Black, African American, crime, drama, Fiction, novel 

From dust jacket: Mistaken for another man, wily Tempest is "accidentally" shot by police. Sent to receive the judgement of heaven he discovers his sins, according to St. Peter, condemn him to hell. Tempest takes exception to the saint's definition of sin; he refuses to go to hell and explains that he, a poor Black man living in Harlem, did what he did for family, friends, and love.
St. Peter, whose judgement has never been challenged, understands the secret of damnation and heaven's celestial authority-- mortals must willingly accept their sins.
Should Tempest continue his refusal, heaven will collapse, thereby allowing hell and its keeper, Satan, to reign supreme. The only solution: send the recalcitrant mortal back to earth with an accounting angel, whose all-important mission is to persuade Tempest to accept his sins St. Peter's judgement.
Using street smarts that served him so well in his previous life, Mosley's hero takes the accounting angel on a tour of mortal life that tests not only heaven's notions, but the poor angel's own resolve...