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Review
An exotic and beguiling mystery story; a tour de force of imagination. --Robert Harris
Intriguing... an interesting... exciting tale. --New York Times Book Review
'Nearly impossible to put down.' - The Washington Post Book World
'Rowland... shows sure command of her background material and demonstrates that she is a writer of depth and potential.' - --Publishers Weekly
Intriguing... an interesting... exciting tale. --New York Times Book Review
'Nearly impossible to put down.' - The Washington Post Book World
'Rowland... shows sure command of her background material and demonstrates that she is a writer of depth and potential.' - --Publishers Weekly
Book Description
The fantastic first book in Laura Joh Rowland's 17th Century mystery series featuring Sano Ichiro
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ichiro Sano has just been appointed to a priced position in the Shogun's police force. Pushed by the social ambitions of his ruined family, bound by his honor to the powerful man who recommended him and shunned by his companions (who had all inherited their positions), he is under the unbearable pressure to do well and to obey without question.
The problem is that Sano has a questioning mind, and his first case, a Shinju (double ritual suicide of two lovers) is not as clear as it appears. Sano has to chose between his duty and his instincts as invertigator, and in 17th century honor-bound-japan, he might lose everything, even if he proves right!
Very believable plot and the author really makes you feel like you are in 17th century Japan. It would be better if the main caracter was a bit more self-confident. Sometimes I dispair of a happy ending with all his whining!
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I came to this book having just finished reading "Tokaido" by Lucia St Clair Robson, hence my disappointment. Ms Robson creates a suberb atmosphere of Japan during this period with excellent charactureisation, one really cares what happens to the main protagonists. The storyline is gripping building to a great final chapter. By comparison Shinju is lightweight the main characture Sano Ichiro a Yoriki (policeman) is lackluster. I didn't really care what his fate awaited him. I also found the dialogue in a modern idiom detracted both from my enjoyment and the atmosphere. I agree with the Denver Post review quoted in the book "you'll immediately recognise him (Sano) as an ancestor of Philip Marlow or Sam Spade and Kikrus Reviews "a Japanese echo of Presumed Innocent". I'd have bought the originals if I'd wanted these stories.
Having said that I'll give the author another chance with her next book "Bundori" before I move on.
Having said that I'll give the author another chance with her next book "Bundori" before I move on.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
52 reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
A Great Historical Detective Story
21 April 2002
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This book was recommended to me by a friend, and now I am hooked! 'Shinju' is a mystery about a supposed ritual double lovers' suicide (the title is the term that is used to refer to that act) that is in actuality a murder. Ichiro Sano, a young man recently appointed 'yoriki'(policeman) is assigned to a cursory investigation of what most of his colleagues and superiors view as a dishonorable and distasteful incident. Sano's takes his duties seriously, however, and almost loses his life -- and more importantly -- his honor in uncovering both a disturbing crime and a treasonous plot. Set against the backdrop of the Tokugawa Shogunate, this novel is educational as well as entertaining, and I really didn't know where the plot would take me as I read; the hero gets in some pretty dangerous situations. Rowland really paints a realistic picture of Japan in the 17th Century, with its dependence on personal obligation and honor. It's both frustrating and eye-opening for the reader to discover that although the hero knows 'whodunnit', his society prohibits him from bringing the guilty party (or in this case 'parties') to justice.
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Fascinating history, mediocre writing & puzzle
14 July 1998
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Rowland is great at making 17th century Japan seem real, and goes into exquisite detail about the material (and, more crassly, moral) circumstances in which her characters live. That alone made the book worth reading, and made me interested in reading Bundori as a follow-up. However, Shinju has serious drawbacks. Anyone who reads mysteries regularly will have no trouble solving Shinju by halfway through the book. The main problem, though, is Rowland's ponderous writing. Her action scenes and urban descriptions are great; but anything about characters' thoughts and motivations gets wordy and dull very fast. Instead of letting readers figure out why characters respond as they do (except for the highly-scrutable inscrutable suspects) she beats to death the possibilities with lists of questions the characters are supposed to have flashing through their minds. In addition, no one moves a muscle in this story without Rowland reporting on its flexion. It's as if she do! ! esn't trust the readers to be as smart as she is. That's annoying. Shinju is a lovely historical tapestry, and compelling as a result. Frankly, I think Rowland should drop the mystery element (which is profoundly unsatisfying) and just write novels of 17th Century Japan. They would probably be great.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Interesting Setting, Less Compelling Mystery
24 July 1999
Format:Mass Market Paperback
A highly detailed series debut set in Tokyo (Edo) circa 1690. The detective is a newly appointed samurai police officer who quickly manages to piss off his boss and underlings by sticking his naively inquisitive nose into various matters, most notably, a ritual lovers' suicide he is ordered not to investigate. Of course our hero has an inner conflict which rages between duty and justice which battles most of the book, as he gets himself deeper and deeper in hot water. The mystery itself is nothing special, and relies on a villain who is more than slightly crazed. The fun in the book is in all the little details about urban Japanese life and customs of the era, as well as the political background. This is presented very fluidly and is well-woven into the plot.
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