Black Lotus

Laura Joh Rowland has written another perfect Japanese mystery novel. Yea Reiko disobeys Sano but it keeps this plot going. I do hope though, Reiko stops disobeying Sano in her next Novel, to keep the family together. I read this novel in a week, it keeps you going tell the end. Can't wait until next book comes out!!

Sano Ichiro, the Shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations and People, is a remarkable man. Starting as the son of a ronin (a masterless samurai), Sano has risen to his title by dint of hard work, sharp thinking, and unmatched integrity. He and his bright, beautiful wife Reiko have had to pit their wits against criminals and the incredible political machinations of the Shogun's court and the Bakufu, the Japanese bureaucracy. Finally, they have had a short period of peace, time to settle in their roles and have a young son, Masahiro.Unexpectedly, a fire and triple murder at a local Buddhist temple nearly brings this idyllic setting crashing down. Sano has difficulty questioning Haru, a young nurse who was found unconscious at the scene and enlists Reiko in helping to extract Haru's story and determine if she is a suspect or a witness. Haru awakens Reiko's protective instincts and Sano finds his own opinion is in conflict with his wife's. Unlike the typical samurai wife of 17th Century Japan, Reiko is strong-willed and an independent thinker. In short order they are pursuing separate investigations and working at cross purposes.Reiko suspects that the Black Lotus Buddhist sect has deliberately tried to blame Haru for the murders. The nurse and Pious Truth, a young monk, convince her that there are many suspicious activities at the temple. Reiko focuses her investigations on High Priest Anraku, and his two lieutenants, Kumashiro and Abbess Junketsu-in. Sano, on the other hand finds mounting evidence of Haru's dishonesty and complicity. Worse, there is increasing pressure from the Shogun and his council to arrest Haru and bring the case to a swift conclusion before the temple's influential members can cause trouble.Reiko, unable to accept her husband's judgement, actively works against him, removing Haru from the Temple and involving both her father and the Shogun's mother. Before Sano realizes it, Reiko has triggered a series of events that that could easily destroy his career and cause the Shogun to demand his life. The conflict between Reiko and her husband appears unresolvable, and the marriage is on the road to dissolution. Even worse, innocent friends have become involved as well. Unable to completely ingnore Reiko's beliefs, Sano realizes that, whether Haru is innocent or not, the Black Lotus temple is involved in many suspicious activities. The action reaches crisis and it takes all of his energy to protect his family and the city of Edo from the plots of Anraku and his monks.Of all the 'historical' mystery writers, Laura Joh Rowland stands out in her ability to completely capture the society and culture of 17th Century Japan. Her writing seems effortless, and the reader quickly becomes deeply involved in the politics, art, and people of those times. Sano and Reiko are delightful people, surrounded by many intriguing characters. Indeed, Rowland has extended her characterization skills to produce a rich and

The "Black Lotus," the latest installment in the Sano Ichiro mystery series set in 17th century Japan, is an absolutely brilliant read! This novel is exciting and tautly paced, with almost non-stop action and revelations. I found that I just couldn't put this book down -- I was that eager to get to the resolution of this novel; and while I was able to work out a few of the solutions, there were still a few revelations that managed to astound me.Sano Ichiro, the Most Honourable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People, is enjoying a rare moment of bliss: not only has his relationship with the powerful Chamberlain Yanagisawa taken a turn for the better, but Sano is also enjoying the early days of proud fatherhood. Life seems so wonderful at present and little does Sano suspect that the routine investigation into the case of arson and murder at the Black Lotus temple would so abruptly put an end to this peaceful period.The Black Lotus sect is a rather mysterious one that seems to be have grown in numbers and patrons almost overnight under the leadership of the charismatic Anraku. Early one morning the priests and nuns are rudely awakened by a fire set to one of the cottages on the temple grounds. And when the fire is put out the bodies of a naked man and the burnt bodies of a woman and child are found. Also found near the cottage is a young girl, Haru, almost incoherent with terror. It is soon becomes evident that the cottage was set on fire on purpose. And when Sano arrives to take over the investigation of the arson, he recognises the naked man as Oyama Jushin, the chief police commander of the area. Further investigation also reveals that all three did not die because of the fire, but that they had been murdered. The only person who might be able to shed some light on the matter is Haru. But she is almost inarticulate with terror. Reasoning that a woman may be able to cut through Haru's fear, Sano asks his wife Reiko to try and gently interrogate Haru. Reiko is ecstatic: months of being confined to the house has made her feel dull and uninteresting. And since her insistence in being involved in Sano's previous cases has been a sore point of contention between them, she takes it as a good sign that he is now asking for her help. Unfortunately this case only serves to estrange Sano and Reiko, for while Reiko sees Haru as a victim in need of protection, testimony from the abbess of the Black Lotus temple, and others paint Haru as a liar and troublemaker. It is also intimated that Haru knew Oyama, and that she hated him. Sano is convinced that Haru is guilty, and Reiko is aghast at his quick conclusions. Especially as her investigations intimate that there is something terribly wrong with the Black Lotus sect. Sano however will not listen to Reiko, even when his own investigators start to come across a lot of people who claim that the sect has not only kidnapped their loved ones, but have also engaged in a series of brutal acts of intimidation.

In 1693 Edo, witnesses saw the teenage girl flee and later hide in shock during the fire at the Black Lotus Temple where three bodies are found. Like just about everyone else, the Shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People Sano Ichiro believes that the girl committed homicide. However, Sano's spouse Reiko cannot believe this fifteen-year-old is a cold-blooded killer. Instead, she feels they have captured an abuse victim and that the truth is hidden inside the mysterious BLACK LOTUS sect. As Sano goes down his official investigative path, Reiko travels a different journey with both seeking the truth even if it destroys their marriage. BLACK LOTUS is an incredible seventeenth century Japanese mystery that brings to life the exciting Samurai period. The customs of the various classes augments the depth to a strong who-done-it. The rivalry, competition, and camaraderie between Sano and Reiko provide additional entertainment to this terrific tale. As with the entire series, Laura Joh Rowland has written another triumphant novel that will thrill mystery and historical fiction readers who will feel they traveled back in time.Harriet Klausner