The Fires of the Gods

Sugawara Akitada #8

by I.J. Parker

THE FIRES OF THE GODSThe capital is plagued by unexplained fires, and panic threatens to break out, but Akitada has his own problems to worry about. His ailing wife expects a child and he loses his job to a political appointee. When he tries to confront the nobleman who is responsible for his dismissal, he ends up suspected of his murder. With no income and a growing family to support, Akitada desperately plunges into the investigation of this crime and a search for a missing youth, while Tora tracks a gang of young arsonists. These seemingly unrelated cases converge, and before Akitada can uncover the sinister plot behind the fires, he almost loses his own life and those of his wife and newborn child.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Japan, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Mystery Thriller

427 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2010

Reviews

[TXGAL1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Akitada Mysteries series, by I J Parker, follow Lord Sugawara Akitada through his many detective adventures in 11th century Japan.

THE FIRES OF THE GODS is the 8th in the series and I have loved every one from the beginning to the 8th. I have learned a lot of information about Japan and the 11th century way of life of its people from each adventure in such an entertaining way. But, one nice addition is the “Historical Note” that follows at the end of each book. Each “Note” goes into further detail about different historical aspects found within the story that it follows.

Fun reading for historical fiction and detective mystery lovers.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I am glad that I am reading this series in order (more or less) as the development of the relationships between Akitada and his wife and servitors is a part of the fun in these mysteries. Parker does an excellent job of balancing the case with the personal life. While I generally don't care for hearing about detectives' problems, Akitada's problems are so different (being due to the politics and structure of 11th century Japan) that they don't bug me.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 8, in the Sugawara Akitada series

This 8th installment continues Akitada saga finding our honorable sleuth once more in trouble.

My views:

I have been following Ms. Parker for years and especially fond of the Akitada series. His sagas have remained fresh throughout the years and always had a wonderful and strong theme. This time the mystery looks into the abuse of power and the incompetence of people at the top, the dark side of the underclass and the characters that enrich themselves on others misfortunes. The author is a master in blending action into a lush tapestry of ancient Japanese society and elegantly writes without mixing any melodrama into her drama. Akitada is a colorful protagonist and is joined by a large cast of intriguing characters that are as deeply bound to tradition as he is. Her style is very sophisticated and ideas so prolific it seems to never run out of steam. I still have to catch up on this series and looking forward in doing so.

[Wallaby Wharton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy I.J. Parker's writing style. You can tell how much care she takes studying everything about this historical period from her descriptions of clothing, food, and political climate. The characters behave and think as they might given the culture and beliefs at that time. She is able to set a tone and create sensory descriptions without going overboard. As the series progresses, I'm appreciating that the author is getting better at writing mysteries that develop more twists and become more complex with little clues tying them all together towards the end. All the while you can empathize with what each of the characters is going through emotionally but the language itself isn't flowery. I gave it 5 stars but I'm invested in the Akitada family at this point so I'm biased.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page turner from Parker. Lots of action in this one. Tora gets beat up twice as well as Akitada being imprisoned by a gang of thieves in an underground hole/storm drain. Disparate events come together as they always seem to do in this series. Akitada goes through another roller coaster of emotion in this book as his professional reputation is under attack by shady political dealings. His wife is pregnant. He is worried about losing everything that is dear to him. It might be the 11th Century but Akitada is a character who resonates for all times, a man of honor and integrity but also a man who has known hardship, adversity, and tragedy and continually strives to do the best for himself and his family.

[Vanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hvězdička navíc za staré Japonsko. Já mám Sugavarovy případy ráda, zaplnily mi prázdnotu po soudci Ti. Na rozdíl od neblahého Lenormanda však Parkerová celou věc zaonačila vkusně a s citem - zvolila si velmi odlišnou postavu mladého Sugavary Akitady, státního úředníka z Japonska doby Heian, vybavila ho odlišnou povahou i životními osudy, nicméně gró zústává podivuhodně Ti-ovské. Jsem jí vděčná, občas ten odpočinek v japonské zahradě jejích příběhů skutečně potřebuji.

[Victoria Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a great fan of the Akitada series. The books are well researched and paint a vivid picture of 11th century Japan. All books centre around a murder mystery or two, but if you are anything like me, then it is the character development over the series of books that will keep you looking out for the next release. Highly recommended

[George D. Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue in the Capital ranged from widespread fires and political shuffling to a corrupt nobility that dislodges Akitada and injures Tota mightily. Author Parker carries us through another epoch in Japan's long history with style and an eagerness to see what's next for Sugiwara and Kobe. Very engaging and artful.

[valorie hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

As with all her books she weaves,subplots effortlessly throughout this story. All her books could stand alone but I highly recommend reading them in order.

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

TBA

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story of 11th century Japan. Akitada is at it again, charging in before he thinks, but that makes for an interesting plot. However, the tangents went off everywhere, for pages.

[Jim Mather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm presently at book 12 and have enjoyed the entire Akitada Mystery series so far.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one as much as the other Akitada books I've read. I decided to "ration" the last two that I owned -- this one and Death on an Autumn River -- and I'm glad I did. It was lovely to revisit Akitada and the rest of the Sugawara household.

The mystery itself is "typical" Akitada -- there are two interwoven mysteries that are seemingly unrelated, and which involve people (perpetrators and victims) at opposite ends of the social class spectrum in 11th century Japan. I enjoyed the interplay between the two cases and some of the coincidental, and not-so-coincidental, intersections between the two.

Akitada, as usual, is a principled and basically kindly man, but with his faults, ones that he recognizes and tries, with varying degrees of success, to mitigate. His household is composed of a number of distinct characters, though some of them, we got to know better in earlier books, and so are not drawn in as much detail here.

I have read all of the Sugawara Akitada Kindle novels (with the exception of Death on an Autumn River, which I'm waiting to enjoy in a few months) that are priced at $7 or less (I did pick up a few for free, and that got me hooked). Unfortunately, paying $52 to pick up the four novels I don't own is just out of my Kindle budget. They remain on my wish list! Maybe I'll eventually break down and buy a couple of them, or maybe I'll get them from friends looking to buy me something special. :-)

I'm going to begin the Hollow Reed series soon, and I'm looking forward to it!

[Lau · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few things that bothered me when reading this book in the series - I have the edition from Parker Press/ Create Space - most of them were typos and evidence of poor proof reading.

The biggest, however, was Akitada being unable to remember the name of his accuser following the confrontation with his Fujiwara superior and discussing his visit to the Kiyowara household with Kobe soon afterward. The transition was jarring and made it difficult for me to settle into the book.

I reread the first section of Fires two or three times, but could not find any mention of Akitada going to confront Kiyowara. Was there a continuity error? Did something get cut by accident? Pagination seemed solidly sequential (will check again) and I doubt the scene would have taken an entire signature that was omitted.

Did anyone else with this edition notice the same problem?

All issues aside, I ultimately found the book engaging and difficult to put down. I have gotten quite fond of all the major characters.

I find the setting well presented. I am especially interested in the fact the Parker includes the Buddhism / Shintoism dichotomy in the novels. Akitada leans toward kami no michi traditions, scoffs at Tora's superstitions and reluctantly acknowledges Buddhist beliefs so perfectly.

Parker's exploration of the human condition, the period class structure and social mores adds depth to the Akitada novels. As a modern reader I am sometimes frustrated by Akitada's inability to communicate sensibly with Tamako (although he may have overcome that!) but I can understand the cultural constrains behind his behavior.

Looking forward to the next novel.

[Quasimode · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Warning: Semi-spoilers ahead...]

After a lackluster "Convict's Sword" and the somber "Matsuda Affair," I.J. Parker's eighth Sugawara Akitada mystery "The Fires of the Gods" marks a return to the form that made Parker's "Rashomon Gate," "Black Arrow," "Island of Exiles" and "Hell Screen" such stunning reads. Once again I plunged into an immersive world of cinematic detail - an adventure as palpable as if I were standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the principle characters, smelling the smoke, feeling the muggy summer heat, and hearing the spatter of cloudbursts on dusty alleyways.

Parker weaves an excellent plot out of discrete, seemingly disconnected events - each an irresistible story in itself, fraught with palpable danger, political machinations, shadowy intrigue, and decided on issues of honor and integrity rather than arbitrary chance - then draws them together in a heady, climactic whole. Her thematic commentary on the evils of the Heian-era's feudal caste system is subtle, but all the more powerful for that subtlety.

Just an excellent read that's got me looking forward to number nine (I got seriously behind in my reading thanks to a busy schedule over the last year, but having a backlog of books to read has become a situation I can be enthusiastic about.) If you love historical fiction and have only now discovered Parker's world, you've just hit the jackpot.

[Viccy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In eleventh century Japan, Sugawara Akitada is a senior clerk in the Department of Ministry. One day he is called into his superior's office and informed he is being demoted and replaced by a less able junior clerk, who has better political connections than Akitada. He is furious and says things that he should not and ends up being placed on leave. He heads out to confront his accuser and ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time; Kiyowara Kane is murdered and Akitada is a suspect. His friend, Kobe, has to treat him as a suspect, even when Akitada is hired by the victim's wife to discover the truth of the murder. Meanwhile, Akitada's wife, Tamaka, is pregnant and suffering in the terrible heat of August in Heian-Kyo, the capitol of ancient Japan. Fires are rampant in the city and Akitada believes they are being set by gangs to coerce money from merchants. How can he prove his innocence and find out who is setting the fires? And, can he do it without getting himself fired and his house burned in retaliation? Another excellent entry in this series that never fails to entertain and educate the reader about life in ancient Japan.

[Jean V. Naggar Literary · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Parker raises the stakes considerably for her fallible but honorable series sleuth in her excellent eighth mystery...Parker masterfully blends action and detection while making the attitudes and customs of the period accessible.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This is another sharply written, imaginative entry in the Akitada series. Parker...is adept at blending historical fact and fiction and at giving the reader an education in Japanese history and culture without making a big deal about it.” --Booklist

“A brisk and well-plotted mystery with a cast of regulars who become more fully developed with every episode.” --Kirkus Reviews

“An excellent depiction of the actual power and scheming behind the Fujiwara clan...Parker continues to be a master of the multilayered plot...High quality mystery elements...A fine novel guaranteed to satisfy all who love great mysteries and historical fiction about Japan!” --Historical Novels Review

“You couldn't ask for a more gracious introduction to the exotic world of Imperial Japan than the stately historical novels of I.J. Parker.” --New York Times Book Review, on the Sugawara Akitada series

[Margaret Dilloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically, Sherlock Holmes set in 11th century Japan. Actually, I like it better than Sherlock Holmes; there's more emotional weight with the characters. Sugawara Akitada is getting ready for the birth of his second child, coming some years after his precious only son died, which nearly destroyed his relationship with his wife.

While this is going on, Akitada suddenly gets fired from his job. When he goes to the Lord's house to ask what happened, the Lord turns up dead and Akitada is blamed.

I didn't know what to expect from the book, but I enjoyed it very much. Somehow I started with the last book in the series instead of the first, and now I'm reading #7 (which is even better!). The characters and plot are unusual; they don't always do what I expect them to do, particularly Akitada's sidekick, Tora.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ministry of justice senior secretary Sugawara Akitada is already on edge with the impending birth of his second child, having lost his firstborn to illness, when he receives devastating professional news. As a result of interference by controller Kiyowara Kane, Akitada has been demoted to junior secretary, with his incompetent subordinate promoted to his old position. The outraged Akitada seeks an interview with Kane, only to be left waiting in the antechamber without getting an explanation for the slander campaign against him. To make matters worse, he soon comes under suspicion of murder, and he must disobey his superiors to solve the crime himself and clear his name. Parker masterfully blends action and detection while making the attitudes and customs of the period accessible. (Apr.)

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most recent (and my third) in the Akitada series. I admit I've lost my objectivity. I've come to like this character and now recognize him and the cast as friends. This story is similar to the other, but frankly originality is not what I expect from the series about 8th century japan where everything is about noble rank, legitimate and illegitimate heirs and the crushing weight of honor.

Here, Akitada finally gets over the death of his son through the birth of a new daughter. Along the way he solves the case of a deaf mute criminal gang and rapist of high rank and villainous politicians. His house is set afire and his job is threatened before, righting the ship.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I cannot stop from reading these stories. I.J. Parker's Akitada detective stories are the best. On par for me with Jason Goodwin's Inspector Yashim. As much as I love the Inspector Yashim stories, the Akitada stories keep me on the edge all throughout the book - even though I know Akitada will prevail again, somehow the way Parker writes makes one think all options are on the table. All my respect for this author and her talent.

[Joe Slavinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good novel of 11th century Japan, by Ms. Parker. Even though the characters are fictitious, Parker immerses them in the era so well, that you feel you are right there. Her characters are engagingly human, with excellent plotting, and a surprisingly quick pace, for an historical fiction novel. It'll be interesting to see what challenges await Akitada, and family, in the next book, in this series.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better in the series, although they are all quite consistently good. I was tempted to give it 4 stars, if for no other reason than all the rest have been 3, and I've certainly received 4 stars of pleasure from the series as a whole. The author is becoming increasingly adept at pulling off a multi-threaded plot and even blending some of them.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great I.J. Parker mystery novel set in historic Japan. I last read an Akitada mystery almost 2 years ago and I was very happy to be back in his world. Fast-paced, mystery that will hold your attention and introduce you to 11th century Japan. I highly recommend the book to readers of historical mysteries.

I just finished my second reading of this novel and found it enjoyable.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting Akitada mystery served with danger for Akitada, Tora, and the household. I find these books to be very entertaining, historically accurate, and the characters are very well drawn and ones you can feel sympathy for. The writing is elegant, descriptive - I can see the wisteria tree in the garden, it is so very well done. I will continue reading these books.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are familiar with the series it is a nice return to the format of the original books. Still well written mystery with all the characterization and historical reference that make this an enjoyable read.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery that also makes you appreciate what you have. I enjoyed following the mystery and determining the culprit but even more I enjoyed Akitada's family life and comparing it to my own. Appreciate what you have, you never know when it might be taken away.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. A quick easy read mystery with a great plot that twists and turns. The characters are strong and realistic. In addition to the mysteries, is the great presentation of the culture and life styles of the Japanese in the 11th century. A truly enjoyable book.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plotted, formulaic, short jerky chapters that bounce between major chsracter perspectives but fail to interlock or end at cliff edges. Characters are two dimensional. Scenes don't allow time to create any mood. No historical setting that hasn't been covered in earlier books.

[Amanda Goodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it 3.5 stars. I see that it is a series, and yet is stands alone well enough without the background of the previous books in the series. It was a fun fast read, and I would be interested in reading some of the others in the series to see if they are as good.