The Fire Kimono: A Novel (Sano Ichiro Novels, 13) - Softcover

Rowland, Laura Joh

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312588860 ISBN 13: 9780312588861

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2009

Synopsis

Japan, March 1700. The strife between Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to power in the shogun's court, and his enemies has escalated to the brink of war.

When a long-buried skeleton with mysterious links to the shogun suddenly comes to light, Sano and his wife, Reiko, who defies social conventions by joining in his investigations, must confront dangerous secrets. What was Sano's own mother doing on the night when a burning kimono ignited a blaze that nearly destroyed the city? The shogun gives Sano and Reiko just three days to find out--or risk losing not only their position at court but their families' lives.

The Fire Kimono is another dazzling historical mystery from Laura Joh Rowland.

About this title

About the Author:

LAURA JOH ROWLAND is the author of twelve previous Sano Ichiro thrillers, including The Snow Empress, which Publishers Weekly chose as one of the Best Mysteries of 2007. She lives in New Orleans.

From School Library Journal:

Adult/High School—Sano Ichiro, second in command to the shogun, is preparing for war against his enemy, Lord Matsudaira. The shogun is weak and unable to rule effectively and the two wage battle behind his back, each wanting to stop the other from gaining more power. In the thick of this enmity, a skeleton is unearthed and discovered to be the body of the shogun's cousin, murdered 40 years earlier. Sano is sent to investigate, only to find that his own mother is implicated. He must not only save her from execution, but also come to terms with the secrets she's held all his life. This turn of events provides Lord Matsudaira with the fodder he needs to try to oust Sano. The story threads are neatly tied up to create a satisfactory ending that leaves readers wanting more about these all-too-human characters. This series stars Sano and his wife, Reiko, who solve mysteries. The book can be read on its own, but it would be a richer experience for teens familiar with the preceding titles. The plot is complicated, with many auxiliary stories taking place alongside the thread of the mystery. Rowland brings Sano, his wife, a cast of supporting characters, and 18th-century Japan to life with a sweet, simple writing style.—Connie Williams, Kenilworth Jr. High, Petaluma, CA
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About this edition

• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0312588860
• ISBN 13: 9780312588861
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304