DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS

Black, tough, unemployed, and mortgaged, Easy Rawlins becomes a detective by default on the mean streets of post-war L.A. in this, his first literary appearance. Justly celebrated for the quality of writing, atmosphere, period detail, and vivid characterizations, the book receives an uncertain vocal treatment by G. C. Simms. Released on cassette nine years ago, this recording has come out now on CD. The sound quality may have been improved, but the reading is as awkward and tentative as ever. Simms excels at characterization. He has an appropriately gritty voice. But he occasionally misinterprets lines and hesitates over unfamiliar phrasing. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB / MAR 03]