Customer Reviews

Fear Itself: A Fearless Jones Novel

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book makes you want to take a time machine so you can taste black Los Angeles in the 1950s. It makes you crave the moldy smell of fine second hand books, and envy the life of Paris, a bookstore-owning man who spends a great deal of time studying his own wares. Paris Minton, short on physical courage, long on curiosity, is half of the mystery solving duo -- Fearless Jones, as good hearted as Mosley's other brave character Mouse is bad, is the other half. Both are drawn into a puzzle, replete with Black and white dead bodies. The characters of Mosley's books people historic Los Angeles with sound and fury.

Here's a bit of what I like about this book. Paris is inclined to take fright and flight. In the midst of the mystery, in the early morning hours, he hears a knock at his door, and unlike Mosley's other protagonists, Easy, Mouse or Fearless he instinctively runs out his backdoor "like a six-year-old." He is convinced that "who but Trouble could be knocking at my door that early in the morning? Like I said before, I'm a small man. I've been chased, caught, and beaten by big-boned women."

"Runnin' ain't a bad thing, baby," my mother used to tell me. "when you're dead you'll wish you had the legs for it."

Paris runs, tucks and rolls, and he dives into adventure and solves the mystery while musing over literature and suppressed history. Can't beat that.

Walter Mosley strikes again in his new thriller, Fear Itself, set in 1955 Watts, only ten years before the Watts Riots, when the frustrated citizens react to ongoing police brutality by demonstrating their outrage, the result a conflagration that almost destroys the city in the process. In 1955, things are still quiet, although the inhabitants of this Los Angeles suburb are cautious in the extreme in any encounters with the white man. The people of Watts understand that there are severe consequences for every action, generally circumspect in public behavior, avoiding unnecessary conflict with those in authority. Every Sunday, the churches ring with song when parishioners sing of deliverance and redemption.

Enter Paris Minton, a used bookstore owner and admitted coward, mostly content to remain ensconced within his world of words. When Fearless Jones coming knocking one night, asking for help in tracking down Kit Mitchell, Paris happily agrees. He has his reasons. For one thing, the usually timid Paris is imbued with a sense of empowerment in the presence of Fearless, an ex-soldier capable of expedient violence, but restrained by common sense and integrity. Fearless' physical prowess ensures Paris' safety, having come in handy on more than one occasion. Something about his friend allows the usually timid Paris to stand a little taller, a bit more of a man.

The police have Fearless in their sights, for "questioning", so Paris does the footwork necessary to unravel the mystery, secure in the knowledge that Fearless is close behind. As their search for Mitchell progresses, Paris' personal danger increases and dead bodies cause unwanted complications in unraveling the mystery. At the heart of it all: a stolen heirloom, a priceless slave journal and enough money to attract crooks from miles around.

Mosley's multi-layered plot abounds with unpredictable twists and turns. The author's particular appeal lies in the lively dialog of a fabulous assortment of eccentric characters. Paris' literate approach balances perfectly with Fearless' street-wise charm, allowing the well-educated Paris an adventurous romp on the dark side of the street. The inspired pairing of the intrepid Fearless Jones and the refined demeanor of Paris Minton, will doubtless garner even more Mosley fans, as they anticipate the next adventure of the unlikely duo. Luan Gaines/2003.

Fear Itself wonderfully lives up to the superb quality of Fearless Jones, which began this series. If you haven't read Fearless Jones, I recommend reading that book first.

Fearless Jones is the finest new mystery I have read in decades. Its qualities place it alongside classics like The Maltese Falcon, while its deep exploration of human nature causes it to transcend the mystery genre. The story's subtle psychology reminds me of an ancient Greek drama. This book represents a new peak in the imagination and the writing of the immensely talented Mr. Walter Mosley. You have a rare treat in store. Start this book early in the day. You probably won't want to put it down.

Like the frozen expressions on Greek tragedians' masks, Fearless Jones considers three kinds of human motivation: The self-interested satisfaction of the senses; the rational mind assembling the pieces of a puzzle; and good character that comes the heart. The narration builds from the rational mind and conveys all of the classic elements of the best noir mysteries. Mosley's point is that good character will naturally triumph because of the finer emotions and responses it will evoke in others. I suspect that you will agree with him, and feel uplifted by this tale despite the plot's pathway through many dark alleys of depravity.

Few writers can take you inside the mind and body of the characters like Mr. Mosley. In both Fearless Jones and Fear Itself, you will think and feel along with Paris Minton, the owner of a used bookstore in Watts in the mid-1950s. Minton is a largely self-educated black man from Louisiana who came to California to find libraries that were open to all. His store's books are discards from local libraries. He has achieved a fragile kind of peaceful life, living and working in his bookstore (and reading when there are no customers, which is often).

His friend, Fearless Jones, is the archetype of the medieval knight errant . . . always looking to do a good deed. In Fear Itself, Fearless (Tristan) Jones wakes Paris up in the middle of the night because Fearless has promised to help a woman Fearless had never met before, Leora Hartman, who was holding the hand of a three year-old who was crying his eyes out. A World War II hero, the two met when Minton spontaneously bought Jones a drink during the post-war celebration. "He appreciated my generosity and gave me a lifetime of friendship for a single shot of scotch." As you can see, Mr. Mosley writes like an angel.

The book revolves around a missing farmer from Wayne, Texas, Kit Mitchell, who has been hiring Fearless to distribute his watermelons. The mystery soon adds more missing people and items, and other people who want to pay Paris and Fearless to find whatever is missing. However, people are more willing to pay than to describe what they are supposed to be looking for. Whatever it is, it's dynamite!

The story reminds me The Big Sleep in a positive way.

No review of this book would be complete without observing that Mr. Mosley again demonstrates an unbelievable ability for capturing the black experience in Southern California in the post-war period. He has an equally uncanny skill for weaving a personalized view of that vulnerable, hopeful footing into the fabric of the overall society during those years. I think that Fear Itself is his most imaginative work in this regard. He adds richness to black heritage in an unforgettable and intriguing way. As much as I enjoyed the story, these heritage elements overshadowed the mystery completely.

After you finish reading the book, I suggest that think back to the many moments of spontaneous kindness in the story. How did you feel when you read them? How would you feel if someone behaved in this way towards you? When was the last time that you offered the fullness of your heart's purest motives to a stranger or near-stranger? How would you feel if you did so more often? Who are you? Who could you be? Who do you want to be?

Live beyond your fears and your desires . . . and be free!

In 1955 Los Angeles, Leora Hartman hires Fearless Jones to find Kit Mitchell, the father of her son, who simply vanished. Though the case seems quite simple, finding someone who appears to have just moved on, Fearless quickly concludes he needs some intellectual help and who better than a book lover would suffice? So he enlists his friend, book seller Paris Minton to help him.

However, the easy queries that his mousy friend makes soon prove perilous as everyone including the client lie and are willing to use, even perhaps kill, Fearless and Paris. Others have vanished too with the sleuthing duo learning they, including Kit, are probably all dead. The dynamic pair (at least one dynamo and one passive) soon finds themselves as part of the focus of a war between local VIPs, a cosmetics queen and a developer, which also makes Fearless and Paris important to LAPD.

Have no fear, FEAR ITSELF is a great historical mystery that not only brings to life pre- Dodger LA, but does so inside an exciting who-done-it. Though perhaps the novel has too much subterfuge (and consequently subplots), the keys to this terrific tale are the lead detectives. Fearless lives up to his name, as he is somewhat like many of the genre's hard boiled types. However, Paris brings freshness by not being a superhero preparing to break steel with his teeth. Instead he is an intelligent individual so frightened with the threats to his well being and from what he has learned about the affluent, fans including those in Brooklyn, will feel at home with him even if Johnny Padres is winning the subway series a continent away.

Harriet Klausner

Los Angeles, 1955. Paris Minton is a retiring and none too courageous owner of a tiny bookstore. Fearless Jones is his best friend, but whenever he appears trouble is sure to follow. Milo Sweet is a conniving, double-dealing bail bondsman and disbarred lawyer. Kit Mitchell is missing. That's where the trouble starts, for it seems everyone is looking for Kit, and looking for him turns out to be extremely dangerous. And there are many, many more characters--the eccentric, the mad, the wealthy, the warm-hearted, the wicked.

Things go from strange to dangerous to deadly as Paris and Fearless navigate the web of deceit and double-crossing spun by the characters. So, what is the big secret everyone's looking for? Who is Kit Mitchell and why does everyone want to find him? Will Paris, the fearful book-lover, survive this dangerous web of intrigue?

Author Walter Mosley is a brilliant writer with a unique African-American voice. If the story doesn't make complete sense, if the plot doesn't quite hang together, if the characters are hard to keep track of, well, who cares? You can just listen to this book as if you were listening to jazz. It just rolls right along from one outrageous complication to another. The sentences, the words, the scenes, the dialogue--unbelievably good. I recommend this book, but, don't try to hard to follow the plot. Just listen to it! Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

Fear Itself wonderfully lives up to the superb quality of Fearless Jones, which began this series. If you haven't read Fearless Jones, I recommend reading that book first.

Fearless Jones is the finest new mystery I have read in decades. Its qualities place it alongside classics like The Maltese Falcon, while its deep exploration of human nature causes it to transcend the mystery genre. The story's subtle psychology reminds me of an ancient Greek drama. This book represents a new peak in the imagination and the writing of the immensely talented Mr. Walter Mosley. You have a rare treat in store. Start this book early in the day. You probably won't want to put it down.

Like the frozen expressions on Greek tragedians' masks, Fearless Jones considers three kinds of human motivation: The self-interested satisfaction of the senses; the rational mind assembling the pieces of a puzzle; and good character that comes the heart. The narration builds from the rational mind and conveys all of the classic elements of the best noir mysteries. Mosley's point is that good character will naturally triumph because of the finer emotions and responses it will evoke in others. I suspect that you will agree with him, and feel uplifted by this tale despite the plot's pathway through many dark alleys of depravity.

Few writers can take you inside the mind and body of the characters like Mr. Mosley. In both Fearless Jones and Fear Itself, you will think and feel along with Paris Minton, the owner of a used bookstore in Watts in the mid-1950s. Minton is a largely self-educated black man from Louisiana who came to California to find libraries that were open to all. His store's books are discards from local libraries. He has achieved a fragile kind of peaceful life, living and working in his bookstore (and reading when there are no customers, which is often).

His friend, Fearless Jones, is the archetype of the medieval knight errant . . . always looking to do a good deed. In Fear Itself, Fearless (Tristan) Jones wakes Paris up in the middle of the night because Fearless has promised to help a woman Fearless had never met before, Leora Hartman, who was holding the hand of a three year-old who was crying his eyes out. A World War II hero, the two met when Minton spontaneously bought Jones a drink during the post-war celebration. "He appreciated my generosity and gave me a lifetime of friendship for a single shot of scotch." As you can see, Mr. Mosley writes like an angel.

The book revolves around a missing farmer from Wayne, Texas, Kit Mitchell, who has been hiring Fearless to distribute his watermelons. The mystery soon adds more missing people and items, and other people who want to pay Paris and Fearless to find whatever is missing. However, people are more willing to pay than to describe what they are supposed to be looking for. Whatever it is, it's dynamite!

The story reminds me The Big Sleep in a positive way.

No review of this book would be complete without observing that Mr. Mosley again demonstrates an unbelievable ability for capturing the black experience in Southern California in the post-war period. He has an equally uncanny skill for weaving a personalized view of that vulnerable, hopeful footing into the fabric of the overall society during those years. I think that Fear Itself is his most imaginative work in this regard. He adds richness to black heritage in an unforgettable and intriguing way. As much as I enjoyed the story, these heritage elements overshadowed the mystery completely.

After you finish reading the book, I suggest that think back to the many moments of spontaneous kindness in the story. How did you feel when you read them? How would you feel if someone behaved in this way towards you? When was the last time that you offered the fullness of your heart's purest motives to a stranger or near-stranger? How would you feel if you did so more often? Who are you? Who could you be? Who do you want to be?

Live beyond your fears and your desires . . . and be free!

While I enjoyed the Easy books, I prefer the new characters of the Fearless Jones books. I purchased this book on unabridged audio while on a business trip, and soon lost all bearings on the road. Don Cheadle is a masterful reader, combining the many voices seamlessly on CD. The audio quality is superb. We are taken through many eccentric characters, including Paris Minton, the first. Fearless Jones, his best friend and co-conspirator in his adventures, is a man expertly skilled in the art of survival in racist Los Angeles in 1955. I won't divulge the plot, but their adventures take them into the world of black wealth and white criminals. It is Mr. Moseley's mix of humor-Paris's self-professed weaknesses-with a labyrinthine plot that kept me listening for the many hours required. In the couple of months since I purchased the book I have listened to it again, simply for the pleasure of Mr. Cheadle's voice. I have since purchased his third Fearless Jones mystery on CD and am awaiting shipment on the first.

Paris Minton is trying to live quietly as a black man in 1955 Los Angeles. He owns a used book store and to save money he lives in the back of the building that he bought with the money he made in the first fearless jones novel. Fearless asks him to help find a man for a woman (with a young son) who in distress. Paris knows that if Fearless is involved, trouble can only follow. But what's a friend to do?

Paris gets caught in a deadly game of find-and-seek whose players lie, cheat, steal, brutalize and kill. Members of the family of millionaire black businesswoman Winifred L. Fine are playing games that are much more dangerous than they know. Neither Fearless nor Paris is sure who or what the various players are after. The child (who was kidnapped), a wedding day pendant given to Winnie or a family diary. Wanting to help his friend Fearless initially motivates Paris, but finding that a voice of the past is more important to the future than money, he is determined to follow this odyssey to the end.

The characters are well structured and realistic; and the attitudes towards race in the early fifties is right on. Mosley does a great job of explaining how black people lived their everyday lives, dealing with poverty and racism.

I truly enjoyed listening to this particular Mosley masterpiece. I've always been fond of this writers' talent and gift but the reciting presented by Mr. D. Cheadle made it that much more thrilling. It reminded me of the old radio shows that my father used to tell me of. Mr. Cheadle brings to life the words through his acting out of the main character, Paris, as well as all the others. I knew when I read that he was the narrator that I would be pleased!

This book makes you want to take a time machine so you can taste black Los Angeles in the 1950s. It makes you crave the moldy smell of fine second hand books, and envy the life of Paris, a bookstore-owning man who spends a great deal of time studying his own wares. Paris Minton, short on physical courage, long on curiosity, is half of the mystery solving duo -- Fearless Jones, as good hearted as Mosley's other brave character Mouse is bad, is the other half. Both are drawn into a puzzle, replete with Black and white dead bodies. The characters of Mosley's books people historic Los Angeles with sound and fury.

Here's a bit of what I like about this book. Paris is inclined to take fright and flight. In the midst of the mystery, in the early morning hours, he hears a knock at his door, and unlike Mosley's other protagonists, Easy, Mouse or Fearless he instinctively runs out his backdoor "like a six-year-old." He is convinced that "who but Trouble could be knocking at my door that early in the morning? Like I said before, I'm a small man. I've been chased, caught, and beaten by big-boned women."

"Runnin' ain't a bad thing, baby," my mother used to tell me. "when you're dead you'll wish you had the legs for it."

Paris runs, tucks and rolls, and he dives into adventure and solves the mystery while musing over literature and suppressed history. Can't beat that.