Laura Joh Rowland, Red Chrysanthemum

Red Chrysanthemum

Laura Joh Rowland

St. Martin's, Nov 2006, $24.95

ISBN 0312355327

By 1698 in Edo, Japan, former Special Investigator to the Shogun, Sano Ichiro, has been the chamberlain for three years. However, his rise to power, though deserved, has left him with many enemies, who would do almost anything to ruin him. In fact his influence adversely impacts his family who are now considered legitimate targets of his adversaries. The latter bothers Ichiro because his beloved wife Reiko is pregnant and should not be harassed.

However, Ichiro suddenly faces his greatest power struggle with the hideous death of Lord Mori, whose mutilated corpse was found next to a naked except for blood Reiko. Her explanation rings false even to Ichiro who wants to believe her. While his foes demand his resignation, Ichiro and his best friend, the current Special Investigator to the Shogun, Hirata investigate the homicide though both fear that Reiku's alibi will prove false.

Besides the usual terrific look into late-seventeenth-century Samurai Japan, RED CHRYSANTHEMUM provides a fascinating twist as the principled Ichiro fears that what he will find will force him to choose between his beloved and his honor. His dilemma adds depth to the powerful insightful storyline as this is the first time he doubts the veracity of his wife. Fans of the historical mystery series will treasure the eleventh entry in this top-notch series that seems to get better as the "years" go by.

Harriet Klausner