“A Red Death” is a very good second “Easy Rawlins” detective novel authored by Walter Mosley. It is set in California in the 1950s. It is of medium length. It is a clearly written but slightly complicated mystery that did demand my full attention. I read and listened simultaneously. I liked it very much.The protagonist, Easy Rawlins, is a mostly decent fellow with a conscience. He is a World War II combat veteran and an African American functioning in a society that often turns a blind eye to racial discrimination. The novel has a distinctive noir feel to it, but is unique in that most of the American Noir that I have read from the 1950s involves white detectives. This novel comes at a noir mystery from a different angle, that of African American characters and society. I am really intrigued by the difference.As stated above, this is a second Easy Rawlins mystery. The first is “Devil in A Blue Dress”. I had previously read that novel and also listened to the audiobook. While “A Red Death” is a standalone novel, there are some references and characters which appear in the first novel. I am really glad that I read Devil in A Blue Dress first. I also really like both audiobook narrations.In summary I really like both Walter Mosley novels that I have thus far read. In terms of modern detective stories I have been looking for another American mystery author as I finish up Sue Grafton’s mystery novels which I have been reading in order of publication. At this point I believe I have settled on Walter Mosley. As I do with Sue Grafton I intend to read one every other month or so. Thank You for taking the time to read this review.