A Red Death has as the main character and narrator Easy Rawlins, who circulates among many other characters. In 1953 Easy has become the owner of a number of rental properties, in which he does maintenance work.

His detective favors for people are major sidelines, embroiling him in situations which provide the opportunity for significant social commentary.

"I had a reputation for fairness and the strength of my convictions among the poor," he explains. "Ninety-nine out of a hundred black folk were poor back then, so my reputation went quite a way."

By 1953 Easy has completed two part-time years at Los Angeles City college. He is articulate, able to shift into "proper English" speech but comfortable only in the dialect common to the neighborhoods he has known. He is perceptive, kind to children, practical and basically honest, but held back by racism. The tax problem Easy faces is brought...