LT counts this as # 6 of the works in the narrative voice of Easy Rawlins. LT catalogues novels in the mystery genre, and some shorter novellas as works; it depends on the writer and the cataloguing volunteer.
This novel was published in 1997. It was set in late 1930s, in South Texas, as prequel to first 5 novels in the series, which are set in Los Angeles.
I read the 2002 paperback edition published by Washingon Square, which published the all first 6 novels, each with a short story. LT counts the Washington Square publication as work #6+ in Easy Rawlins series. The 6 stories publishd this way were catalogued a work, when Washington Square assembled the 6 short stories, and one further story, all set in 1960s, Six Easy Pieces(2003), which LT counts as work # 8 in the Easy Rawlins series. ( )

Gone Fishin' takes us back to an incident (oft mentioned in earlier Easy Rawlins novels) when Easy was 19 and accompanied Mouse down to Pariah, Texas to get what he believes is his inheritance from his father, daddyReese. They stop for a while at Mama Jo's, a witch who keeps the mummified head of her husband on her windowsill. A stop where the love making and the fishin' are done with a violence that sickens Easy.

Gone Fishin' marks the first appearance of Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, and his sidekick Raymond "Mouse" Alexander. An atmospheric coming-of-age story, which gives the reluctant Easy an education in sex and death, family and forgiveness. The two embark on a car ride which will engulf them in the bayou world of voodoo.

I've got a pile of Walter Mosley's books to work through and although I had read a couple of the stand-alone books and one Easy Rawlins before this, this took me back to the beginning. If we were discussing comic books this would be an " origin" story set back before WW2 in rural Texas.
This lacks the style of the Mosley books I have already read and is very dark in tone. If I was not already a fan I doubt that this would have turned me into one, but, given that I am it fills a hole in the back story and explains some aspects of Easy's relationship with Mouse. ( )

3 Stars

Entertaining

This is a prequel to the Easy Rawlins series. It was an interesting, quick and easy rea ( )