Customer Reviews

Shimura Trouble (Severn House Large Print)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is with great sadness that I write this review for what is almost certainly (by the author's own admission on her website), the final book featuring spunky Japanese-American girl detective Rei Shimura. I can say without exaggeration that I consider Rei to be the freshest , quirkiest and most memorable creation in the female sleuth genre I have been privileged to find. I spent nearly 7 years living and working in Japan, and discovering Rei was like making an instant new friend whom I felt I had already known for years, a fellow cultural warrior who shared many of the same struggles I did as a semi-literate guest worker in that society. Her adventures in Japan were also a nostalgia tour for me, reconnecting me to the unique culture of the country where I spent so many transformational years. I have great affection for Rei and her habitat, which made it very difficult for me to enjoy later books in this series in which I felt the author was losing her grip on what was most compelling about Rei as a character. Rei is at her best when she is in Tokyo, working in her antiques business and interacting with her colorful cast of Japanese supporting characters in the course of her adventures. Rei may only be half-Japanese, but I feel she is only fully herself when she is set loose in Japan.

It has been a very long time since we enjoyed that Rei. After events at the end of "The Bride's Kimono" led to Rei's deportation from Japan, there was a sea change in the direction Massey took this series and regretfully it was not for the better. The book immediately following, "The Samurai's Daughter" was completely set in Rei's hometown of San Francisco, but that change of scenery worked as a brief respite for our overworked heroine (even though she did manage to almost get herself killed once again.) We hoped that after a break in America for Christmas, Rei would find her way back to Tokyo, or at least to her beloved antiques business. Alas, subsequent books (The Pearl Diver, The Typhoon Lover) showed us Rei still far adrift from her spiritual home. With "The Pearl Diver", action shifted to Washington, D.C., the setting for "The Bride's Kimono". There, Rei at least was given the relevant task of decorating a Japanese restaurant, a gig that got her back into what she does so well. Unfortunately that book also signaled Rei's final break with Hugh, and along with his baby that she miscarried, Rei seemed to lose her heart and soul as well. As bleak as that denouement would have been, Massey would have done better by Rei to end it there. The next two installments returned Rei to Japan for the bulk of the action, but that was small comfort when the action was so very ridiculous. Whatever was Massey thinking by making Rei an espionage agent? Rei has made a career out of talking her way into jobs and situations for which she is maginally qualified, but this was really stretching it to incredulity. Hugh fans like me are non-plussed with the extraneous introduction of a new love interest for Rei in the person of her (much older) boss at the spy agency. Michael Hendricks reads like a Harlequin fantasy boyfriend, handsome, dashing . . .and completely two-dimensional. In contrast to Hugh's colorfully flawed humanity, he's like a hologram.

Which brings us to "Shimura Trouble". Immediately I noticed that not only is it at least 100 pages shorter than all of Massey's other efforts, it has a different imprint as well. Perhaps Massey's long-time publishing house, HarperCollins, was as non-plussed with the direction (or lack thereof) in the last two books as I and refused this manuscript. Based on the author's plea on her website for libraries and collectors to purchase this last installment, that makes me think it's not selling well, which is, if true, absolutely justified. The appealing Hawaiian setting is not enough to overcome the weakest character development and least-involving storyline of Massey's career. Perhaps the obvious lack of effort in coming up with a title that,like all the others before it, references some aspect of Rei's Japanese heritage is clue enough that Massey is finished with Rei. Though Rei finally gets her happy ending, it's so rushed and perfunctory that we don't care. (Would the Rei we knew fail to invite her mother to her long-awaited wedding?) Obviously Massey was rushing this manuscript to deadline, because her characteristic care with plot detail is missing, big-time. You may want to purchase this if only to round out your collection of Rei Shimura. It by no means represents Rei, or Massey, in her best light. Though I own all ten books, Rei will live on in my mind as she was in the three strongest offerings of this series: "Zen Attitude"; "The Flower Master" and "The Bride's Kimono". These present Rei in all her tough-minded, independent, stubborn, prickly, energetic glory. The last four books in this series have not served her well, and this one, the last, least of all. If I were meeting Rei for the first time in this book, I'd find precious little to engage me. Certain plot elements are lifted from earlier books, recycling how Rei almost meets her demise in this book, for one. And having Rei don a wetsuit and a wire to make an amphibious stealth landing a la a Navy Seal is the most ridiculous James Bondian thing she's put her seasickness-prone heroine through yet. Did she really think we wouldn't notice that Rei's no James Bond?

"Sayonara" literally translated means: "Until we meet again." I would love to meet Rei again, but only if she can come out of retirement as her old fiesty self. That is unlikely. I feel that Rei and her long-time readers deserved a better farewell than this.

As an avid fan of the Rei Shimura mysteries since The Salaryman's Wife and onwards, I was extremely excited for this new, and final, installment in the series. Sadly, Shimura Trouble does not live up to the thrill, savvy, or intigue of the previous novels. This one lacks some element which were extremely strong in the first few novels, and present in the last few. The first few Shimura mysteries possessed an essence brought on by Rei's spunk at her new surroundings, and by the setting in Japan. The later novels weren't as intense and captivating, but still readable, but this last novel is none of the above. Rei Shimura has aged and with that, her spunk and mystery-seeking nature seems to have deteriorated. Even the setting in beautiful Hawaii fails to save this novel, which is quite dull up until halfway and quite predictable. The mystery isn't much in relation to suspense or intrigue, as in her previous novels. Normally, I am able to polish off a Rei Shimura mystery in two days tops, but this one has taken me 3 weeks to get through! The focus on land ownership is a major downturn, while the dullness resulted in my barely being able to get through the chapters. Rei Shimura has changed, and sadly, not for the better. As the last installment, I expected this to surpass all the previous novels, but sadly, is the worst...Rei Shimura's series has ended not with a bang, but with a dejected whimper. This novel is the final stop in a downward spiral (after Rei Shimura left Japan, the series went downwards). To those still considering reading this, don't purchase it -- rather, just check it out at the library. A better use of time would be to go back and reread her earlier novels (The Salrayman's Wife, Zen Attitude, The Flower Master, The Floating Girl, The Bride's Kimono) -- at least then readers will leave with a better perspective of both Rei Shimura and Sujata Massey's writing skills (which have seen far better days).

I knew this book was coming out and had added it to my To Read list on Goodreads but they had a publication date of October. So imagine my suprise when I came accross the book at my local library. Of course I checked it out and took it home with every intention of devouring that night. Unfortunately, echoing a lot of reviews of other fans, I was disappointed to say the least. Rei was out of the fascinating Japan into a less than interesting Hawaii. Don't get me wrong, I think Hawaii is delightful but not the Hawaii Massey presented in the novel. I actually had to go back and re-read chapters because I was absolutely convinced that I had missed something. Her mom, such a vibrant character in other novels, was missing as was Massey's usual colorful descriptive voice. Her cast of characters were a sour bunch. Mrs. Massey, I would have waited longer for a better book.

My congrats to Madam Massey for writing another great Rei story. This time happening in Hawaii. What wealth of information and descriptions; as always i learn so much and feel a little wiser on all things related to Hawaii society and history. Rei has also grown in the face of adversity, she is less impulsive.... and the new characters are just are a delightful mishmash of corckiness. I do get the sad suspicion that this may be the last of Rei's adventures. I just hope there is still more to get in trouble for our heroine!! Definitly worth waiting for!!!

I've enjoyed other Rei Shimura mysteries, and was pleased to find this on the library shelf -- I didn't even know there was a new installment.
However, as a Honolulu native, I am disappointed by the false notes struck by this book. While it is clear that Ms. Massey has been to the islands, her attempts to write local characters' Pidgin conversation fell flat. While Pidgin varies regionally, some of the pidgin constructions and actual words struck my eye and ear as wrong. Some examples: Pakolo for pakalolo. Spam musube instead of spam musubi. The Alai Wai Canal instead of the Ala Wai. And I don't think I've ever been to an L&L that offers Yoo-Hoo on the drink menu.
Also, the editing in general is sloppy -- sentences missing periods, inconsistent name spellings -- a character is listed as Delacruz in the cast of characters, De La Cruz later in the story. The most egregious error was a reference to a "Haruki Murakami painting." Um, that's actually Takashi Murakami. Halfway through the book, I also examined the cover image and thought, no one wears a lei draped that far down the back.
Altogether, these missteps were jarring and spoiled the book for me.

Perhaps Sujata Massey's Rei Shimura mysteries are not everyone's cup of tea (they are sometimes referred to as "mystery -- women's fiction crossovers"), but for those of us who like her style and content (especially the multicultural education!), this is another winner.

As a Californian who travels regularly to Hawaii, I thought I knew quite a bit about Hawaiian history and culture, but Massey taught me a fair amount of new stuff, especially about ethnically Japanese Hawaiians. As has been true of all of her books, the story line is fun enough to keep you reading, and learning, and wanting to know more.

One reason I read Massey is that I am multilingual and studied linguistics, so I greatly enjoy her explanation of local language and slang. Read this one and your Hawaiian slang will definitely improve!

I guess this book is a farewell to faithful readers of the Rei Shimura series. If it starts slow, it delivers a wonderful complicated plot, a great set of characters, and action scenes that are among Massey's best. In fact, in a way they ARE the best, for reasons that would involve spoilers, offering a great finish to the series. Rei's man trouble, which sparkles through the whole series, has a highly satisfactory third act.

I missed Rei's mom and aunt (I felt they should be here, though there are reasons they are not), but the Hawaii Shimuras are a lively group. Rei moves among Hawaiians who are intensely conscious of their racial roots, as she is, in the jumble that includes a cousin with mysterious roots, an old-money landowner, a developer, transient military and yachtsmen (transient even when born in Hawaii), a Chinese gangster, and a proud but land-poor Hawaiian. Massey gives a vivid, sensual picture of a part of Hawaii (Ewa or Leeward Oahu) with which I was not familiar.

I do think that there is room left for another novel. Perhaps it would be a bit more "domestic" than before, but it is hard to imagine Rei NOT getting in trouble with her curiosity and sense of justice....

Although this wonderful tale was slow to start (and hence four stars instead of five), it is well worth the read and then some. In fact it turned out to be one of my favorites in the series!

In this outing, Rei is home nursing her father, who has had a serious stroke. A surprise letter from an unknown relative in the heretofore also unknown Hawaiian branch of the Shimura clan changes everything as Rei's father, who can be as stubborn as she is, insists on going.

Next thing you know, Rei, her dad, her cousin Tom and his dad (whom we've met many times before in the Japanese segments of this series) are in Hawaii--and up to their necks, not in leis, but in mystery. I am not going to indulge in spoilers here, but Rei's love life, which had taken a turn for the worse in the most recent novels, picks up. That's all I'm going to say.

For those of us diehard Shimura fans, the ending is a 5-star ending. For those who do NOT follow the series, however, I'm not sure this book might not be confusing. There are many branches of the Shimura family and many different sides to our heroine, and if you do not know the ins and outs, it might be a bit difficult to unravel. However, I thoroughly adored this book and am thrilled that Sujata Massy and her heroine remain in fine form!

I was happy that all ended well for one of my favorite fictional heroines, Rei Shimura, in "Shimura Trouble," the final novel in the ten-book series featuring the exploits of the loveable antique dealer turned crime solver. As in all the novels in the series, author Sujata Massey makes her young heroine someone that we readers cannot help but like. This novel is set in Hawaii, whose land of mixed races creates a comfortable setting for Rei, who is half Japanese and half Caucasian. Like each of the previous novels, the author focuses on a particular aspect of Japanese culture, in this case the extended family. Rei, her father, uncle, and cousin are called to Hawaii to help resolve some land problems regarding distant relatives who live on the island. Also, like the previous novels, the author teaches us Japanese expressions by using them within the story. Fortunately, all turns out well for our heroine by book's end. The only unfortunate happening being that this is the last book in a series which has me completely hooked.--Joe Strang

SHIMURA TROUBLE, the last book in Sujata Massey's mystery series about the sophisticated, brainy and sexy Rei Shimura, does not disappoint. Massey's deft plot--a long lost branch of the Shimura clan beckons Rei and her parents to Hawaii to celebrate an 88th birthday--leads to a surprisingly malevolent twist, as well as romance. The novel kept me turning pages and calculating who among the Hawaiian Shimuras had criminal motives at heart. As always with Massey's novels the historical subtext made the plot all the richer, and in this case, it was the issue of property stolen from Japanese American citizens during World War II. Percolating throughout is Rei's relationship with fellow spy and former Naval officer, Michael Hendricks of the prematurely silvering dark brown hair. Massey also juxtaposes everyday domestic life with suspenseful action, which enhances characterization and made the plot turns highly believable. Rei and Michael's romance is handled with dexterity--leading to an ending that truly surprised me. This was an absorbing and entertaining read with Massey's usual attention to Japanese mores, language and culture. Satisfying conclusion to her masterful series!