• Little Scarlet

  • An Easy Rawlins Mystery
  • By: Walter Mosley
  • Narrated by: Michael Boatman
  • Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (536 ratings)

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Little Scarlet  By  cover art

Little Scarlet

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

Just after devastating riots tear through Los Angeles in 1965, when anger is high and fear still smolders everywhere, the police turn up at Easy Rawlins' doorstep. He expects the worst, as usual. But they've come to ask for his help.

A man was wrenched from his car by a mob at the riots' peak and escaped into a nearby apartment building. Soon afterward, a redheaded woman known as Little Scarlet was found dead in that building, and the fleeing man is the obvious suspect. But the man has vanished.

The police fear that their presence in certain neighborhoods could spark a new inferno, so they ask Easy Rawlins to see what he can discover. The vanished man is the key, but he is only the beginning. Easy enlists the help of his longtime friend Mouse to break through the shroud. And what Easy finds is a killer whose rage, like that which burned in the city for weeks, is intrinsically woven around deep-set passions, feelings echoed within Easy himself.

Rawlins's hunt for the killer reveals a new city emerging from the ashes, with the promise of a new life for Easy, Mouse, and his old friends Jackson Blue and Jewelle. Mosley's lean and musical vernacular captures the heat and the rhythm of Los Angeles' heart, where danger is the common currency of everyday life. Little Scarlet is further proof that Mosley is "a master of mystery" (New York Times Book Review).

Hear more of Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlins mysteries. And listen to a conversation with Walter Mosley.
©2004 Walter Mosley (P)2004 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"This is Mosley's best novel to date.... Fierce, provocative, expertly entertaining, this is genre writing at its finest." (Publishers Weekly)

"Mosley remains a master at showing his readers slices of history from the inside, from a perspective that is all those things history usually isn't: intimate, individual, and passionate." (Booklist)

"Walter Mosley's latest Easy Rawlins novel serves up both mystery and history.... Does a thoughtful, effective job of making that sense of racial outrage pivotal to its murder plot.... Mr. Mosley interweaves the main mystery plot with an elaborate skein of his established characters and situations." (The New York Times)

Featured Article: Best Mystery Series—Listens That'll Take You Right to the Crime Scene


While a standalone mystery is great when you're in the mood for a one-and-done, sometimes you want to feed your craving with an entire mystery series—knowing there's a world and characters you can keep coming back to for the satisfaction of solving crimes. With audiobooks, you get the added bonus of sinking deeper into the setting, clues, and suspects as the story is performed for you, so you'll feel like you're alongside detectives, ready to bust a case.

What listeners say about Little Scarlet

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Little Scarlet (Unabridged)

I enjoyed this audio book and found it hard to turn it off.
Easy's supporting cast of characters (with the exception of Mouse) are not very strong but the story is well narrated. I am a long time fan of Mr. Mosley and I think this is one of his best.

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22 people found this helpful

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

so far

great read one of the best in the rawlins' series so far. to read this vs hearing it id still never put the book down till it was finished

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I grew up in Compton and watts during 60s riot

I know all the streets in this book. I love Walter Moslems writing and was blessed to meet him at Tulisoma. he inspires my own writing

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Adventure Continues

I love Walter Mosley's creations because he takes me into his world of love/hate; of hide/seek; of life/death and of despair/hope.
I can't wait to get the next case of Easy's

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent rendition

Mosley is a grand wordsmith whose words are utilitarian so as not to be too flamboyant, and yet he remains poetic and is able to invoke realism and authentic music to his characters.

Boatman is a perfect choice for putting a voice to Easy...he moves seamlessly from old man to young woman, black hospital patient to white policeman. Kudos.

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1 person 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
  • MV
  • 02-26-24

Little Scarlet

Walter Mosley’s writing is inspired
Michael Boatman brings Easy Rawlins to life.
I have read and listened to this outstanding book. Thank you Walter Mosley. And thank you Michael Boatman

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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

Michael Boatman’s Back!!!

OMG, what a difference Boatman makes! So glad he doesn’t feel the need to give a bunch of accents, especially for Bonnie. Boatman is so refreshing and, to be honest, he makes the story that much more interesting and intriguing, He is so freaking good! I missed him and glad he was back for this one. It would be nice if he narrates the rest of them but I know that’s not possible (sad face). Love the story. Easy’s crush and obsessions on Wanda and the way it played out was rather cute. Easy’s such a good guy. Love him! Enjoyed the story and love the returning characters. It’s funny that the pronunciation of Jule’s name changed to Juelle LOL. Was glad he finally mentioned Edna!!! Still hoping we hear more about her and maybe Easy spends time with her in future books. Can’t wait to read the next one!

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

Another Great Walter Mosley book

Good story and narration. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Easy Rawlings series.

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

Eze does it again

Good story and I am looking forward to checking out more titles. Also the narrator was quite good

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

The story is amazing but this audible is horrible

This is an amazing story like all the easy rawlins mysteries but my issue is that quality of this adubile. Chapter 43 was a repeat of a previous chapter and before this maybe around chapter 20 the adubile skipped for awhile. I think I will request a refund

Michael baotman and M.E Willis almost sound the same so it makes a nice transition from the last book back to original translator. I prefer Michael because his accents for the different characters sound better

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