Easy Rawlins 11 (The Easy Rawlins Mysteries) - Blonde Faith

In post Watts riot Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins knows he must be very careful working as a private investigator as that is against the law for a black man. However, when he comes home he finds eight years old E.D. Black waiting for him. The Vietnamese child says her daddy Christmas dropped her off. Easy fears that his close friend is either in deep trouble or dead.

Easy plans to find Christmas, but he meets black army Captain Miles and two MPs who also want to find Christmas. The Captain hires Easy on behalf of the military, but by their involvement the sleuth knows whatever is going on ties back to when Christmas served in Viet Nam. Easy follows clues that lead to BLONDE FAITH Laneer, who he believes is in the same trouble as Christmas is. He also cannot turn to friend insane Raymond "Mouse" Alexander for help as the police have a bounty to kill him. Already upset with his beloved Bonnie Shay planning to marry someone else and feeling all alone and ancient as he nears fifty he doubts his sleuthing skills while struggling to find a way to save Christmas in order for the detective to obtain some redemption and self esteem.

The latest Easy Rawlins historical mystery is an excellent tale that shows how complex a protagonist the hero is. He has major doubts that he can still do the job and feels guilty over his failed relationship with his soul mate. However, in spite of his anguish and angst, he still must do everything he can to help his buddy. Fans of the series already know how great these novels are; whereas newcomers will scramble for the backlist as few if any authors tell the American black saga during the pre, early and late Civil Rights era better than Walter Mosley consistently does.

Harriet Klausner

Good story, surprising ending. This is the first Easy Rawlings audio book I heard. The only discouraging feature is the author's constant reference to the plight of Blacks in the 60's. I lived through this era and know Blacks had it hard but healing will never occur until people can learn to forgive. Forgetting is harder, but more likely if the story isn't constantly rehashed as in this story. All nationalities have suffered at one point or another. There was a bit too much discriptive sex in the story also. I believe the constant racial references and the sex took away rather than enhanced this story. I would have given it 5 stars otherwise.

This is Walter Mosley's 10th Easy Rawlins mystery, read and enjoy the first nine, and leave this one on the shelf. Walter Mosley seems to have joined Martin Cruz Smith and Robert B. Parker in losing the energy to recreate their outstanding characters' humor and strength. Blonde Faith repeats segments of previous stories in a sort of disjointed way, throwing in some pessimism foreign to Easy's principles and courage as he spends the entire novel in agony over whether to accept back his lover who slept with someone else. Finally in a burst of plot manipulation it appears that the plot and writer have finished off Easy, but perhaps he may be back, if Mosley can get the energy and courage for it.

Again, it's too bad that Mosley whose novels exhibit a unique truth and humanity should tire of this outstanding character, and let him go in period of fatigue.

Easy Rawlins, has a broken heart.

Wait....that doesn't quite do it justice.

Easy Rawlins is completely devastated, lamenting the loss of the one woman that seemed to bring stability to the crazy, mixed up world in which he finds himself.

Walter Mosley slides into his storytelling like a threadbare housecoat that looks like the devil...but feels like heaven. This time, its California, 1969...post Watts Riots but pre-understanding and acceptance.

And Easy?

Easy spends most of this novel chasing: chasing Mouse, chasing Christmas Black and, most importantly, chasing his own demons as he tries to pull himself back together.

I enjoyed the humanization of Easy this time around. Mosley inserts a jaggedness to his character that reflects a lot of the pain and confusion Easy has seen over the years. I walked away feeling as if I understood him a bit more deeply. His vulnerability and warring thoughts add a depth of character that was always there, but was more understated in the past.

While not the best Rawlins mystery I've read...Mosley pulls you into his world with vivid descriptions and insights into layers of racism that only an insider can give.

I was sad when I started reading this book knowing that it was the final in the Easy Rawlins series. Easy is like an old friend that you look forward to seeing every few months and knowing he would be gone after this made me want to read this last treat very slowly.

Unfortunately, as with all of Walter Mosley's books, slow is not an option. The characters and the pace were welcome old friends and the end was as satisfying as always.

I'll miss these old friends.

This is the sad story that leads to Easy Rawlins, death over a cliff. Or does it? You have to read Little Green, to witness the resurrection. He was distraught over his lady love, who connection with a African Prince to save Easy Rawlin's, little girl, feather.

The final saga of an incredible series saddens me. Blonde Faith brings us to a new beginning for the Easy Rawlins character. Perhaps, the series has been so good I shudder to think that this is the end. However, I believe the book leaves Mosley with a perfect springboard to crank out one more story and hopefully take Easy into his retirement and good fortune. Think if you will: The Prince is overthrown and captured. Bonnie escapes the coup d'etat and solicits the help of Easy. Then, Easy gets his boys; Mouse and Christmas. Christmas is needed because of his military and foriegn affairs knowledge. Who knows, maybe they pick up Fearless Jones, too! He once was a military man. In the end, Easy helps his love, Bonnie and feels now he has flipped the script (the transference of emotion). He moves on to find Black Betty, my favorite, Pretty Smart or Tourmaline Goss, and fades into the horizan. Since he left his custodian's job at Sojourner Truth JHS, perhaps his office with the Amber Gate that reads: Easy Rawlins Research and Delivery "eases" him into his restful state. Just a thought! What do you think, Walter??

The characters in these books really live on the edge of society. They are believable enough to make a good story. Based on the time references the settings and action are a little tough to follow at times.

Although this is the last Easy Rawlins novel. Blonde Faith was an excellent finish. The novel starts with Easy losing the love of his life Bonnie who is marrying someone else. His best friend Mouse is missing and also Easter Dawn is dropped off at his house when Christmas Black takes off. It's up to Easy Rawlins to get to the bottom of things. If you are a Walter Mosley fan this is one for the library.

I've read the entire Easy Rawlins series. The writing has always been superb and the characters richly drawn. Mosely never lets you down and neither does Easy and Blonde Faith.

But you know it don't come easy letting go, and knowing that Blonde Faith might, could, possibly spell the end of one of the best written characters in american literature, it was a really tough read. I didn't want it to end the way I knew it had to. I didn't want to say goodbye to a character I've come to love, admire and, in a way, pity.

But wait...there is hope. OK, not much but hey, Walter Mosley might not be done with Ezekiel and his best friend Raymond (Mouse) Alexander. Mosley has given us a beaut of a cliffhanger to er, well, hang onto. I can only hope that we'll be seeing more of Easy and his LA friends at least one more time. There are issues yet to be resolved.

He always holds my interest. Having lived in Venice Beach for a long time, I totally relate to his geographical references. The characters are interesting and multifaceted. His human interest and political perspective is right on.

I am a long-time Walter Mosley fan. His character, Easy Rawlins, touches me, every time he thinks, acts, moves. He/Mosley gives me the illusion that I know a bit about what it was like, in Easy's time, to live in Los Angeles, where I, too, live. As a white person, I feel the distance that Mosley communicates, letting me know that I will never know what it is really like to be Black in America, but I so want to bridge that distance. The only time I thought we bridged it as a nation was after 9/11. I felt for a good long moment as if the nation pulled together, all the races, facing a common enemy. I felt that while we might never understand our various backgrounds, the devastating present put most of that history in second priority.

Love me some Easy Rawlins!!! Walter Mosley NEVER disappoints...NEVER. Been enjoying Mr. Mosley's masterpieces for a really long time, but I'm running a little behind. So please excuse me as I pursue gem #12, #13, etc. in this series. Peace,

Easy falls apart. Hard to believe, but he does it for every one of the 250 pages. And Mouse is once again resurrected; the evil messiah returns to earth. This time Easy delivers the evildoers (to the LAPD SWAT team where they don't ask questions). The only question is: why are his women only cardboard teenmale fantasies (unless they are older sha-women).

A shakier book than most of Mosley--btw his best is Gone Fishing. Get that one instead

Curl up. Appreciate it. Learn from it. Walter Mosley continues the Easy Rawlins Legacy with his usual style and grace. While the stories do have predictable characters and turns, it is the musings and complexities of the characters that keep bringing me back to the series. Thank you Mr. Mosley for the escape.

Even though the author was interviewed for a newspaper article, and he suggested that the Easy Rawlins series is over, I think the ending in "Blonde Faith" left room for a "near fatal" accident for Easy.

Let's face it, although the author has written other books, it was Easy Rawlins that made him a household name.

Sadly, if he is serious, I'm afraid the author will lost me and others as loyal followers of his work.

Mosley's Easy Rawlins series continues to bring us fascinating characters, deliberate and realistic settings and a plot that constantly surprises. Easy is still smart ; still run by his emotions but always gets the job at hand fone

What a powerful read. This novel was gripping. If you have never read any of the other Easy Rawlins stories, this one, like all the others in the series will compel you to go back to the begining of the series. Mosley has the ability to weave a history lesson into each of his stories. The reader's journey with Easy throught his trials and tribulations creates a kinship that cries out for empathy. You won't be disappointed.

Once again.Walter Mosley has written an exciting,can't put the book down Easy Rollins whodunit.If you have read any of Walter's Easy Rollin's intriging stories before, you will find yourself truly caring for Easy and the colorful cast of characters.Now that we know Easy and have seen him previously in film in "Devil in the Blue Dress", I can only hope this will be the next Easy Rollins, hold your breath, don't let it end mystery.

This novel, while literally a cliffhanger, seems to be the last of the Easy Rawlings mysteries. Mosley begins with his usual "something has happened and the reader knows right away" but without the continued suspense and lingering moments that we like to read. I did not invest in these characters like I have with characters past. I do not get a sense that I want to meet these characters in a later novel. Mosley attempts to tidy up the matter of Easy's children, Jesus and Feather, which gives some clues that maybe Easy might be leaving the scene. In addition, Easy is utterly consumed with a private pity party that he laters reveals to other characters in the novel. The ending, however, gives me a little hope that Easy will return and I certainly hope so because I find that I cannot get into his black noirs on the subject of taboo sex.

Wonderful, wonderful book. However, this one was VERY... um.... emotional-intellectual. Easy seems to be doing a lot of inner searching as he's doing searching for clues to his lastet neighboorhood enigma. This is classic Mosley and definately one for us all.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Easy Rawlins novels up until this one. The basic story was weak and the entire book was filled with more "all the troubles of the black American male can be blamed on the white American male" nonsense. I learned a lot about the "black experience" by reading the previous novels and felt great empathy for the black Americans as portrayed by Mr. Mosley. This volume is filled with the usual rhetoric one expects from Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson.

If this is the end of Easy Rawlins then good riddance as it is a shame he can't wake up and realize much of his misery is of his own making. "It's somebody else's fault" is a poor philosophy to live by. Mosely has simply given creedence to many racial stereotypes with this highly disappointing book. What a shame.

My first issue with Mosley's latest mystery is with the cover of the book. Walter Mosley's name is larger than the title, Blonde Faith. Has Walter tasted so much success that he is now bigger than his art? I am a fan of Easy Rawlings and have read the entire series. This is a sorry attempt at recreating Easy's world. The writing is stilted and seemes labored. Walter Mosley shouldn't have written unless his heart was into it. Easy derserves more and so do his fans.

I have read all of the Easy Rawlins Mysteries - and this is my least favorite. Mr. Mosley has found a formula - but it is time to change it. Enough of the racism and repetition. It's time for Mr. Mosley to write a real thriller. Thanks.