Gone Fishin' (Easy Rawlins, Book 6)

Gone Fishin' actually marks the first appearance of Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, as well as his homicide-prone sidekick Raymond "Mouse" Alexander. But the story takes place in 1939, when both protagonists are still living in Houston. This is no tightly plotted mystery, but an atmospheric coming-of-age story, which gives the reluctant Easy an education in sex and death, family and forgiveness. As always, Mosley's prose is a marvel: musical, funny, and full of no-frills lyricism. And the unfolding of Easy's character is every bit as gripping as the breakneck plotting of the later installment.