An irresistible story of love and death, this Easy Rawlins mystery takes place during the devastating 1965 Watts riots. Easy's hunt for a killer reveals a new city emerging from the ashes -- and a new life for Easy and his friends.
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"Mosely writes about African American living infusing his book with history and great commentary. Anyone who wants to get a feel for what its like to be African American in this country really needs to spend time with Mosley. Its good mystery and good history!"
— Lynn (5 out of 5 stars)
" Walter Mosley is one of my favorite authors. I don't recommend him to everyone, though. His stories often take place in the tough streets of LA and the racial conflicts of the 30's-60's. The language and the situations are somewhat graphic, although probably accurate of the time. The most famous story by this author is Devil in a Blue Dress, which was made into a movie starring Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle. "
— Aleisha, 2/20/2014" the easy rawlins books are always easy reading. nothing t complain about, a great airplane business trip book, with more heft for lit-lovers than the usual fantasy detective book. "
— Bill, 2/18/2014" Rawlin's is always good, the way he mixes race relations into classic hard boiled street detective stories with Easy Rawlins as a man just trying to make it in a changing world. And ever since they made Mosley's first book Devil in a Blue Dress with Denzel Washington as Easy, I keep hearing Denzel's voice when I read, which is cool. But as I mature as a reader, I seem to have noticed that while Mosley has added a more new characters i.e Easy's adopted family, they are pretty empty. I think Mosley should focus on making his work more complexed( it seems that these novels have not developed over time) while the new characters seem only to be a drain on the story itself, if this makes sense? "
— Eric, 2/14/2014" It's the fact that books like this become popular that makes me question the idea of being a writer. The average Bugs Bunny cartoon has fewer plot holes than this novel. "
— Matthew, 2/2/2014" Love the character of Easy Rawlins. Mosley is one of my two favorite mystery writers. I have an autographed copy of Little Scarlet. "
— Harley, 1/29/2014" Another book for my 20th century literature class (focusing on African American literature). A quick read dealing with issues of race in Los Angeles during the Watts riots. "
— Rose, 1/29/2014" An entertaing crime book with Easy Rawlins working on a case in which a red-headed woman has been murdered. "
— Phillip, 1/27/2014" Listened to the audio version read outstandingly by Michael Boatman. Ultimately lacking as a mystery story, the novel is painfully revelatory regarding race relations in the 60's. Set during the Watts riots but not about them as such. Mosley is a thoughtful, sensitive writer. The novel gives one a "gut" sense of black experience that no essay could provide. "
— John, 1/19/2014" Set in the '60s, after the Watts riots, Rawlins is called in to help investigate a murder, so the cops can avoid stirring up trouble in the minority section of town. As usual, Rawlins gets more than he bargained for. "
— Tom, 1/9/2014" The story begins with the Watts riots and explores their emotional and racial repercussions. There's a mystery, too, of course, and a plethora of interesting characters. Good read. "
— Scout, 12/31/2013" Fantastic! A great mystery that takes place in a great moment in time. "
— Vicki, 12/7/2013" This was a good mystery, and the setting in LA just after the Watts riots was intriguing, but for some reason I just didn't connect with the story. Instead of reading more books in this series, maybe I'll just add the Denzel Washington movie to my Netflix queue. "
— Rebecca, 12/2/2013" Everyone should read this. Combines hard-boiled detective fiction with political commentary. Awesome. "
— Elizabeth, 12/1/2013" I would read all his books. This was wonderful- lots of layers and well-written. "
— Linda, 11/9/2013" See Devil in a Blue Dress "
— Rachel, 11/7/2013" very nice mystery. reads like a charm "
— Barry, 9/23/2013" Set in 1965 in the immediate aftermath of the Watts riots--well plotted but a little more heavy handed and sentimental than usual "
— Mark, 9/22/2013" Just ok. Not his best work but maybe I've read too many if the easy Rawlins detective stories. "
— Nicole, 8/22/2013" this one was good. set against the Watts riots, i think. "
— RK, 5/25/2013" Easy, entertaining mystery. "
— Miquixote, 5/7/2013" I'd like Easy Rawlins as my friend, definitely not my enemy. "
— Karen, 7/27/2012" I am being generous with my stars today. "
— Kelly, 11/27/2011" Walter Mosley mysteries are ridiculously great. There are enough of them that it should be a weekly series on tv. it would totally kick CSI's ass. "
— Dan-o, 8/13/2011" Fun, fast read. Mosley really makes the characters come alive. "
— Linda, 7/17/2011" This one took me a while to get through, but not because it was bad. "
— Benjamin, 5/9/2011" Continuing Easy Rawlings Series - Audio Book "
— Randy, 4/20/2011" Easy Rawlins is the sexiest detective I've ever read about. Too many male investigators are white, single, drunks who live only for their work and regret what they've lost in their personal lives. I intend to read more books in this series. "
— Adina, 4/5/2011" Should be required reading for anyone interested in the reasons for the racial riots in LA Watts in 1965. This is a real eye opener. "
— Carol, 2/27/2011" very nice mystery. reads like a charm "
— Barry, 11/26/2010" I read this some time ago, didn't remember doing so, and checked it out from the library. 100% I am entering this so I may remember having read it. The Easy Rollins books are my favorite of Mosley's books. "
— Art, 11/19/2010" The story begins with the Watts riots and explores their emotional and racial repercussions. There's a mystery, too, of course, and a plethora of interesting characters. Good read. "
— Scout, 7/29/2010" Easy Rawlins is the sexiest detective I've ever read about. Too many male investigators are white, single, drunks who live only for their work and regret what they've lost in their personal lives. I intend to read more books in this series. "
— Adina, 2/2/2010" Walter Mosley mysteries are ridiculously great. There are enough of them that it should be a weekly series on tv. it would totally kick CSI's ass. "
— Dan-o, 1/15/2010" Set in the '60s, after the Watts riots, Rawlins is called in to help investigate a murder, so the cops can avoid stirring up trouble in the minority section of town. As usual, Rawlins gets more than he bargained for. "
— Tom, 12/16/2009" I would read all his books. This was wonderful- lots of layers and well-written. "
— Linda, 12/9/2009" Easy Rawlins during the Watts riots. Like all the Rawlins mysteries, this book stars not only Easy but the city of Los Angeles. Good mystery story. "
— Everton, 12/4/2009" Should be required reading for anyone interested in the reasons for the racial riots in LA Watts in 1965. This is a real eye opener. "
— Carol, 11/17/2009" this one was good. set against the Watts riots, i think. "
— RK, 9/13/2009" Great read! His characters are so lifelike, covers all the emotions and doesn't forget to make you laugh. "
— Rhonda, 9/11/2009Leon Nixon is a professional actor, playwright, and filmmaker. A Los Angeles native, he has performed in short films, web series, and on stage in dramatic and comedic roles. He is also an improviser and part of the group that appears in the Guinness Book of World Records for Longest Continuous Improv Show.
Michael Boatman is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for narration. He is a versatile television, film, and stage actor whose work on the hit TV show Spin City garnered him a GLAAD Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and nominations for two NAACP Image Awards. For his work playing Stanley Babson on the long-running HBO series ARLI$$, he was nominated five times for the Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.