Paperback, 284 pages
Published May 19, 2004 by Serpent's Tail.
It's 1953 in Red-baiting, blacklisting Los Angeles, a moral tar pit ready to swallow Easy Rawlins. Easy is out of "the hurting business" and into the housing (and favor) business when a racist IRS agent nails him for tax evasion. Special Agent Darryl T. Craxton, FBI, offers to bail him out if he agrees to infiltrate the First American Baptist Church and spy on alleged communist organizer Chaim Wenzler. That's when the murders begin....
Not as good as “Devil in a Blue Dress” but still worth reading. I felt it started well, lost it’s way in the middle, and picked up nicely towards the end.
Not at the level of Devil in a Blue Dress, but still a good read.
Easy Rawlins, where have you been all my mystery reading life? I love the social issues that give depth to the classic noir mystery form. I love the character of Mouse, the never ending studliness of Easy, the plot twists, the violence and pain. Love Love Love it!
