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Shinju (Sano Ichiro #1)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 1,236 ratings · 125 reviews

When beautiful, wealthy Yukiko and low-born artist Noriyoshi are found drowned together in a shinju, or ritual double suicide, everyone believes the culprit was forbidden love. Everyone but newly appointed yoriki Sano Ichiro.
Despite the official verdict and warnings from his superiors, the shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People suspects the...more

Paperback, 437 pages

Published January 1st 1996 by HarperTorch (first published 1993)

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Mar 08, 2010 Mery rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gift, punya, advancedreadercopy-ordertoread

Pertama liat cover buku ini di TM bookstore. Woa keren tentang Samurai.
Tapi ternyata setelah baca, buku ini tidak hanya menyajikan tentang Samurai saja. Tapi tentang detektif mencari kebenaran.

Buku ini menceritakan bagaimana seorang putra Ronin (Samurai tak bertuan) bernama Sano Ichiro harus mengemban tugas sebagai seorang Yoriki (Komandan Polisi), sebagai seorang Samurai dia harus selalu mengabdi setia dan patuh terhadap tuannya seperti Samurai lainnya dan tidak jatuh sebagai Ronin seperti ayah...more Pertama liat cover buku ini di TM bookstore. Woa keren tentang Samurai.
Tapi ternyata setelah baca, buku ini tidak hanya menyajikan tentang Samurai saja. Tapi tentang detektif mencari kebenaran.

Buku ini menceritakan bagaimana seorang putra Ronin (Samurai tak bertuan) bernama Sano Ichiro harus mengemban tugas sebagai seorang Yoriki (Komandan Polisi), sebagai seorang Samurai dia harus selalu mengabdi setia dan patuh terhadap tuannya seperti Samurai lainnya dan tidak jatuh sebagai Ronin seperti ayahnya, namun nalurinya sebagai seorang penegak hukum memaksanya terus mencari kebenaran. Walau kenyataan itu membuatnya harus membangkang tuannya dan mengecewakan ayahnya.

Kasus bermula ketika Niu Yukiko, gadis tertua dari salah satu Klan terhormat di Edo, ditemukan tenggelam di Sungai Sumida bersama seorang seniman jalanan bernama Noriyoshi.

Dengan peninggalan berupa sepucuk surat, Hakim dan Keluarga Yukiko percaya bahwa mereka meninggal karena melakukan SHINJU (Ritual bunuh diri karena Cinta Terlarang). Namun Sano Ichiro, dengan bantuan seorang dokter terbuang yang baik hati dan cerdas bernama Ito menemukan fakta bahwa pasangan tersebut dibunuh.

Dengan mengorbankan harapan besar sang ayah, Sano tetap melakukan penyelidikan terhadap kasus Shinju ini padahal tuannya Hakim Ogyu, telah memaksa menutup kasus ini sebagai Shinju, bukan pembunuhan.

Sepenggal demi sepenggal bukti terkumpul, dan dengan melibatkan Aktor terkenal dan Pesumo jalanan serta Yujo (Pelacur kelas atas), Sano akhirnya menemukan fakta menarik mengenai keterlibatan klan besar dalam pembunuhan ini. Namun, sayangnya Hakim Ogyu memecat Sano karena berani membangkang. Idealisme Sano lah yang tetap membuatnya melanjutkan penyelidikan. Walau mengorbankan tidak sedikit orang-orang tak bersalah yang dikenalnya, akhirnya Sano berhasil mendapatkan bukti-bukti yang mengacu pada, bukan saja pembunuhan Yukiko dan Noriyoshi, intrik politik klan terbesar dan penguasa Edo, Tokugawa.

Apakah yang terjadi? Kenapa sang Hakim begitu antusias menutup kasus ini? Apa keterkaitan Yukiko dan Noriyoshi dalam politik di Edo sehingga mereka terbunuh? Apa Sano berhasil mengungkap semua dan mengembalikan posisi Samurainya?

Keren! Novel ini ceritanya berat tentang pembunuhan diselipkan intrik politik. Tapi penulisannya enak diikuti. Ditambah lagi terkaget kaget pas lihat riwayat penulisnya yang ternyata bukan orang Jepang. Wow. Padahal penggambaran latar tempat dan latar waktu serta sejarahnya detil banget. Belum lagi kebudayaan Jepang yang kental di sini ga hilang sama sekali. Sano Ichiro nya hebat banget. Pinter, ga berputus asa, baik hati, pemberani, ganteng pula. Hehe.

Pertahankan idealisme mu hingga akhirnya kebenaran menyertakan keadilan.(less)

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Mar 16, 2010 Rhea rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: punya, fiksi, 2010-read, box-biru

Distrik Edo, Jepang abad ke-17

Ketika Yukiko, si gadis cantik nan kaya, ditemukan tenggelam di Sungai Sumida bersama Noriyoshi, si seniman miskin, semua orang yakin bahwa itu adalah sinju atau ritual bunuh diri berdua karena cinta terlarang. Tak ada yang ragu, kecuali Sano Ichiro, seorang penyelidik baru.

Tak acuh dengan perintah resmi dan peringatan dari para atasannya, Sano mencurigai kematian keduanya bukan sekadar tragedi-mereka pasti telah dibunuh. Mempertaruhkan nama baik keluarga dan nyaw...more Distrik Edo, Jepang abad ke-17

Ketika Yukiko, si gadis cantik nan kaya, ditemukan tenggelam di Sungai Sumida bersama Noriyoshi, si seniman miskin, semua orang yakin bahwa itu adalah sinju atau ritual bunuh diri berdua karena cinta terlarang. Tak ada yang ragu, kecuali Sano Ichiro, seorang penyelidik baru.

Tak acuh dengan perintah resmi dan peringatan dari para atasannya, Sano mencurigai kematian keduanya bukan sekadar tragedi-mereka pasti telah dibunuh. Mempertaruhkan nama baik keluarga dan nyawanya sendiri, Sano berusaha menemukan sang pembunuh. Dia bertekad mencari jawaban dari misteri itu.

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Pertama liat buku ini tertarik karena baca dibelakangnya seperti cerita detektif. ditimbang2 beli ato ga' akhirnya beli juga. mengingat buku yang dirumah sudah abis dibaca semua. teman yang biasanya minjemin buku pun udah pindah ke jakarta, yang satu lagi lebih suka baca buku fantasi *baru nyadar ternyata temenku yang suka baca buku sedikit :-( dan dipastikan dia tidak punya*, alhasil kalau pengen baca buku ini, hanya ada 2 pilihan cari ebooknya atau beli bukunya yang sudah bisa ditebak kalau buku ini ga' ada ebooknya. pfuuff...

buku yang menarik. ga' nyesel aku beli.
buku ini bercerita tentang Sano Ichiro seorang Yoriki (komandan polisi)yang sedang menangani kasus Shinju (Ritual bunuh diri karena Cinta Terlarang)antara Norishoyi (rakyat jelata dan seorang seniman) dan Niu Yukiko (putri daimyo tuan Niu). Awalnya sano sedikit percaya bahwa kematian ini adalah shinju, tapi ketika di berkunjung di penjara Edo dimana mayat Noriyoshi di tempatkan, dia dibantu oleh Dr. Ito (dokter yang sedang dalam masa hukuman karena mempraktikkan ilmu kedokteran ala barat) menemukan fakta bahwa Noriyoshi mati karena dibunuh.

kemudian Sano melaporkan kepada tuannya Hakim Ogyu, yang ternyata sang hakim malah meminta Sano untuk menutup kasus ini sebagai Shinju. Dilema mulai menyerang Sano antara kewajiban terhadap tuannya dan ayahnya versus idealismenya untuk menghukum pembunuhnya. dibelakang tuannya diam2 Sano tetap melakukan penyelidikannya dan membahayakan nyawanya sendiri. Pembangkangan inilah yang menyebabkan Sano dipecat menjadi Yoriki. tapi meskipun dipecat, sano tetap melakakukan penyelidikan diam2 dan menemukan fakta yang lebih besar, adanya intrik politik dan rencana pemberontakan terhadap pemerintahan.

kalau aku menjadi Sano sudah bisa dipastikan aku tidak akan seberani Sano yang berani menentang tuannya, dimana pada jaman itu kesetian lebih penting dari segalanya, rakyat jelata tidak bisa berdemo seenaknya dan keturunan Samurai serta daimyo (klan tinggi dan tuan tanah) berhak membunuh siapa saja yang dianggap menyebalkan tanpa dihukum. waktu baca diawal aku bertanya2 bagaimana Sano akan menemukan bukti2 mengenai pembunuhan ini kalau semua orang disekelilingnya tidak ada yang mendukung dan daimyo yang terlibat juga menutup nutupi masalah ini. jelas sekali bahwa keberhasilan sano aku rasa sangatlah kecil dibandingkan dengan kegagalannya.

Well... untuk akhir ceritanya baca sendiri aja, lebih seru..

two thumb for Laura Joh Rowland yang bisa memaparkan keadaan jepang pada jamannya saat itu dengan sangat detail dan menarik yang notabene si penulis bukanlah orang Jepang dan bukan keturunan Jepang.... *manggut2*

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Dec 22, 2008 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

I actually read this book several days ago, but am only just now getting enough brain back together to get the review post posted. So here it is!

This is the first of a series set in feudal-era Japan and featuring the adventures of a samurai called Sano Ichiro, described on the back cover as the local shogun's "Most Honorable Investigator of People, Places, and Events". Which should give you some idea of the flavor of this book right off: it is in fact a series about a samurai detective.

This shou...more I actually read this book several days ago, but am only just now getting enough brain back together to get the review post posted. So here it is!

This is the first of a series set in feudal-era Japan and featuring the adventures of a samurai called Sano Ichiro, described on the back cover as the local shogun's "Most Honorable Investigator of People, Places, and Events". Which should give you some idea of the flavor of this book right off: it is in fact a series about a samurai detective.

This should sound silly. However, I have to hand it to Rowland for making the idea work. It helps a lot that her setting is very well detailed, and, if the Wikipedia page on her is to be believed, credibly researched; it certainly felt real to me as a reader. And it helps as well that she set the book late enough in Japanese history that she could maneuver a critical side character into a position where he would be familiar with certain basic Western medicine concepts that, while they got him exiled from Japanese society at large, also give the plot an excuse to have someone conduct autopsies for the hero.

Persons far more familiar with Japanese history and culture than I could probably pick the book apart. However, it worked for me, and I enjoyed seeing familiar mystery plot tropes in such an unusual setting. You have an intriguing selection of suspects, motives and counter-motives, blackmail, red herrings, and even a plot against the shogun.

Even though I couldn't help but think of baseball every time I read the character's name (this is what I get for living in Seattle and having at least some passing familiarity with the team roster for the Mariners), I still quite liked Sano Ichiro as he struggled to find a balance between his honor, his duty to his family and his superiors, and his innate desire to see truth and justice done. I'll be checking out at least one more of his adventures, and then reading LJ user solarbird's copy of the third book. For this one, three and a half stars.(less)

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Jul 21, 2012 Rie Sheridan Rose rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book. It is a fascinating look at feudal Japan. The first in a long series I am eager to see more of. Sano Ichiro is the only son of a samurai who runs a martial arts academy. Through patronage and pulled favors, he has been appointed a yoriki -- senior police commander -- in the city of Edo.

He is asked to "investigate" an apparent double suicide or Shinju by his superior, but is really expected to just sweep the whole thing under the rug and make it disappear. A former scholar and te...more

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May 12, 2012 Ed Mestre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shinju combines quite successfully two of my favorite genres, the historical novel & the murder mystery. Rowland never forces in the history with explanatory addendum shoved in here & there. They unfold naturally as we go on that time honored hunt for who-done-it. An exciting chase sequence after the suspect in the streets of Edo during New Year graphically demonstrates to us the customs surrounding the holiday in 17th century Japan. The structure of the police force is quite unique to o...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Rincewind added it

Shelves: detective

As much as I love the history and the mystery of historical detective fiction, I take mine with two spoonfuls of mystery and one spoon of history. Laura Joh Rowland's Sano Ichiro series reverses that order and gives me a different kind of a thriller.

Set in feudal japan, another area I enjoy immensely - thanks to Stan Sakai and Kurosawa, Shinju is our introduction to Sano Ichiro, a Yoriki (Samurai Cop), who holds the code of honor above anything else. Tasked to "investigate" a twin suicide (the...more

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Jan 08, 2011 Mike rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shinju, the first in a series of 14, is a historical novel set in politically fragile peacetime 17th century feudal Japan. The hero is Sano Ichiro, a teacher, samurai, and reluctant police officer. To me, historical fiction is worthwhile only when the society that the fictional characters guide us through is authentic. At first I thought the author's idiom in places was too modern and did not convey the time and place very well. Furthermore, I caught myself measuring this book against James Clav...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Doreen rated it 4 of 5 stars

So I'm something of a feudal Japanese culture aficionado. I'm not great with dates or names, but I very much understand (even if I don't necessarily approve of) the samurai ethos. When I first read about this series, I thought, "Feudal Japanese noir? That can happen?" And oh yes, it can! Sano Ichiro is the closest thing the era could possibly have to a hard-boiled investigator. Nearly all of his actions and impulses rang true to me. I did have qualms with his devotion to the non-samurai ideals o...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Kristy rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those interested in learning more about Japanese culture or history

I have always been interested in Asian culture and history, so when I stumbled across the Sano Ichiro series, which also seemed to be critically acclaimed, I was excited to dig in. I found Shinju pretty enjoyable, with Rowland effortlessly introducing the reader to the hierarchy and customs of 17th century Japan, which is definitely her strength, while simultaneously presenting a fairly engaging murder mystery. However, I did find several issues with the novel. Firstly, I thought it was silly to...more

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Oct 26, 2009 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

"Shinju" is a type of ritual suicide that star-crossed lovers practiced in Shogun-era Japan. Appropriately, this novel starts with a double-murder disguised as shinju: a noblewoman and a commoner artist are found in the river, bound together, with a suicide pact letter on the artist's person.

Yoriki Sano Ichiro (a yoriki is something like a police constable) goes against his superior's orders and investigates the supposed shinju as a murder. During the course of his investigation, he uncovers nu...more

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Oct 03, 2009 Alcornell rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone interested in historic Japan, or who can't resist a taught murder mysteries

Recommended to Alcornell by: friend at work

Shelves: mystery, period-piece

Couldn't put this down. 17th C life in Edo is brought to life like no other book I've read. Sano Ichiro is appealing, his conflicts laced with Japanese cultural-Buddhist-class issues, and broader human connections to the struggle between good and evil, truth or lie, the challenge to live fully. I enjoyed the non-stop movement of the the plot, and the characterizations were very lively, vivid. That Sano is never free of the problem of ambiguity in his decisions, faces the consequences of his impu...more

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Nov 18, 2010 Rachmi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: asian

Detektif Samurai Sano Ichiro butuh 3/4 halaman buku buat terombang ambing nentuin antara terus nyelidikin kasus shinjuu (bunuh diri antar kekasih krn beda kasta) yg sebenernya cuma kedok pembunuhan seorang seniman miskin & putri daimyo atau nutup kasus itu sbg kasus shinjuu biasa, sesuai perintah atasannya.

Kurangnya pengalaman sano sbg pegawai kepolisian bikin kejadian2 yg dibangun buku ini gampang ketebak. alhasil sano keliatan ngga bisa belajar dari pengalamannya, hal yg bikin gw sbg pemba...more

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Apr 08, 2012 E. rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Perilously balanced between 2 and 3 stars, but given the benefit of the doubt because it was a first novel and a lot of research went into it (it's set in Edo--Tokyo--in the 1690s). Parker's Akitada series is compared to these for good reason, but so far I find Akitada, with his temper, more sympathetic than Sano, who is idealized in comparison. Parker's prose style is also more polished than Rowland's was at this point. Both Sano and Akitada have the problem of being an "exceptional" hero in a...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-books

This is the first of the Sano Ichiro books, and Sano has just been appointed - through family connections - to an administrative post in the police. He's told to investigate a ritual double love-suicide - where 'investigate' means wrap it up quick and quiet. Unfortunately for his peace of mind, Sano attempts to find out the truth...

At times, the writing style seems a little stiff, but not enough to spoil the reading experience. It's obvious that Rowland knows a great deal about Japan, both histo...more

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Jan 01, 2011 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Mystery and of Historical Fiction

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, ultimate-reading-list, crime, fiction, novels

What makes this novel worth reading sure isn't style or plot but the cultural and historical picture of Japan under the Shogunate. While it dips at times through others' points of view, this tale is mostly seen through the eyes of Sano Ichiru, a samurai currently employed as a Yoriki, supervising policemen in the city of Edo. When he's asked to look into a seeming joint suicide, a shinju, his position, his honor, and his very life is put into danger when he defies orders and digs further into wh...more

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May 22, 2011 Jan Crow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rookie investigator Sano Ichiro is assigned to the presumed suicide of wealthy Yukiko and poor Noriyoshi after their bodies are pulled from a river in seventeenth-century Japan. Yet a wound found on Noriyoshi and a message from Yukiko's sister along with other clues point to a murder and Sano is told to cease his investigations. Sano's faced with the ethical Selina of obeying his Supervisor and giving into the coverup or seeking the real murderer and possibly dishonoring his position, his family...more

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Apr 09, 2009 HBalikov rated it 4 of 5 stars

Whether you will find yourself caught up in medieval Japan and the upstairs/downstairs life in its capital is a decision you can defer. Sano Ichiro, ronin and policeman, is a clever protagonist for this almost noir first book in a still – progressing series by Rowland. On the plus side, the history, settings and cultural details are exquisite. With so much turmoil in the empire, there is opportunity for strong personalities and conflict. This to some extent disguises Rowland’s less than deft han...more

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Nov 04, 2011 Aidan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, historical-fiction

I initially tried to get into this series of mysteries a couple of months ago with a much later volume (Red Chrysanthemum) but found it a very mixed experience. I did decide though that I would like to give the series another try and that I wanted this time to start right at the beginning so that I could really get to know the characters better.

I am glad I did as I found Shinju to be a much more satisfying read, packed with a healthy mix of action and intrigue.

The mystery here is a good one, con...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Mara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, historical-fiction

Worth reading for the peek into the culture and daily life of 17th century Japan, though the mystery plot is not very compelling (it's pretty obvious who the culprit is from early on). Rowland's samurai detective spends quite a bit of this book agonizing over the conflict between his desire to solve the crime and his desire to bring honor to his family by being obedient to his superiors (who have ordered him to stop pestering the elite members of society with his questions). That's an interestin...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first of the series of mysteries featuring Sano Ichiro, samurai and new senior police commander of Edo in 1689. An exciting read with plenty of tension and some wild sword fights. But in between, beautiful descriptions of the countryside around Tokyo, explorations of family relationships in Sano Ichiro's family and that of the Nui's, adventure in the "pleasure quarter" of Edo, and the introduction of the mortician, Dr. Ito who becomes Sano Ichiro's wise counselor and friend. An unusual myste...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

If you are looking for a book to sweep you away to a far flung destination, look no further than Shinju which is set in exotic 17th century Japan. When the daughter of a powerful family is found dead, apparently part of a “shinju” which is a ritual double suicide, investigator and former ronin Sano Ichiro finds himself compelled to solve the case, even at the risk of his family’s honor. Rowland brings to life the vibrancy of feudal Edo (Tokyo), and gracefully weaves fascinating details about the...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Dewi Kirana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: indonesian, novel

Aku orang yang awam soal setting Jepang di abad ke-17, tapi kupikir penulis bisa menggambarkan setting tersebut dengan sangat baik di buku ini. Memang sih penggambaran setting yang sangat detil ini terkadang membuat cerita terkesan lambat, tapi buatku malah membantuku membayangkan bagaimana indahnya, kotornya, atau seramnya tempat-tempat di Distrik Edo saat itu.

Hal yang kusukai berikutnya di cerita ini adalah bagaimana Yoriki Sano tetap mengikuti prosedur yang berlaku selama melakukan investigas...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Dawn (& Ron) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Asian historical fiction mystery fans

Shelves: asian-fiction, historical-mystery, keeper, two-fer-read, historical-fiction

This is an old review from a few years ago, with some new comments added including Ron's opinion and our combined thoughts on this first entry in the Sano Ichiro series.

The author transports the reader not only to 17th century Japan but into the mindset of the Samurai ethics and culture. Rowland wraps all this in an intricate mystery of a supposed ritual double suicide, of a noble woman and a commoner, which helps us to further understand the culture. It is the constraints of Japanese society an...more This is an old review from a few years ago, with some new comments added including Ron's opinion and our combined thoughts on this first entry in the Sano Ichiro series.

The author transports the reader not only to 17th century Japan but into the mindset of the Samurai ethics and culture. Rowland wraps all this in an intricate mystery of a supposed ritual double suicide, of a noble woman and a commoner, which helps us to further understand the culture. It is the constraints of Japanese society and moral principles and how they affect the investigation that resonated with me.

Sano Ichiro once met is not easily forgotten. His character, strength, modesty, persistence and moral fiber, against his conflicts, fear, insecurity and mistakes make him feel so real. As the reader is propelled to the books conclusion there is the satisfaction of knowing that this is just the beginning of this wonderful series!

I could have rated this higher but having read others in the series, which I have to admit I liked even more, I had to make sure to leave wiggle room. This first book nicely sets up Sano's world and the reader's anticipation for upcoming books in the series.

Ron's thoughts on this read. I really enjoyed getting into the psyche and discipline of a Japanese man and the samurai philosophy. Seeing the inner workings of Sano's mind and how he approached these decisions helped give me a much better understanding. From a man's point of view, I could relate to his battles within himself, between strength and restraint, duty and stubbornness.

There was enough action to satisfy me but if you are expecting samurai sword fights or an action driven plot, you will be disappointed. If you get frustrated when a character doesn't act as you would normally expect and do not approach this with an open mind trying to understand why he is acting differently, you will probably be quite aggravated.

I've always appreciated stories about people who stand up against difficult odds, all in the name of obligation and honor, and for what they believe to be right. What the Japanese do in the name of this duty affects much more than themselves. Honor, especially of ones name, is one of the most important attributes and also a burden. Causing dishonor can follow future generations, never mind what can happen to family and workers if you make a dishonorable decision. The author displays the difficulties of these responsibilities very convincingly, showing how one must think through their actions and consequences, something that is rather foreign to many western readers.

We both agree with a 3-1/2 star rating, rounded up to a four, for this book and surprisingly had similar opinions about it. A lot of times we agree on many issues but will have a couple things where we really vary, not this time. It is certainly worth checking out especially if you really like learning about different cultures and why they believe and act the way they do. To us that is Rowland's strong point making the reader grasp why the code of ethics was so strong in their lives.
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May 08, 2011 Caroline rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-mystery, japan, 1st-in-a-series, historical-fiction

Shinju is a historical mystery by Laura Joh Rowland set in 17th century Japan. Sano Ichiro is a yoriki, a high-ranking member of the Edo police, whose duty is to both uphold the law and obey his superiors instantly and absolutely.

His first case involves the bodies of a high-class young lady and a lower-class artist, pulled out of the river and resembling two illicit lovers who committed suicide together, the “shinju” of the title. Sano suspects murder, and disobeying his superior’s orders to hus...more Shinju is a historical mystery by Laura Joh Rowland set in 17th century Japan. Sano Ichiro is a yoriki, a high-ranking member of the Edo police, whose duty is to both uphold the law and obey his superiors instantly and absolutely.

His first case involves the bodies of a high-class young lady and a lower-class artist, pulled out of the river and resembling two illicit lovers who committed suicide together, the “shinju” of the title. Sano suspects murder, and disobeying his superior’s orders to hush the matter up, begins to investigate.

The characters are standard for this type of book: the icy lady of the manor, the spoiled young lord, the hooker with the heart of gold, the chief who takes away his badge. Sano has a bumbling young assistant too. The villains come in a variety of degrees, from misguided to hypocritical to wholly evil. The detective is the main character, of course, and Sano is a valiant hero, if rather mournful. The supporting characters all do their jobs, my favorites being Midori, suspicious sister of the murdered girl, and Raiden the brain-damaged wrestler who believes a demon lives in his head. I also enjoyed Lady Niu as the icy puppetmaster devoted to her only son.

The point of view stays mostly with our detective, as he agonizes over his investigation, only occasionally switching to an anonymous villain POV, or to minor characters right before they are offed. He investigates, chases down clues, interviews suspects, fends off his increasingly angry superiors, and agonizes over the clash between truth and duty. As his options grow fewer, his despair grows higher, and his world becomes worse and worse and then worse again.

Rowland does a good job of explaining Sano’s world. This is well, as many of its conventions may well strike the western reader as both overly strict and overly permissive. As painted by Rowland, this land of samurai codes and strict caste system is simultaneously devoted to honor, yet exceedingly corrupt. It is peppered with “exotic” scenery: foreign foods, clothing, customs, holidays, sports, mores and morals. Most of these are integrated into the story naturally, with just enough explanation to the reader.

I may have understood Sano’s predicament, but it was hard to emphasize with him, to really to embrace a world view where unthinking obedience is prized and suicide is gloriously honorable. I understand it, intellectually, but I never felt it. As such, the tone is mildly depressive. Sano lives in a joyless world with no escape.

Still, all griping aside, Shinju serves as a good launching point for a series. It is well-written, and interesting enough (“exotic” enough, to again quote the cover) to be worth a look.
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Aug 24, 2008 Celia Powell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery

This is the first book in Rowland's series about a samurai detective - doesn't that sound awful? But it's actually very enjoyable - the setting of ancient Japan is cool, and the rigid structures of the society make writing a detective story in its confines a difficult task. Rowland manages it, but sometimes it's not quite believable - particularly in this first novel in the series, I imagine, as Sano Ichiro spends much of his time completely ignoring his superior's orders in a way that didn't se...more

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Jun 15, 2008 Minsma rated it 2 of 5 stars

What to say about this one? Exotic setting (17th century Japan), interesting main character (Sano Ichiro, a samurai lawman dedicated to finding out the truth), a solid plot (will the valiant detective be able to solve two murders in a corrupt society that just wants to cover them up). I really was sold on it when I first heard of this book.

Unfortunately, this is another first novel with some big stylistic problems. What was good about it was good enough that I will probably try the next book in...more

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Jul 04, 2008 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, historical

I have had a number of friends recommend reading this book, so after a while, I decided to pick it up and give it a chance. I enjoy historical settings and wanted to be immersed into a Rowland's Edo Japan.

Immediately, the reader is introduced to Sano Ichiro, who is not your typical samurai and allows his personal sense of duty and curiosity override his obligation and duty more than an ordinary samurai should. However, his departure from tradition is pointed out as a break from the norm and even...more

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Apr 11, 2008 le-trombone rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-mystery

Novels set in a culture that is unfamiliar to the reader have the double burden of explaining the background to the reader (because it will be important to determine the limits that a character can move in) in addition to explaining the actual story, its plot points and character actions. Shinju is set in the year 1689 (Genroku Period, Year 1, Month 12 says the intoduction page), where a new arrival to Edo must make his mark.

This is Sano Ichiro, a newly appointed police captain, or Yoriki. He is...more Novels set in a culture that is unfamiliar to the reader have the double burden of explaining the background to the reader (because it will be important to determine the limits that a character can move in) in addition to explaining the actual story, its plot points and character actions. Shinju is set in the year 1689 (Genroku Period, Year 1, Month 12 says the intoduction page), where a new arrival to Edo must make his mark.

This is Sano Ichiro, a newly appointed police captain, or Yoriki. He is very much the outsider, not liked by his fellow yorikis, and very dependent upon the good will of his patron and his superior, Magistrate Ogyu.

When he is given an apparent case of Shinju (a double suicide committed by lovers who could not marry due to family opposition, which the novel implies is a not uncommon act), he is made to understand that the case is to be wrapped up as quickly and as quietly as possible. Unfortunately, inconsistencies start to appear in the case.

The case is made even more difficult because of the social strata of the culture. One of Sano's vital clues comes from an autopsy of one of the bodies. Unfortunately, he can't make use of it because autopsies are forbidden (the doctor who performs the autopsy is already in prison, so has little left to lose). As a samurai and yoriki he has certain social privileges, but they aren't enough to demand an interview with the extremely socially prominent family who will not talk to him.

On the positive side, the novel is extremely good at showing Sano's frustration as he is barred from investigating people who could reveal the solution to the crime. On the other hand, it is also frustrating to the reader who may have already figured out what the hidden plot is and just wants to get on with the story.

Some characters are extremely well-drawn out. The imprisoned Doctor Ito is resigned to his condition but does not let it stop him from performing his duty. Sano's appointed assistant, an amiable nitwit who I thought was going to be Sano's Watson, turns out to have a different role altogether.(less)

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Dec 10, 2010 Georgia Rogers rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one. I had thrown myself off just a bit, as I had originally started in the middle of the series and then jumped back to the beginning to read them chronologically. Nothing too important is revealed in the later books, but certain events and characters are referred to when comparing the present people and events, and may leave a reader slightly in the dark as to what is meant by the comparisons.

Overall, I would recommend this as Rowland writes in a light yet engaging style...more

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Jun 08, 2010 Ines rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, crime

I find myself complaining frequently that a book works itself up to an amazing climax, and then the author rushes to write the ending in 30 pages or less, completely glossing over details and plot just to get it down.

While I was reading this book, I read one complaint/review: the person knew who committed the crime around 50-pages into it. While it may seem that from really early on you know who committed the crime, that's not what makes this book beautiful. You find out who the "killer" is hal...more

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About Laura Joh Rowland

Granddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants, Laura Joh Rowland grew up in Michigan and where she graduated with a B.S. in microbiology and a Master of Public Health at the University of Michigan. She currently lives in New Orleans with her husband. She has worked as a chemist, microbiologist, sanitary inspector and quality engineer.

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Books by Laura Joh Rowland

The Concubine's Tattoo (Sano Ichiro, #4)

The Way of the Traitor (Sano Ichiro, #3)

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Shinju (Sano Ichiro #1)

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