That said, there is so much going on and so many characters running through the story that things get confusing. Too many of the minor characters are little more than names. Their motivations are rarely explained. Even Rule's back story is never explained in any real detail. He did bad things. His friend and ex-partner is dying of cancer, but the bulk his life in the East is sketched in hints and innuendos never in narrative detail. Father Frank, on the other hand, is never explained at all. We never learn why he wants to help the girl find the young men. We never find out why the various members of the church are so completely willing to do his bidding. In fact, often we learn more about lesser characters than we do about him.
In the end, although I'm long a fan of Mosley's Easy Rawlins series, Parishioner was something of a disappointment. It's not so much that the book was a terrible read; it's just that when I see the name Walter Mosley, it raises great expectations. Okay doesn't cut it when you're expecting great.
Article comments
1 - drymocke
Instant gratification is not one of Mr. Mosley's character traits. Like the Easy Rawlins series and the Leonid McGill series the back story evolves over several books. As far as motivations for minor characters, you know no more than Ecks does about the whyfores of their behavior. A lot like real life. So learn to go with the flow...