Andrea Hummel

If you haven’t heard of author John Lescroart, you might be in the minority. The Fall, his 26th book, will be released in May and will again feature the popular characters Dismas Hardy and homicide inspector Abe Gitsky.

Seventeen of Lescroart’s books have been New York Times bestsellers. His books have sold more than 10 million copies and have been translated into 22 languages in 75 countries.

Now Sun Lakes suspense fans will receive a special treat when Lescroart visits the Lecky Room at Sun Lakes Robson Library on May 8. He will be speaking and autographing his books from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 pm.

Lescroart’s novels seem to be almost ahead of the headlines. He published A Certain Justice in the aftermath of the Rodney King riots; Guilt dealt with the Catholic church’s cover-up of priest’s indiscretions; The Mercy Rule appeared during the controversy regarding Kevorkian’s actions; and Betrayal explored contractor morality in Iraq.

Continuing that current events spin, The Fall is set in San Francisco and comes at a time of heavy criticism of the police for dragging their feet identifying African American suspects and the DA’s office for failing to convict the accused.

Lescroat (pronounced “less-kwah”) began his career as a musician. He still plays guitar, writes his own music and sings. His career path changed, however, as the result of a near-death experience.

In 1989 Lescroat contracted spinal meningitis while surfing at a Southern California beach. The water was contaminated. Seriously ill, he slipped into a coma for 11 days and was not expected to live. Miraculously, he woke up. In the wake of that recovery, Lescroart began to write full time with a renewed dedication.