[.ca] Samurai's Wife (ISBN 0312974485)

From Amazon.com:
Sano Ichiro, the Shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People, is back in action in Laura Joh Rowland's latest, The Samurai's Wife. After a heated dispute with his colleague and archrival, Honorable Chamberlain Yanigasawa, Sano finds himself in Miyako, Japan's imperial capital, investigating the mysterious death of Minister Konoe Bokuden. Apparently a victim of murder by kiai, a martial arts technique in which a burst of pure mental energy is concentrated in the voice of the killer, Konoe had been plotting an overthrow of samurai rule. Sano must determine whether his death is a personal or political matter, all the while tiptoeing around the delicate sensibilities and violent tempers of the Emperor and his Imperial Court. His roster of suspects ranges from the Emperor himself to Kozeri, Konoe's former wife, a Buddhist nun whose habit barely conceals a powerful and disturbing sensuality. Rowland has obviously done her homework; her zest for historical detail complements, rather than overwhelms, the story, giving the reader a glimpse into the ceremoniality of 17th-century imperial Japanese culture: "In the southern sector of the imperial enclosure stood the Purple Dragon Hall.... The austere half-timbered building faced a courtyard bounded with covered corridors supported by vermilion posts. The ground was covered with white sand to reflect the light of the sun and moon onto the hall. A cherry tree and a citrus tree flanked the entrance, representing the guardian archers and horsemen of ancient tradition. Leading up to the door, eighteen steps, framed by red balustrades, symbolized the number of noble ranks in the court hierarchy. Sano and Hoshina slowly approached the bottom of the steps, where a line of courtiers waited." Unfortunately, Rowland seems sometimes to sacrifice accuracy for the sake of action, creating a bond between Sano and his spirited wife Reiko so modern that one feels that even the most liberated Genroku woman would have been far more circumscribed by ritual and expectations. On the level of plot, rather than philosophy or politics, Sano's deductions have less to do with dogged investigation than with divine inspiration. Laura Joh Rowland's previous Sano mysteries include The Concubine's Tattoo and The Way of the Traitor. Mystery fans intrigued by the notion of a Japanese mise en scène may be interested in Dale Furutani's Death at the Crossroads and Jade Palace Vendetta, also set in 17th-century Japan. --Kelly Flynn

The Best of the Sano Ichiro Series:
I really enjoyed this book. It was the best of the Sano Ichiro books I have read so far (I can't wait to read "The Perfumed Sleeve"). It was really enrapturing, and this is just a little bit better than "The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria". The characters in this one were really interesting, at times you almost want to root for the suspects, such as: Lady Jokyoden. Besides from the fact that it was good, it was informative.The culture is really well researched. Some people may think it's a little over the top, with all the "events", but things like this probably happened in 1600's Japan. It's dramatic but believable and this plot was cool, because it incorporated the imperial family. Who didn't even govern the country, but were just considered living gods. If you've read the other ones you have to read this, it's the best.

It's getting to be too much!:
This is the fifth or sixth Sano Ichiro book that I read. The only reason that I keep coming back is the futile hope that perhaps the next one will be different. But it is not. The characters in these books have a one-dimensional comic book quality that does not change or mature with age. The antagonism between Sano and the Chamberlain gets to be boring after so many absurd confrontations. The evolution of plot and detective work is always pathetically arbitrary. The only saving grace is what to the reader appears as an interesting view and description of 17th century Japan.

Exciting reading:
I enjoyed this book. It held my attention and I could hardly put it down.

Even better!:
When I read Shinju, the first book in this series, I thought I was reading a very good account of life in feudal Japan. So I continued the series. My library didn't carry The Concubine's Tattoo and the Way of the Traitor, so I skipped from Bundori to this book. Laura Joh Rowland has taken something good and made it even better. Always, Sano Ichiro is plagued by issues with his honor and loyalty to Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. His rival, Chamberlain Yanagisawa is still trying to destroy him. He has another life and death mission to finish. And now he has a fiery, headstrong wife, Reiko-chan, at his side. Things don't look good for Sano Ichiro. Heian Kyo, now known as Kyoto, or merely Miyaki, is a world stuck in the past. Hundreds of years previously, the Japanese Emperors ruled Japan from this spot. Since then, the capital has moved to Kamakura, and now Edo (now Tokyo). It is a world living on a pension from the bakufu (government). It is a world suspended in the relics and traditions of the past. It is a place where a dastardly murder has occurred. The Samurai's Wife is a high-flying adventure through ancient Japan. I suggest you get this book. You'll never put it down.

Best Japan Murder Mystery:
Had a slow begging but I loved this book. If you like mystery books, and are interested in Japanese History this is for you. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!!