Walter Mosley
Walter Mosley is an acclaimed American novelist, known for his crime fiction. He is best known for his Easy Rawlins series, which began with the novel 'Devil in a Blue Dress'. Mosley's work spans various genres, including science fiction, mystery, and political essays.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Devil in a Blue Dress
An Easy Rawlins Mystery
Set in 1940s Los Angeles, the novel follows an African American war veteran who, after losing his job, becomes a private investigator to pay his mortgage. He is hired to find a white woman known to frequent African American jazz clubs, and in the process, he gets entangled in a web of political scandal and corruption. The story explores themes of race, class, and the complex social dynamics of the time.
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2. A Red Death
Set in the racially charged atmosphere of 1950s Los Angeles, the story follows Easy Rawlins, a black World War II veteran turned private investigator, who finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. When the IRS threatens him with tax evasion charges, Easy is coerced into working for the FBI to infiltrate a communist group. As he navigates the treacherous waters of espionage and betrayal, he must also confront his own moral dilemmas and the pervasive racial injustices of the era. The narrative weaves a gripping tale of suspense, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and survival in a society rife with prejudice.
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3. Hirohito, Emporer Of Japan
The book provides a comprehensive exploration of the life and reign of the Japanese Emperor during a transformative period in Japan's history. It delves into his role during World War II, examining the complexities of his leadership and the controversial decisions made under his rule. The narrative also covers the post-war era, highlighting his efforts in Japan's recovery and transformation into a modern state. Through a detailed examination of historical events and personal anecdotes, the book offers insights into the Emperor's influence on Japan's political and cultural landscape.
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4. A Little Yellow Dog
An Easy Rawlins Mystery
In this gripping mystery, set in 1963 Los Angeles, the story follows Easy Rawlins, a school custodian who finds himself entangled in a web of crime and deceit after a seemingly innocent encounter with a teacher leads to murder. As Easy navigates the dangerous underworld, he must use his wit and street smarts to protect himself and those he cares about while confronting racial tensions and personal dilemmas. The narrative explores themes of morality, identity, and survival, all set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society.
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5. Charcoal Joe
An Easy Rawlins Mystery
In this gripping mystery set in 1968 Los Angeles, private investigator Easy Rawlins is drawn into a complex web of deceit and danger when he is asked to help a young physicist accused of murder. As Easy delves deeper into the case, he encounters a host of intriguing characters, including the enigmatic Charcoal Joe, whose motives remain shrouded in mystery. Navigating the racial tensions and societal challenges of the era, Easy must use his wit and street smarts to uncover the truth, all while confronting his own personal demons and the ever-present threat of violence.
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6. The Man In My Basement
In this thought-provoking novel, a down-and-out African American man named Charles Blakey finds himself at a crossroads when he is approached by a mysterious white man who offers to rent his basement for an exorbitant sum. As the peculiar arrangement unfolds, Charles is drawn into a complex web of moral dilemmas and existential questions, challenging his perceptions of identity, power, and freedom. The story delves into themes of race, history, and personal transformation, as Charles grapples with the implications of his choices and the enigmatic presence in his home.
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7. The Long Fall
In this gripping crime novel, a former boxer turned private investigator navigates the gritty streets of New York City, unraveling a complex web of corruption, deceit, and murder. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of morally ambiguous characters, each with their own secrets and motives. With his sharp wit and unyielding determination, he must confront his own past and the city's dark underbelly to uncover the truth and seek justice in a world where trust is a rare commodity.
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8. Little Scarlet
An Easy Rawlins Mystery
Set against the backdrop of the 1965 Watts riots in Los Angeles, this gripping mystery follows the astute and resilient private investigator, Easy Rawlins, as he navigates a city teetering on the edge of chaos. Tasked with solving the murder of a young black woman, Easy delves into a world of racial tension, political unrest, and personal vendettas. As he peels back layers of deceit and prejudice, he confronts his own past and the societal injustices that continue to haunt his community. The narrative weaves a compelling tale of resilience, identity, and the quest for justice in a turbulent era.
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9. Fast Asleep
In a gripping narrative that intertwines the realms of dreams and reality, the story follows a protagonist who discovers a mysterious ability to influence events in the waking world through their dreams. As they delve deeper into this newfound power, they must navigate a labyrinth of ethical dilemmas and unforeseen consequences, all while confronting personal demons and hidden truths. The tale explores themes of control, destiny, and the blurred lines between perception and reality, leaving readers questioning the true nature of consciousness.
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10. The Letters Of Nancy Mitford And Evelyn Waugh
A Friendship in Letters
This collection offers a captivating glimpse into the witty and candid correspondence between two of the 20th century's most celebrated British writers. The letters reveal their enduring friendship, marked by mutual admiration, sharp humor, and occasional disagreements. Through their exchanges, readers gain insight into their personal lives, literary careers, and the social milieu of their time, all while showcasing their remarkable ability to blend intellect with charm.
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11. The Best American Short Stories 2003
Selected from U.S. and Canadian Magazines
This anthology presents a diverse collection of twenty short stories that capture the essence of contemporary American life, offering a rich tapestry of voices and experiences. Each story delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, exploring themes of love, loss, identity, and resilience. The narratives, penned by both emerging and established authors, showcase a variety of styles and perspectives, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the American experience. Through vivid storytelling and compelling characters, the collection invites readers to ponder the intricacies of the human condition.
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12. Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins Mysteries
Set against the backdrop of post-World War II Los Angeles, this gripping series follows the life of a reluctant detective, a Black war veteran navigating the complexities of a racially charged society. As he delves into the underbelly of the city, he encounters a tapestry of characters, each with their own secrets and motives. With a keen sense of justice and a sharp intellect, he unravels mysteries that challenge societal norms, all while grappling with his own personal demons and the harsh realities of his time. The series masterfully blends elements of noir with social commentary, offering a vivid portrayal of a turbulent era.
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13. Every Man A King
Set against the backdrop of a bustling Los Angeles, the story follows Joe King Oliver, a former NYPD detective turned private investigator, as he navigates a complex web of corruption, betrayal, and redemption. When a wealthy white man hires him to investigate a suspicious death, Oliver uncovers a tangled conspiracy that reaches into the highest echelons of power. As he delves deeper, he grapples with his own past mistakes and the moral ambiguities of justice, all while trying to protect those he loves. The narrative weaves together themes of race, power, and the quest for truth in a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue.
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14. Fast Exercise
Presents the case that brief bursts of high‑intensity interval training can deliver significant fitness and health benefits in minimal time, detailing evidence for gains in cardiovascular capacity, insulin sensitivity, and fat loss. It provides straightforward, scalable routines—using cycling, brisk walking, bodyweight moves, and stair climbs—along with guidance on warm‑ups, safety, progress tracking, and adaptations for different ages and conditions, enabling meaningful results in just a few minutes a week.
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16. The Clever Gut Diet
How to Revolutionize Your Body from the Inside Out
A science-based guide to improving gut health by nurturing the microbiome, explaining how it affects digestion, immunity, mood, and weight. It presents a practical, phased plan featuring a Mediterranean-style, high-fiber, low-sugar approach rich in prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols; short-term elimination to calm symptoms with gradual reintroduction; fermented foods; and mindful eating, sleep, and stress strategies, with optional time-restricted fasting. Recipes and meal plans help readers identify triggers, reduce inflammation, diversify gut bacteria, and build sustainable habits for long-term wellbeing.
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17. Down The River Unto The Sea
A former NYPD detective, framed and disgraced, rebuilds his life as a private investigator while raising his daughter, only to receive a letter suggesting his downfall was orchestrated from within the force. Determined to clear his name, he digs into a web of police corruption and old betrayals, even as he takes on a high-stakes case to save a radical journalist accused of killing two officers. His search for truth forces him to confront dangerous enemies, uneasy allies, and the cost of justice.
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18. This Year You Write Your Novel
A compact, no-nonsense guide that lays out a practical plan to finish a novel within a year: commit to daily writing, draft quickly without self-censoring, then undertake rigorous revision and line editing. It emphasizes protecting your writing time, nurturing voice and character, structuring scenes and plot, and reading to strengthen language. The process is demystified with clear steps—from a three-month first draft to successive rewrites—and offers encouragement for overcoming doubt, procrastination, and distractions. The focus is on discipline, craft fundamentals, and the mindset needed to see a long project through to completion.
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19. 47
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20. Gray Dawn
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21. The Real Walt Disney
A concise, probing portrait that follows a Midwestern cartoonist’s rise to become a cultural architect of animation, film and theme parks, celebrating his imagination and technical innovation while critically examining the contradictions of his character and legacy: a visionary storyteller who helped shape American myths and mass entertainment, yet whose politics, labor practices and attitudes toward outsiders reveal a more complicated and sometimes troubling figure. The book explores how creativity, power and commerce fused to build an entertainment empire and asks what that legacy means for culture and the American dream.
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23. Touched
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