Synopses & Reviews
July 1698. Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to become the shogun's second-in-command, is investigating rumors of a plot to overthrow the ruling regime. When the investigation brings Sano's deputy Hirata to Lord Mori's estate, he is shocked to find Lord Mori murdered and grotesquely mutilated in his own bed, and Sano's pregnant wife, Reiko, lying beside him. The only solid clue is a chrysanthemum soaked in blood.
Reiko's account of her actions is anything but solid. She insists that she went undercover to Lord Mori's estate in order to investigate claims that he molested and murdered young boys. But when Sano inspects the crime scene, he finds no trace of what Reiko described. And every other witness tells a different story: Lady Mori alleges that Reiko was Lord Mori's scorned mistress and murdered him for revenge. And Lord Mori himself, speaking through a medium, claims his murder was part of Sano's plot to overthrow the shogun!
Unless Sano can prove his wife's unlikely claims, both he and Reiko--and their unborn child--face execution for treason. Sano fights desperately to save his family and his honor, as Laura Joh Rowland draws on the tradition of the classic film Rashomon to bring us a masterful tale of intrigue and treachery.
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
"Rowland has a painter's eye for the minutiae of court life, as well as a politician's ear for intrigue." --The New York Times Book Review
"Rowland uses her fine eye for detail to portray the intricate surface and roiling underbelly of life in a tightly structured, controlled society. Her Japan is a mix of Kabuki theater-like stylized formality, palace intrigue, and physical action that would do a martial arts move proud." --The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
"A careful, beautiful portrayal of a dangerous time in Japanese history . . . Rowland has created a compelling and lively series." --Dallas Morning News
"As a fan of Shogun, it's easy to say that The Samurai's Wife provided me with the same sense of place and culture that was so invigorating in James Clavell's epic yarn. . . . Laura Joh Rowland is a pretty terrific storyteller." --Chicago Tribune
"The compelling story line, evocative detail and suspense should engage newcomers and satisfy longtime fans alike. At a point when many series show signs of wear, Rowland's characters remain fresh." --Publishers Weekly on The Assassin's Touch
Review
"A blend [of] political intrigue and barbed sexual commentary."
--Entertainment Weekly
"Rowland has a painter's eye...[and] a politician's ear for intrigue."--The New York Times Book Review "A page-turner...Rowland matches her talent for storytelling with her ability to render convincing historical detail."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Rowland's historical detail and graceful prose enhance another solid mystery."--Kirkus Reviews
"Rowland puts her own spin on the multiple storytelling tactics invented five decades ago in the movie Rashomon, adding an extra dimension to her long-running series....The tension leads to a corker of a denouement--one that opens up new doors for future series offerings." --Baltimore Sun "A careful, beautiful portrayal of a dangerous time in Japanese history... compelling and lively."--Dallas Morning News
Synopsis
In 1698 Japan, samurai detective Sano Ichiro finds his role as the shogun's trusted advisor threatened when the shogun's heir, Lord Mori, is found murdered and mutilated, with Sano's pregnant wife, Reiko, lying beside him, naked and covered in blood. 20,000 first printing.
Synopsis
THE TRUTH IS DRENCHED IN BLOOD... Tokyo, 1698: Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to become the shogun's second-in-command, is investigating rumors of a plot to overthrow the ruling regime. But conspiracy theories travel far too close to home when Sano discovers that Lord Mori, heir to the shogun, has been found murdered in his own bed...with Sano's pregnant wife, Reiko, lying naked beside him. Was Reiko Lord Mori's scorned mistress, and vengeful assassin, as Lady Mori alleges? Or is she involved in a stunning hoax with her husband--as the ghost of Lord Mori has charged? Now, in a desperate race against time, Sano must find the real killer or face execution for treason. . .unless he can solve the mystery of the RED CHRYSANTHEMUM
"A blend [of] political intrigue and barbed sexual commentary."
--Entertainment Weekly
"Rowland has a painter's eye...[and] a politician's ear for intrigue."--The New York Times Book Review
Synopsis
Tokyo, 1698:
Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to become the shogun's second-in-command, is investigating rumors of a plot to overthrow the ruling regime. But conspiracy theories travel far too close to home when Sano discovers that Lord Mori, heir to the shogun, has been found murdered in his own bed...with Sano's pregnant wife, Reiko, lying naked beside him. Was Reiko Lord Mori's scorned mistress, and vengeful assassin, as Lady Mori alleges? Or is she involved in a stunning hoax with her husband--as the
ghost of Lord Mori
has charged? Now, in a desperate race against time, Sano must find the real killer or face execution for treason. . .unless he can solve the mystery of the
RED CHRYSANTHEMUM
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. Red Chrysanthemum is the eleventh in her highly acclaimed series of thrillers featuring Sano Ichiro.