Synopses & Reviews
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)
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
Samurai detective Sano Ichiro has risen to power and influence in the shoguns court, and has attracted dangerous rivals. After their son is kidnapped, Sano 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
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.