The Perfumed Sleeve

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.

I was first introduced to Laura Rowland's series through an online book club that I subscribe to (dearreader.com). The first book I read in the series was The Dragon King Palace and I was immediately hooked. I liked the book so much that I went all over the web to buy used editions of previous books in the series in hardcover for my personal collection. I have so far read 4 of the 9 books: Black Lotus, The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria (amazing plot!), The Dragon King Palace, and The Perfumed Sleeve. I'll now go back and read the first 5 books in order. Although it's fine to read these books as stand alone novels, I suggest reading them in order because there are some spoilers about the previous books interspersed in the later ones. Also, you'll become more familiar with the characters and better understand how they relate to each other.I lived in Japan for eight years and yet I have learned so much about Japanese culture through these books. If you liked James Clavell's Shogun and enjoy mysteries full of plot twists, history, and interesting characters, then I think you'll really like this series. Keep on with the great work, Laura! I look forward to reading book 10 next year!

Okay, since I am reviewing the ninth book in the series, I am thinking that everyone who reads this is probably at least superficially familiar with these novels. THESE BOOKS ARE THE GREATEST! Every times Laura Joh Rowland releases a new one, I run out and blow $25 on it. I've been reading these books for years now. I can't even BEGIN to tell how wonderful they are! It's like a long, long, LONG soap opera that hooks you and reels you in! And it takes you to places you'd never go. 17th century Japan isn't a place and time you encounter in books often! The plots are ALWAYS interesting, and they keep you at the edge of your seat and turning the pages quickly because everything happens at such a fast pace! I can remember reading "The Black Lotus," and getting in trouble over and over again at school because I couldn't put it down! The teacher would tell me to put it away, and as soon as she turned around, I would start reading it again... (Sad, I know.)"The Perfumed Sleeve" is no exception to my rants and raves. It's AWESOME!! Yanagisawa, Hirata, Lady Yanagisawa, Yoritomo, Tsunayoshi, Agemaki... I loved all the characters! And the ending was a shock! If you liked the rest of the series, READ THIS BOOK!

Of all the nine books in the series, this is by far the best. Ms. Rowland gives you lessons in culture, morality, mystique, and politics. Its an intriguing read with lots to keep you thinking as well as enjoying. After every book, I start counting the days until another one is published. Ms. Rowland transports you into that world and you actually feel a part of it. Great reading that keeps you on the edge of your seat and ready for more. Hard to put it down.

It's November of 1694, and Japan is bracing itself for a civil war as the opposing factions headed by wily and corrupt Chamberlain Yanagisawa and Lord Matsudaira (the weak shogun's cousin) struggle for power and control. Both men are busy marshaling their forces and rallying their allies. And each man wants Sano Ichiro, the shogun's most honourable investigator, on his side. But Sano is loath to choose a side even though he realizes that he may end up being friendless and without high ranking friends at a very dangerous time by remaining neutral. And then a very strange thing happens. And old enemy of Sano's and ally of Chamberlain Yanagisawa, Senior Elder Makino, dies. But he leaves a letter for Sano, asking that Sano investigate his death just in case he died because he was assassinated. Honour bound, Sano has no choice but to investigate, and quickly comes to the conclusion that Makino died under suspicious circumstances. Was Makino murdered because of personal reasons, or was his a political murder? The suspects number not only Makino's wife and concubine, but also Chamberlain Yanagisawa and Lord Matsudaira. And even before Sano can begin his investigation, everything becomes twice as complicated when both Yanagisawa and Matsudaira try to implicate the other in the murder, and to menace Sano into carrying out the investigation to their own particular satisfaction. With the stakes so high and the lives of his family at stake, Sano, together with his wife, Reiko (who is still recovering from her horrific experience chronicled in "The Dragon King's Palace"), and his henchman, Hirata, will have to be more canny and resolute than ever as they follow every elusive clue in order to discover who murdered Makino and why, and hopefully, keep their heads in such a precarious and dangerous time...Once again, I found myself glued to the seat, unable to put down this latest Sano Ichiro mystery installment until I had reached the last page. While the mystery was not a very perplexing one, the book still proved to be an engrossing and compelling read. The events unfolded at a swift and almost breath-neck speed, and with each new development, the tension grew. As usual, the character portrayals were vivid and believable, as was the descriptions of Edo, and the historical goings-on of the period. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Perfumed Sleeve" from beginning to end, and count it as a worthy installment in a simply brilliant historical mystery series. Indeed, I count Laura Joh Rowland's Sano Ichiro mystery novels as one of my top five favourite historical mystery series to be written by an American authour.