Blood Grove: Library Edition (Easy Rawlins Mysteries Lib/E)

Book info: Blood Grove: Library Edition (Easy Rawlins Mysteries Lib/E) (Audio CD, 0 pages) – Blackstone Pub, 2021. Language: English.

Walter Mosley's infamous detective Easy Rawlins is back, with a new mystery to solve on the sun-soaked streets of Southern California. Ezekiel "Easy" Porterhouse Rawlins is an unlicensed private investigator turned hard-boiled detective always willing to do what it takes to get things done in the racially charged, dark underbelly of Los Angeles.  But when Easy is approached by a shell-shocked Vietnam War veteran&;a young white man who claims to have gotten into a fight protecting a white woman from a black man&;he knows he shouldn't take the case. Though he sees nothing but trouble in the brooding ex-soldier's eyes, Easy, a vet himself, feels a kinship form between them. Easy embarks on an investigation that takes him from mountaintops to the desert, through South Central and into sex clubs and the homes of the fabulously wealthy, facing hippies, the mob, and old friends perhaps more dangerous than anyone else. Set against the social and political upheaval of the late 1960s, Blood Grove is ultimately a story about survival, not only of the body but also the soul.  Widely hailed as "incomparable" (Chicago Tribune) and "dazzling" (Tampa Bay Times), Walter Mosley proves that he's at the top of his game in this bold return to the endlessly entertaining series that has kept fans on their toes for years. Editorial Reviews Review

"As much about the brazen contradictions of American society as it is about what happened in that orange grove one night. But that mystery turns out to be pretty gripping too."

-- "Washington Post"

"Boatman masterfully voices the numerous characters from various races and backgrounds, male and female, young and old...Boatman's performance of beautifully written moments of observation are captivating...Once again, Boatman partners with Mosley to provide a disturbing and important listening experience. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award."

-- "AudioFile"

"Mosley once again chronicles a part of America rendered invisible--and overpowered--by whiteness."

-- "New York Times Book Review"

"Mosley's inimitable rat-a-tat prose style is in full force here, and he keeps his passionate commitment to social issues right up front. A worthy addition to a nonpareil series."

-- "Seattle Times"

"Easy's finely calibrated understanding of and commentary on the social and racial climate around him gives the novel its defining texture and power."

-- "Booklist"

"Mosley does a fine job highlighting a world of Black survivors who know how difficult their struggle remains, every day of every decade. This marvelous series is as relevant as ever."

-- "Publishers Weekly" About the Author

Walter Mosley is the New York Times author of more than fifty novels in several series, most notably fourteen Easy Rawlins mysteries, several of which have been made into major motion pictures. In 2020 he was a recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and from the National Book Foundation. In 2013, he was inducted into the New York State Writers Hall of Fame, and he is the winner of numerous awards, including an Edgar Award, O. Henry Award, the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award, PEN America's Lifetime Achievement Award, a Grammy Award, and and several NAACP Image Awards. His work has been translated into twenty-five languages.

Michael Boatman is an Earphones Award-winning narrator and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for narration. He is a versatile television, film, and stage actor whose work on the hit TV show Spin City garnered him a GLAAD Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and nominations for two NAACP Image Awards. For his work playing Stanley Babson on the long-running HBO series ARLI$$, he was nominated five times for the Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.