Reading Farewell, Amethystene feels like catching up with an old friend after years apart—familiar yet full of surprises. Walter Mosley once again delivers a richly layered mystery, steeped in history, moral complexity, and the unshakable presence of Easy Rawlins himself. Now 50, Easy is a man who has survived against all odds, building a life of stability and success. But when Amethystene Stoller reappears, pulling him into an investigation that stirs up ghosts from his past, that hard-won balance is thrown into question.
I enjoyed the interplay between characters, particularly the ever-compelling Fearless Jones, whose presence adds both tension and camaraderie. Mosley’s signature prose remains as evocative as ever, immersing the reader in the shifting landscape of 1970s Los Angeles, where social change simmers beneath the surface of every encounter. The way Mosley intertwines racial politics, personal history, and crime noir is masterful, making every conversation and revelation feel weighty and significant.
The plot itself is intricate, and while the journey is mesmerizing, the resolution left me with lingering questions. At times, I wasn’t sure I fully understood all the twists and turns, but that didn’t take away from the impact of the story. Like many of the best noir tales, it’s less about the neatness of the ending and more about the atmosphere, the moral reckoning, and the evolution of its characters.
Farewell, Amethystene is another strong entry in the Easy Rawlins series, proving that even after all these years, Easy remains one of crime fiction’s most compelling figures. A must-read for longtime fans and newcomers alike.