In this fifth novel of the Easy Rawlins historical mystery series the plot turns on urban criminal activity in the racist milieu of November 1963. The AfricanAmerican sleuth Ezekiel or Easy, who narrates, is in his early forties and a single parent of two children. He owns a house and a few rental properties in his usual noir southern Los Angeles locale, which seems to invite trouble. "Southeast L.A.

was palm trees and poverty; neat little lawns tended by the descendants of exslaves and massacred Indians." When his story begins, Easy has abandoned his role of reluctant private sleuth. He has stayed off the streets and away from liquor for two years. He is the supervising senior head custodian at Sojourner Truth Junior High School, situated in a "primarily black" neighborhood mixed with Mexicans and Asians.

Easy's peace is shattered after a morning visit to the...