Little Scarlet

An Easy Rawlins Mystery

By: Walter Mosley

Narrated by: Michael Boatman

Just after devastating riots tear through Los Angeles in 1965, when anger is high and fear still smolders everywhere, the police turn up at Easy Rawlins' doorstep. He expects the worst, as usual. But they've come to ask for his help.

A man was wrenched from his car by a mob at the riots' peak and escaped into a nearby apartment building. Soon afterward, a redheaded woman known as Little Scarlet was found dead in that building, and the fleeing man is the obvious suspect. But the man has vanished.

The police fear that their presence in certain neighborhoods could spark a new inferno, so they ask Easy Rawlins to see what he can discover. The vanished man is the key, but he is only the beginning. Easy enlists the help of his longtime friend Mouse to break through the shroud. And what Easy finds is a killer whose rage, like that which burned in the city for weeks, is intrinsically woven around deep-set passions, feelings echoed within Easy himself.

Rawlins's hunt for the killer reveals a new city emerging from the ashes, with the promise of a new life for Easy, Mouse, and his old friends Jackson Blue and Jewelle. Mosley's lean and musical vernacular captures the heat and the rhythm of Los Angeles' heart, where danger is the common currency of everyday life. Little Scarlet is further proof that Mosley is "a master of mystery" (New York Times Book Review).

Hear more of Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins mysteries. And listen to a conversation with Walter Mosley.©2004 Walter Mosley (P)2004 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"This is Mosley's best novel to date.... Fierce, provocative, expertly entertaining, this is genre writing at its finest." (Publishers Weekly)

"Mosley remains a master at showing his readers slices of history from the inside, from a perspective that is all those things history usually isn't: intimate, individual, and passionate." (Booklist)

"Walter Mosley's latest Easy Rawlins novel serves up both mystery and history.... Does a thoughtful, effective job of making that sense of racial outrage pivotal to its murder plot.... Mr. Mosley interweaves the main mystery plot with an elaborate skein of his established characters and situations." (The New York Times)

A great read on any day!

This book kept me captivated from beginning to end. Completely engaging and thought-provoking fictional work full of imaginary and social relevancy.

Excellent rendition

Mosley is a grand wordsmith whose words are utilitarian so as not to be too flamboyant, and yet he remains poetic and is able to invoke realism and authentic music to his characters.

Boatman is a perfect choice for putting a voice to Easy...he moves seamlessly from old man to young woman, black hospital patient to white policeman. Kudos.

Good read

Walter Mosley is a favorite author and Little Scarlet is one of his best books. Michael Boatman’s narration and character voices further enhance the qualities of all Mosley’s books. Highly recommended.

Mosley delivers it Easy!

Great story. You never see it coming, then when it hits, you're like wow! Super good job

Summary

This is book 9 of the series and i will say this one is my extra favorite one.

Hammett-esque

Walter Mosley's style reminds me of Dashiell Hammett's collection of short stories called the Continental Opp. I really enjoyed the audio book.

Mr Rawlins

Thank You Thank You, Mr Mosley. Your books always entertain n keep me on my toes. I would take a online master writing class from you!!!

The story is amazing but this audible is horrible

This is an amazing story like all the easy rawlins mysteries but my issue is that quality of this adubile. Chapter 43 was a repeat of a previous chapter and before this maybe around chapter 20 the adubile skipped for awhile. I think I will request a refund

Michael baotman and M.E Willis almost sound the same so it makes a nice transition from the last book back to original translator. I prefer Michael because his accents for the different characters sound better

Riveting!!!

Although written in 2004, "Little Scarlet" could have very easily described events in 2020! An excellent story line performed in classic form by Michael Boatman makes "Little Scarlet" a keeper. Boatman makes "Easy Rawlins" come alive in a way that only Denzel on the big screen could match!!

Best Mosley yet.....Easy goings on

This is storytelling at its best! Mosley let’s us know Easy inside and out; he is no super hero, simply human, warts and all.