Review of "The Samurai's Wife: A Novel (Sano Ichiro Novels)" by Laura Joh Rowland

Once again, Laura Joh Rowland takes us back to 17th Century Japan, the era of her previous books, "The Concubine's Tattoo" and "Shinju". Imperial minister Bokuden has been looking into a plot to harm the Shogun when he is murdered. The Shogun calls in Sano Ichiro, a local Samurai detective. Sano and his lovely non-traditional wife set out to solve the mystery and become involved in the dangerous politics of a Japanese royal court. Rowland transports the reader on a smoothly enjoyable ride to the 17th century. All of the traditions of this stylized and complicated culture are presented in colorful detail. The character of the Japanese detective and his place in the society of that time is clearly explained and palatable to the reader. The wife works as his partner in a most unorthodox way for those times. She is charming and bright. Other characters seem true to their times and, of course, there's no denying that the mystery presented here is exquisite.