Rashomon Gate [Paperback]

As Parker ably demonstrates in Akitada's first adventure, there was nothing primitive about the Heian period, regardless of its antiquity. Akitada, whose career in the Japanese bureaucracy has come to a standstill, accepts a request from an old mentor to come to the University as an instructor while investigating an attempt at blackmail. Akitada and his servant, Tora, find themselves enmeshed in a web of plots including the murder (or transcendence) of a prince of the realm, the strangling of a joy house musician, and a series of deaths at the University itself.

Both Akitada and Tora have their own romantic interests, which are fleshed out by Parker's careful sense of detail and character development. There are countless things that can be gotten wrong in historical fiction of this sort, but Parker manages to avoid all but trivial errors. Partially because she does not delve into the politics of the times the way Rowland does. Akitada is not a 'player' in the same class as Sano Ichiro. His frustrated ambition keeps him on the outer edges of polite society.

This is an excellent first novel. Indeed, the only clue that it is a first novel is that the publicity says it is a first novel. The writing lacks the uneasiness that often mars early efforts. There is every reason to look forward to the next volume in what is giving all the signs of a successful series.

Akitada's former law professor at the Imperial University asks his one time student to investigate an apparent blackmailing scheme that needs thwarting before it becomes public knowledge and damages the schools' reputation. Seeing a chance to escape the doldrums of his work, Akitada accepts the assignment. Pretending to be a newly appointed teaching assistant, Akitada begins his investigation into who his blackmailing a professor. However, a seemingly separate second case surfaces that places Akitada in danger from wrong doers with high level connections. On the other hand the obstinate Akitada finds romance too.

The key to enjoying this strong eleventh century Japanese mystery is the names that though add realism to the locale take a bit of adjusting by westerners so as to not lose track of who does what to whom. The story line is brimming with imagery that enables the audience to feel like a visitor to what was once Kyoto. Akitada is a fascinating character disenchanted with his present life with no hope for the future yet gives everything to solving his cases. I.J. Parker writes an appealing tale that showcases her talent to paint quite a picture for historical mystery fans to enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

Minor bureaucrat Sugawara Akitada gets a request from his former teacher/foster father, Professor Hirata. Hirata reveals that someone in the university faculty is blackmailing someone else. So Akitada takes a job as a teacher at the university, and begins to investigate the possible motives and criminals. But then a body shows up -- a young pregnant girl with ties to people at the university.

Soon Akitada uncovers a sinister web of corruption, blackmail, and suicide from the year before. Then another body shows up -- an antisocial poetry professor, whose half-naked body is hung from a statue of Confucius. Now Akitada must sort out different crimes -- the dead professor, the pregnant girl, and a vanished elderly prince -- but finds that he may be the next victim...

Parker's debut is a polished one -- she manages to juggle a bunch of interconnected plot threads without dropping any of them. And without being too obvious about it, she gives a strong feel for the culture, hierarchies, complexity and accomplishments of Heian-era Japan.

Parker's writing is solid and descriptive, with some light moments sprinkled through the book. Her dialogue is a bit too "modern American," but not so much that it makes the book seem unrealistic. She includes some humor from sidekick Tora and his fact-finding missions (which usually involve lots of booze), and a bit of romance when Akitada desperately tries to woo Hirata's beautiful daughter.

Akitada is the model of a nice guy; while not perfect, he tries to do the right thing, and has plenty of brainpower to back it up. Tora is a good sidekick, a bandit-turned-valet/handyman/snoop who likes women, wine, and making kites with little princes. The supporting cast is well-drawn and likable, from the grandfatherly Hirata to imperious little prince Minamoto to the rough but kindly outcasts that Tora befriends.

"Rashomon Gate" is a solid, well-written mystery with humor, romance, and likable characters. Complex and informative, this is an excellent debut.