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"A page-turner...Rowland matches her talent for storytelling with her ability to render convincing historical detail." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Rowland has a painter's eye...[and] a politician's ear for intrigue." - The New York Times Book Review"
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In Tokyo, 1698: Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to become the shogun's second-in-command, is investigating rumours of a plot to overthrow the ruling regime. But conspiracy theories travel far too close to home when Sano discovers that Lord Mori, heir to the shogun, has been found murdered in his own bed...with Sano's pregnant wife, Reiko, lying naked beside him. Was Reiko Lord Mori's scorned mistress, and vengeful assassin, as Lady Mori alleges? Or is she involved in a stunning hoax with her husband - as the ghost of Lord Mori has charged? Now, in a desperate race against time, Sano must find the real killer or face execution for treason...unless he can solve the mystery of the Red Chrtsanthemum.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Red Chrysanthemum is the first book I've read in the Sano Ichiro series. Obviously, a lot happened leading up to this book but it was reasonably easy to catch onto the book's main context. So if you haven't read any other books in the series, you can feel comfortable starting with this one.
This book almost defies genre because there are both mystery and thriller elements, and the book is set in 1698 Japan. The historical and national perspectives strongly permeate the book.
If you don't know the series, Sano Ichiro is a very clever fellow . . . a samurai who has been a detective. His success in that role has brought him to heights of power. The Shogun normally rules in name only and Sano is his chamberlain, a sort of prime minister. Lord Matsudaira actually wields power and is Sano's primary patron. But powerful figures seek all that power for themselves.
Sano's wife, Reiko, is pregnant with their second child but continues to seek ways to help women in need and to solve mysteries. That activity leads both Sano and Reiko into dangerous peril in this action-filled thriller.
As the book opens, Reiko is discovered nude and covered with blood in the bed chamber of the dead Lord Mori who lies castrated beside her. She cannot remember how she got there. The clamor immediately begins for her execution for the murder of Lord Mori. Mori's wife stoutly contends that Mori and Reiko had been lovers.
Sano begins his investigation and quickly finds that the price of his own survival may be the death of his wife and unborn child. As the investigation continues, his political enemies see their chance to take him down. Before long, both Sano and Reiko are in mortal peril from the Shogun and Lord Matsudaira.
In the investigation we learn that Reiko had been approached by a poor woman, Lily, who had sold her son, Jiro, to Lord Mori for a night of pleasure. When Lily came to pick Jiro up the next day, the guards sent her away. Reiko agreed to help and became friends with Lady Mori so she could check out what was going on. On the night of the murder, she had sneaked away to spy on Lord Mori when she passed out . . . only to awaken in a death chamber.
The story has several strengths. You'll learn a lot about medieval Japan and especially the relations between classes. That strangeness makes the story fresh and allows for surprises that a contemporary thriller could not accomplish as easily. Ms. Rowland has a wonderful sense of pace. She knows how to create tension in the reader by moving the plot along rapidly with new perils. I also thought that her portrayals of Sano, Reiko, and Hirata were interesting. These are fresh and original characters.
The book has some weaknesses, too. The solutions often seem to be just a little too fortuitously timed. I would have enjoyed the book more if the "miracles" had been a little more realistic. For example, the martial arts description in a major scene felt over the top to me. All but the three characters are pretty thin which makes the book a lot less interesting than it might have been. There's also a lot of blood and child abuse; you'll need a strong stomach to enjoy the book.
But if you want to take an unconventional and fast-paced walk in old Edo, you could do a lot worse than Red Chrysanthemum.
This book almost defies genre because there are both mystery and thriller elements, and the book is set in 1698 Japan. The historical and national perspectives strongly permeate the book.
If you don't know the series, Sano Ichiro is a very clever fellow . . . a samurai who has been a detective. His success in that role has brought him to heights of power. The Shogun normally rules in name only and Sano is his chamberlain, a sort of prime minister. Lord Matsudaira actually wields power and is Sano's primary patron. But powerful figures seek all that power for themselves.
Sano's wife, Reiko, is pregnant with their second child but continues to seek ways to help women in need and to solve mysteries. That activity leads both Sano and Reiko into dangerous peril in this action-filled thriller.
As the book opens, Reiko is discovered nude and covered with blood in the bed chamber of the dead Lord Mori who lies castrated beside her. She cannot remember how she got there. The clamor immediately begins for her execution for the murder of Lord Mori. Mori's wife stoutly contends that Mori and Reiko had been lovers.
Sano begins his investigation and quickly finds that the price of his own survival may be the death of his wife and unborn child. As the investigation continues, his political enemies see their chance to take him down. Before long, both Sano and Reiko are in mortal peril from the Shogun and Lord Matsudaira.
In the investigation we learn that Reiko had been approached by a poor woman, Lily, who had sold her son, Jiro, to Lord Mori for a night of pleasure. When Lily came to pick Jiro up the next day, the guards sent her away. Reiko agreed to help and became friends with Lady Mori so she could check out what was going on. On the night of the murder, she had sneaked away to spy on Lord Mori when she passed out . . . only to awaken in a death chamber.
The story has several strengths. You'll learn a lot about medieval Japan and especially the relations between classes. That strangeness makes the story fresh and allows for surprises that a contemporary thriller could not accomplish as easily. Ms. Rowland has a wonderful sense of pace. She knows how to create tension in the reader by moving the plot along rapidly with new perils. I also thought that her portrayals of Sano, Reiko, and Hirata were interesting. These are fresh and original characters.
The book has some weaknesses, too. The solutions often seem to be just a little too fortuitously timed. I would have enjoyed the book more if the "miracles" had been a little more realistic. For example, the martial arts description in a major scene felt over the top to me. All but the three characters are pretty thin which makes the book a lot less interesting than it might have been. There's also a lot of blood and child abuse; you'll need a strong stomach to enjoy the book.
But if you want to take an unconventional and fast-paced walk in old Edo, you could do a lot worse than Red Chrysanthemum.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
If you love Japan then this book is for you. Well the whole Sano Ichiro series. Rowland describes medieval Japan in a way that makes the reader able to see, feel and smell what the characters do. A must read.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is the second Sano Ichiro book I've read.
I started off with Snow Empress and despite not having Laura Joh Rowland's previous books I suspect that you can start off with whichever book which is just as well as they are not the easiest book series to find.
The previous reviewer has written a very good description of the plot.
Sano Ichiro's pregnant wife, Lady Reiko is found covered in blood in the sleeping quarters of the murdered Lord Mori. There is the race against time to clear her name and not only as Sano Ichiro also has to clear his name from treason. There is quite a bit of intrigue and treachery in the plot.
Readeable but as in Snow Empress I feel that it is missing something maybe because even though the murderer is brought to justice it is not in the "Agatha Christie" style but is somewhat an anticlimax.
I started off with Snow Empress and despite not having Laura Joh Rowland's previous books I suspect that you can start off with whichever book which is just as well as they are not the easiest book series to find.
The previous reviewer has written a very good description of the plot.
Sano Ichiro's pregnant wife, Lady Reiko is found covered in blood in the sleeping quarters of the murdered Lord Mori. There is the race against time to clear her name and not only as Sano Ichiro also has to clear his name from treason. There is quite a bit of intrigue and treachery in the plot.
Readeable but as in Snow Empress I feel that it is missing something maybe because even though the murderer is brought to justice it is not in the "Agatha Christie" style but is somewhat an anticlimax.
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