• Down the River unto the Sea

  • By: Walter Mosley
  • Narrated by: Dion Graham
  • Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (3,289 ratings)

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Down the River unto the Sea  By  cover art

Down the River unto the Sea

By: Walter Mosley
Narrated by: Dion Graham
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Publisher's summary

Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel of the Year: bestselling author Walter Mosley "is back with a whole new character to love...As gorgeous a novel as anything he's ever written" (Washington Post).

Joe King Oliver was one of the NYPD's finest investigators until he was framed for sexual assault by unknown enemies within the force. A decade has passed since his release from Rikers, and he now runs a private detective agency with the help of his teenage daughter. Physically and emotionally broken by the brutality he suffered while behind bars, King leads a solitary life, his work and his daughter the only lights. When he receives a letter from his accuser confessing that she was paid to frame him years ago, King decides to find out who wanted him gone and why.

On a quest for the justice he was denied, King agrees to help a radical black journalist accused of killing two on-duty police officers. Their cases intertwine across the years and expose a pattern of corruption and brutality wielded against the black men, women, and children whose lives the law destroyed. All the while, two lives hang in the balance: King's client's and his own.

"A wild ride that delivers hard-boiled satisfaction while toying with our prejudices and preconceptions."—Steph Cha, Los Angeles Times

©2018 Walter Mosley (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Walter Mosley is back with a whole new character to love. . . . As gorgeous a novel as anything he's ever written. And with Joe King Oliver I'm betting, and hoping, he's given us a character we haven't see the last of."—Richard Lipez, Washington Post

"Gritty . . . The plot soars . . . Few mystery writers can examine issues of race—how it divides and binds people—as clearly and unflinchingly as Walter Mosley."—Oline Cogdill, Associated Press

"Great stuff . . . The vibrant characters and pulsating dialogue are primo Mosley."—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

Featured Article: 10 Authors Like David Baldacci


David Baldacci is the bestselling author of dozens of novels for adults, and a handful of books for kids and teens. His best-known titles are mystery novels starring FBI and Secret Service agents, and his plots run the spectrum from historical mystery to political thrillers. He's even written general fiction, romantic fiction, kidlit, and YA. If Baldacci is one of your favorite authors, but you listen faster than he can write, never fear! We’ve got you covered with some suggestions of 10 great authors like David Baldacci who write mysteries, thrillers, and fast-paced stories that you’ll love.

What listeners say about Down the River unto the Sea

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So.Damn.Good.

A long time fan, it comes as no surprise to experience the robust and satisfying performance of Walter Mosley’s writing. I tried to make it last but gave in to the greed for more and manage to organize the hell out of my closet as I did - at times even laughing out loud or cringing at descriptions all too apt. Thank you, this did not disappoint.

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102 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story

I usually do not choose detective novels. Did so because it was narrated by Dion Graham. As with all his work, he makes the author's words come to life. I listened to this book in two sittings. That should give you an idea of how well it will keep your interest.

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78 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Thoughtful mystery

What did you like best about this story?

I wanted a mystery that wasn't graphically violent but also not syrupy. I got more than I was looking for. It can be read as a straight up mystery. It can also be read as an allegory. I also liked that it wasn't about murder and that the emphasis wasn't as much on who-done-it as it was on how the solution would unfold and what the characters learned along the way.

What does Dion Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His tone is relevant and so very easy to listen to, which was especially refreshing after my last Audible selection.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Listened over two days while I was working on a project.

Any additional comments?

I am probably not consistent in the way I give four and five stars. I try to save five for the very best of the best books I have read.

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62 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just a bit short of Mosley's best

This is classic Walter Mosley and I really enjoyed listening to the book. It seems a bit more contrived than other books of his but it's still a very enjoyable story and well written. If you're a Mosley fan you'll really like this. If you're new to Mosley I suggest starting with some of his earlier works, especially the Easy Rawlins series.

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35 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Slow start grows

I was poised to dislike this new Mosley character. "Get on with it!" was my attitude toward this whiney fake Leonid. He is worthy! Well worth the wait, he doesn't disappoint.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not Moseley’s best

I enjoyed the usual techniques used my Mr. Moseley. But this felt like a cookie cutter story and did not have the uniqueness of his earlier works. And I have read them all. But, the reading was excellent. Hats off to Dion Graham

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Audio book!

I liked the book. I will be listening to this again. I got a little lost making the connection with King and all of his cases. Overall, it had just the right amount of mystery, love, and drama.

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

The Devil's in the Details of Redemption

Joe King Oliver needs the help of a devil to finally find some redemption. Framed over a decade ago and kicked off the police force, he's finally ready to re-examine the case that cost him his career, his family, and his lifestyle.

This one was entertaining, but it didn't work as well for me as some of the other Mosley series I've read. Joe King Oliver isn't quite as likeable as Easy Rawlins or Paris Minton. Maybe part of it is the setting -- I'm a sucker for the historic LA that both Rawlins and Minton inhabit. But it feels like Mosley was rushing a little too fast in places. The story begins with Oliver being framed and going to Riker's Island, where he loses everything and is emotionally traumatized by the event throughout the rest of the book. In the second chapter, we just back to present time -- a decade later. That first chapter breezes by so fast, I don't know if I ever really bought all of King's trauma and loss of identity the way Mosley seemed to be wanting me to. Additionally, some of the revelations Oliver discovers toward the end of the book seemed a little bit obvious to us from the get go. (Admittedly, it's hard to me to believe that a womanizer of King's caliber quit that particular game for a decade.) Still, Mosley is a pretty incredible writing, so I'm inclined to be a little bit forgiving about some of these criticisms.

One thing is certain -- Dion Graham's narration is perfection. His voices for the different characters could fool you into thinking it's a full cast performance. Things become more exciting when Oliver enlists the help of a criminal Melquarth Frost. (Mosley seems to always love a morally bankrupt tough guy playing foil to the good cop/detective.)

Though it didn't work as well for me as some of Mosley's others, I wouldn't be opposed to trying another book with the same characters, especially if Graham returns. There's enough here to leave me cautiously optimistic for the next tale.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome!

I look forward to this new series. I'm a big fan of Walter Mosley! Bravo!

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

New listener/reader of Mosley

I’m familiar with Mosley and his characters, but never took the time to actually read any of his works. I’m glad I decided to use this as my first. Good story though I did become lost at certain points. Also, there seemed to be gaps in scenes or transitions. Overall great listen. Dion Graham kept me very engaged throughout. Will certainly recommend.

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11 people found this helpful