Well, Walter Mosley has done it again by introducing readers to a new and complex character, Joe King Oliver, a NYPD detective who was framed for a sexual assault by powerful enemies within the force. King is a flawed man who loves the ladies, jazz music (Thelonious Monk, Louis Armstrong, etc.) and books (Tolstoy and Hermann Hesse). Since his release from Rikers, King (often called by his middle name) has started a detective agency (King Detective Service) and his “wise beyond her years” teenage daughter, Aja-Denise is his assistant. But every now and then thinking about his experience in Rikers “left an aftermath of isolation” and makes him realize how human connection especially with his daughter is very fragile. But he finds solace in the work he does as an investigative private detective. So when he receives a letter from the woman confessing she was paid to set him up by the police, he decides to find out who was behind wanting him gone from the force and why. At the same ...
Hello and welcome! I’m Deliah Lawrence—an award-winning author, blogger, and workshop facilitator. Vocal Expressions is a curated literary space where storytelling, creativity, and conversation come together. Here, I spotlight authors, share insights from my writing journey, and celebrate the books, ideas, and creative moments that inspire us. Whether you’re a reader, writer, or fellow creative, you’re in the right place.