great players in this book
Lawrence Shamed has the wonderful ability to create warm 3 dimensional characters that come alive in the backdrop of a powerful, intense story that kept me rivited.
Lawrence Shamed has the wonderful ability to create warm 3 dimensional characters that come alive in the backdrop of a powerful, intense story that kept me rivited.
May 3, 2019
Best Shames
I think I’ve read all of Laurence Shames’ novels, and this is by far the best. It has more complex and interesting characters, some serious themes, and suspense right up to the end.
I think I’ve read all of Laurence Shames’ novels, and this is by far the best. It has more complex and interesting characters, some serious themes, and suspense right up to the end.
Read
January 3, 2022Riveting, hilarious and insightful. Especially about human nature
Brilliantly insightful direct and very very funny
Onwards and upwards for more Of this author's work
Recommend this and others
Brilliantly insightful direct and very very funny
Onwards and upwards for more Of this author's work
Recommend this and others
February 13, 2023
Another good read in the Key West series! These books have just the right amount of crazy. I really like the recurring characters. This one got a little serious at the end. I wasn't crazy about it. I read these for the fun and hope they don't change going forward.
March 9, 2024
Great writing
I love this series. The way the stories link together and all of the characters are perfect. It also is great to know that the key west locations are real And can be visited anytime.
I love this series. The way the stories link together and all of the characters are perfect. It also is great to know that the key west locations are real And can be visited anytime.
May 28, 2017
New York Mafia retire to Florida.
January 15, 2018
A little thoughtful in places and less wacky than the two previous books in the series. Gotta love Bert the Shirt and his chihuahua.
July 12, 2018
light and funny story about the Mafia.
January 1, 2019
Quick read
Very quick and entertaining read. I read the book in a day. The characters continue to add depth. I am looking forward to the next book in the series
Very quick and entertaining read. I read the book in a day. The characters continue to add depth. I am looking forward to the next book in the series
May 3, 2020
Excellent Read
This book is everything from book one and more. It continues the story Gino, Vicente and Joey. You will be sucked in and keep guessing to the very end.
This book is everything from book one and more. It continues the story Gino, Vicente and Joey. You will be sucked in and keep guessing to the very end.
February 25, 2021
This was another good one. This one is more mafioso and darker. There are little bits of sweetness thrown in. The three books so far are so different. Great series!
March 31, 2021
Another funny, well-written book by Laurence Shames.
Who couldn't love 'Bert the Shirt'?
Who couldn't love 'Bert the Shirt'?
February 13, 2022
Great characters, spot on narration
December 18, 2022
Love this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews