A mystery of ancient Japan.
I actually meant to wait to read this book till Id read the first book in the series, Rashomon Gate. But then I wound up confusing it with Laura Joh Rowlands Shinju, and forgot that I hadnt read the novels predecessor. Turns out not a big deal. Like many mysteries in series, this is a fully stand-alone novel. Its also extremely similar to Shinju it almost might as well be part of the same series. A minor nobleman of Japan with a talent for solving mysteries and a rocky relationship with the local police chief finds himself embroiled in a murder case, after he spends the night at a temple inn and the body of a young woman is found horribly mutilated. To complicate matters, the prime suspect in the case is both a commoner and his dependent sisters secret love.
Akitada wants to investigate - but his mother is dying, his older sister is pregnant, his brother-in-law is suspected of stealing from the Imperial treasury, his younger sister seems terribly depressed, and his wife and son are on the road and possibly in danger...
A cast of colorful characters surrounds the action an acting troupe, a drunken scholar, a sinister but talented artist, a mutilated prostitute, a female martial-arts trainer etc as well as our hero Akitadas sidekicks, the sleazy Tora and the ex-Sumo wrestler Genja.
The books a fun, quick read, unfortunately, theres not much suspense, because its not much of a secret whodunit its mostly just about waiting for the characters to figure it out and hoping they wont come to a bad end before they do
I actually meant to wait to read this book till Id read the first book in the series, Rashomon Gate. But then I wound up confusing it with Laura Joh Rowlands Shinju, and forgot that I hadnt read the novels predecessor. Turns out not a big deal. Like many mysteries in series, this is a fully stand-alone novel. Its also extremely similar to Shinju it almost might as well be part of the same series. A minor nobleman of Japan with a talent for solving mysteries and a rocky relationship with the local police chief finds himself embroiled in a murder case, after he spends the night at a temple inn and the body of a young woman is found horribly mutilated. To complicate matters, the prime suspect in the case is both a commoner and his dependent sisters secret love.
Akitada wants to investigate - but his mother is dying, his older sister is pregnant, his brother-in-law is suspected of stealing from the Imperial treasury, his younger sister seems terribly depressed, and his wife and son are on the road and possibly in danger...
A cast of colorful characters surrounds the action an acting troupe, a drunken scholar, a sinister but talented artist, a mutilated prostitute, a female martial-arts trainer etc as well as our hero Akitadas sidekicks, the sleazy Tora and the ex-Sumo wrestler Genja.
The books a fun, quick read, unfortunately, theres not much suspense, because its not much of a secret whodunit its mostly just about waiting for the characters to figure it out and hoping they wont come to a bad end before they do
