Karma

by Walter Mosley

From the author of the award winning Devil in a Blue Dress comes a short story rife with mystery and suspense, an enthralling introduction to the complex protagonist Leonid McGill. When Walter Mosley published the first Leonid McGill novel, The Long Fall—the acclaimed New York Times bestseller that is now being developed as a series for HBO—it was clear that this new hero was a man with a past. He was a private investigator who had “decided to go from crooked to slightly bent,” turning down the shady but lucrative work that New York’s thugs and mobsters had long brought to his door. In Karma, Walter Mosley tells us the story of the moment McGill decided to change his ways, when a seemingly classic femme fatale forced him to confront the reality of his life of corruption and betrayal. It was the culmination of a dark and tragic case that reached back through McGill’s entire career, plumbing the full, complex history of the soul-scarred figure now hailed as “a poignantly real character . . . [and] a more than worthy successor to Philip Marlowe.” (The Boston Globe) Originally published in Otto Penzler’s anthology Dangerous Women, Karma was included in Best American Mystery Stories 2006, edited by Scott Turow.

Genres: Fiction, African American

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Walter Mosley (b. 1952) is the author of the bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins, as well as numerous other works, from literary fiction and science fiction to a young adult novel and political monographs. His short fiction has been widely published, and his nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and the Nation, among other publications. Mosley is the winner of numerous awards, including an O. Henry Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, a Grammy, and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novella, really. If I hadn’t already been familiar with Leonid McGill, this would have been a rather sketchy introduction to the character.

I often complain of books that are too long and bloated. This was just the opposite- a fairly complicated plot line that seemed to be shoehorned into too few pages.

If you’ve read the full length novels starting with The Long Fall, then by all means add this quick read to the rest. But don’t start with this one.

[Road Worrier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Key history for Leonid McGill's character, that he's trying to get past in later chronology of his character. I guess I'm glad to know it, and it was kind of interesting, but somewhat unpleasant too. On to the next 4 full-length novels for me now!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very twisty, and downbeat.

[Helaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first story in the Leonid McGill series--a mere 37 pages--that sets the scene and characters for the next four books--except just as Walter Mosley states in his nonfiction work about writing a novel, the first draft is never what you end up with. Leonid's wife becomes a much more sympathetic character in the following novels than in this first story. Leonid's children are drawn with more depth in the novels and are more likeable. It seems that all the characters become more engaging, including McGill, and thus benefit from the rewrite they receive in the novels.

[Mimi V · Rating 3 out of 5]

short book by Walter Mosely, the writer of the Easy Rawlins books. very interesting introduction to the character of Leonid McGill, a PI in present-day New York. his family situation is difficult, married to a woman who gave birth to three children that may not be his, there's some friction between what his job requires, what his past includes, and what his conscience tells him to do.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leonid Trotter McGill's series begins with Karma. The short story was published in The Best American Mystery Stories of 2006. Although it seems like a femme fatale, Mr. Mosley gives us a surprise twist by making the protagonist conscious of his less than stellar business practices.

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[Benjamin Plume · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, but I could've used a little more buildup. I suppose it is a short story format so I should expect a tighter arc. As always Mosley wrote with a voice I really admire.

[Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Walter keeps me on the edge of my seat. This e special was a very quick read. Started it on vacation and completed it in two days. Short but full of suspense.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prequel to the series of Leonid McGill mysteries.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this forerunner to the Leonard McGill series, explaining how the character thinks and his motivation. I've read most of Mosley's books and find them all quick reads.

[Jassonn Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It fits!

A good short story that ties up Leonids bsckstory. It could have easily been included in the next McGill novel.

[Adrain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent short story and beginning to the Leonid McGill series.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

!more About Leonid

Great short giving more insight on McGill. Walter Mosley is my favorite author and I read most everything he writes.