Synopses & Reviews
Japan, 1699. On a moonlit night in Ezogashima, the northernmost island of Japan, a woman is running through the forest when an arrow zooms out of the darkness to strike her dead. Meanwhile, a world away in the city of Edo, the eight-year-old son of Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to power and influence in the shoguns court, vanishes during a moon-watching party.
When Sanos political rival, Lord Matsudaira, hints that the boy may be in Ezogashima, Sanos wife, Reiko, insists on accompanying him on the desperate journey. After an eleven-day voyage through cold and treacherous waters, they arrive at Ezogashima, only to find that Lord Matsumae, distraught at the murder of his mistress, is holding the whole province hostage until someone confesses to the crime. No one is allowed in or out of Ezogashima, and although Matsumae tells Sano his son is there, he refuses to release him.
Sano strikes a deal: He will solve the murder of Matsumaes mistress if Lord Matsumae will free the hostages and return their son. Soon, however, he and Reiko find themselves caught up in a dangerous scheme that includes clan warfare, jealous husbands, and murderous betrayal.
Review
“Demonstrating an impressive level of sustained excellence, Rowlands mysteries set in 17th-century Japan form one of the best recent series in the genre…. Compelling pacing and well-rounded characters enhance the intriguing plot and will draw in new readers as well as longtime fans.”
---Publishers Weekly (starred) on The Snow Empress, chosen as one of the “Best Books of 2007”
"[Rowland's] Japan is a mix of Kabuki theater-like stylized formality, palace intrigue, and physical action that would do a martial arts movie proud." ---The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
"Abundant historical color and an elegant, controlled style..." ---Kirkus Reviews
“The murder mystery is intricately structured, with many suspects having a variety of motives. Engaging but not especially taxing, The Snow Empress would make a nice book to take along on your next long plane trip.” ---The Daily Yomuiri Online
“Each [book] seems to be better than the last one.” ---Reviewingtheevidence.com
“Consistently fascinating and seductive, The Snow Empress is another top-notch mystery....Rich in historical and cultural details, the intricately designed plot and compelling characterizations will entertain readers who enjoy unusual murder mysteries with exotic settings and provocative premises.”
---Bookloons.com
"Rowland has a painter's eye for the minutiae of court life, as well as a politican's ear for intrigue."
---The New York Times Book Review
"Sano may carry a sword and wear a kimono, but you'll immediately recognize him as an ancestor of Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade." ---The Denver Post
"Blending political intrigue and barbed social commentary, Red Chrysanthemum is a crisply lurid Rashomon mystery." ---Entertainment Weekly
"A careful, beautiful portrayal of a dangerous time in Japanese history...a compelling and lively series."
---The Dallas Morning News
Review
“One of the best mysteries of the year.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Rowland has a painters eye…[and] a politicians ear for intrigue.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Palace intrigue and physical action that would do a martial arts movie proud.”—The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
Synopsis
After their son is kidnapped, Samurai detective Sano Ichiro and his wife, Reiko, set off on a desperate search, only to find themselves caught up in an intricate scheme involving racial tensions, jealous husbands, and murderous intrigue.
Synopsis
THE TRUTH WEARS MANY DISGUISES…
Japan, 1699: On a moonlit night on the northern frontier island of Ezogashima, a woman is running through the forest when an arrow strikes her dead. Meanwhile, in the city of Edo, the young son of Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to power in the shoguns court, vanishes during a moon-watching festival. When one of Sanos political rivals hints that the boy was kidnapped—and may be in Ezogashima—he and his wife, Reiko, begin a desperate journey to find their son…only to discover that the local ruler, Lord Matsumae, is holding the entire province hostage for another crime: The murder of his mistress. So Sano strikes a deal: He will solve the mistresss murder if Matsumae will free the hostages and return his son. Soon, however, Sano and Reiko find themselves caught up in a dangerous scheme that includes clan warfare, bitter jealousy, and murderous betrayal as they race to unravel the mystery of THE SNOW EMPRESS
“Rowland has a painters eye…[and] a politicians ear for intrigue.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Palace intrigue and physical action that would do a martial arts movie proud.”—The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
Synopsis
Japan, 1699: On a moonlit night on the northern frontier island of Ezogashima, a woman is running through the forest when an arrow strikes her dead. Meanwhile, in the city of Edo, the young son of Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to power in the shoguns court, vanishes during a moon-watching festival. When one of Sanos political rivals hints that the boy was kidnapped—and may be in Ezogashima—he and his wife, Reiko, begin a desperate journey to find their son…only to discover that the local ruler, Lord Matsumae, is holding the entire province hostage for another crime: The murder of his mistress. So Sano strikes a deal: He will solve the mistresss murder if Matsumae will free the hostages and return his son. Soon, however, Sano and Reiko find themselves caught up in a dangerous scheme that includes clan warfare, bitter jealousy, and murderous betrayal as they race to unravel the mystery of THE SNOW EMPRESS
About the Author
Laura Joh Rowland, the granddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants, grew up in Michigan and was educated at the University of Michigan. She and her husband, Marty, settled in New Orleans and have recently returned there after Hurricane Katrina. The Snow Empress is the twelfth in her highly acclaimed series of thrillers featuring Sano Ichiro.