The Perfumed Sleeve: A Novel (Sano Ichiro Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Laura Joh Rowland (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sano Ichiro Mysteries | Publication Date: April 5, 2005

Sano Ichiro, Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People is faced with his most challenging case when he investigates the death of Senior Elder Makino, the shogun's most trusted adviser. There is only one puzzling clue-a torn, perfumed sleeve of a kimono. Under the watchful eyes of the shogun's cousin, Lord Matsudaira, and the shogun's second-in-command, Chamberlain Yanagisaw, Sano moves with caution. For each is eager to implicate the other in Makino's death. But Sano must determine whether the death was indeed murder, and if so, whether it was motivated by politics, love, or sex.

When a second violent death occurs, Sano is faced with several suspects, each with a compelling motive. Was it Agemaki, Makino's stone-faced second wife; Okitsu, his beautiful young concubine; Koheiji, his handsome male houseguest; or Tamura, his faithful retainer? Or was it a political assassination? With the help of his wife, Reiko, Sano must solve the murder as he discovers just how intertwined desire and danger really are...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Rowland's ninth absorbing historical set in 17th-century Japan (after 2003's The Dragon King's Palace), Sano Ichiro, the shogun's special criminal investigator, must once again navigate treacherous political waters to solve a puzzling murder. Sano finds himself retained by a corpse when the valet of one of the country's leading figures, councilman Makino Narisada, delivers a posthumous request from his master. Narisada asks Sano to examine the circumstances of his own death. At first it seems that the elderly official succumbed to natural causes, but several clues point to foul play. While the initial suspects from the victim's household all appear to be harboring guilty knowledge, the detective's task is rapidly complicated when the two leading political rivals battling to succeed the shogun accuse each other of the murder and pressure Sano to slant his pursuit accordingly. The shadow of events from The Dragon King's Palace hangs heavily over the two main supporting characters, Sano's wife and his chief assistant, driving them to take perilous risks; nonetheless, this is an accessible entry point to the series for newcomers. Deftly combining a classic whodunit with vivid period detail, Rowland raises the stakes for her next book with an unexpected twist at the end that promises to present her dogged but fallible hero with even more difficulties in the future.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"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

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

"Sano may carry a sword and wear a kimono, but you'll immediately recognize him as an ancestor of Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade."-Denver Post

"Deftly combining a classic whodunit with vivid period detail, Rowland raises the stakes for her next book with an unexpected twist at the end that promises to present her dogged but fallible hero with even more difficulties in the future."-Publishers Weekly on The Perfumed Sleeve

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (April 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312992084
• ISBN-13: 978-0312992088
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

L AURA JOH ROWL AND, the author of thirteen previous Sano Ichiro mysteries 'demonstrating an impressive level of sustained excellence' (Publishers Weekly), lives in New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Mystery, April 29, 2004

By 

K. Bergherm "Katilo" (Westmont, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfumed Sleeve: A Novel (Sano Ichiro Mystery) (Hardcover)

This is a murder mystery set in 19th century Japan. I picked it up at the library solely because of the beautiful front cover. It was intriguing to read; containing all the qualities of an American mystery but filled with numerous interesting facts concerning the Japanese culture. I found myself learning as well as being entertained by the story. My only true disappointment was discovering, after I started reading, that this book is the 9th in a series. I'm positive that I would have enjoyed the storyline more if I had read the other 8 books as much of the character background left me confused. There were often remarks concerning events in the previous books, sure to make a less observant reader wonder if they had skipped some pages. However, I do intend to look for the previous books as I found the characters intriguing, the plot filled with twists and turns, and overall, the entire book was very enjoyable. Many times, I was fooled, thinking I had figured out the mystery until finally the truth was revealed in the end. One word of warning, there are several very graphic sexual scenes. I would not recommend this to a younger reader; definitely intended for the adult audience.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best yet, August 2, 2004

By 

Robyn Myers (Fort Collins, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Perfumed Sleeve: A Novel (Sano Ichiro Mystery) (Hardcover)

After having devoured the other 8 books in the series, I found that Perfumed Sleeve gave a refreshing twist to the Sano Ichiro series. It finally gave the reader some relief from the mounting tensions of the previous books and opened up a new chapter in Sano's life. I am waiting with bated breath for Laura Joh Rowlands next book and am curious to see where she takes the new plot line.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars best book of the series so far, April 7, 2005

By 

Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Perfumed Sleeve: A Novel (Sano Ichiro Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sano is back and he's got a particularly messy mystery on his hands. A high court official with an complex sexual past and a slew of enimies is dead. The old man was beaten to death and no-one, not his wife who was sleeping next door, his half witted concubine or his handsome houseguest will admit to knowing anything about it. Sano finds himself attempting to deal with the crime while carefully walking a thin line between two opposing factions and the weaked willed Shogun. If he finds the murderer it may ruin his career and life. If he doesn't the country may be plunged into a war. Only his samuarai code can offer him any comfort.

Sano's wife Reiko is also back and her character is much improved. She's no longer the annoying brat that she used to be and has become a real help to her husband's work rather than the added headache she once was.

Other reviewers have mentioned the sex in this novel. It is very graphic and on occasion, revolting. If that bothers you, be prepared to either skip whole sections or skip the book. This is not a Harlequinn romance and it isn't Nancy Drew or a cozy Agatha Christie.

One thing that Rowland does very well is to get into the heads of widely different characters. The villainess does terrible things but is really a victim herself. The villain is a fascinating, twisted character who does disgusting and vicious things and almost convinces himself and the reader that he has no other choice. And of course, Sano and Reiko's relationship continues to be interesting.

I don't know if I'll continue with this series but this was a pretty good mystery and it has a totally unexpected ending.