48 pages • 1 hour read
Devil In A Blue Dress
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Book Brief
263
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1940s
1990
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In 1948 Los Angeles, WWII veteran Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, who is Black and recently unemployed, accepts a job from a ruthless white man to find a woman named Daphne Monet. Needing to pay his mortgage, Easy navigates a web of deceit, violence, and racial tension, uncovering secrets about Daphne and getting entangled with corrupt figures, ultimately becoming a private investigator. This book features sexual violence and racial slurs.
Mysterious
Dark
Gritty
Suspenseful
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
30,753 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Walter Mosley's Devil In A Blue Dress captivates with its vivid depiction of post-WWII Los Angeles and intricate plotting. Critics praise its rich character development and the compelling figure of Easy Rawlins. However, some find the pacing uneven and the conclusion predictable. Overall, it skillfully blends historical fiction and noir, offering a fresh take on the detective genre.
Who Should Read Devil In A Blue Dress?
Readers who enjoy Devil In A Blue Dress by Walter Mosley typically appreciate gripping noir detective stories set in post-WWII America, featuring complex characters and social commentary. Fans of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep or Chester Himes' A Rage in Harlem will find this novel’s richly detailed narrative and historical context compelling.
30,753 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
263
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1940s
1990
Adult
18+ years
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