“The Man in My Basement” by Walter Mosley

“The Man in My Basement” is almost a writer’s version of a symphony. Its theme is quiet and subtly played, but it draws you into its music by changing out the rhythms into making a man’s most mundane existence extraordinary.

The two main characters could not be more vastly diverse. Charles Blakey lives in the home and on the property his family has owned for generations. He’s recently lost his job and he’s behind on his mortgage payments. The other man, Anniston Bennet appears to be a man of means who wants to rent out the Blakey basement for the summer at a fee “that it would make it more than worth your while”. The money would be more than welcome, but as with any offer that comes out of the thin air, there are strange provisions that go along with it. At first the offer is dismissed, but then re-visited for financial reasons and the one man’s rescue.

As the story opens further, the plot thickens by letting the reader find out strange personality quirks on both men. One reveals that he’s a closet thief and possible drunk with not much in the way of taking care of himself or the people in his life. The other turns out to be a complete sham, hiding his cultural background and the fact that he is indeed a ruthless killer, who is now beginning to have regrets about his life.

Like a fine symphony, you know this rather simple story must end. Due to the events that take place, you also know that it will be rather dirge-like in its completion, yet you keep reading. The end, like a melody is not surprise, yet it was an interesting piece of orchestration.

Carine is a journalist and writing coach with many different journalistic areas of interest. She has had items published in major magazines, websites and newspapers. To read more of Carine’s work, log onto: