Sunburn

by John Lescroart

On Spain's Costa Brava, passion and intrigue are everywhere- especially in the hearts of those who dwell there. As the dictator Franco teeters on the edge of overthrow, two couples are entwined. One is a husband and wife bored with the existence they have drifted into, the other a passionate, combative pair who relish every moment of life. Into this potent mix comes a young American seeking his missing lover-bringing a shadow of danger into the machinations already at work. Soon, loyalty will be tested and blood will be shed as the country of Spain prepares for revolution. And none of them-lovers, fighters, man or woman- will ever be the same.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Suspense

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

John Lescroart (born January 14, 1948) is an American author best known for two series of legal and crime thriller novels featuring the characters Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky.

Lescroart was born in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Junípero Serra High School, San Mateo, California (Class of 1966). He then went on to earn a B.A. in English with Honors at UC Berkeley in 1970. In addition to his novels, Lescroart has written several screenplays.

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is John Lescroart's first book and I'm glad it wasn't the first of his books I'd read because I didn't think this was very good. It reminded me of The Great Gatsby which I didn't like.

[John Lyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started slow, got better. Seems Lescroart was trying to be a new Hemmingway when he started out. I enjoyed it, although it was a little strange.

[Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, worst effort ever by Lescrart. I read pretty much everything he writes and this missed the mark big time.

[Trudy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read all of his books and this was his all time worst in my opinion.

[wally · Rating 2 out of 5]

finished 11th march 2023 good read two stars it was okay kindle library loaner have read many from lescroart this one more contemporary literature think hemingway in transition still lost for the 70s americans in spain nothing matters anymore...no evidence there is mud on the tires...no spanish asking do you want me to shoot thee, ingles? almost stopped reading about the 30%+ mark but kept going drinking wine sleeping around visiting the next town over thinking life might change...they all change to a degree not to any real improvement more a change as in separation and going their separate ways. c'est la vie. lescroart's first story he writes an intro about this one some changes that would be interesting to see comparing what was in '81 to this one...changes in narration if you're interested and a bit of a surprise considering all of the other lescroart stories i've read.

[Shaunda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this was his 1st novel, and it was a reissued edition. I'll give it a pass. I didn't care for the story being told in the third person at times

That was confusing to me at first, then I went along with it. I liked the theme, but I thought something more would happen once Franco died.

I mean something did happen, but not what I thought would. Sean accidentally hangs himself. Lea goes gallavanting to Marseilles after Mike. Doug goes on a ship to the Canary Islands. Berta gets Sean's house, & Kyra gets some money.

It was an ok read. Looking forward to reading another of his novels, Rasputin's Revenge.

So you already know your gurl is gone leave
an honest review, and there you have it. But read it for yourself & leave your thoughts.

Until next time, Ciao!

[Jennifer Irons · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is John Lescroart's very first novel that was published in 1981 and came back in to print with a different cover years later. Unlike his Dismas Hardy/Abe Glitsky novels, this novel is not very good and I suspect there was a good reason that this book was out of print for decades. There doesn't really seem to be any cohesion to the story. I was annoyed with pretty much all of the characters who seemed unlikeable to me, especially Lea!! I highly recommend Lescroart's many other novels but not this one, I'm sorry to say!

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I got to the end, I thought "HUH??????"

I never did figure out what the book was about if it wasn't just the interaction between a group of people living together. And that type of book doesn't interest me much.

I've read just about all the Dismas Hardy series of books, and went back to this earliest of Lescroart's books to read all of his. I'm sure glad that I didn't read it first or I might not have read more.

Another aspect is that I avoid books with explicit sex in them. After it showed up in this book at 20-25%, I just should have quit.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had this been the first book by this author that I'd read, I wouldn't be enjoying his other books. This was his first novel and it feels like he was attempting the great American novel, a la Hemingway. I wanted to listen to this because it was also the first book for the narrator, Luke Daniels, who has become a favorite. I'm so happy Mr Lescroart found his voice, because I really enjoy his other novels

[Benjamin Weitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunburn was not the usual legal thriller. It was so much more. Beautiful prose with unimaginable imagery on every page with each character described in depth both physically and personality traits.
I have read only one other author who can writes so beautifully and that is Anthony Doerr, author of "All The Light You Cannot See", "Grace" and others. Each page is like a Rembrandt beautiful masterpiece. Thanks John for your masterpiece.

[Helle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on the low rating, starting Sunburn was a bit of a gamble, especially as I have been struggling to have a nice reading rhythm. But it was on my shelves, I really like Lescroart from what I’ve read so far, so I gave it a go. And indeed, I must agree with the general opinion: while it was not as bad as I feared, it was by no means up to what I expect from Lescroart. I actually quite liked it for a while, but the last part was a major let-down.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love John Lescroart, so was interested to read his first novel. Wow has he improved since then! This book was terrible - ridiculous plot, little to no character development. If I had read this one first, I might never have made it to the wonderful Hardy/Glitsky books.

[Gary R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expected more of a adventure story from this book but I guess I didn't read the description carefully enough. It was my first by this author unfortunately which may prevent me from trying other book by him.

[Donn Lorber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Franco's Spain a love and hate story.set against the revolution, selves all sets of triangles

[Chick Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn’t expect a non-mystery novel, but everybody has to start somewhere.

[Dawn Brotherton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed. There were too many characters introduced all at once. Then it evened out and you got to know them a bit. But then there seemed to be no point to the story.

[P R · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

[Misti Shumate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda Boring

[Richard Shadle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up after 68 pages. I have read all of his books but this one was not my cup of tea. I’m glad this wasn’t the first book that I read!

[Jan Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is his first book that he edited and rereleased. I found it just an average read.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it. Love John, but let's just say he greatly improved as a writer from this mess.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best work.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first Lescroart book, and I hope the rest art better.

[Kodakjack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, this was not for me.

[Claudette Brown]

Boring

[Cliff Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chose not to finish after reading 2/3rds of the book, with a different cover (the bodice ripper style cover shown with this listing would have been a big clue). Just could not bring myself to care about the characters enough to deal with the truly tragic storyline. Fortunately I have already read most of the Glitsky/Hardy books. Had I not, I might have passed on them; that would have been an even bigger tragedy. Do not judge the rest of John LesCroart's novels by this one. He's one of my favorite writers. Glitsky and Hardy are awesome.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was John LesCroart's first book. Read it yesterday, on a rainy gloomy day. Funky characters but 'real'. The best part is most was set in Spain. I have a friend who lives in Spain, who describes the atmosphere the same as he does.
People seem to socialize and celebrate day to day life in a way that makes each day an event. We can learn from this.
Don't get the wrong impression. Some of it is intensely sad.

[Pmcdnld2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lescroart is best known for his Dismas Hardy legal thrillers; this was his first novel in 1981 recently reissued. Set in Spain as Franco is dying, 2 couples:one married and bored, the other passionate and combative. A young man's visit for dinner changes everything. I found it interesting and a good read

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1981 and out-of-print for many years, Lescroart "tweaked" the book and it was published again in 2008/2009.
Lescroart's intro to this new edition was so intriguing I had to read the book. Would I get to the last page and shed tears? Hmmm....a challenge! I'm not saying if I did or not; however, I will say the book is really good.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, but I prefer his usual cast of characters--Dismas, Franny, Abe, etc. It was somewhat interesting, with some twists and turns, but on the whole rather down and morose. The characters were well portrayed, but in a place that could have been a paradise, the people were mostly unhappy.