• Devil in a Blue Dress

  • An Easy Rawlins Mystery
  • By: Walter Mosley
  • Narrated by: Michael Boatman
  • Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (3,311 ratings)

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Devil in a Blue Dress  By  cover art

Devil in a Blue Dress

By: Walter Mosley
Narrated by: Michael Boatman
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Publisher's summary

Los Angeles, 1948: Easy Rawlins is a black war veteran just fired from his job at a defense plant. Easy is drinking in a friend's bar, wondering how he'll meet his mortgage, when a white man in a linen suit walks in, offering good money if Easy will simply locate Miss Daphne Money, a blonde beauty known to frequent black jazz clubs.
Hear more of Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins mysteries.
©2002 Walter Mosley (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Winner, Mystery and Suspense, 2010
  • Top 100 Mysteries of All Time (Mystery Writers of America)
  • 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century (Independent Mystery Booksellers Assn.)

"Richly atmospheric....Devil in a Blue Dress honors the hard-boiled tradition of Hammett/Chandler/Cain in its story line and attitude, but Mosley takes us down some mean streets that his spiritual predecessors never could have.... A fast-moving, entertaining story written with impressive style." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)
"Ezekiel 'Easy' Rawlins, a young, tough black veteran living in 1948 Los Angeles, only wants respect and enough money to pay his mortgage. When fired from his factory job, however, he undertakes some paid errands for a shady white mobster who wishes to locate a light-haired, blue-eyed beauty. As Easy plumbs his usual hangouts for clues, he relays information to the mobster, runs afoul of the police, meets the mysterious woman, discovers a murder, then investigates in self-defense. An unusually refreshing protagonist...talented prose, and evocative, realistic descriptions of speech, manners, and social life make this an exceptional and welcome addition." ( Library Journal)

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What listeners say about Devil in a Blue Dress

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Nice history lesson

This was an interesting listen with many twists. But I found the setting - post-WWII California - even more entertaining.

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18 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

good plot...

1st: narration great with numerous characters,
various cultures ,socioeconomic, and racial differences!
2nd:in spite of this --writer pulls every bit together. Creating murder mystery in LA around 1948. No racial equality in those times. People just trying to make it through each day. In the very hot LA summer where one can fry an egg on the sidewalk do coffee too-- the shit hits the proverbial fan!!!

by Kate Tully

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

My first bit not my last

I love this book. It was my introduction to this author and what an author. I will be buying all his books.

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

Hard boiled who Dunn it

Well written. Good character development. Entertaining plot. Definitely worth reading if you like PI and who Dunn it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Which is better-story or narration?

A tough question... Both are simply great - smooth and easy with a great picture of black in the years after WWII. We've come a long long way.

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

Outstanding!!!

One of Walter Mosley's best books ever! This is a must hear. Enjoy this book. I guarantee!

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

A good voice

I love this book by Walter Mosley the details of 1948 La was very easy to imagine how the bar in the characters were set up for great as well thanks Audible

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

A classic and favorite L.A. noir novel!

And an excellent reading of it! Looking forward to the rest of the series! :)

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

Loved this story

How have I not read any of Walter Mosley's work sooner? He is brilliant! A must read!

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

Lady in a Blue dress reciew

awesome book, I loved the southern drawl and mannerisms. Me being a country boy born in the early 60's I can relate to the whole life style and southern flair.

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