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Sano Ichiro #15
Японски загадки: Айджин
Япония, Едо, февруари 1703 г.
В една снежна и мразовита нощ група от четиридесет и седем самураи стремително нахлува в японската столица. Въоръжени с по няколко меча, лъкове и копия, маскирани зад шапки и шалове, самураите имат ясна цел пред себе си – трябва да бъде убит Кира Йошинака, церемониал-майсторът в двореца.
Сано Ичиро, сосакан сама на шогуна – неговият най-почитаем следовател на събития, ситуации и хора – е призован отново. Той ще се впусне в едно ново преследване, корените на което се крият в древна легенда за героичния подвиг или подлото предателство на четиридесет и седем ронини и техния господар. Легенда, известна в Япония, като “Любовницата на ронина”.
В една снежна и мразовита нощ група от четиридесет и седем самураи стремително нахлува в японската столица. Въоръжени с по няколко меча, лъкове и копия, маскирани зад шапки и шалове, самураите имат ясна цел пред себе си – трябва да бъде убит Кира Йошинака, церемониал-майсторът в двореца.
Сано Ичиро, сосакан сама на шогуна – неговият най-почитаем следовател на събития, ситуации и хора – е призован отново. Той ще се впусне в едно ново преследване, корените на което се крият в древна легенда за героичния подвиг или подлото предателство на четиридесет и седем ронини и техния господар. Легенда, известна в Япония, като “Любовницата на ронина”.
460 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
28 people are currently reading
749 people want to read
About the author
Laura Joh Rowland
73 books1,291 followersGranddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants, Laura Joh Rowland grew up in Michigan and where she graduated with a B.S. in microbiology and a Master of Public Health at the University of Michigan. She currently lives in New Orleans with her husband. She has worked as a chemist, microbiologist, sanitary inspector and quality engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 3, 2013
Longtime readers of the series should find this another satisfying installment to the story. The usual trappings are here: an intriguing murder, the malevolent machinations of übervillain Yanagisawa, the threat to Sano of the destruction of his family/way of life, all told with the usual fast-paced plotting in a well-constructed, immersive world. The story, which revolves around the historical and legendary story of the forty-seven ronin, adds another welcome air of reality to the story. Fifteen books into this series and I'm still a loyal reader.
My continuing quibble with the series is Hirata and the involvement of the mystical, magical martial arts. I repeatedly ask why Rowland takes such care to craft an immersive, realistic, and believable world in detail, plot, motives, and explanation, only to muck it up with supernatural and fantastical elements that belong in another sort of book entirely. She has Hirata following auras to conveniently catch a perpetrator. In the middle of the climax when his character is left on the sidelines, she pushes him into the fray with the line: "Mystical power radiated from him like a halo of shimmering heat." It's an annoyance that almost made my eyes roll. It adds so little to the series and detracts too much from the meticulously constructed reality she's created. And now that a League of Extraordinary Martial Artists have become part of the plot line, I don't see an end it. As long as these touches are kept to a believable minimum and mystery's resolution doesn't hinge on the supernatural (like the maddeningly awful "The Snow Empress", still a regrettable and completely skippable addition to the series) I'll keep reading.
My continuing quibble with the series is Hirata and the involvement of the mystical, magical martial arts. I repeatedly ask why Rowland takes such care to craft an immersive, realistic, and believable world in detail, plot, motives, and explanation, only to muck it up with supernatural and fantastical elements that belong in another sort of book entirely. She has Hirata following auras to conveniently catch a perpetrator. In the middle of the climax when his character is left on the sidelines, she pushes him into the fray with the line: "Mystical power radiated from him like a halo of shimmering heat." It's an annoyance that almost made my eyes roll. It adds so little to the series and detracts too much from the meticulously constructed reality she's created. And now that a League of Extraordinary Martial Artists have become part of the plot line, I don't see an end it. As long as these touches are kept to a believable minimum and mystery's resolution doesn't hinge on the supernatural (like the maddeningly awful "The Snow Empress", still a regrettable and completely skippable addition to the series) I'll keep reading.
April 6, 2017
Number 15 in the series. A bit predictable in its ultimate result for the ronin, but still full of surprises. Overall, I thought it was a great retelling of the tale. This has been covered very often, and to come up with this take was very well done indeed. I never saw the Yoritomo event coming. Interesting to see how the "mistress" was both a very small figure in the story, but still had a pivotal role. Sano plays a very good, if straight, detective in this one. The Hirata thread was fascinating and worth noting more carefully in the next read of this book. Reiko has a very complex part in this story, perhaps more than in some of the earlier episodes. Well worth the read!
January 22, 2019
This is the second book in Rowland's Sano Ichirō series that I have read. (The first, The Cloud Pavilion, didn't make me a fan. I dislike mysteries where the crime is sexual assault. It somehow feels more voyeuristic to read those than murder mysteries, though I haven't analyzed my feelings on the subject.) It had been several years but I was able to remember the main characters and setting.
What worked for me:
The characters and relationships. Sano and his wife, Reiko, are a well-drawn couple. Reiko is quite modern in many ways in her concerns about poverty, women in distress, and desire to use her influence and means to make a positive difference. (In this way, she reminds me a bit of Hero Jarvis from C.S. Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr series.)
I also like Sano's relationship with Hirata and the growing tension between the two. I'm not sure where they have been or where they are going in their loyalties to each other. But this book shows the internal conflict in Hirata between his loyalty to Sano and the samurai code of honor, and his intriguing new relationship with a mysterious group of men and his own curiosity about the mystical martial arts. At some point he will have to choose between the two.
The bitter rivalry between Sano and his powerful enemy Yanagisawa is chilling. Though Sano is an honorable man, Yanagisawa is not, and he currently has the ear of the not-too-bright emperor.
The historical setting and political intrigues.
Rowland does an excellent job of setting the story in 18th century feudal Japan. I'm not familiar with the feudal system of Japan during this time period, but the author shows it such that I understood what was at stake, who the political figures were, etc. And let's face it, politics is the same everywhere, during every time period: people battling for power. The consequences may be higher in certain eras (such as in a corrupt totalitarian system, where a fall from favor means prison or execution) or lower (such as in a democracy, where falling out of favor means not being re-elected and--I hope, maybe naively?--rarely results in death). But there's always the corrupt, the back-stabbers, the striving-to-be honorable, the favor-seeking, the powerful-in-name-only and the powers behind them, and the political pawns. It doesn't really matter if it's 18th century Japan, 20th century Soviet Union, or 21st century America; the reader will recognize the rivalries and political schemes.
What doesn't work for me:
The theological worldview. I'm unsure how to describe what I mean. I noticed this in the previous Sano Ichirō book that I read, too. There's no possibility of redemption. No grace, no forgiveness. People hold onto grudges and bitterness for their entire lives. I see this particularly in Sano and Yanagisawa's hatred for each other. There's no possibility for forgiveness for a betrayal. There's no possibility that a villain could change and become a more honorable person. There's no pardon for breaching the samurai code of honor. Things like ritual suicide, duty to avenge another's death, etc., reflect that society's ideology. Despite the tenderness and loyalty in certain relationships, the lack of grace/redemption gives the book a distinctly hopeless feeling to me.
This is more about me as a western reader, deeply immersed in traditional Christian theology, than with Rowland as a writer. It reflects an entirely different worldview than I'm used to. It's good to be exposed to different cultural worldviews. But this one leaves me rather depressed. While I liked the book, I can't honestly give it 5 stars.
What worked for me:
The characters and relationships. Sano and his wife, Reiko, are a well-drawn couple. Reiko is quite modern in many ways in her concerns about poverty, women in distress, and desire to use her influence and means to make a positive difference. (In this way, she reminds me a bit of Hero Jarvis from C.S. Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr series.)
I also like Sano's relationship with Hirata and the growing tension between the two. I'm not sure where they have been or where they are going in their loyalties to each other. But this book shows the internal conflict in Hirata between his loyalty to Sano and the samurai code of honor, and his intriguing new relationship with a mysterious group of men and his own curiosity about the mystical martial arts. At some point he will have to choose between the two.
The bitter rivalry between Sano and his powerful enemy Yanagisawa is chilling. Though Sano is an honorable man, Yanagisawa is not, and he currently has the ear of the not-too-bright emperor.
The historical setting and political intrigues.
Rowland does an excellent job of setting the story in 18th century feudal Japan. I'm not familiar with the feudal system of Japan during this time period, but the author shows it such that I understood what was at stake, who the political figures were, etc. And let's face it, politics is the same everywhere, during every time period: people battling for power. The consequences may be higher in certain eras (such as in a corrupt totalitarian system, where a fall from favor means prison or execution) or lower (such as in a democracy, where falling out of favor means not being re-elected and--I hope, maybe naively?--rarely results in death). But there's always the corrupt, the back-stabbers, the striving-to-be honorable, the favor-seeking, the powerful-in-name-only and the powers behind them, and the political pawns. It doesn't really matter if it's 18th century Japan, 20th century Soviet Union, or 21st century America; the reader will recognize the rivalries and political schemes.
What doesn't work for me:
The theological worldview. I'm unsure how to describe what I mean. I noticed this in the previous Sano Ichirō book that I read, too. There's no possibility of redemption. No grace, no forgiveness. People hold onto grudges and bitterness for their entire lives. I see this particularly in Sano and Yanagisawa's hatred for each other. There's no possibility for forgiveness for a betrayal. There's no possibility that a villain could change and become a more honorable person. There's no pardon for breaching the samurai code of honor. Things like ritual suicide, duty to avenge another's death, etc., reflect that society's ideology. Despite the tenderness and loyalty in certain relationships, the lack of grace/redemption gives the book a distinctly hopeless feeling to me.
This is more about me as a western reader, deeply immersed in traditional Christian theology, than with Rowland as a writer. It reflects an entirely different worldview than I'm used to. It's good to be exposed to different cultural worldviews. But this one leaves me rather depressed. While I liked the book, I can't honestly give it 5 stars.
July 25, 2015
This gotta be the worst retelling of the Akō vendetta ever. (I hate the Akō vendetta story, but it’s neither here nor there.) So bad, it’s ALMOST epic. The writing goes like this: “The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day. The sun is a star at the centre of the Solar System.”
And still, nothing is ever explained. Why was Kira such a villain? Just because. Why did all the other samurai follow Oishi? Just because. Why doesn’t Lady Reiko care for the social hierarchy? Just becau… No, because otherwise the dumb readers wouldn’t be able to relate to her, or to her fab family. Gods forbid the readers actually had to imagine they were in a culture, time and place vastly different from their own – they only want to read about people who behave exactly like themselves, right? Right?
So Okaru is a lowly teahouse prostitute, but she travels with her own servant? The hell? And why is Oishi’s wife named Ukihashi – this is a name for a courtesan, not for a samurai woman! And it’s kotatsu, not kosatsu.
OK, that’s it. The cover is good and that's it. No. Wait. Guys! Tell you something. At the beginning of the book, the main character Sano (I hate this guy btw, he’s so good that he’s actually evil) is demoted to a some sort of regular detective. His main case is to find someone who daily shits (literally SHITS yo) around the Edo Castle grounds. He finds the criminal and what do you think he does? He drags him to the shōgun. The shōgun deals with the case and sentences the criminal to death. I shit you not. THE SHŌGUN. The ruler of all Japan.
If you believe that this series has anything to do with historical Japan, I have Nihonbashi Bridge to sell you.
And still, nothing is ever explained. Why was Kira such a villain? Just because. Why did all the other samurai follow Oishi? Just because. Why doesn’t Lady Reiko care for the social hierarchy? Just becau… No, because otherwise the dumb readers wouldn’t be able to relate to her, or to her fab family. Gods forbid the readers actually had to imagine they were in a culture, time and place vastly different from their own – they only want to read about people who behave exactly like themselves, right? Right?
So Okaru is a lowly teahouse prostitute, but she travels with her own servant? The hell? And why is Oishi’s wife named Ukihashi – this is a name for a courtesan, not for a samurai woman! And it’s kotatsu, not kosatsu.
OK, that’s it. The cover is good and that's it. No. Wait. Guys! Tell you something. At the beginning of the book, the main character Sano (I hate this guy btw, he’s so good that he’s actually evil) is demoted to a some sort of regular detective. His main case is to find someone who daily shits (literally SHITS yo) around the Edo Castle grounds. He finds the criminal and what do you think he does? He drags him to the shōgun. The shōgun deals with the case and sentences the criminal to death. I shit you not. THE SHŌGUN. The ruler of all Japan.
If you believe that this series has anything to do with historical Japan, I have Nihonbashi Bridge to sell you.
May 17, 2012
I really really enjoyed this case, there were books in this series that i read and thought i would be done with this and not come back but i always do,because even if the cases are not brilliant/interesting all the time, the setting and characters always are.
In this book the case IS interesting though so i enjoyed it even more.
The only thing that somehow got old a bit is how Sano ALWAYS has to be worried about how the case might end his career because Yanagisawa is ALWAYS trying to bring him down and finds a way to have the Shogun on his side. At one point i would have liked a different 'enemy' for Sano to make things a bit more interesting/different.
(This was also one of the first books that i read on my new kindle, yay)
In this book the case IS interesting though so i enjoyed it even more.
The only thing that somehow got old a bit is how Sano ALWAYS has to be worried about how the case might end his career because Yanagisawa is ALWAYS trying to bring him down and finds a way to have the Shogun on his side. At one point i would have liked a different 'enemy' for Sano to make things a bit more interesting/different.
(This was also one of the first books that i read on my new kindle, yay)
May 14, 2013
Laura Joh Rowland delivers yet another excellent book in the Sano Ichiro series. This time she uses the story of the 47 Ronin as the basis for this book - adding her own little twists and turns - and the results are wonderful.
She has grown tremendously as a writer from her earlier work, and both Sano, and in particular, Reiko, have both become solid characters. Of course, Yanagisawa and his son Yoritomo, are still around wreaking havoc in Sano's life.
But, the character who is starting to become very interesting, is Sano's assistant, Hirata. I'm looking forward to seeing what develops with Hirata, as his storyline may become more interesting than the main one! Fans of feudal Japan fiction will not be disappointed.
She has grown tremendously as a writer from her earlier work, and both Sano, and in particular, Reiko, have both become solid characters. Of course, Yanagisawa and his son Yoritomo, are still around wreaking havoc in Sano's life.
But, the character who is starting to become very interesting, is Sano's assistant, Hirata. I'm looking forward to seeing what develops with Hirata, as his storyline may become more interesting than the main one! Fans of feudal Japan fiction will not be disappointed.
November 18, 2014
I did not finish this book. I gave up on page 53. I find Rowland's bloated, repetitive narrative style annoying. She doesn't trust her reader to understand the world she's recreating, so she overexplains everything. I wanted to get out my blue pencil (or my thinning shears) and rip out 100 pages. The woo-hoo aspect I also found distressing.
May 4, 2021
I love this Sano Ichiro series even though I have read many of them out of order. One day I would like to read them all again, this time in order!
Just reread the series...so much tension in this book! What a story! I'm still waiting for the movie versions of this series.
Just reread the series...so much tension in this book! What a story! I'm still waiting for the movie versions of this series.
April 21, 2019
To be fair I came into this series at book 15 so I probably missed a lot of the character development from previous books as well as back story. However despite that I had a few issues.
1) while the writing is good, Rowland does tend to explain why a character is doing something like "Sano saw Yanagisawa getting ready to head more trouble on him" explaining why he spoke up in response to his known enemy basically announcing his intentions.
2) I love the idea of a feudal detective investigating the 47 ronin but Rowland had to take it that extra step and have mystical martial arts masters. Interesting but I wasn't expecting supernatural elements here and it feels disjointed.
3) again its book 15 which while readable as a stand alone I'm missing some things.
4) my biggest issue is "kosatsu" instead of "kotatsu" which happens more than once which indicates its not just a typo. Also that the characters are sitting at a heated signboard instead of the more well known heated table.
5) finally I may be biased because of other renditions of 47 ronin but I don't like Asano being a whiny weak idiot and the shogun being a contradictory whiney stupid but sometimes intelligent puppet.
So its not terrible and I do enjoy feudal japan stories but this just didn't click for me but that may just be because its 15th in the series.
1) while the writing is good, Rowland does tend to explain why a character is doing something like "Sano saw Yanagisawa getting ready to head more trouble on him" explaining why he spoke up in response to his known enemy basically announcing his intentions.
2) I love the idea of a feudal detective investigating the 47 ronin but Rowland had to take it that extra step and have mystical martial arts masters. Interesting but I wasn't expecting supernatural elements here and it feels disjointed.
3) again its book 15 which while readable as a stand alone I'm missing some things.
4) my biggest issue is "kosatsu" instead of "kotatsu" which happens more than once which indicates its not just a typo. Also that the characters are sitting at a heated signboard instead of the more well known heated table.
5) finally I may be biased because of other renditions of 47 ronin but I don't like Asano being a whiny weak idiot and the shogun being a contradictory whiney stupid but sometimes intelligent puppet.
So its not terrible and I do enjoy feudal japan stories but this just didn't click for me but that may just be because its 15th in the series.
May 11, 2021
It took a while to get into this book. Hirata’s story didn’t appeal to me and didn’t fit with the rest of the story, and I’m getting really tired of conflict between Sano and Yanagisawa. How many times does Yanagisawa glare in hatred at Sano? We’ve known for 14 books they hate each other, and it’s getting old.
But I really liked the use of various storytellers filling in the past, and trying to figure out who’s telling the truth. The more I read, the more involved I got. I ended reading the last 100 pages in one day. It helped that the end brought a major change in the Yanagisawa story and that the Hirata story sets up issues for the future that could completely change his relationship with Sano.
I read two Sano books in a row, so I think I’ll take a break, but I’m looking forward to the last three books.
But I really liked the use of various storytellers filling in the past, and trying to figure out who’s telling the truth. The more I read, the more involved I got. I ended reading the last 100 pages in one day. It helped that the end brought a major change in the Yanagisawa story and that the Hirata story sets up issues for the future that could completely change his relationship with Sano.
I read two Sano books in a row, so I think I’ll take a break, but I’m looking forward to the last three books.
January 22, 2025
Has anyone out there finished this series and moved on to the author's Victorian mystery series? I'm just wondering if she's as sex obsessed in those novels as she is in these.
Fifteen books into this series and the author would have you believe that every crime that takes place in 18th century Japan has to do with sex.
Sano is suppose to be our leading man but he's taking more of a backseat in novels fourteen and fifteen. Reiko and Masahiro (and all his 11 year old hormones) do most of the work with this mystery. And it's not for the better.
I will admit to having little to no knowledge of the 47 ronin story going into this book. I'm not sure that any knowledge one way or the other would have influenced how I felt at the end.
I'm determined to finish this series.
Fifteen books into this series and the author would have you believe that every crime that takes place in 18th century Japan has to do with sex.
Sano is suppose to be our leading man but he's taking more of a backseat in novels fourteen and fifteen. Reiko and Masahiro (and all his 11 year old hormones) do most of the work with this mystery. And it's not for the better.
I will admit to having little to no knowledge of the 47 ronin story going into this book. I'm not sure that any knowledge one way or the other would have influenced how I felt at the end.
I'm determined to finish this series.
February 22, 2022
The Shogun's master of ceremonies is murdered. Forty seven former samurai (ronin) are under investigation. Two years previously and another murder, has been avenged, but why so much time and how are the ronin to be judged? Sano and his wife are on the case but the outcome may well mean his exile. Under threat of ritual suicide the ronin await the verdict of fourteen judges. Based on a historical legend from Japan in 1703
April 22, 2023
This was sat on my shelf for a very long time... so much so that I started feeling guilty and then, at last, decided I should read it. I used to read and enjoy Rowland's Sano Ichiro books (despite the cliches), but then she introduce a "superman" element that reminded me of those over-rated Chinese films like "Leaping Tiger" or whatever and it just turned me off.
This should have been an enjoyable read (and it was an interesting story) but it's so naively written...
It should have gone to the charity shop a long time ago.
This should have been an enjoyable read (and it was an interesting story) but it's so naively written...
It should have gone to the charity shop a long time ago.
January 10, 2020
I'm so glad I found this series so many years ago--and that there are new books in the series to enjoy. Rowland never fails to deliver a powerful story with well drawn characters and attention to detail. From the first book in the series to this one, the author puts the reader in the time and place and stays true to both while weaving a compelling story. Bravo!
July 9, 2025
Some of the more recent entries in the series were just okay to me. I found myself much more interested in the political drama of Edo than the mystery-of-the-week. In the Ronin's Mistress, it feels like the mystery-of-the-week and the political drama are bound together. I'm excited to see how the final three books wrap up the story.
December 12, 2018
Decent.
I've read all the books so far and I love them. This one just moved more slowly for me compared to the other books. It wasn't bad and had its reasons for the storyline to connect and continue, but it wasn't my favorite either. So 4 1/2 stars. :) #LoveThisSeries
I've read all the books so far and I love them. This one just moved more slowly for me compared to the other books. It wasn't bad and had its reasons for the storyline to connect and continue, but it wasn't my favorite either. So 4 1/2 stars. :) #LoveThisSeries
August 8, 2018
Her interpretation of the 47 ronin is excellent! I had to read certain pages several times just to remember who the characters were.
November 28, 2019
This was a touching and interesting retailing of the tale of the 47 ronin.
August 30, 2021
A captivating peek into the inner workings of feudal Japan. The story of the 47 Ronin told in a more modern style full of drama, intrigue and action.
April 17, 2023
Another excellent, interesting mystery.
September 11, 2022
"She was blunt and outspoken, a trait common in old women. A privilege of age."
-The Ronin's Mistress
-The Ronin's Mistress
September 24, 2011
Laura Joh Rowland writes historical fiction right. She's chosen a place and an era, Japan in 1703, and seems to know it as well as you and I know 2011, from fur-lined kimonos to ritual suicide. The Ronin's Mistress is also page-turning suspense: Rowland's hero, the detective and former court chamberlain, Sano, must get to the heart of a bloody vendetta that left the court's master of etiquette decapitated.
Sano's nemesis, the deadly and corrupt Yanagisawa, is now chamberlain and is angling to get Sano exiled, with Sano's family left behind at Edo Castle as hostages guaranteeing Sano's good behavior. If Sano doesn't find a satisfactory way for the shogun to deal with the vendetta, either punishing or freeing the forty-seven former samurai who beheaded the old man, Sano will lose his family. But there's no way to conclude the business satisfactorily! From peasant to nobility, people are split on whether the former samurai (now masterless ronin) should be lauded for avenging their master's honor with their vendetta or should be executed like common criminals.
Sano's wife, Reiko, is nearly as busy investigating as he is, and Sano's henchman, the powerful Hirata (who many books ago, we're told, saved Sano's life at nearly the cost of his own), is also busy - but not always with the project at hand. Hirata is the martial arts champion of Japan, with the ability to see auras, but he is being hunted by someone even more powerful than he is.
In the meantime, will Sano's son become the next plaything of the nasty old shogun? Sano's son, meanwhile, is desperately intrigued by the ronin's young and beautiful mistres. He's staying as far from the shogun as he can.
All these characters feel nuanced and absolutely real. Add that to the tension-filled plot and colorful, exotic world, and you've got great historical fiction.
I'd never read any of the books in Rowland's Sano Ichiro series, but enjoyed finding myself in the midst of her courtly world, so deeply and vividly imagined. I also, however, sometimes felt as though I'd been dropped into a soap opera, for there are endless references to injuries and slights that took place in earlier books. It wasn't exactly a problem, but it wasn't like reading a self-contained novel either.
Sano's nemesis, the deadly and corrupt Yanagisawa, is now chamberlain and is angling to get Sano exiled, with Sano's family left behind at Edo Castle as hostages guaranteeing Sano's good behavior. If Sano doesn't find a satisfactory way for the shogun to deal with the vendetta, either punishing or freeing the forty-seven former samurai who beheaded the old man, Sano will lose his family. But there's no way to conclude the business satisfactorily! From peasant to nobility, people are split on whether the former samurai (now masterless ronin) should be lauded for avenging their master's honor with their vendetta or should be executed like common criminals.
Sano's wife, Reiko, is nearly as busy investigating as he is, and Sano's henchman, the powerful Hirata (who many books ago, we're told, saved Sano's life at nearly the cost of his own), is also busy - but not always with the project at hand. Hirata is the martial arts champion of Japan, with the ability to see auras, but he is being hunted by someone even more powerful than he is.
In the meantime, will Sano's son become the next plaything of the nasty old shogun? Sano's son, meanwhile, is desperately intrigued by the ronin's young and beautiful mistres. He's staying as far from the shogun as he can.
All these characters feel nuanced and absolutely real. Add that to the tension-filled plot and colorful, exotic world, and you've got great historical fiction.
I'd never read any of the books in Rowland's Sano Ichiro series, but enjoyed finding myself in the midst of her courtly world, so deeply and vividly imagined. I also, however, sometimes felt as though I'd been dropped into a soap opera, for there are endless references to injuries and slights that took place in earlier books. It wasn't exactly a problem, but it wasn't like reading a self-contained novel either.
November 18, 2013
I've read four of Rowland's Sano Ichiro series and this is the best one so far. Rowland incorporates the legend of the 47 ronin and creates an intriguing mystery against the backdrop of the Tokugawa Shogunate at the dawn of the 18th century. Yanasigawa and the recently demoted Sano find themselves on opposite ends of the case. Are the ronin heroes -- or criminals? Political forces within the Court and societal pressures in the streets of Edo threaten to cause a rift in the regime.
If you're a fan of Sano Ichiro's adventures and are accustomed to strong-willed wife Reiko's assistance (and, sometimes, meddling) in his investigations, then you'll appreciate this complex and intriguing mystery. The 47 ronin avenged their dead master by killing his greatest enemy, upholding the best ideals of bushido. It was also premeditated murder by masterless samurai: an act that could unleash social unrest if the verdict appears unjust. Sano must balance the public's support of the ronin with the demands of the Shogun to resolve the politically volatile case to his satisfaction.
It is a riveting mystery, as Sano already has the killers in custody but he needs to discover the real motive behind the murder. It's more complicated than vengeance. Unreliable witnesses and the machinations of his enemies plague the investigation throughout the story.
Sano's son Masahiro is approaching puberty and develops an affection for a ronin's mistress: a woman who may shed light on the case. Masahiro has also become a page at the Tokugawa court, a job which Sano fears could place his son at risk if the Shogun's lurid attentions turn in his direction.
The rivalry between Yanasigawa and Ichiro is another subplot. Their political skirmishing continues and, on opposing sides of the ronin trial, they could ignite the feud into open conflict. Already out of the Shogun's good graces, Sano must tread lightly -- and succeed -- or risk shame and political/financial ruin.
I "read" this (and The Fire Kimono) as audiobooks and they were both entertaining.
If you're a fan of Sano Ichiro's adventures and are accustomed to strong-willed wife Reiko's assistance (and, sometimes, meddling) in his investigations, then you'll appreciate this complex and intriguing mystery. The 47 ronin avenged their dead master by killing his greatest enemy, upholding the best ideals of bushido. It was also premeditated murder by masterless samurai: an act that could unleash social unrest if the verdict appears unjust. Sano must balance the public's support of the ronin with the demands of the Shogun to resolve the politically volatile case to his satisfaction.
It is a riveting mystery, as Sano already has the killers in custody but he needs to discover the real motive behind the murder. It's more complicated than vengeance. Unreliable witnesses and the machinations of his enemies plague the investigation throughout the story.
Sano's son Masahiro is approaching puberty and develops an affection for a ronin's mistress: a woman who may shed light on the case. Masahiro has also become a page at the Tokugawa court, a job which Sano fears could place his son at risk if the Shogun's lurid attentions turn in his direction.
The rivalry between Yanasigawa and Ichiro is another subplot. Their political skirmishing continues and, on opposing sides of the ronin trial, they could ignite the feud into open conflict. Already out of the Shogun's good graces, Sano must tread lightly -- and succeed -- or risk shame and political/financial ruin.
I "read" this (and The Fire Kimono) as audiobooks and they were both entertaining.
July 21, 2012
Laura Rowland saved most of the action in The Ronin's Mistress for the last fifty pages with an almost painfully slow build up. In general I thought her writing was fairly mediocre and the story predictable. However, I love her characters and I have been following Sano from book one. I have enjoyed seeing all of the characters develop as they age and can't believe the wimpy Shogun is still in business.
The Ronin's Mistress, like all the preceding books paints a picture, or interpretation, of life in the waning days of feudal Japan. Class distinction was horrible if you were poor, but the rules imposed by the Shogun designed to control and prevent a coupe basically neutralized much of the advantage of being in the samurai class. Still, like with all human societies, perversion and cruelty have no class distinction and being a member of the warrior class hardly made one a warrior.
As Sano's son, Masihiro, continues to age Rowland has easily been setting the stage for her series to continue for another generation if she can come up with more stories. Probably the most interesting part of the book was the sub-story that dealt with eleven year old Masihiro's hormones coming on line once he was introduced the Okaru. I thought Rowland did a great job of creating the right amount of tension for a pre-adolescent male.
The other character I would like to more about is Hirata. I like the possibilities we were left with as a result of Hirata coming in contact with others with the same martial arts background.
Overall a quick and easy read that continues to explore the Samurai concepts of honor, commitment, duty and integrity as well as the usual assortment of human frailties.
The Ronin's Mistress, like all the preceding books paints a picture, or interpretation, of life in the waning days of feudal Japan. Class distinction was horrible if you were poor, but the rules imposed by the Shogun designed to control and prevent a coupe basically neutralized much of the advantage of being in the samurai class. Still, like with all human societies, perversion and cruelty have no class distinction and being a member of the warrior class hardly made one a warrior.
As Sano's son, Masihiro, continues to age Rowland has easily been setting the stage for her series to continue for another generation if she can come up with more stories. Probably the most interesting part of the book was the sub-story that dealt with eleven year old Masihiro's hormones coming on line once he was introduced the Okaru. I thought Rowland did a great job of creating the right amount of tension for a pre-adolescent male.
The other character I would like to more about is Hirata. I like the possibilities we were left with as a result of Hirata coming in contact with others with the same martial arts background.
Overall a quick and easy read that continues to explore the Samurai concepts of honor, commitment, duty and integrity as well as the usual assortment of human frailties.
November 20, 2013
I’m still a loyal reader of Sano Ichiro novels. I love them. I love the mystery, the political intrigue and how Sano is always dangling by the thread but manages to save the day but there’s always something looming around the corner where he’ll be dangling by a thread again.
This one was good, loyal readers will enjoy this and new readers will also like this. Background information on the 47 ronin helps a bit but not necessary. The title is a bit misleading, the Mistress is mentioned, but she doesn’t really play such a huge role in the book nevertheless. The plot was pretty good. Lots of twists and turns, and when you get towards the ending that’s where everything is so skillfully packed in you’ll feel like rereading it again just in case you missed something important. It’s always the last third of the book that gets you in the gut!
The only gripe I have, and I’ve been ranting about this for the past few novels now is the mystical Hirata issue. Please stop. It’s getting ridiculous and I’m finding when Hirata is featured, I’m starting to dread it. He used to be a personal favorite. Now he’s become this annoying mystical pest and I don’t care if he can feel auras of other people and can meditate in pretzel format (no, he doesn’t do this, but you know what I mean). He’s starting to become something I don’t want to read about. Please stop before you go further. This series DOES NOT need anything supernatural. Keep it real. Please.
Loyal fans will like this, newbies will too. A great historical read (and not many features in medieval Japan!) give it a go!
This one was good, loyal readers will enjoy this and new readers will also like this. Background information on the 47 ronin helps a bit but not necessary. The title is a bit misleading, the Mistress is mentioned, but she doesn’t really play such a huge role in the book nevertheless. The plot was pretty good. Lots of twists and turns, and when you get towards the ending that’s where everything is so skillfully packed in you’ll feel like rereading it again just in case you missed something important. It’s always the last third of the book that gets you in the gut!
The only gripe I have, and I’ve been ranting about this for the past few novels now is the mystical Hirata issue. Please stop. It’s getting ridiculous and I’m finding when Hirata is featured, I’m starting to dread it. He used to be a personal favorite. Now he’s become this annoying mystical pest and I don’t care if he can feel auras of other people and can meditate in pretzel format (no, he doesn’t do this, but you know what I mean). He’s starting to become something I don’t want to read about. Please stop before you go further. This series DOES NOT need anything supernatural. Keep it real. Please.
Loyal fans will like this, newbies will too. A great historical read (and not many features in medieval Japan!) give it a go!
February 11, 2013
In this Sano and Reiko Ichiro feudal Japan mystery we find that the couple live daily with the threat that the Sho-gun will punish them and that punnishment might be losing thier lives. Sano is still in a demoted position of Most Honorable Inspector of Events, Situations, and People while his enemy, Yanagiswa, the current Chaberlain, second in command to the Sho-gun is doing everything in his power to discredit Sana and get him executed or banished. In 1703, two years before this story takes place, Kira Yoshinaka, master of ceremonies is attacked by Lord Asano in the palace, recieving a head wound that he survives. Why he was attacked is central to the story. Because it is punnishable by death to draw a weapon in the palace, Lord Asano decides to commit the ritual Samurai suicide. Two years later, 47 of Lord Asano's samurai who had become masterless Ronin return to Edo and attack Kira's estate, killing him and several retainers seeking vengence according to Bushido, the samurai code of honor. They are all arrested and a supreme court is called into being to decide thier fate, death or pardon. Sano investigates to find out why they waited so long for revenge. Other motives come to light and make for a ending that has the Sho-gun at death's door. The intrige and power seeking and control behind the scenes keep pace with the action. Lord Yangisawa finds himself displaced again and Sano is once again restored to the job of the Sho-gun's Chamberlain. I always find these books a pleasure to read even though I am reading from the latest back to the begining.
October 4, 2011
I was very happy to have won this book from the Goodreads giveaways. This is an enjoyable mystery.
Set in 1700's Feudal Japan, Sano Ichiro is given the task of finding the truth behind a murder committed by forty-seven masterless samurai (called ronin.) Other then give us the clue that starts the investigation, the ronin's mistress from the title doesn't really do very much. Sano, his wife and son take the reader from clue to clue in a mannerr equal to any of the great literary detectives. The setting is long ago but the characters were surprisingly modern in their attitudes and sensibilities.
This is the fifteenth Sano Ichiro novel but the first I have read. A lot of time was spent explaining the history of the main characters, which I probably would have known if I had read the previous books, but for the most part I did not feel a disadvantage having not read them. My only confusion came from Sano's second in command who had some kind of magical powers that everyone seemed to know about and thought none the less of him for. Was that normal for Feudal Japan? I don't know. But I do know that this book was a very pleasant read.
Set in 1700's Feudal Japan, Sano Ichiro is given the task of finding the truth behind a murder committed by forty-seven masterless samurai (called ronin.) Other then give us the clue that starts the investigation, the ronin's mistress from the title doesn't really do very much. Sano, his wife and son take the reader from clue to clue in a mannerr equal to any of the great literary detectives. The setting is long ago but the characters were surprisingly modern in their attitudes and sensibilities.
This is the fifteenth Sano Ichiro novel but the first I have read. A lot of time was spent explaining the history of the main characters, which I probably would have known if I had read the previous books, but for the most part I did not feel a disadvantage having not read them. My only confusion came from Sano's second in command who had some kind of magical powers that everyone seemed to know about and thought none the less of him for. Was that normal for Feudal Japan? I don't know. But I do know that this book was a very pleasant read.
September 28, 2011
I received this book for free through a First Reads giveaway.
When I first started this book I did not know it was the latest book in a series when I found out I wasn't sure what to expect. After reading this book I find myself wanting to read more of this series. Honestly I'm not much into Mystery type books but this one kept my attention and was a great read. This book is set in feudal Japan which was one of the drawing points for me. This book doesn't seem to have much reference from the earlier books in the series but there are some things mentioned or pointed at that are from previous books. I believe it could easily stand alone. The descriptions of feudal Japan and the characters involved are very well described and with my imagination I could easily have find myself bring drawn into the story. I highly recommend this book. Is there a necessary need to have read the previous books in this series before you can enjoy this book? Personally I don't don't think it is needed. So if you find yourself wanting to read a good mystery that is based in Japan then this is the book for you.
When I first started this book I did not know it was the latest book in a series when I found out I wasn't sure what to expect. After reading this book I find myself wanting to read more of this series. Honestly I'm not much into Mystery type books but this one kept my attention and was a great read. This book is set in feudal Japan which was one of the drawing points for me. This book doesn't seem to have much reference from the earlier books in the series but there are some things mentioned or pointed at that are from previous books. I believe it could easily stand alone. The descriptions of feudal Japan and the characters involved are very well described and with my imagination I could easily have find myself bring drawn into the story. I highly recommend this book. Is there a necessary need to have read the previous books in this series before you can enjoy this book? Personally I don't don't think it is needed. So if you find yourself wanting to read a good mystery that is based in Japan then this is the book for you.
July 5, 2012
What can I say about Sano? I LOVE him!!!!!!!!! The palace is full of selfish and corrupt people however, there are people like Sano who live for Bushido and triumph in the end. Using the historical backdrop of the real stories the 47 Ronin - Rowland explains that there are moments in the historical record that have left knowing the unshakeable truth - impossible. Her fictionalized accounting takes the reader through the worlds of poverty, women and palace peculiarities possible but seemingly unimaginable. Sex, money, shame and voyuerism factor greatly into this. Leaving behind brokenness and liberty for those entangled in the web. I did not want to read this book too quickly - because I LOVE -- Sano - just found out that another book will drop this September. The Incense Game -- I cannot wait. The good thing about the Sano series is that they can all be read independent of each other - while they employ historical accuracy, poetic writing, vivid imagery and plots and subplots - forget the roller coaster -- pick up a issue of the Sano Ichiro series - hands up, fly away, land and be entertained.
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