Island of Exiles (Sugawara Akitada Mysteries, No. 5) [Mass Market Paperback]

I. J. Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2007

In I.J. Parker's newest mystery set in eleventh-century Japan, Akitada disguises himself as a prisoner to solve the, murder of a prince

As her audience grows with each evocative historical thriller featuring Sugawara Akitada, I. J. Parker returns with a gripping tale of political intrigue and cold-blooded murder in ancient Japan. When the exiled Prince Okisada, the most illustrious prisoner of the penal colony on Sado Island, is poisoned, Akitada is called upon by the emperor's envoys to investigate incognito. Posing as a prisoner, he discovers a deadly conspiracy, only to fall into the hands of brutal guards and disappear. It falls to Tora, Akitada's devoted assistant, to begin his own dangerous search of the island for his lost friend and the truth.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Parker's fourth Sugawara Akitada mystery (after 2006's Black Arrow), set in 11th-century Japan, manages to outplot its superb predecessors. When exiled and disgraced Prince Okisada is poisoned on Sado Island, a penal colony, Akitada is recruited by a shadowy pair of high-ranking government officials who devise a risky plan to find the killer. While the local governor's son has been arrested for the murder, suspicions linger that he was framed by high constable Kumo Sanetomo as part of a plot against the emperor. Akitada, disguised as a convict, infiltrates Sado Island and suffers physical abuse from corrupt guards and police as he uncovers indications that the prince may have ingested the fatal blowfish toxin by accident. The fast-moving, surprising plot and colorful writing will enthrall even those unfamiliar with the exotic setting. The Shamus Award Parker won with her first Akitada short story may soon have company. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

I. J. Parker won a Shamus Award for the short story "Akitada's First Case," which sparked her Sugawara Akitada series of mysteries.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 398 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143112597
• ISBN-13: 978-0143112594
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,368 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

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent sequel, October 29, 2007

By 

Rosomax (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Island of Exiles (Sugawara Akitada Mysteries, No. 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed all the previous books of the Akitada series, but this one in particular really shines. Parker's prose became more and more crisp and concise, action swift, intrigue intricate. Previously I always thought of Robert Van Gulik when reading them, but now I would venture to say that I like the authors voice more. Actually, there's a embedded story about stolen silver bars for which Parker credits Van Gulik himself.
"The Island of Exiles" finds the likable hero in pretty severe circumstances, but with some good luck and quick thinking he's able once again to avoid a certain death. Moreover, it shows Akitada as a man not invincible to his own lapses of judgment and all-too human failings. Definitely a page-turner.
I missed the lively adventures of Tora and Genba, as well as Seimei's Confucius quotes, but otherwise the "spirit" of the series is all there. Domo-arigato gozaimasu, I.J.-san.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, December 3, 2007

By 

Lisa Brandt (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Island of Exiles (Sugawara Akitada Mysteries, No. 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read all of the "Sugawara Akita" mysteries/thrillers. They always strike me as a tiny bit excessive in some respects (the thriller respect, mostly) but still irresistible. This volume is no different; or, if it is different it is even better. The historical authenticity is very strong, perhaps more so than usual, and the characters are appealing. If you love feudal Japan, don't miss this one.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parker Just Keeps Getting Better, February 10, 2008

By 

UFO6 (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Island of Exiles (Sugawara Akitada Mysteries, No. 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've developed a voracious appetite for Parker's Sugawara novels that's unlike anything I've experienced for a long time, and if it didn't carry with it an unwarranted diminution of her previous titles, I'd call "Island of Exiles" her best work yet. There are scenes in this novel reminiscent of Tolkien, as raw and gritty a dramatization of a man's reduction to an animalistic state as I can remember.

This one vaults Sugawara entirely out of his familial and official milieus to do some undercover work - *seriously* undercover - and the departure is both harrowing and exhilarating. Akitada's extramarital fling in this one detracts somewhat from his character's sense of integrity, but in Sugawara's cultural/historical context it's certainly not an implausible nor even unusual occurrence. Presumably his lapse will feed into later character evolution? At any rate, the plot, which begins with a horrific, dreamlike ordeal, builds gradually into an absolute rip-snorter that is thoroughly engrossing. I lost countless hours zooming in on Sadoshima Island via Google Earth while reading this novel, and have added it to my list of must-visit Japanese locales for future vacations. The novel feels so real that I half expect to find the temples and horrific mines Parker describes when I get there. Actually, I was floored when I saw the posted images of the real-world Choukoku Temple at Hase - the image of Shunsai's monastery that Parker had painted in my head previously was virtually identical to them.

Once again, the wait for her next is going to be as excruciating as it was for this one. Amazon is indicating the hardcover version of "Island" is set for release in a couple of weeks - very odd that the paperbacks were published beforehand.

I highly recommend Parker's novels for historical fiction fanatics, Japanophiles in particular. Reading the Sugawara novels in order is not essential but on the whole probably more enjoyable, as there are numerous references within them to prior cases. Enjoy!