The Bogus Buddha

Tetsuo Otani #12

by James Melville

Superintendent Otani is on the trail of the murderer of a prominent professor at the temple of Araku-in when he runs into a deadly crime group in Kobe

Genres: Mystery, Japan, Crime

180 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 1990

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

[Anne Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is unfortunate: the Buddha in question does not really come into the story until about 3/4 of the way through. A better title might have been "Summer School" or "What's in a name?", the former referring to the site/institution where most of the action takes place; the latter to the treasure found in the last 2 pages and what it represents.

This engaging book is the third Inspector Otani book that I have read (completely out of order-- no matter). The characters are nicely drawn, the sites and Japanese ethnography fascinating to any generalist as well as to a feather-weight anthropologist. The reader DOES get a sense of being in a different cultural situation, and of the way contemporary Japanese culture shapes professional relationships. I could have used more, but that might have gotten in the way of the story.

The story line is amusing, fun to follow. I'm definitely ready for more!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved spending time in my beloved Kobe and in Sasayama, Rokko; "Who could possibly know what treasures lay below the streets of late twentieth-century Kobe?" I like how Melville's English seems Japanese … I was transported and got quite involved in the many characters, all sharply drawn, and the intrigues that crossed many lives and areas (even Osaka!). Look forward to some more Superintendent Otani!

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced story investigating the death of an archeology professor and of a gangster. They seem unrelated until Otani's team connects the dots. As always, the human side of the story is more interesting. Otani's sister-in-law is very involved. Kimura falls in love (again). Ninja's background is revealed a bit more, and Hara unbends a lot.

[Karen Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otani's lt Hara who's married wants to have an affair with Otani's SIL

[4cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good japanese crime, when a death occurs at an international summer school, Detective Otani and his team investigate.

[Irene B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oldie but goodie. A little strangely unethical. Still a fun read.

[Hildy Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grade: C-

Very slow. Vaguely interesting mystery. Mostly however, it was completely forgettable... I read the book a month ago and am having a hard time remembering enough of it to rate it!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, quick, easy read.