Step into the gritty, pulse-pounding world of Leonid McGill, where redemption is hard-won and New York City’s shadows hide secrets at every turn! Created by acclaimed author Walter Mosley, the Leonid McGill series is a modern noir masterpiece, blending hard-boiled detective thrills with deep dives into morality, family, and second chances. Meet Leonid, a former fixer with a checkered past, navigating the mean streets of Manhattan while trying to go straight—no easy feat when trouble follows him like a shadow.
This series isn’t just about solving cases; it’s about a man wrestling with his demons, balancing a chaotic personal life, and seeking justice in a world painted in shades of gray. If you love complex characters and stories that linger, Leonid McGill is your next obsession.
How Leonid McGill Began
Walter Mosley, renowned for his Easy Rawlins mysteries, introduced Leonid McGill in a 2005 short story, 'Karma,' before launching the series with The Long Fall in 2009. Mosley wanted to craft a contemporary African-American detective who could rival his iconic Rawlins, but in the bustling, modern chaos of New York City. Inspired by classic noir authors like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, Mosley infused McGill with a morally ambiguous edge, making him a flawed yet compelling hero for a new era.
The Heart of Leonid McGill
The series kicks off with The Long Fall, where McGill, a former boxer and fixer, takes a seemingly simple job to track down four missing men, only to uncover a deadly conspiracy tied to his past. In Known to Evil, McGill is hired by a powerful fixer to find a young woman, stumbling into a fresh crime scene that threatens to frame him. And Sometimes I Wonder About You sees McGill juggling a case involving a wealthy heiress with personal turmoil, as his wife battles depression and his son dives into trouble. Finally, Trouble Is What I Do pits McGill against an assassin while delivering a letter that could upend a corrupt elite’s legacy.
Mosley’s themes weave redemption, identity, and justice into a tapestry of noir grit. McGill’s struggle to atone for past sins—framing innocents, betraying trust—mirrors his fight to protect his fractured family, including a troubled wife and three grown children (only one biological). The vibrant, treacherous setting of New York City amplifies the stakes, with Mosley’s sharp prose and short chapters delivering a cinematic pace. Fans praise the series for its layered characters and unflinching look at race, power, and morality in modern America.
Why Leonid McGill Resonates
The Leonid McGill series has carved a niche in detective fiction, earning acclaim for its fresh take on noir. Mosley’s ability to blend pulse-pounding plots with introspective character studies has won over fans and critics, with outlets like The Boston Globe calling McGill 'the newest of the great fictional detectives.' Its exploration of African-American identity and systemic injustice resonates deeply, while McGill’s quest for redemption speaks to anyone chasing a second chance. Though less famous than Easy Rawlins, McGill’s series has a loyal following, cementing Mosley’s legacy as a crime fiction titan.
- First Book Published: 2009 (The Long Fall)
- Number of Books: 6
- Awards: Mosley’s broader work has earned Edgars, a Grammy, and a PEN Lifetime Achievement Award
- Setting: Contemporary New York City
Ready to dive into Leonid McGill’s world of danger and redemption? Grab The Long Fall and lose yourself in Walter Mosley’s electrifying noir!