What do you think?
Rate this book
The Samurai Detectives #2
剣客商売二 辻斬り
四谷伝馬町の御用聞き・弥七、下っ引きの「傘徳」こと傘屋の徳次郎、
亀沢町の町医者・小川宗哲、そして居酒屋「鬼熊」の亭主・熊五郎……。
秋山小兵衛を囲む名傍役(わきやく)が光る。
江戸情緒もたっぷり。国民的大ベストセラー、その第二巻!
冷え冷えとした闇の幕が裂け、鋭い太刀風が秋山小兵衛に襲いかかる。正体は何者か? 小兵衛・大治郎が非道に挑む表題作。
江戸に出たまま帰らぬ息子を探しにきた信州の老剣客へ温かい手をさしのべる秋山父子――「老虎」。暴漢にさらわれた老舗の娘を助ける男装の武芸者・佐々木三冬――「三冬の乳房」ほか「鬼熊酒屋」「悪い虫」「妖怪・小雨坊」「不二楼・蘭の間」。シリーズ第2作。
亀沢町の町医者・小川宗哲、そして居酒屋「鬼熊」の亭主・熊五郎……。
秋山小兵衛を囲む名傍役(わきやく)が光る。
江戸情緒もたっぷり。国民的大ベストセラー、その第二巻!
冷え冷えとした闇の幕が裂け、鋭い太刀風が秋山小兵衛に襲いかかる。正体は何者か? 小兵衛・大治郎が非道に挑む表題作。
江戸に出たまま帰らぬ息子を探しにきた信州の老剣客へ温かい手をさしのべる秋山父子――「老虎」。暴漢にさらわれた老舗の娘を助ける男装の武芸者・佐々木三冬――「三冬の乳房」ほか「鬼熊酒屋」「悪い虫」「妖怪・小雨坊」「不二楼・蘭の間」。シリーズ第2作。
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1973
19 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
The Samurai Detectives is not a conventional detective novel by any stretch of the imagination. Rather it is a series of incidents all linked to the breakdown of the ruling class in Japan, which leads to many samurai becoming ronin (masterless warriors).
Thankfully Sensei Kohei, an honourable master swordsman is there to right the wrongs of those who take the law into their own hands.
Killer on the streets has several short stories where Kohei or his son, Daijiro, either see or find out about criminal activity in their area and go about discovering the perpetrator and bringing them to book.
If you enjoy short stories with a high moral content and don't mind a bit of bloodthirsty sword play then you'll enjoy this. It is well written, Kohei and all the good guys are very likeable characters and I enjoyed it very much, despite it not being anything like a conventional detective novel.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for the digital review copy.
The Samurai Detectives is not a conventional detective novel by any stretch of the imagination. Rather it is a series of incidents all linked to the breakdown of the ruling class in Japan, which leads to many samurai becoming ronin (masterless warriors).
Thankfully Sensei Kohei, an honourable master swordsman is there to right the wrongs of those who take the law into their own hands.
Killer on the streets has several short stories where Kohei or his son, Daijiro, either see or find out about criminal activity in their area and go about discovering the perpetrator and bringing them to book.
If you enjoy short stories with a high moral content and don't mind a bit of bloodthirsty sword play then you'll enjoy this. It is well written, Kohei and all the good guys are very likeable characters and I enjoyed it very much, despite it not being anything like a conventional detective novel.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for the digital review copy.
March 1, 2026
If you are looking for a historical mystery that cuts as cleanly as a Masamune blade, The Samurai Detectives: The Killer on the Streets is an absolute must-read. Shotaro Ikenami, a master of the genre, returns us to the atmospheric, shadow-drenched alleys of Edo-era Japan in this gripping second installment of his bestselling series.
A Masterclass in Tension and Character
The strength of this novel lies in the dynamic between its protagonists: the aging, restless legendary swordsman Kohei and his more settled son, Daijiro. Ikenami excels at depicting the "twilight of the Shogun’s world," where the rigid codes of honour begin to fray against a backdrop of urban lawlessness. The inciting incident—a chance encounter with tsujigiri (street slashers) that implicates a high-ranking official—is handled with superb pacing. What starts as a localized skirmish rapidly spirals into a high-stakes "deadly game of pursuit" that feels both intimate and epic.
Style and Substance
While the core of the story is an "entertaining and gripping" historical thriller, readers should be aware of the translation's unique flavour. The narrative is accessible and fast-moving, though the English rendition occasionally leans into modern American colloquialisms. While purists might find phrases like "clued him in" a bit jarring against the 18th-century setting, these choices do succeed in making the dialogue feel punchy and immediate for a contemporary audience.
Why You Should Read It
Atmospheric World-Building: You can practically feel the autumn chill of the riverside dojo and the pitch-black heart of old Edo.
Compelling Mystery: The perfectly coiled plot keeps you guessing, culminating in a villain that is truly monstrous.
Emotional Depth: Beyond the swordplay, it is a profound portrait of honour and the complex relationship between a father and son. A thrilling adventure that balances the sharp edge of a detective novel with the weight of historical epic.
Despite the occasional linguistic quirk in translation, the sheer momentum of Ikenami's storytelling carries the day. It is a vivid, high-octane journey into a vanished world that feels remarkably alive.
A Masterclass in Tension and Character
The strength of this novel lies in the dynamic between its protagonists: the aging, restless legendary swordsman Kohei and his more settled son, Daijiro. Ikenami excels at depicting the "twilight of the Shogun’s world," where the rigid codes of honour begin to fray against a backdrop of urban lawlessness. The inciting incident—a chance encounter with tsujigiri (street slashers) that implicates a high-ranking official—is handled with superb pacing. What starts as a localized skirmish rapidly spirals into a high-stakes "deadly game of pursuit" that feels both intimate and epic.
Style and Substance
While the core of the story is an "entertaining and gripping" historical thriller, readers should be aware of the translation's unique flavour. The narrative is accessible and fast-moving, though the English rendition occasionally leans into modern American colloquialisms. While purists might find phrases like "clued him in" a bit jarring against the 18th-century setting, these choices do succeed in making the dialogue feel punchy and immediate for a contemporary audience.
Why You Should Read It
Atmospheric World-Building: You can practically feel the autumn chill of the riverside dojo and the pitch-black heart of old Edo.
Compelling Mystery: The perfectly coiled plot keeps you guessing, culminating in a villain that is truly monstrous.
Emotional Depth: Beyond the swordplay, it is a profound portrait of honour and the complex relationship between a father and son. A thrilling adventure that balances the sharp edge of a detective novel with the weight of historical epic.
Despite the occasional linguistic quirk in translation, the sheer momentum of Ikenami's storytelling carries the day. It is a vivid, high-octane journey into a vanished world that feels remarkably alive.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Click here for my full review.
Thank you to Penguin for sending me this advance copy.
“There are many ways to learn the art of sword fighting, but in my case, getting cut was the first step.”
It’s fitting that volume two of THE SAMURAI DETECTIVES features villains who resemble yokai, the monsters of Japanese folklore—the book is about an era where samurai are practically myths themselves.
Ikenami’s protagonists are Kohei, a master swordsman trying to enjoy retirement, and his son Daijiro, busy starting his own dojo. Under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, the capital city of Edo buzzes with business. But simmering beneath that quiet surface are threat after threat—street gangs, rival swordsmen, vengeful killers—in the seven stories this volume collects.
This book is the second English translation from Ikenami’s 1973-89 novel series KENKAKU SHŌBAI (literally, “Swordsman Business”). Ikenami places as much emphasis on conjuring the atmosphere of the Edo period as the mysteries being investigated. In the story “A Bad Worm” the only detective work depicted is a conversation with a waitress, while most of its plot involves giving a street vendor impromptu combat training. It’s my favourite story in the book.
We spend enough time in Kohei and Daijiro’s world to see why they’re keen to protect it. Like the homeyness of Sherlock Holmes’ 221B Baker Street, Ikenami’s well-crafted settings give his stories cozy charm, and make their brief flashes of violence all the more memorable...
“There are many ways to learn the art of sword fighting, but in my case, getting cut was the first step.”
It’s fitting that volume two of THE SAMURAI DETECTIVES features villains who resemble yokai, the monsters of Japanese folklore—the book is about an era where samurai are practically myths themselves.
Ikenami’s protagonists are Kohei, a master swordsman trying to enjoy retirement, and his son Daijiro, busy starting his own dojo. Under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, the capital city of Edo buzzes with business. But simmering beneath that quiet surface are threat after threat—street gangs, rival swordsmen, vengeful killers—in the seven stories this volume collects.
This book is the second English translation from Ikenami’s 1973-89 novel series KENKAKU SHŌBAI (literally, “Swordsman Business”). Ikenami places as much emphasis on conjuring the atmosphere of the Edo period as the mysteries being investigated. In the story “A Bad Worm” the only detective work depicted is a conversation with a waitress, while most of its plot involves giving a street vendor impromptu combat training. It’s my favourite story in the book.
We spend enough time in Kohei and Daijiro’s world to see why they’re keen to protect it. Like the homeyness of Sherlock Holmes’ 221B Baker Street, Ikenami’s well-crafted settings give his stories cozy charm, and make their brief flashes of violence all the more memorable...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
An enjoyable series of short mysteries from a father and son duo. The focus of these stories is on Kohei, a retired swordsman in Edo-era Japan, and Daijiro, his son. Having not read the first instalment of this series, the narrative is not too unforgiving of this. There were a few instances where references were made to, presumably, some of the characters and events of the first book, although this did not hinder my understanding or enjoyment much at all.
Our main characters remained quite similar in their attitudes and behaviours, I suppose this is to be expected of a collection of short stories, however if you are looking for a plot/plots with heavy character development, then you won't find it in these collections.
I enjoyed each of these bite sized mysteries and found myself reading one or two in a single sitting, which I found nice to break up the day. There were elements of these stories where I felt the speech and actions of the characters was slightly animated; I do think these tales would be great adapted into a series one day, perhaps there already is something of this sort in Japanese media.
In all, I did like these short stories a lot, they aren't detail ridden, but the short descriptions of the landscape, weather, customs and history of the period were a nice touch and I think without them, I would have felt much less immersed in these tales as a whole.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin General UK for the ARC edition to read and review!
An enjoyable series of short mysteries from a father and son duo. The focus of these stories is on Kohei, a retired swordsman in Edo-era Japan, and Daijiro, his son. Having not read the first instalment of this series, the narrative is not too unforgiving of this. There were a few instances where references were made to, presumably, some of the characters and events of the first book, although this did not hinder my understanding or enjoyment much at all.
Our main characters remained quite similar in their attitudes and behaviours, I suppose this is to be expected of a collection of short stories, however if you are looking for a plot/plots with heavy character development, then you won't find it in these collections.
I enjoyed each of these bite sized mysteries and found myself reading one or two in a single sitting, which I found nice to break up the day. There were elements of these stories where I felt the speech and actions of the characters was slightly animated; I do think these tales would be great adapted into a series one day, perhaps there already is something of this sort in Japanese media.
In all, I did like these short stories a lot, they aren't detail ridden, but the short descriptions of the landscape, weather, customs and history of the period were a nice touch and I think without them, I would have felt much less immersed in these tales as a whole.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin General UK for the ARC edition to read and review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The second outing for our sleuth Kohei with his sidekicks Daijiro and Mifuyu in another set of 7 short stories where they investigate various goings on and right various wrongs outside the justice system.
As with the first volume, it's worth noting that these stories were originally published in the 1970s when 60 year old men having a 20 year old wife was not unacceptable. In C21 west, this would be far more likely to raise eyebrows.
A light read for a couple of evenings and the translator's preface does a good job of introducing 1770s Japan so that the stories themselves are not bogged down with explanatory footnotes/references.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As with the first volume, it's worth noting that these stories were originally published in the 1970s when 60 year old men having a 20 year old wife was not unacceptable. In C21 west, this would be far more likely to raise eyebrows.
A light read for a couple of evenings and the translator's preface does a good job of introducing 1770s Japan so that the stories themselves are not bogged down with explanatory footnotes/references.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The second book of The Samurai Detectives. It's a direct continuation from the first book.
Here we have 7 short stories of the samurai world. Again we follow Kohei, his son Daijori and his newly wedded wife Oharu who investigate deaths, murders and mysterious happenings in Edo, Japan.
Each story is unique, and this time easy to follow compared to the first book. Although there are still many characters, each of the stories have fewer characters to follow and they become quite enjoyable to understand.
Love the second book! Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for this ARC!
Here we have 7 short stories of the samurai world. Again we follow Kohei, his son Daijori and his newly wedded wife Oharu who investigate deaths, murders and mysterious happenings in Edo, Japan.
Each story is unique, and this time easy to follow compared to the first book. Although there are still many characters, each of the stories have fewer characters to follow and they become quite enjoyable to understand.
Love the second book! Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“‘Never mind, dear. How about we drink tonight, just you and me? It’s been a while. And let’s get thoroughly drunk.’ ‘Oh! Finally. You just smiled for the first time in four days, sensei.’”
I want to start by thanking NetGalley, Shotaro Ikenami, and Penguin General for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Killer on the Streets (Samurai Detectives: Volume 2) will be out February 26, 2026!
Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, this was filled with an encouraging good humored nature and really thrives off of its main character Akiyama Kohei, a detail oriented and well-liked samurai who in his retirement is drawn towards strange plots only he can unravel. Each chapter surrounds a different mystery that challenge honor, loyalty and justice.
This was a quick read for me with each mystery tying up quite neatly, with the third chapter being the most satisfying story to me. I found it to be a fun, non-challenging read and definitely something I would recommend to readers who want something a bit familiar in terms of structure yet informing, especially for readers not familiar but interested in dipping their toes into a Japanese historical fiction.
I want to start by thanking NetGalley, Shotaro Ikenami, and Penguin General for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Killer on the Streets (Samurai Detectives: Volume 2) will be out February 26, 2026!
Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, this was filled with an encouraging good humored nature and really thrives off of its main character Akiyama Kohei, a detail oriented and well-liked samurai who in his retirement is drawn towards strange plots only he can unravel. Each chapter surrounds a different mystery that challenge honor, loyalty and justice.
This was a quick read for me with each mystery tying up quite neatly, with the third chapter being the most satisfying story to me. I found it to be a fun, non-challenging read and definitely something I would recommend to readers who want something a bit familiar in terms of structure yet informing, especially for readers not familiar but interested in dipping their toes into a Japanese historical fiction.
February 21, 2026
Finished in three days. Less enjoyable than the first one because Kohei is a bit too OP so there’s the expectation of victory to every fight. There are definitely scenes that caught me off guard (in the bestest way). Can’t wait for Volume 3!
March 4, 2026
A very good opening to the story with characters that are well devised and interesting to follow. The scenes are very descriptive, making it feel as though you are really there as the events unfold. The atmosphere and detail help bring the mystery to life, making it an engaging read from the start.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews