Home | Best Seller | FAQ | Contact Us
Browse
Art & Photography
Biographies & Autobiography
Body,Mind & Health
Business & Economics
Children's Book
Computers & Internet
Cooking
Crafts,Hobbies & Gardening
Entertainment
Family & Parenting
History
Horror
Literature & Fiction
Mystery & Detective
Nonfiction
Professional & Technology
Reference
Religion
Romance
Science
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sports & Outdoors
Travel & Geography
   Book Info

enlarge picture

The Dragon King's Palace (Sano Ichiro Mysteries Series)  
Author: Laura Joh Rowland
ISBN: 0312990030
Format: Handover
Publish Date: June, 2005
 
     
     
   Book Review


From Publishers Weekly
In Rowland's eighth engrossing 17th-century Japanese mystery (after 2002's The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria), Sano Ichiro, the shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations and People, is roused in the middle of the night when the shogun's mother and Sano's wife, Reiko, are kidnapped en route to Mount Fuji and their escort slaughtered. The crisis is exacerbated by the identities of the two other abductees: the wife of Sano's primary rival, the chamberlain Yanagisawa, the real power behind the shogun; and the pregnant wife of Sano's chief assistant. Sano's considerable deductive, strategic and diplomatic skills are repeatedly tested as he juggles the caprices of his ruler, who struggles with his figurehead status, Yanagisawa's ambitions for succession and the interests of the court's other power players. The organizer of the crimes, who calls himself the Dragon King after a traditional folk tale, makes an unusual ransom demand that only adds to the mystery of his identity and motivation. While her husband races to put the pieces of the puzzle together before the shogun's recklessness imperils the hostages, Reiko, bright and self-reliant, schemes to free herself and her companions. Rowland's masterful evocation of the period enables the reader to identify with the universal human emotions and drives that propel her characters while absorbing numerous telling details of a different culture and era.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The eighth Sano Ichiro mystery is pretty much like its forerunners, which is both good and bad. Good, because the latest adventure of the seventeenth-century Japanese Samurai combines modern detective work with sharp historical drama; bad, because we've seen it all before, seven times, and, aside from the plot (involving the kidnapping of the hero's wife), Rowland isn't really doing anything very new here. Good, because fans of period-themed mysteries will be pleased with the author's narrative style, with the way she introduces historical details subtly, making them part of the story's natural flow; bad, because this same narrative style is becoming rather predictable, as we are now beginning to expect these details to appear at certain points in the story. What began as fresh and exciting, then, has now reached the point where it's becoming formulaic, and that does not bode well for the future. Still, series fans won't be ready to give up yet. This remains a good series, but it needs a second wind. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
"Think James Clavell meets Raymond Chandler." -San Francisco Chronicle

"Rowland uses her fine eye for detail to portray the intricate surface and roiling underbelly of life in a tightly structured, controlled society. Her Japan is a mix of Kabuki theater-like stylized formality, palace intrigue, and physical action that would do a martial arts movie proud."
-Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)

"Rowland's masterful evocation of the period enable the reader to identify with the universal human emotions and drives that propel her characters while absorbing numerous telling details of a different culture and era."-Publishers Weekly

"The story line remains fresh though this is Sano's eighth tale because of the insightful look at an era when palace intrigue rivaled Machiavelli and samurai code rules."-Midwest Book Review

"A lively dissection of the samurai code of honor, sexual dishonor, palace infighting, and ancient Japanese mores."-Kirkus Reviews



Review
"Think James Clavell meets Raymond Chandler." -San Francisco Chronicle

"Rowland uses her fine eye for detail to portray the intricate surface and roiling underbelly of life in a tightly structured, controlled society. Her Japan is a mix of Kabuki theater-like stylized formality, palace intrigue, and physical action that would do a martial arts movie proud."
-Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)

"Rowland's masterful evocation of the period enable the reader to identify with the universal human emotions and drives that propel her characters while absorbing numerous telling details of a different culture and era."-Publishers Weekly

"The story line remains fresh though this is Sano's eighth tale because of the insightful look at an era when palace intrigue rivaled Machiavelli and samurai code rules."-Midwest Book Review

"A lively dissection of the samurai code of honor, sexual dishonor, palace infighting, and ancient Japanese mores."-Kirkus Reviews



Review
"Think James Clavell meets Raymond Chandler." -San Francisco Chronicle

"Rowland uses her fine eye for detail to portray the intricate surface and roiling underbelly of life in a tightly structured, controlled society. Her Japan is a mix of Kabuki theater-like stylized formality, palace intrigue, and physical action that would do a martial arts movie proud."
-Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA)

"Rowland's masterful evocation of the period enable the reader to identify with the universal human emotions and drives that propel her characters while absorbing numerous telling details of a different culture and era."-Publishers Weekly

"The story line remains fresh though this is Sano's eighth tale because of the insightful look at an era when palace intrigue rivaled Machiavelli and samurai code rules."-Midwest Book Review

"A lively dissection of the samurai code of honor, sexual dishonor, palace infighting, and ancient Japanese mores."-Kirkus Reviews



Book Description
On a whim of the shogun's mother, a procession has left the sweltering heat of Edo, bound for the cooler climate of Mount Fuji. Among her traveling companions are Reiko, the beautiful wife of Sano Ichiro, the shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People; Reiko's friend Midori, nine months pregnant; and Lady Yanagisawa, the deranged wife of the shogun's powerful second-in-command. None of them look forward to the trip. But their troubles have only begun when their procession is stopped suddenly on a deserted road. The entire retinue is viciously slaughtered and the four women are bound and taken away, imprisoned by a mysterious kidnapper.

Sano now finds himself faced with the most important case of his career. The shogun demands quick action, and under the threat of death, Sano is forced to work with his bitter enemies-Chamberlain Yanagisawa and Police Commissioner Hoshina. The delivery of a ransom note only complicates matters-forcing both Sano and Reiko to take desperate measures.



From the Back Cover
"Rowland has a painter's eye for the minutiae of court life, as well as a politician's ear for intrigue." -The New York Times Book Review

On a whim of the shogun's mother, a procession has left the sweltering heat of Edo, bound for the cooler climate of Mount Fuji. Among her traveling companions are Reiko, the beautiful wife of Sano Ichiro, the shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People; Reiko's friend Midori, nine months pregnant; and Lady Yanagisawa, the deranged wife of the shogun's powerful second-in-command. None of them look forward to the trip. But their troubles have only begun when their procession is stopped suddenly on a deserted road. The entire retinue is viciously slaughtered and the four women are bound and taken away, imprisoned by a mysterious kidnapper.

Sano now finds himself faced with the most important case of his career. The shogun demands quick action, and under the threat of death, Sano is forced to work with his bitter enemies-Chamberlain Yanagisawa and Police Commissioner Hoshina. The delivery of a ransom note only complicates matters-forcing both Sano and Reiko to take desperate measures.

"The mystery is sharp and suspenseful, but, as usual, it's the beautifully re-created feudal Japan-rich in detail but never overloaded with it-that captures our imagination. This series just keeps getting better and better."-Booklist on The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria



About the Author
Laura Joh Rowland, the granddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants, was educated at the University of Michigan and now lives in New Orleans with her husband. The Dragon King's Palace is the eighth novel in her widely acclaimed series featuring Sano Ichiro.





The Dragon King's Palace (Sano Ichiro Mysteries Series)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"On a whim of the shogun's mother, a procession has left the sweltering heat of Edo, bound for the cooler climate of Mount Fuji. Among her traveling companions are Reiko, the beautiful wife of Sano Ichiro, the shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People; Reiko's friend Midori, nine months pregnant; and Lady Yanagisawa, the deranged wife of the shogun's powerful second-in-command. None of them looks forward to the trip. But their troubles have only begun when their procession is stopped suddenly on a deserted road. The entire retinue is viciously slaughtered and the four women are bound and taken away, imprisoned by a mysterious kidnapper." "Sano now finds himself faced with the most important case of his career. The shogun demands quick action, and under the threat of death, Sano is forced to work with his bitter enemies - Chamberlain Yanagisawa and Police Commissioner Hoshina." The women are in imminent danger, and the delivery of a ransom note only complicates matters - forcing both Sano and Reiko to take desperate measures.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In Rowland's eighth engrossing 17th-century Japanese mystery (after 2002's The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria), Sano Ichiro, the shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations and People, is roused in the middle of the night when the shogun's mother and Sano's wife, Reiko, are kidnapped en route to Mount Fuji and their escort slaughtered. The crisis is exacerbated by the identities of the two other abductees: the wife of Sano's primary rival, the chamberlain Yanagisawa, the real power behind the shogun; and the pregnant wife of Sano's chief assistant. Sano's considerable deductive, strategic and diplomatic skills are repeatedly tested as he juggles the caprices of his ruler, who struggles with his figurehead status, Yanagisawa's ambitions for succession and the interests of the court's other power players. The organizer of the crimes, who calls himself the Dragon King after a traditional folk tale, makes an unusual ransom demand that only adds to the mystery of his identity and motivation. While her husband races to put the pieces of the puzzle together before the shogun's recklessness imperils the hostages, Reiko, bright and self-reliant, schemes to free herself and her companions. Rowland's masterful evocation of the period enables the reader to identify with the universal human emotions and drives that propel her characters while absorbing numerous telling details of a different culture and era. Regional author tour. (Apr. 21) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Events in late 17th-century Japan once again place samurai investigator Sano Ichiro (Black Lotus) in an untenable position. Here, he must work with his political enemies in order to rescue his kidnapped wife, her best friend, the shogun's mother, and the wife of the shogun's next-in-command. Action-packed and lively. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Who can resist the demands of Lady Keisho-in, the shogun's imperious mother? Certainly not Reiko, the feisty wife of Sano the samurai, the shogun's chief investigator; the very pregnant Midori, wife of Hirata, Sano's trusted retainer; or embittered Lady Yanagisawa, the neglected wife of the shogun's second-in-command, chamberlain Yanagisawa (who prefers men, especially police commissioner Hoshino). So the women accompany Lady Keisho-in from Edo to Mount Fuji. Their loyalty is poorly repaid when their entourage is slaughtered and they're kidnapped and imprisoned in a decrepit island fortress. When a ransom note arrives declaring that they will be freed only if the shogun executes Hoshino, the shogun assigns archrivals Yanagisawa and Sano to the abduction while the rest of 17th-century Japan begins maneuvering, since whoever rescues the shogun's mother will surely earn his gratitude. Sano (The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria, 2002, etc.) sends Hirata to investigate the crime site, and he tracks down Hoshino's enemies as Yanagisawa plots his own ascendancy. Meanwhile, the abductor, the seriously demented dragon king, is lusting for beautiful Reiko, whom he has confused with someone named Anemone. As Reiko fights to maintain her honor, Midori gives birth, Lady Yanagisawa drifts in and out of sanity, the shogun's mother vociferously complains, and their menfolk sift through clues until they finally identify the women's location and begin marching on it-to the deep relief of Hoshino. A lively dissection of the samurai code of honor, sexual dishonor, palace infighting, and ancient Japanese mores. Agent: Pam Ahearn/Ahearn Agency

     



Home | Private Policy | Contact Us
@copyright 2001-2005 ReadingBee.com