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Sugawara Akitada #10
The Emperor's Woman
She was intended to be the emperor’s concubine, but she died at the bottom of a cliff near Prince Atsuhira’s private villa. The palace covered up the scandal. Months later, Akitada is drawn into the case when his best friend is accused of plotting against the emperor. Atsuhira, his alleged co-conspirator, refuses to defend himself. The mystery of the lady’s death unravels slowly, bringing danger to Akitada, whose household is already threatened by an ill-fated relationship between Genba and a prostitute which leads to his arrest for the brothel keeper’s murder.
386 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 4, 2022
It is the year 1028 in Japan and Sugawara Akitada, a senior secretary in the Ministry of Justice, and his household become involved in the solving of two separate deaths…one the Emperor’s woman and another a business owner in the entertainment district. Another fine mystery and wonderful cast of characters!
June 6, 2022
The Emporer´s Woman is a good, solid mystery set in feudal Japan. It is well-plotted, nicely written, contains interesting characters and, to my mind is fairly typical of books set in the period and place but written by Westerners. I don´t mean that to be a damning criticism - In fact, it is very likely that I will read more books by this author. I am simply saying that it is different than books by Japanese authors set similarly. It´s difficult to verbalize the ways in which it is different but let me say that the books like The Emporer's Lady are softer, less matter of fact and more focussed on relationships between men and women.
Sugawara Akitado is a lower-ranking Lord in feudal Japan who works in the Ministry of Justice and is disinclined to accept the easy answer to ¨Who dunnit? without definitive proof. A high ranking Lady is found dead at the bottom of a cliff from which she appears to have thrown herself. She had lived in the Palace in a type of haram but was not favored by the Emperor, which he has demonstrated on numerous occasions. The easy conclusion is that this rejection has led to her suicide.
As Akitado examines the body and the scene, he notices things that might indicate that she has not committed suicide but rather was murdered. He very methodically goes about his investigation but is discouraged from pursuing it at every turn. In parallel, one of his servants, whom he considers to be a member of his household, has been accused by the police of committing a murder. The result is that Akitado now has two investigations to pursue with very limited resources and support.
There is little action but rather a lot of investigating, thinking, and dialogue, all of which I found quite enjoyable but, if you prefer stories where swords are frequently drawn and people are slashed to bits, this ain´t it. I would recommend it to someone who enjoys the investigative side of a mystery and is interested in reading such a book set in feudal Japan.
Sugawara Akitado is a lower-ranking Lord in feudal Japan who works in the Ministry of Justice and is disinclined to accept the easy answer to ¨Who dunnit? without definitive proof. A high ranking Lady is found dead at the bottom of a cliff from which she appears to have thrown herself. She had lived in the Palace in a type of haram but was not favored by the Emperor, which he has demonstrated on numerous occasions. The easy conclusion is that this rejection has led to her suicide.
As Akitado examines the body and the scene, he notices things that might indicate that she has not committed suicide but rather was murdered. He very methodically goes about his investigation but is discouraged from pursuing it at every turn. In parallel, one of his servants, whom he considers to be a member of his household, has been accused by the police of committing a murder. The result is that Akitado now has two investigations to pursue with very limited resources and support.
There is little action but rather a lot of investigating, thinking, and dialogue, all of which I found quite enjoyable but, if you prefer stories where swords are frequently drawn and people are slashed to bits, this ain´t it. I would recommend it to someone who enjoys the investigative side of a mystery and is interested in reading such a book set in feudal Japan.
August 5, 2013
#10 in the 11th century Japanese Ministry of Justice official Akitada mystery series. The death of one of the women in the Emperor's household is considered a suicide that then results in her lover being charged with possible treason. Akitada becomes involved because of friendship and becomes embroiled in a politically sensitive investigation that produces a number of problems and issues for him. He is also faced with a number of problems and another murder investigation involving members of his retainers.
Good mystery which also causes Akitada to reassess his attitudes and relationships with his retainers.
Good mystery which also causes Akitada to reassess his attitudes and relationships with his retainers.
March 8, 2013
This is a well-done mystery and a good addition to the Akitada series. It mainly concerns an investigation into a high-profile death, with a big helping of side-story about another one. Parker continues to develop the cast of supporting characters in Akitada's life as well. I was particularly intrigued by Saburo, the new secretary; and hopefully we'll see more involvement of Akitada's sister in subsequent books. I also felt a bit like Parker's prose has become more polished in this book as well. (It always has been polished; I just felt even more comfortably pulled along.)
August 17, 2026
The hardest part about reading this series is knowing that each one I read means there is one less that exists to enjoy for the first time, and I'm that much closer to what might be the end of it.
Sugawara Akitada is a flawed character who cares, almost too rigidly, about doing the right thing. His reckoning with the morality of law and incarceration in a patriarchal society saturated with extremes of wealth disparity and social hierarchy alongside the members of his nuclear and chosen family are deeply compelling still, 10 books in. He learns a lot about trust and friendship as he's taken in an ex-soldier, a wrestler with a dark past, and a disfigured shinobi into his home. The way in which he grapples with social standing and the morally grey shades of his household members is another one of my favorite things about this series. To say that I.J. Parker does this deftly in the setting of political and murder mystery intrigue feels like an understatement. The pacing is so good in these novels without sacrificing rich details about the environment, clothing, and food. One meal was described so seamlessly with the dialogue that I actually could feel my belly being warmed by it and got up to seek out some Japanese fare.
I keep coming back to these novels for a guaranteed good time. I love Akitada's family so much and have lost sleep and shed tears when tragedy strikes them. His loyalty to his one wife in a time when most men would take multiple remains endearing. It's enjoyable to witness his evolving willingness to bring her collaboration into his work and its juxtaposition with his ingrained sexism, as was part of that time and culture. In this particular novel, Akitada also comes to terms with the seemingly impossible choices women in his world must face, while his own preconceptions are challenged as his precocious daughter, who has him wrapped around her finger, matures.
I am collecting the whole Akitada series and save each entry under a "break in case of emergency" glass. The "emergency" being I've read a lot of mid stuff for a while and need to love reading again. Also, to binge all of them at once will undoubtedly cause me one of the greatest emotional series hangovers of all time.
Sugawara Akitada is a flawed character who cares, almost too rigidly, about doing the right thing. His reckoning with the morality of law and incarceration in a patriarchal society saturated with extremes of wealth disparity and social hierarchy alongside the members of his nuclear and chosen family are deeply compelling still, 10 books in. He learns a lot about trust and friendship as he's taken in an ex-soldier, a wrestler with a dark past, and a disfigured shinobi into his home. The way in which he grapples with social standing and the morally grey shades of his household members is another one of my favorite things about this series. To say that I.J. Parker does this deftly in the setting of political and murder mystery intrigue feels like an understatement. The pacing is so good in these novels without sacrificing rich details about the environment, clothing, and food. One meal was described so seamlessly with the dialogue that I actually could feel my belly being warmed by it and got up to seek out some Japanese fare.
I keep coming back to these novels for a guaranteed good time. I love Akitada's family so much and have lost sleep and shed tears when tragedy strikes them. His loyalty to his one wife in a time when most men would take multiple remains endearing. It's enjoyable to witness his evolving willingness to bring her collaboration into his work and its juxtaposition with his ingrained sexism, as was part of that time and culture. In this particular novel, Akitada also comes to terms with the seemingly impossible choices women in his world must face, while his own preconceptions are challenged as his precocious daughter, who has him wrapped around her finger, matures.
I am collecting the whole Akitada series and save each entry under a "break in case of emergency" glass. The "emergency" being I've read a lot of mid stuff for a while and need to love reading again. Also, to binge all of them at once will undoubtedly cause me one of the greatest emotional series hangovers of all time.
January 30, 2023
This time author combines the multiple perspectives of previous Akitada but features characters like sister Akiko, an erstwhile investigator and his newest servant Shand in some depth. Hadn't seen the beggars' den since "Rashomon Gate."
Though the settings are not as picturesque or exotic after the initial mountain cliffs, this work explores the intricacies of court rivalries as well as helper Genba's struggles to make his love dream a reality.
Parker entertains and instructs with a sure hand. Enjoy!
Though the settings are not as picturesque or exotic after the initial mountain cliffs, this work explores the intricacies of court rivalries as well as helper Genba's struggles to make his love dream a reality.
Parker entertains and instructs with a sure hand. Enjoy!
February 4, 2023
3.5 stars because this one is more briskly paced than earlier books, with parallel crimes, high and low, as Akitada gets involved in court politics (and murder) while his retainers deal with an abusive brothel keeper (and murder). Akitada is a bit of a prig; Kobe is ridiculously sensitive for a senior copper; and I don’t believe it’s that easy to feign blindness - unless the Japanese invented sunglasses very early.
January 30, 2021
Another solid read in the fun series on Heian era civil servant/detective Sugiwara. Here he puts his life on the line (or actually on a cliff) to prove a “suicide” was murder and to find the guilty party.
As always his trusty followers aid him. As usual, powerful nobles oppose him. Parker, as usual, gives an affectionate and researched look at the Japan of this period.
As always his trusty followers aid him. As usual, powerful nobles oppose him. Parker, as usual, gives an affectionate and researched look at the Japan of this period.
October 8, 2021
A Double Mystery
Who killed the evil, abusive brothel owner? Likewise, a beautiful young woman lies dead at the bottom of a rugged mountain. She waited for her lover who came too late to prevent her murder or was it a suicide?
Who finally eliminated the evil brothel owner? A fascinating mystery.
Who killed the evil, abusive brothel owner? Likewise, a beautiful young woman lies dead at the bottom of a rugged mountain. She waited for her lover who came too late to prevent her murder or was it a suicide?
Who finally eliminated the evil brothel owner? A fascinating mystery.
March 4, 2017
I am addicted to tgese great detective stories from the heian period. They keep gettong better.
December 13, 2016
Akitada has no work assignments in this story. He is helping a friend suspected of treason and meddling in court intrigue outside of his work. At the same time one of his servants is jailed for suspicion of murder and another is let go. These two plot lines showcase Akitada's obsession with the truth and also his forgiveness and flexibility. He actively seeks the counsel of his wife and reluctantly that of his sister. They know a few things the all knowing Akitada doesn't when it comes to women and it takes awhile for Akitada to acknowledge their advice and wisdom. It's one mystery after another for both Akitada and his servants as they try to find two murderers. A nicely paced narrative with justice meted out not in the court or legally but righteously by the fates.
February 23, 2015
These books are always fun. When you travel with Parker through 11th Century Japan, it really feels like you are there. It is a great deal of fun winding your way through essentially a modern style detective mystery in such a different setting.
I recommend this series highly.
I recommend this series highly.
September 17, 2015
As always, the scholarship, attention to historical detail, and a wonderfully grounded sense of the relationships of men and women in all their varied permutations make this series of mysteries set in the Japan of 1048 utterly irresistible to put down until you have hit the last page.
February 15, 2014
Love all the books in this series. Read the e-book version which had a lot of typos....takes away from the overall experience.
November 6, 2015
Another good novel in the series.
September 17, 2016
It was over so quickly! I love these books!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews