Black Arrow [Paperback]

I. J. Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 2006

In I. J. Parker's latest mystery set in ancient Japan, a cold and hostile land pits Akitada against his deadliest foe yet

I. J. Parker's engrossing historical novels bring eleventh-century Japan to life in all its colorful, treacherous glory. As Black Arrow opens, Sugawara Akitada assumes his new post as provisional governor of Echigo, a frigid province in the far north notorious for its hostility to outsiders. But the snow that threatens to completely isolate the region is the least of his problems-which include a local uprising, a series of brutal murders, and a mystery that's as old as the frozen hills and a lot more dangerous. Superbly written and rich in period detail, Black Arrow is another bravura performance from a master of the historical thriller.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Shamus-winner Parker's fourth historical Sugawara Akitada novel (after 2006's Rashomon Gate) deftly combines an action-packed plot with convincing period detail to bring 11th-century Japan to life. When Akitada is dispatched to a remote northern province to serve as its provisional governor, he encounters fierce opposition from the local authorities, who have driven off previous emissaries from the capital in an effort to preserve their corrupt self-governance. The murder of a local innkeeper and the apparent effort to frame three travelers for the crime give Akitada an opening to exert some power by beginning his own independent investigation. Fans of quality traditional mysteries, as well as those with a special interest in Japan, will savor this outing and look forward to the next entry in the series. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Parker turns in the fourth mystery rooted in her fascination with eleventh-century Japan and featuring Sugawara Akitada, a young nobleman down on his luck who has accepted various governmental administrative positions. Akitada ends up investigating murder and other mayhem while trying to govern a hostile population and hold his own family together. A dark secret is at the center of this novel, culminating in the surprise confession of a family member controlling the grand castle in a bone-chilling northern province. Themes familiar to many cultures--the healing power of love, the inherent corruption of government, socioeconomic stratification, and the power of individual honor--permeate the pages. Numerous characters besides Akitada are repeat performers from the previous Parker cast, but Parker wisely presumes no prior knowledge. The historical research is impressive, the prose crisp, and Parker's ability to universalize the human condition makes for a satisfying tale. Steve Weinberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143035614
• ISBN-13: 978-0143035619
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I.J. Parker was born and educated in Europe and turned to mystery writing after an academic career in the U.S. She has published in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, winning the short story Shamus award in 2000. The Akitada series, about an eleventh century Japanese nobleman/detective, now consists of eight titles, with an ninth to be released soon. The books are available in print, audio format, and on Kindle and translated into twelve languages.
The historical trilogy THE HOLLOW REED is available on Kindle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars series keeps getting better, December 7, 2008

By 

Janet Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Arrow (Paperback)

A rich and textured novel set in 11th century Japan reveals layers of society in a period not much known by Westerners. Sugawara Akitada, a minor government official with a penchant for finding truth is sent to a far northern province to analyze accounts and serve as goveror. He immediately finds himself surrounded by intrigue and, with bodies piling up in his makeshift morgue, there plenty of immediate problems to solve. Rebelling warlords, secretive outcasts, and the sexual shenanagans of ordinary folk are almost too much for one man to manage, but Akitada threads his way through the morass and unravels the tangled mysteries. A fine read, and terrific listen!

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Series, November 11, 2010

By 

Grimgrin4488 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Arrow (Sugawara Akitada) (Kindle Edition)

Black Arrow is just one of a truely brilliant historical novel series. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes samurai detective novels. Kindle is probably the easiest and cheapest way to acquire the full set.

3.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD PERIOD NOVEL - A NOT SO GOOD INVESTIGATING YARN, January 5, 2008

By 

NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Arrow (Paperback)

With all due respect to most of the other reviewers, I found the BLACK ARROW barely adequate.

This is the fourth book in the Sugawara Akitada series but it was the first I read - and I do understand this to be an obvious impediment. On the other hand, good novels should be able to shine on their own merit.

Without risking any spoilers, I found both the triggering murder case and the underlying conspiracy to be trivial, the plot predictable and the final solution too easy and precipitating out of thin air. What is worse for any novel, there were hardly any characters to empathize with.

To be fair, I have to mention that the writing does manage to convey both the serenity and the underlying brutality of 11th century Japan; to contrast the refined yet greedy nobles opposite the coarse yet (mostly) honest peasants; and to present both the easy choices of evil and the even easier ones of virtue.

In the end though, it was not enough to make this book raise above mediocrity.