Devil In A Blue Dress

Walter Mosley

The first of the Easy Rawlins novels featuring an unemployed African American factory worker turned private investigator in post-war Los Angeles. A well done, if standard crime novel, which includes the usual characters — the missing woman, the crime boss, the good guy PI forced into morally questionable world – all well done.  It’s raised to a higher level by its well-drawn characters and pointed examination of race and racism. I’m a sucker for a good crime novel, and one that also investigates race as pointedly as this is not something I could pass up. The only surprise is I didn’t read it earlier. I’ll be reading the rest.

Recommended for the enthusiast.