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Rei Shimura #8
The Typhoon Lover: A Cross-Cultural Tokyo Thriller—A Japanese-American Sleuth Trapped in a Storm of Passion
A young woman with a foothold in two cultures, Rei Shimura has gone wherever fortune and her unruly passions have led her throughout her chaotic twenties. Now, after the streamers for her thirtieth birthday celebration have been taken down, the Japanese-American antiques dealer and part-time sleuth finds herself with an assignment to find and authenticate an ancient Middle Eastern pitcher that disappeared from Iraq's national museum.
The piece is believed to be in the hands of a wealthy Japanese collector, whose passion for beauty extends to Rei herself. But when a devastating typhoon hits Tokyo, Rei is trapped with the object of her investigation—and with much much more than the fate of an ancient pitcher at risk.
The piece is believed to be in the hands of a wealthy Japanese collector, whose passion for beauty extends to Rei herself. But when a devastating typhoon hits Tokyo, Rei is trapped with the object of her investigation—and with much much more than the fate of an ancient pitcher at risk.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
80 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Sujata Massey
36 books2,678 followersSujata Massey is the author of historical and mystery fiction set in Asia. She is best known for the Perveen Mistry series published in the United States by Soho Press and in India by Penguin Random House India. In June, 2021, THE BOMBAY PRINCE, third book in the series, releases in the US/Canada and Australia/New Zealand; it will be published by Penguin India later the same month.
THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL, the first Perveen novel, was named a Best Mystery/Thriller of 2018 and also an Amazon Best Mystery/Thriller of 2018. Additionally, the book won the Bruce Alexander Best Historical Mystery Award, the Agatha Award for Best Historical Mystery and the Mary Higgins Clark Award, all in 2019.
The second Perveen novel, THE SATAPUR MOONSTONE, won the Bruce Alexander Best Historical Mystery Award in 2020.
Sujata's other works include THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY (2013) and eleven Rei Shimura mysteries published from 1997-2014. For more about Sujata's books and a full events schedule, subscribe to her newsletter, http://sujatamassey.com/newsletter
Sujata lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and two dogs. In addition to writing, she loves to travel, read, cook, garden and walk.
THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL, the first Perveen novel, was named a Best Mystery/Thriller of 2018 and also an Amazon Best Mystery/Thriller of 2018. Additionally, the book won the Bruce Alexander Best Historical Mystery Award, the Agatha Award for Best Historical Mystery and the Mary Higgins Clark Award, all in 2019.
The second Perveen novel, THE SATAPUR MOONSTONE, won the Bruce Alexander Best Historical Mystery Award in 2020.
Sujata's other works include THE SLEEPING DICTIONARY (2013) and eleven Rei Shimura mysteries published from 1997-2014. For more about Sujata's books and a full events schedule, subscribe to her newsletter, http://sujatamassey.com/newsletter
Sujata lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and two dogs. In addition to writing, she loves to travel, read, cook, garden and walk.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
October 21, 2018
The Typhoon Lover by Sujata Massey follows Rei Shimura's eighth venture into art world mysteries. Rei is recruited by the American government to help locate a stolen Iraqi artifact that they believe has found its way to Japan-- the country that holds Rei's heart, and that she was tragically banned from following a previous adventure. In exchange for a visa that allows her to return to Japan at will, Rei reluctantly agrees despite her misgivings about the possible involvement of her ex-boyfriend in the theft of the artifact. Once she arrives, she finds that the arrangement will be much more complicated than it first appeared- involving government officials, her ex's new fiancee, and a typhoon that threatens to tear the country apart.
This novel grew on me as I read it, but the first act felt clunky to me- because it is in the middle of the series, the author dealt with the past plot by making heavy-handed allusions to past events (even at points where it took away from the flow of the scene). Once Rei arrived in Japan and was established in the new setting, those allusions became less and less frequent and it felt like Massey focused in on the story at hand. Even so, the set-up of the mystery was slow going. The stakes of the novel felt low for the first two hundred pages or so, when a twist shakes up the mystery and gets the pace moving faster. While I don't feel that it lived up to being a "novel of suspense" as advertised on the front cover, the book still held my attention for the detail of its setting and the complexity of Rei's character. As a biracial Japanese-American woman, the way she described her experiences of not fitting in either in the United States or Japan brought a depth to her and her interactions with the other characters, including both her Japanese and white family members. The Japanese setting itself was detailed and fascinating, with intricacy in describing not only the actual place, but customs and culture in a way that felt realistic and not fetishistic.
While this particular novel was not my favorite, The Typhoon Lover is a great read for someone looking for a mystery with an emphasis on the setting's atmosphere and on the depth of a main character. This also is great for a reader who doesn't mind a slower pace focusing mostly on details rather than action (at least until an exciting end!) and who prefers a more serious tone (veering on the dark at a few points in the book).
This novel grew on me as I read it, but the first act felt clunky to me- because it is in the middle of the series, the author dealt with the past plot by making heavy-handed allusions to past events (even at points where it took away from the flow of the scene). Once Rei arrived in Japan and was established in the new setting, those allusions became less and less frequent and it felt like Massey focused in on the story at hand. Even so, the set-up of the mystery was slow going. The stakes of the novel felt low for the first two hundred pages or so, when a twist shakes up the mystery and gets the pace moving faster. While I don't feel that it lived up to being a "novel of suspense" as advertised on the front cover, the book still held my attention for the detail of its setting and the complexity of Rei's character. As a biracial Japanese-American woman, the way she described her experiences of not fitting in either in the United States or Japan brought a depth to her and her interactions with the other characters, including both her Japanese and white family members. The Japanese setting itself was detailed and fascinating, with intricacy in describing not only the actual place, but customs and culture in a way that felt realistic and not fetishistic.
While this particular novel was not my favorite, The Typhoon Lover is a great read for someone looking for a mystery with an emphasis on the setting's atmosphere and on the depth of a main character. This also is great for a reader who doesn't mind a slower pace focusing mostly on details rather than action (at least until an exciting end!) and who prefers a more serious tone (veering on the dark at a few points in the book).
April 12, 2017
Antiques dealer and hobby sleuth Rei Shimura has been banned from Japan, but now she has a way back in: The CIA wants her to fly there to track down and authenticate an ancient Middle Eastern pitcher that was stolen from the Iraqi National Museum and now appears to be in the possession of her ex Takeo. Obviously, the typhoon in the title that hits the area during Rei's stay soon becomes the least of her problems, as she stumbles from one blunder to the next and gets herself into serious trouble.
If you disregard the fact that the whole premise is extremely far-fatched (Why does the CIA care about a piece of pottery, valuable antique or not? Why send an amateur who doesn't actually know much about Middle Eastern antiques? Neither of these were explained in a satisfactory manner, probably because it doesn't make any sense.), this was an entertaining enough read, though none of the characters acted in a particularly endearing manner.
If you disregard the fact that the whole premise is extremely far-fatched (Why does the CIA care about a piece of pottery, valuable antique or not? Why send an amateur who doesn't actually know much about Middle Eastern antiques? Neither of these were explained in a satisfactory manner, probably because it doesn't make any sense.), this was an entertaining enough read, though none of the characters acted in a particularly endearing manner.
March 17, 2019
The adventures of Rei Shimura, antiques dealer and reluctant detective, continue. This one stretched credibility a bit: is it really that easy to be hired by the CIA? Would they even hire someone as unreliable - albeit charming - as Miss Shimura? I read on anyway.
August 14, 2019
I think this is my 4th Rei Shimura book, read out of order. I'm not sure why I'm reading these books out of order but it does seem to make the series a little bit less predictable for me.
All my reviews of the Rei Shimura books are gonna be pretty similar. I think Sujata Massey is an excellent writer. The writing flows well and I really enjoy the exploits of Rei, the description of Japan (when she's there), Japanese culture, her love life, etc. As far as this being a spy or mystery book, it's only so-so. But I keep being drawn in every time I finish another book. It's the book version of binge watching a TV show, I just can't stop!
In this book, she is sent to Japan to look into a looted Iraqi treasure. While she is there, she runs into her ex (this part confuses me as I'm reading the series out of order and I don't know what happened between them). Meanwhile a strong typhoon throws everything into chaos.
I strongly recommend that anyone else read this series in order!
All my reviews of the Rei Shimura books are gonna be pretty similar. I think Sujata Massey is an excellent writer. The writing flows well and I really enjoy the exploits of Rei, the description of Japan (when she's there), Japanese culture, her love life, etc. As far as this being a spy or mystery book, it's only so-so. But I keep being drawn in every time I finish another book. It's the book version of binge watching a TV show, I just can't stop!
In this book, she is sent to Japan to look into a looted Iraqi treasure. While she is there, she runs into her ex (this part confuses me as I'm reading the series out of order and I don't know what happened between them). Meanwhile a strong typhoon throws everything into chaos.
I strongly recommend that anyone else read this series in order!
August 14, 2012
Hyvä Shimura-kirja, jossa Rei ja Hugh vihdoin eroavat ihan oikeasti. Toisaalta, voi olla että jo seuraavassa kirjassa he taas palaavat yhteen... Muutenkin hyvä kirja, jossa juoni ei ole aivan yhtä mukaansatempaava kuin joissain edellisissä Shimura-kirjoissa, mutta joka tempaa silti mukaansa Japanin kiehtovaan maailmaan.
December 27, 2020
“The Typhoon Lover” marks Rei Shimura return to Japan. After the aftermath of her thirtieth birthday, Rei is still half-heartily engaged to Hugh Glendenning and trying to go to the motions and find way to return to Japan. The opportunity approaches in the form of the CIA who wants to enroll Rei to go to Japan and authenticate a Middle East pitcher previously stolen from the Iraqi National Museum. Rei is not an expert in pottery, but thinks she can nevertheless do a fine job, and after all the CIA are offering a new passport and free entry to the country. As the saying says ‘if something is too good to be true’…. The CIA has a hidden agenda and plans to use Rei and her acquaintance to Takeo Kayama for their own purposes. A typhon hitting Takeo’s house will finally work as a breaking point for all characters involved. Seeing Rei finally back in Japan is a treat, it’s a well written book, even if some descriptions of the typhon need some suspended belief to be credible, we should not forget Rei stand-up-girl propensity and her hang to exaggeration on occasion. At the end of the ordeal, Rei will find herself at crossroads, having to decide how to go on with her life.
Sujata Massey’s “Rei Shimura” is a mystery series featuring the eponymous character, an American Japanese woman in her late twenties (at the start of the series) who relocates to Tokyo to reembrace her Japanese roots and start an antiquities business. The books mix classical sleuth mystery, with Japanese cultural observation and biographical bits, into a nice, easy to read and fully enjoyable series. Some mysteries remind the classical clean mysteries of old, while other (especially on the later books) deal with very serious historical events, but in each case the stories remain easy-to-read mysteries with Japanese flavour. While an in-depth study into Japanese culture, should not be expected, the books offer a very credible insight into Japanese everyday life, from the point of view of American foreigner with the added bonus of having a real Japanese heritage, that allows her to blend in and navigate the country with credible ease. Every book in the series can be read as a stand-alone from the mystery point of view, as the arc-story only pertains to Rei Shimura chronological development.
Massey, a London born, who has herself a mixed Indian-German heritage and has expended (due to her own husband work) several year in Japan, excels by interweave her own biographical data with fictional bit into one of the most original and interesting series in the genre. Rei Shimura’s character development and her reflections on the country evolve organically with the experiences in the country. Sujata Massey succeeds in showing the changes in Rei’s personality and reflections to the environment. A must-read for all fans of female slaughtering and/or ‘light’ Japanese culture.
Sujata Massey’s “Rei Shimura” is a mystery series featuring the eponymous character, an American Japanese woman in her late twenties (at the start of the series) who relocates to Tokyo to reembrace her Japanese roots and start an antiquities business. The books mix classical sleuth mystery, with Japanese cultural observation and biographical bits, into a nice, easy to read and fully enjoyable series. Some mysteries remind the classical clean mysteries of old, while other (especially on the later books) deal with very serious historical events, but in each case the stories remain easy-to-read mysteries with Japanese flavour. While an in-depth study into Japanese culture, should not be expected, the books offer a very credible insight into Japanese everyday life, from the point of view of American foreigner with the added bonus of having a real Japanese heritage, that allows her to blend in and navigate the country with credible ease. Every book in the series can be read as a stand-alone from the mystery point of view, as the arc-story only pertains to Rei Shimura chronological development.
Massey, a London born, who has herself a mixed Indian-German heritage and has expended (due to her own husband work) several year in Japan, excels by interweave her own biographical data with fictional bit into one of the most original and interesting series in the genre. Rei Shimura’s character development and her reflections on the country evolve organically with the experiences in the country. Sujata Massey succeeds in showing the changes in Rei’s personality and reflections to the environment. A must-read for all fans of female slaughtering and/or ‘light’ Japanese culture.
February 25, 2020
Lots of books in this series, synopsis, Rei Shimura, American Caucasian mother, Japanes father, raised in California, loves living in Japan. She has had a long on again off again relationship with a Scottish lad Hugh. They get engage, they start to plan their wedding, she loses a child. The marriage is off, latter Hughe gets engaged to someone else (all in other books) then they are back together again. In between times she has moved on to a Japanese boyfriend Takeo, however, some place along the line (in a book I have not yet found) she leaves Takeo and goes back to Hugh in the USA. I am reading these all out of sequence, so it is easy to get lost!
In this book, she is back again with Hugh, (she is back again in Washington D.C. where her cousin Kendal and kids and grandmother live). I am like Wot, she is back with Hugh again and he is throwing her a surprise birthday party, her cousin is there from Japan, her American cousin Kendal is dancing on the stage, her boyfriends brothers band from the UK is playing. Wow...she thinks, how did I get so old. Hugh is drinking too much, and she leaves her birthday party early, trying to get him back home, as he is not in good shape.
Then she is recruited to be a spy, she has been kicked out of Japan (in a prior book) and the spies in Washington, entice her to return, clearing her past, getting her a new passport, so she will be able to return. She is to be an expert on pottery, but wait, she is not an expert on pottery, fast work at different museums so she can get some advice on what to look for, this is all done in a week. Wow, quick learner. Off to Japan she goes, and as always, she is in trouble. She is to contact Takeo, as a stolen item from Iraq has been seen in his home, she is to find out if it is for real. However, she finds out Takeo is engaged to someone else, and as she left him for Hugh, he is not happy to see her. As always, it gets complicated further. It always does with Rei. But she does not give up, as always someone is out to get her. Smart girl has been body building, she gets away.
Fake news trashes her and Takeo. Her Japanese family, Hughs brothers band and Hugh, do not give her any lee way on this. In the end, she solves it all, but Hugh, Hugh is gone again! Hopefully to a rehab to get his drinking problem resolved! But, is it break up time for real this time? It is also time for Rei to grow up a bit, I mean she is now 30! Who is to be the next boyfriend, well she does have a dishy boss!
My suggestion is a reader, try and read this series in order. I am stacking them up now, and by the time my friend gets here from France in April, lucky girl will be able to read the bag I have for her on Sujata Masseys books in order!
In this book, she is back again with Hugh, (she is back again in Washington D.C. where her cousin Kendal and kids and grandmother live). I am like Wot, she is back with Hugh again and he is throwing her a surprise birthday party, her cousin is there from Japan, her American cousin Kendal is dancing on the stage, her boyfriends brothers band from the UK is playing. Wow...she thinks, how did I get so old. Hugh is drinking too much, and she leaves her birthday party early, trying to get him back home, as he is not in good shape.
Then she is recruited to be a spy, she has been kicked out of Japan (in a prior book) and the spies in Washington, entice her to return, clearing her past, getting her a new passport, so she will be able to return. She is to be an expert on pottery, but wait, she is not an expert on pottery, fast work at different museums so she can get some advice on what to look for, this is all done in a week. Wow, quick learner. Off to Japan she goes, and as always, she is in trouble. She is to contact Takeo, as a stolen item from Iraq has been seen in his home, she is to find out if it is for real. However, she finds out Takeo is engaged to someone else, and as she left him for Hugh, he is not happy to see her. As always, it gets complicated further. It always does with Rei. But she does not give up, as always someone is out to get her. Smart girl has been body building, she gets away.
Fake news trashes her and Takeo. Her Japanese family, Hughs brothers band and Hugh, do not give her any lee way on this. In the end, she solves it all, but Hugh, Hugh is gone again! Hopefully to a rehab to get his drinking problem resolved! But, is it break up time for real this time? It is also time for Rei to grow up a bit, I mean she is now 30! Who is to be the next boyfriend, well she does have a dishy boss!
My suggestion is a reader, try and read this series in order. I am stacking them up now, and by the time my friend gets here from France in April, lucky girl will be able to read the bag I have for her on Sujata Masseys books in order!
November 15, 2021
Tämä ei ehkä ole huonoin kirja Rein seikkailuissa, mutta taso alkaa laskea vauhdilla alaspäin tässä kohtaa. Tarina on uskomaton ja suorastaan naurettava. Rei, antiikinvälittäjä ja entinen englanninopettaja, jolla on hädintuskin vuosien kokemus minkäänlaisesta työnteosta (aiempien kirjojen perusteella hän teki töitä satunnaisesti ja silloinkin todella pientä pätkää pienellä palkalla), päätetään palkata CIA: n palvelukseen? Sillä perusteella että hän on japanilaisen antiikin asiantuntija? Puoliksi japanilainen? Eikun... koska hän on kaunis, nuori nainen jolla oli vuosia sitten surkea suhteenpoikanen Japanin rikkaimpiin kuuluvan puupökkelö-maailmanparantajan kanssa. TÄMÄN takia hän on täydellinen, ja ilmeisesti ainoa, ihminen hoitamaan epäkiinnostavaa museokeikkaa. Ei suinkaan joku, joka tosiaan tietäisi Lähi-Idän antiikista hieman enemmän, tai jolla olisi edes pieni kokemus agenttina toimisesta.
No, Rei pääsee takaisin Japaniin etsimään kannua, jolla on kammottavan pitkä nimi, mikä tulee tatuoitumaan mieleen jatkuvan hokemisen takia. Siellä hän sitten aiheuttaakin megaluokan kakkamyrskyn, josta hän ei ota minkäänlaista vastuuta. Takeo kohtelee häntä jälleen kuin sontaa, mikä ei saa Reitä pysähtymään. Takeolla on uusi puoliso, jota Rei haukkuu ja arvostelee (taas). Vain siksi että tyttö on nuori, kaunis, rikas ja pinnallinen bimbo (sen takia että hän tykkää merkkilaukuista ja vaatteista?). Rei päätyy taistelemaan läpi Japania hajottavan taifuunin ilman pienintäkään ruumiillista vammaa, pettämään Hughia ylimielisen Takeon kanssa, löytää kannunsa, ja ajaa Takeon muikkelin pois talolta kohti tuntematonta. No mutta onneksi tytön kuolema ei sitten kuitenkaan ole Rein vika, hänhän oli narkomaani! Se että Rei ja Takeo jäivät kiinni rysän päällä, ei sittenkään ollut syy hänen kuolemaansa! Eikun...
Kaikki tässä kirjassa käyttäytyvät idioottimaisesti, ja yhdestäkään hahmosta ei oikein voi pitää. Paitsi ehkä lääkäri-Tomista joka on aina jokseenkin sympaattinen. Rei ja Hugh eroavat mutta eipä sillä väliä, uusi rakkaudenkohde loistaa jo silmissä. Mikään Rein teko ei vaikuta mihinkään, olivatpa ne kuinka negatiivisia tahansa. Mukana on huumeita, kansainvälistä museorikollisuutta, museokamaa sekä keramiikkaa ja taifuuni.
Sekava arvostelu sekavasta kirjasta. Tosin tämän lukemisesta on niin pitkä aika että aika lienee kullannut muistot.
No, Rei pääsee takaisin Japaniin etsimään kannua, jolla on kammottavan pitkä nimi, mikä tulee tatuoitumaan mieleen jatkuvan hokemisen takia. Siellä hän sitten aiheuttaakin megaluokan kakkamyrskyn, josta hän ei ota minkäänlaista vastuuta. Takeo kohtelee häntä jälleen kuin sontaa, mikä ei saa Reitä pysähtymään. Takeolla on uusi puoliso, jota Rei haukkuu ja arvostelee (taas). Vain siksi että tyttö on nuori, kaunis, rikas ja pinnallinen bimbo (sen takia että hän tykkää merkkilaukuista ja vaatteista?). Rei päätyy taistelemaan läpi Japania hajottavan taifuunin ilman pienintäkään ruumiillista vammaa, pettämään Hughia ylimielisen Takeon kanssa, löytää kannunsa, ja ajaa Takeon muikkelin pois talolta kohti tuntematonta. No mutta onneksi tytön kuolema ei sitten kuitenkaan ole Rein vika, hänhän oli narkomaani! Se että Rei ja Takeo jäivät kiinni rysän päällä, ei sittenkään ollut syy hänen kuolemaansa! Eikun...
Kaikki tässä kirjassa käyttäytyvät idioottimaisesti, ja yhdestäkään hahmosta ei oikein voi pitää. Paitsi ehkä lääkäri-Tomista joka on aina jokseenkin sympaattinen. Rei ja Hugh eroavat mutta eipä sillä väliä, uusi rakkaudenkohde loistaa jo silmissä. Mikään Rein teko ei vaikuta mihinkään, olivatpa ne kuinka negatiivisia tahansa. Mukana on huumeita, kansainvälistä museorikollisuutta, museokamaa sekä keramiikkaa ja taifuuni.
Sekava arvostelu sekavasta kirjasta. Tosin tämän lukemisesta on niin pitkä aika että aika lienee kullannut muistot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2021
I'm very happy that the 8th Rei Shimura novel took place in Japan once again - it reminded me of the things I love about the series: detailed descriptions of Japanese neighborhoods and cultural encounters as well as returning to characters that almost feel like friends because I know them from the previous books.
The plot itself is not really that exciting and a bit far fetched at some points, but I returned for the atmosphere and the characters anyway. Can't believe what Rei has become though. I really liked her in the beginning and thought of her as hard-working, honest and clever woman. Over the last installments she became such an annoying, entitled and cheating person... I really felt sorry for Hugh (and for Takeo too tbh). Horrible protagonist.
The plot itself is not really that exciting and a bit far fetched at some points, but I returned for the atmosphere and the characters anyway. Can't believe what Rei has become though. I really liked her in the beginning and thought of her as hard-working, honest and clever woman. Over the last installments she became such an annoying, entitled and cheating person... I really felt sorry for Hugh (and for Takeo too tbh). Horrible protagonist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2020
Fun preparation for a trip to Tokyo and Japan
Having had to postpone a Spring 2020 trip to Japan, I’ve found this series to be a nice intro to some customs and arts like ikebana. Never gift 4 of anything but always 5 since the kanji character for 4 is the same as for death. I’ve enjoyed looking up places the heroine, Rei Shimura travels to in my guidebooks. Fast paced and enjoyable diversion from all the 2020 real world problems.
Having had to postpone a Spring 2020 trip to Japan, I’ve found this series to be a nice intro to some customs and arts like ikebana. Never gift 4 of anything but always 5 since the kanji character for 4 is the same as for death. I’ve enjoyed looking up places the heroine, Rei Shimura travels to in my guidebooks. Fast paced and enjoyable diversion from all the 2020 real world problems.
August 14, 2018
I continue to enjoy this series. Always something new to learn about Japanese culture, geography and antiques, and Rei continues to blunder on no matter the odds, in this case through a typhoon which she manages to survive by floating down the street on a kid’s pool toy. Things are not good with the hunky boyfriend, though. Will have to wait for the next book for them to make up.
January 27, 2020
I used to love this series but stopped reading it, as one does. I picked up this book to see if I still liked it. Sadly, the storyline didn't age well. The fashion namedropping and cultural references seemed tired. Rei dashing through a typhoon (really) seemed contrived. The book is classed as suspense but there wasn't much
December 1, 2022
This may be my favorite of the Rei Shimura series. Rei gets recruited by a highly specialized, secret government organization to do some spying for them, back in Japan. It features excitement, betrayal, putting together unexpected puzzle pieces, and a look at the world of Middle Eastern and Japanese pottery, ancient and modern.
December 10, 2019
Just when I was about to give up on this series, it got interesting again. The previous two books, with entirely too much navel-gazing being done by Rei, were painful to read. This one picked up the pace again. Which is a real relief. 😅
Looking forward to the next instalment...
Looking forward to the next instalment...
January 31, 2021
This series continues to be good enough to read through, but this wasn't my favorite one in the series: Rei continues to be an annoying character who doesn't mature through the series. This one was quite absurd, but most good mysteries are. They are good pandemic reading.
April 14, 2022
I was privileged to live in the Hayama area of Japan for a couple of years and really enjoyed the setting of this book. However, the plot beggared belief. The lead character was interesting although she seriously lacked judgment. Implausible plot. Not the quality of the author's Perveen Mistry series.
October 3, 2022
No more Reign for me?
The first seven novels were Ron reads, but this one was sorry disappointment. The plot line was revealed in the first few pages and some scenes were so unlikely that they were ludicrous. More sloppy typos allude to this book being thrown together.
The first seven novels were Ron reads, but this one was sorry disappointment. The plot line was revealed in the first few pages and some scenes were so unlikely that they were ludicrous. More sloppy typos allude to this book being thrown together.
October 11, 2023
This is likely my last book in the series, at least for now. The mysteries are getting boring (this one was downright unrealistic), and while I was also initially attracted to the Japanese setting + relationship drama, the novelty has mostly worn off for both of those things :(
August 13, 2025
I read this book out of sequence, so it took me a bit to understand about Rei's work in Japan for the U.S. government and her motivations for doing so. As she investigates about the suspected stolen artwork, she finds herself interacting with her former boyfriend.
February 13, 2019
enjoying this series more and more
February 20, 2019
Must have read this book pre-GR. Was a new author to me, & I see I did put the first book in the series on my "to read" list.
December 23, 2019
You'll have to suspend a hefty amount of disbelief for this one. And the only likable character is Aunt Norie.
January 21, 2021
I really liked this one. Lots of interesting info about art theft from museums. Interesting visa info too.
June 12, 2022
Rei continues to be an absolute mess, but less of a bigot this time. Maybe she's actually growing up. And she did some surprisingly mature and ethical things in this novel.
October 31, 2023
I have to admit, I found this quite ridiculous. I just can't suspend disbelief about the character's decisions.
March 25, 2024
This was an individual idea, one I had not read before anyway. It was good, kept me reading anyway. If you have any interest in Japan or quick mysteries, this series would be great.
March 2, 2025
Excellent writing with a compelling story.
June 18, 2008
This is a later book in the series of Rei, a Japanese American, antique buyer and dealer, who has on and off again affairs with Hugh, a Scotsman, and Takei, a independently wealthy Japanese flower arranger, both highly attractive. The plot is a bit improbable; the CIA wants Rei to go to Japan, where she has been kicked out of because of previous sleuthing, to find out if Takei has an ancient Persian vase, stolen from the Iraq museum. Why would the CIA care? Rei gets into a peck of trouble, and seems to rush from place to place even wading through a typhoon. Massey throws in a lot of current rock n roll musical groups which seems a bit forced, but I actually like all the details about Rei’s vintage designer clothes. Also the descriptions of Japanese houses, streets and social conventions are very well done, giving an eye to another culture. She loses both lovers, one becomes a monk and one moves, but maybe a future job with the CIA. Maybe she should retire.
February 9, 2016
This book follows a 30 year old Japanese-Amercian woman as she is hired by our government to uncover a high end ancient artifact smuggling ring in Japan. Without any training. With 1 week or so notice. As far as I can tell, she was given a cell phone, an expense account, and not much else.
It actually starts off with her boyfriend throwing her a big late, late (week night) party in Washington DC for her birthday. That made very little sense either.
In Japan, she ends up walking through a typhoon to get to her target. Really. And so on.
Apparently there are previous adventures with this person. Maybe knowing her history a little better, it would be easier to believe.
It actually starts off with her boyfriend throwing her a big late, late (week night) party in Washington DC for her birthday. That made very little sense either.
In Japan, she ends up walking through a typhoon to get to her target. Really. And so on.
Apparently there are previous adventures with this person. Maybe knowing her history a little better, it would be easier to believe.
June 14, 2009
Improbable but entertaining. Rei Shimura has been banned from Japan for her sleuthing but gets a chance to return thanks to the CIA. The agency wants to know about an ancient Iraqi ewer that has turned up in Japan, and although Rei's specialty is Japanese antiquities, she has the connections to find out what the government wants to know. The plot never answers the basic question: why does the American government care about an ancient piece of Middle Eastern pottery? Despite this, the book is entertaining and Rei is a compelling character.
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