Customer Reviews

Of Death and Black Rivers: A Mystery of Ancient Japan

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The second in Woodward's Lady Aoi series set in 7th century Japan. Lady Aoi is primary lady-in-waiting to the royal princess; she has a knack for acute perception and has previously used her reasoning powers to solve crimes in the first book of the series, The Exile Way. This time around the mystery centers upon General Miura no Takamasa, Governor of Mutsu, Great Subduer of Barbarians. The general has returned to the capital after defeating an uprising in the north of Japan led by the native "barbarians," the Ezo. Being the son of the previous governor, he has spent a good share of his life in the north and has been influenced by many of its strange ways. His second in command, Kosha, is an equally enigmatic figure. The depth of their mysterious connections to northern culture (and to each other) makes them the talk of the court, if not the whole city. When two Ministers of the Treasury die after accompanying Miura on hunting parties, Lady Aoi is drawn to learn more about them. Why is the general wooing an inept lady-in-waiting to the princess? What is his real mission in the capital? Where does the money come from to enable him to do what he does? Woodward does a good job of introducing us to court life in 7th century Japan, a life and time undoubtedly foreign to most of her readers. The main plot and subplots are handled well, and the characters are effectively drawn. I like the way poetry is used to show the Japanese intimate connection with cultural tradition while furthering plot and characterization at the same time. I can't speak of Woodward's historical authenticity, but she seems to do a good job of showing how intelligent women can function effectively in an extremely male-dominated society.

In the tradition of Laura Joh Rowland, Ann Woodward makes fuedal Japan come alive for the average reader. The plot is well thought out, and definitely believable. A wonderful read!

This one is fabulous. It takes the reader back to ancient Japan where the upper class hung out and recited poetry wrapped in clothing and customs completely unfamilar to the modern world. I can't wait to read her other one. Wish she'd come out with more.