Rowland has obviously done her homework; her zest for historical detail complements, rather than overwhelms, the story, giving the reader a glimpse into the ceremoniality of 17th-century imperial Japanese culture: "In the southern sector of the imperial enclosure stood the Purple Dragon Hall.... The austere half-timbered building faced a courtyard bounded with covered corridors supported by vermilion posts. The ground was covered with white sand to reflect the light of the sun and moon onto the hall. A cherry tree and a citrus tree flanked the entrance, representing the guardian archers and horsemen of ancient tradition. Leading up to the door, eighteen steps, framed by red balustrades, symbolized the number of noble ranks in the court hierarchy. Sano and Hoshina slowly approached the bottom of the steps, where a line of courtiers waited."

Unfortunately, Rowland seems sometimes to sacrifice accuracy for the sake of action, creating a bond between Sano and his spirited wife Reiko so modern that one feels that even the most liberated Genroku woman would have been far more circumscribed by ritual and expectations. On the level of plot, rather than philosophy or politics, Sano's deductions have less to do with dogged investigation than with divine inspiration.

Laura Joh Rowland's previous Sano mysteries include The Concubine's Tattoo and The Way of the Traitor. Mystery fans intrigued by the notion of a Japanese mise en scene may be interested in Dale Furutani's Death at the Crossroads and Jade Palace Vendetta, also set in 17th-century Japan. --Kelly Flynn

Product Description

The Shogun sends his Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People, Sano Ichiro to make inquiries into the death of Konoe and to uncover what the minister learned. Sano knows he must succeed because the failure of his previous case not only dishonored him but also left the Shogun wondering whether to replace him. Over his initial objections and his fears how the Shogun will react, his new wife Reiko insists on helping him with this dangerous case. As the newlyweds get closer to the truth, their lives and that of the nobility is endangered, as civil war seems eminent unless they can expose the culprit.

THE SAMURAI'S WIFE, the fourth historical mystery starring the Samurai Detective Sano, continues in the tradition of providing readers with entertaining novels. The who-done-it is cleverly designed and the lead couple is a fascinating duo working as a team over Sano's objections. However, what makes talented author Laura Joh Rowland's novel a jubilation for historical fans is the resplendent descriptions of Feudal Japan that makes the audience feel they are visiting the island in the late seventeenth century.

Harriet Klausner


Another Great Read   April 24, 2000
 6 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is another page turner of the first order. Laura Joh Rowland continues to write a complex plot, while she develops the central characters we have met previously in her last three mysteries.

I throughly enjoyed this book and believe that Ms. Rowland continues to give her reader a view of fuedal Japan, together with a story line which is both captivating and exciting.

I await her next book with baited breath.

I recommend this book, as well as her last three Samurai mysteries without any reservation.


The Samurai's Wife   May 16, 2000
 6 out of 8 found this review helpful

As a Japanophile I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were very well developed and seemed appropriate for the power struggles that must have been involved in the Imperial palace sociopoliticle environs. I visited Kyoto (Miyako) 2 years ago and was able to visualize Nijo Palace and the Imperial Palace again. The Gion district was described interestingly from a historical perspective. The main character was so likeable as a man of honor and moral strength although human. His fiesty wife was fun too. great story.


It's getting to be too much!   February 18, 2003
 5 out of 9 found this review helpful

This is the fifth or sixth Sano Ichiro book that I read. The only reason that I keep coming back is the futile hope that perhaps the next one will be different. But it is not. The characters in these books have a one-dimensional comic book quality that does not change or mature with age. The antagonism between Sano and the Chamberlain gets to be boring after so many absurd confrontations. The evolution of plot and detective work is always pathetically arbitrary. The only saving grace is what to the reader appears as an interesting view and description of 17th century Japan.


The Samurai's Wife(Yanagisawa actually being honorable)   August 12, 2001
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Although The Samurai's Wife was not as thrilling,heart stopping, or page turning(and without as much sex,thank god)as The Cancubine's tattoo,it is most definitly extremely good reading.as are all of Ms.Rowland's books.She always seems to come up with this unpredictable or unexpected outcome.Which,in retrospect,always fits seemlessly into place with the other puzzle pieces.I have given up tying to figure out how she does it.ALONG with the main mystery she always tucks in other small ones, clues within clues.AND as an added bonus for this book she had Yanagisawa(whom we all have grown to love and hate)start to behave honorably and stand up to his inner demons and allow himself to be true to himself.We also grow to know our hero in new ways as Sano's loveand dark past collide in conflicting desires.The best and worst are brought out in all the characters,to be conqored or accepted as seen fit by thier own strength of will and charicature.The Samurai's Wife is a treat to read that will change the way the characters relate to each other,the outside world,and how they viewthemselves.