When Polly arrives at Adam's motel room in the middle of the night (Some of the characters who appeared very briefly in the book were interesting enough that I'd love to see them re-appear in one of Lippman's future books, like the lesbian detective) I've been reading Lippman for years, and have enjoyed all of her other books, but this one is my favorite.

Sunburn is as compelling as any classic noir tale, but Lippman opens the story up by relaying events from the perspective of different characters, which added depth and texture to the story. Love the way Lippman both draws on and updates noir tropes in this novel. Cain's masterpieces The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnity, and Mildred Pierce, Sunburn is a tantalizing modern noir from the incomparable Laura Lippman. Is their love strong enough to withstand the truth, or will it ultimately destroy them? Was it an accident or part of a plan? By now Adam and Polly are so ensnared in each other's lives and lies that neither one knows how to get away - or even if they want to. Still, each holds something back from the other - dangerous, even lethal secrets. Over the course of a punishing summer, Polly and Adam abandon themselves to a steamy, inexorable affair. Yet she stays, and he stays - drawn to this mysterious redhead whose quiet stillness both unnerves and excites him.

They meet at a local tavern in the small town of Belleville, Delaware. But instead of rules, this game has dark secrets, forbidden desires, inevitable betrayals - and cold-blooded murder. New York Times best-selling author Laura Lippman returns with a superb novel of psychological suspense about a pair of lovers with the best intentions and the worst luck: two people locked in a passionate yet uncompromising game of cat and mouse.

Sunburn by laura lippman