In post-World War II Los Angeles, Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, a laid-off aircraft manufacturing worker struggling to make mortgage payments on his house, gets entangled in a sinister web of crime and deceit when he's hired by a slick white man named DeWitt Albright. Albright seeks Easy's help in finding Daphne Monet, an enigmatic young woman with a penchant for frequenting black jazz clubs. Easy accepts the job, enticed by the promise of easy money and propelled by his need for financial security. As Easy begins his search, he realizes Daphne is more than just a missing person—she's the key to unraveling a much larger mystery that involves Los Angeles' wealthiest citizens and its seediest underground dealings.

Easy's investigation pushes him deep into the city's underbelly, where he uncovers a complex network of corruption and lies. Along the way, Easy enlists the help of a violent friend from his war days, Mouse, who brings an unpredictability to the investigation. As Easy becomes more embroiled in the case, crossing paths with gangsters, politicians, and a diverse cast of characters from the city's black community, he realizes that his simple mission is spiraling into dangerous territory. Each clue unveils a deeper layer of intrigue, and Easy must navigate racial tensions and moral dilemmas to unravel the truth, all while dodging the increasing dangers that threaten his own life.