A Tan and Sandy Silence

by John D. MacDonald
A Tan and Sandy Silence cover
Good Books rating 2.83
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 7470
  • Added: 2025-12-14
  • Updated: 2025-12-14
  • ISBN: 9780449127070
  • Publisher: Fawcett
  • Published: 1984-05-01
  • Reviews: 3

A Tan and Sandy Silence is a thrilling novel that delves into the harsh and isolated landscapes of the Australian outback. The story unfolds with a sense of foreboding and tension, drawing readers into a world where danger lurks around every corner. The narrative is rich with atmospheric details that bring the rugged beauty and harsh realities of the outback to life. The characters are complex and compelling, each with their own secrets and motivations that drive the plot forward. The novel explores themes of survival, betrayal, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. As the story progresses, the tension builds to a climax that leaves readers on the edge of their seats. The author's vivid descriptions and masterful storytelling make this a must-read for fans of suspenseful fiction.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · 2025-01-01
disappointing 2.00

The book lacks the intrigue of a mystery, making it drag for over 300 pages. The protagonist's actions do not sustain the reader's interest.

This reviewer felt that 'A Tan and Sandy Silence' lacked the mystery and intrigue that typically sustain a reader's interest. They found the book to drag on for over 300 pages, with the protagonist's actions not being enough to keep them engaged. The reviewer also noted that the book did not live up to the expectations set by other works in the series, making it a disappointing read overall. They appreciated the author's usual strengths but felt that this particular installment fell short.

Quick quotes

    Without the intrigue of a mystery to sustain the reader's interest, A Tan and Sandy Silence drags along for over 300 pages while it's “man of action”

    It fell short of his best, in that there wasn't much of a mystery to solve, just a lot of action and dialogue.

    I found the book to be a bit of a letdown, as it didn't have the same level of suspense and intrigue that I've come to expect from John D. MacDonald.

Goodreads · 2025-01-01
good 3.50

The book is a good read, especially for fans of the author. It is not the best in the series but still enjoyable.

This reviewer enjoyed 'A Tan and Sandy Silence' and found it to be a good read, especially for fans of the author. They noted that it is not the best book in the series but still found it to be enjoyable. They appreciated the author's ability to create engaging characters and a compelling storyline, even if it did not reach the same heights as some of the author's other works. Overall, they found the book to be a solid addition to the series and a enjoyable read for fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    Being accused at gunpoint of hiding another man's wife is a rude shock.

    But it's an even bigger shock when Travis McGee discovers that the woman in question...

    It fell short of his best, in that there wasn't much of a mystery to solve, just a lot of action and dialogue.

Brandywine Books · 2023-05-29
mixed 3.00

The book contains a harrowing scene that stands out in the series. Despite this, it is not one of the author's best works.

This reviewer found 'A Tan and Sandy Silence' to be a harrowing book, particularly due to a scene they considered one of the most horrifying in the series. However, they also noted that the book is not one of the author's best works. They appreciated the author's ability to create suspense and tension but felt that this particular book did not live up to the high standards set by other works in the series. Overall, they found the book to be a mixed bag, with some standout moments but also some weaker elements.

Quick quotes

    A Tan and Sandy Silence is a harrowing book.

    It contains what I consider perhaps the most horrifying scene in the series.

    But it's also not one of his best works.

Appears in Lists