Little Scarlet [Hardcover]

The murder of Nola Payne is the key focus in this mystery and solving this crime falls under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department. One problem, Nola is black, lives in riot torn Watts and the prime suspect is a white man last seen entering her apartment. Detective Suggs rounds up unlicensed, private investigator Easy Rawlins to help with the case. He feels he can get Easy to assist with the threat of shutting down his work because he doesn't have the proper credentials. What he learns is Easy has a heart for his people, for his neighborhood and a sense of justice.

Detective Suggs is right to assume it just wouldn't do in these racially tense times, to see a white man asking questions about a young black woman. The riots might flare back up. Easy isn't particularly keen about getting involved but talking with the victim's grievously distraught grandmother convinces him that if he can do his part to assist in finding a killer, he'll proceed. What he uncovers is captivating. The layers of people involved circle through a number of avenues. It might seem confusing at first. The more Easy burrows into the investigation, the more caught up the reader becomes until the climax.

The familiar cast of characters and subplots return in Little Scarlet. The reader won't be disappointed that Mouse contributes in his own way to Easy's success, beautiful enticing women always play a roll, Mama Jo is still concocting home remedies and we catch a glimpse into his home life and explore his sometimes torn, most private emotions. This interweaving of strong recurring characters and plots that diverge in many directions makes a Walter Mosley story one that is both remarkable and memorable. Exploring an investigation with Easy Rawlins at the helm is guaranteed to take you on wonderful literary journey.

Through the story pass the many and varied personalities familiar from earlier Easy Rawlins novels. As in most Easy Rawlins stories, finding the bad guy is secondary to helping the reader see why blacks think as they do in Los Angeles. Mosley's trenchant and direct style does this unambiguously.

That said, LC is a return to form for Mosley's best-loved character following the disappointing by-the-numbers feel of 2002's "Bad Boy Brawly Brown." At readings I've attended, Mosley has made little secret as to where his writing preferences lie - he'd rather be doing original novels, his publishers want more Easy. While Mr. Mosley may have written better novels ("The Man in My Basement" a recent example), I predict none are likely to be as well-loved or remain in print as long as this series.

Walter Mosley has created in Easy Rawlins a cast of characters whose passions you can feel coming off the page. Easy's a working man trying to raise a family and do the right thing by his heart and for the people he cares about. If you're already one of the faithful, cracking open "Little Scarlet" will be like catching up with an old friend - you'll plow through it. If you've never read this series, start at the beginning with "Devil in a Blue Dress." You'll be hooked.