A Sort of Samurai

Tetsuo Otani #3

by James Melville

Superintendent Otani of the Hyogo Police investigates the murder of a Westerner during a Japanese holiday earthquake and uncovers a plot involving international gunrunning and blackmail

Genres: Mystery, Japan

191 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Roy Peter Martin is an English author who has written under the pseudonyms James Melville and Hampton Charles.

James Melville was born in London in 1931 and educated in North London. He read philosophy at Birkbeck College before being conscripted into the RAF, then took up school-teaching and adult education. Most of his subsequent career has been spent overseas in cultural diplomacy and educational development, and it was in this capacity that he came to know, love, and write about Japan and the Japanese. His Superintendent Otani crime novels combines superb story-telling with a fascinating insight into modern Japanese life. He has also written an historical novel set in Japan, The Imperial Way.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Superintendent Otani for two decades, this 1982 story reading smoothly but is more interesting for the insights into Japanese culture and life than the mystery. An earthquake strikes Osaka and a German importer is discovered murdered. Inspectors Kimura and Noguchi and constable Migishima help uncover a murky tangle of crime and complex relationships. There’s one underwhelming twist and a dog incident was very tawdry but the investigation rolls along and the police and Otani’s family are realistic

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent police series set in Japan around the 1970s to 80s. The plot evolves slowly, but not too slowly, triggered by an earthquake.
A German businessman is found dead in his office attached to his firm's warehouse. It looks like a heart attack resulting from the earthquake; the dead man did have a dicky heart. Superintendent Otani suspects the death wasn't natural which is proven by the autopsy.

[Felipe Azank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Livro escrito por um britânico diplomata que acabou se apaixonando pelo Japão. O livro descreve muitas coisas sobre a cultura japonesa e seus costumes. Definitivamente aprendi coisas novas sobre o Japão

Contudo, a narrativa em si foi um pouco fraca, não me prendeu muito, creio que o autor acabou se perdendo um pouco na descrição dos costumes e do ambiente que se passa o mistério. O plot da investigação em si não são nem 5 dos 20 capítulos.

[Karen Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dog was an unexpected bit.

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, it is by a white guy, but he seems to have true respect and deep understanding of Japanese character. The best part is the character development of the three main detectives: Superintendent Tesuo Otani, a quiet, reflective and intuitive man; Ninja, a thug-like detective, comfortable in the underworld and ready to break the rules, and Kimura a ladies man, comfortable with foreign women. All three are complex and likable, and it is refreshing to have realistic human’s to relate too. The backdrop of the book, the Kobe earthquake, with scientists predicting the event by watching carp, is riveting and eye opening. The basic mystery is a dead German business man who is not what he seems, pedophile? arms dealer, and his wife, or is it his secretary who Kimura likes. Otani’s mentor is in the background, as is his illegitimate son who is a Kabuki puppeteer. The intricacy of Japanese social norms, beauty and honor are well represented. My only quarrel is how fast all the mysteries were tied up in the last chapter. But a good read.

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of his books, although the attention to Japanese social mores is fascinating. It's interesting to see how different cultures view what's polite and what isn't. I also like how Otani, Kimura, and Noguchi are all becoming fuller characters, mostly by the things they do that aren't strictly by the book.

A German businessman is found dead after an earthquake, and only a hunch by Otani prevents it from being considered due to a long expected heart attack. Noguchi's understanding of the gangs and underworld, Kimura's skills with foreigners and women, all tie in to solve the mystery, which ends in a most Japanese manner. Death before dishonor?

Definitely didn't care for a bit about the dog.

[Tommyb]

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