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9th out of 69 books
—
25 voters
Fear Itself (Fearless Jones #2)
Written with the voice and vision that have made Mosley one of the most entertaining writers in America, "Fear Itself" marks the return of a master at the top of his form. Unabridged 6 CDs.
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
July 1st 2009
by Little, Brown
(first published July 1st 2003)
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Typical of Walter Mosley’s reluctant heroes as in his Socrates Fortlow and Easy Rawlins series, this mystery falls upon Paris and Fearless as just another set of problematic circumstances that African Americans in 1950′s Los Angeles must overcome, and they do not so much as solve the mystery as survive it day by day. A dubious missing-persons assignment accepted by the trusting Fearless results in police and other hostiles turning up at Paris’s doorstep in search of Fearless. Paris grudgingly at...more
I found the character of Fearless Jones less appealing than that of Easy Rawlins. It felt to me like Mr. Mosley was stretching the vehicle of story-through-street character with this personality. In fact, I thought the narrator of the story, a friend of Fearless's and polar opposite in character and personality (afraid of anything and everything, by his own admission), owner of a used book store, self-educated, widely read and highly intelligent - whereas Fearless is not very bright intellectual...more
A good book; not perfect, but certainly enjoyable. Sometimes I get annoyed w/ stupid things, and naming a jazz musician "Lips McGee" is one of them. I shouldn't care, it's irrelevant as far as the book is concerned, but I'll never forget that name and how lame it is.
Having read several of Mosley's Easy Rawlin's mysteries, I wondered whether his other series, Fearless Jones mysteries, would be too similar. I actually enjoyed Fear Itself more than I did my last-read Easy Rawlins mystery (Black Betty). Mosley gives his main characters, Paris Minton (from whose point of view the story is told) and Fearless Jones, sufficiently different traits that you would never make the mistake that you were reading about Rawlins, even though the stories occur in a similar ti...more
Jan 13, 2013
Continualknowledge
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
poc-reading-challenge-2013
I really enjoyed this book. Paris is a great narrator! I love that Mosley is all about showing that black men are intelligent, well-read, and conscientious. The Fearless/Minton duo worked in ways that the Mouse/Rawlins duo didn't. While there is still one that is smart and one that is the sheer power force there seemed to be an equalness I didn't see in the Rawlins series. Don Cheadle narrating also drove this for me. His voice was amazing and just fit right in with the narrative.
I recommend ch...more
I recommend ch...more
I have a great deal of affection for the Fearless Jones mysteries, which feature two intriguing characters - Paris and Fearless, working class African American men with hearts of gold and a weakness for sultry women - and an equally fascinating setting - 1950s L.A. The audio version is narrated by Don Cheadle, and I highly recommend it if you've got the time. Cheadle's smooth, sexy voice brings out a Zen-like quality in Fearless that even the author may not have intended. It's wonderful to liste...more
Why did I take so long to get around to Walter Mosley? Okay, mysteries aren't usually at the top of my list. I do like them when I'm down with a bug. Mosley is one of the best. His narrator has all sorts of funky flaws, in contrast with the fearless Fearless. The plot's very well structured, and here in the whitest state in the union, I find myself happy to be transported to a black community, appreciator of diversity that I am.
Mosley's a fine writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more of h...more
Mosley's a fine writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more of h...more
Think I prefer these books to Mosley's 'Easy Rawlins' books.
Our heroes, the put upon guy that just wants to enjoy his book shop, turned amateur detective and his best friend and trouble magnet, Fearless Jones, are more likable to me than Easy and Mouse and the tone isn't quite as grim.
Still retains the idea of taking the typical noir mystery story and filtering it through the eyes a black man having to live through the time period.
A decent mystery with plenty of twists and turns.
Our heroes, the put upon guy that just wants to enjoy his book shop, turned amateur detective and his best friend and trouble magnet, Fearless Jones, are more likable to me than Easy and Mouse and the tone isn't quite as grim.
Still retains the idea of taking the typical noir mystery story and filtering it through the eyes a black man having to live through the time period.
A decent mystery with plenty of twists and turns.
This story is told from the point of view of Paris Minton not Fearless Jones which makes me wonder who the actual hero of the story is. It does not seem to be Fearless although is the muscle and is quite deadly with a cause for sure.. Unlike Mouse in the Easy Rawlins type stories.
this time Fearless comes to Paris with a case that involves a woman looking for a man that Fearless sometimes works for. But nothing is what it seems and there are dead bodies
this time Fearless comes to Paris with a case that involves a woman looking for a man that Fearless sometimes works for. But nothing is what it seems and there are dead bodies
Jul 23, 2011
aPriL MEOWS often with scratching
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
mysteries-suspense-thrillers,
audiobook
I loved Easy from that series, but I only like Paris. This series is ok though. This book introduced Paris to me, and his friend Fearless. Paris is kinda middle class, but his friend Fearless involves Paris with people he doesn't know much about - sadists, mobsters, rich entrepreneurs, cops. Left to his own devices Paris runs a bookstore he owns and loves, but he leaves his comfort zone to help his friend.
A beautiful piece of suspense from another time, place, and culture. Paris and Fearless, the two heroes, are in 1950s black LA. The reader's voice was also very fitting.
'Noir' with many shades of brown - all the 'colored' people's skin colors were described beautifully, whereas the whites were just 'white' (so unlike most other books or authors). I'm starting to like Mosley.
'Noir' with many shades of brown - all the 'colored' people's skin colors were described beautifully, whereas the whites were just 'white' (so unlike most other books or authors). I'm starting to like Mosley.
Honestly, it's the worst book I've ever read so far. I found it nonsense and boring. Not that I'm not a fan of mystery books ('cause I love Sidney Sheldon's!), maybe I just don't like his style of writing. I read that it was the second book of Fearless Jones series, which I didn't read the first one, so maybe that also explains why I didn't appreciate much of the book.
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This was the 2nd book in the 'Fearless Jones' series. The main characters were still good to know and learn more about ... but, I must admit that there were so many characters and the plot was so convoluted that I found myself confused after awhile. I enjoyed the book ... but, no where near as much as the first book in the series.
I hope that the 3rd book is better.
I hope that the 3rd book is better.
does it count if this is an audiobook?
great listen - it got me through some of the longer shopping excursions of the ladies in Buenos Aires and some of my own solo supermarket shopping in that same city
i had read Fear of the Dark (someone had left it on the bookshelf at work)and enjoyed it as well
great listen - it got me through some of the longer shopping excursions of the ladies in Buenos Aires and some of my own solo supermarket shopping in that same city
i had read Fear of the Dark (someone had left it on the bookshelf at work)and enjoyed it as well
This is the first book by Walter Mosley that I read. I couldn't put it down. Paris Minton and Fearless Jones were so real and believable. Since then I've read most of Mr. Mosley's other books and will continue to read them as long as he continues to write. Brilliant!
In the wake of the Louis Gates Jr incident, this story had extra resonance for me. Paris Minton's account of his quest to help his friend Fearless Jones is full of intrigue, unique characters and fascinating reflection. The twists and turns are many in this complex story in 1950s Los Angeles.
Dec 17, 2010
Curtis
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
thriller-mystery
I've always thought of Walter Mosley as a legendary figure in literature. "Fear Itself" probably wasn't the best place to start but it was enough to inspire further reading.
Sep 20, 2011
Alexa Wilson
is currently reading it
Dear Reader,
I am currently very enthralled in Fear Itself by Walter Mosley. This book is based in LA, in the early 1950's and focused on putting you in the shoes of Paris
I am currently very enthralled in Fear Itself by Walter Mosley. This book is based in LA, in the early 1950's and focused on putting you in the shoes of Paris
It's unadulterated fun rooting for Paris, the protagonist, and his friend Fearless. They are two basically good guys who get tangled up with crooks and murderers.
Mosley does it AGAIN! Walter Mosley is one of my all time faves. This book was especially well done. Just when I thought I knew what would happen in this mystery, he took a different turn. Excellent read!
Just when you think he can't get any better than Easy Rawlins this series is written and it was great. Paris is quite a character.
These get better as they go, and I like them better than the Rawlins series. Among my favorites.
Typically excellent Mosley noir, with a lot moving under the surface.
Good period mystery. I enjoyed the 1950s LA setting told through the African American community. Fearless and Paris are great characters.
alot of twist and turns in this book....
It was an interesting story.
The audiobook is superbly read by Don Cheadle.
Paris and Fearless find themselves entangled in a rich black woman's history and her money. They try to stay alive with a crazy white guy on their trail. Paris Minton's love of books and Fearless Jones' loyalty to him add warmth and depth to the characters. Don Cheadle's reading of this book just couldn't be better.
Fiction
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Walter Mosley (born January 12, 1952) is a prominent American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction.
Mosley has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles; it is perhaps his most popular work.
Mosley has written over 20 bo...more
More about Walter Mosley...
Mosley has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles; it is perhaps his most popular work.
Mosley has written over 20 bo...more
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