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The Assassin's Touch: A Thriller (Sano Ichiro #10)
May 1695. During a horse race at Edo Castle the chief of the shogun’s intelligence service, Ejima Senzaemon, drops dead as his horse gallops across the finish line—the fourth in a recent series of sudden deaths of high-ranking officials. Sano Ichiro is ordered to investigate, despite his recent promotion to chamberlain and his new duties as the shogun’s second-in-command.
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ebook, 320 pages
Published
October 31st 2006
by Minotaur Books
(first published 2005)
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A friend recommended me this one as a short, quick, trashy read. Actually, she warned me about the bad editing as well, and boy is this thing trashy. It took me a bit to realize that the scene changes in the middle of conversations were the authors way of changing characters POV.
Didn't like the fact there was so little description either. I never really got more than a cardboard feeling for the characters, some of which I really detested. At some points, they kept breaking my impression they wer...more
Didn't like the fact there was so little description either. I never really got more than a cardboard feeling for the characters, some of which I really detested. At some points, they kept breaking my impression they wer...more
Aug 16, 2009
Taijilibrarian
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-historical
Sano Ichiro, chamberlain to the Shogun, is tasked with investigating the murder of a high official that may hint at a plan to bring down the regime. This book is similar to others in the series. Sano must investigate an unusual murder, and failure has dire consequences to a samurai of the Shogunate. The book has more details on this period of Japan, and also introduces information on the Hinin and dim mak. A worthwhile read despite the length and sameness of this series. This book was a more int...more
This book intrigued me as far as doing a bit more reading about dim-mak. It seems that the verdict is out...often used in film and cartooms, there seems to be less consensus around it being actually used. I may do a bit more reading and see if I can find some other written material that is not web based. At any rate, of course, Sano prevails...as does his wife in a knock down -dray out. A bit different in some ways than others she writes...as the 2 of them each pursue their own line of inquiry t...more
The book is set in medieval times - I'm going to guess 16th or 17th century Japan. While I am a self confessed history buff, the authour stretched out the plot a wee bit. Some as aspects of the Japanese culture were "over described", drawn out and drew attention away from the interaction of the characters and how the story line came together. A few words I picked up - palanquin, dim-mak, doshin, bushido, daimyo. If you are into martial arts, the stuff from "crouching tiger, leaping dragon", you...more
I expected this to be a fun, trashy read, but it was pretty dull and uninspiring. The characters were paper thin, the action was plodding, and none of the descriptions of feudal Japan were very vibrant or interesting. Also, the characters seemed extremely Western in their thoughts and speech. I was looking forward to getting into this series but I think I'll try another route.
May 07, 2008
Ellee
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-suspense,
300-400pgs
Ah! Another book in Laura Joh Rowland's mystery series starring Sano Ichiro, a detective in feudal Japan. I love this series and was really excited when I found out this book was coming out. :) Rowland uses the conventions of feudal Japanese society to increase the suspense in her novels. She explains potentially unfamiliar conventions of that culture without setting the story aside for the "okay now I'm going to explain things" paragraph or two. Explanations are expertly woven into the story an...more
Another one of the better stories in the series. The world that Rowland has built is solid at this point, and the reader can just read the story for what it is. The characters have become more interesting, though if you are not a fan of feudal Japan, the story and characters could start to get a bit boring at this point of the series.
Another good story. Japan at that time seemed like a terrible place to live --so many rules and so demanding and treacherous, but I suppose the world in general was a lot tougher then.
This book revolves around dim mak (deadly touch) with which many were killed without unknown reason.. Sano ( the hero) finds it out... The book was not so boring.. Still ok :)
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I like this series. I came late to the party but am not reading straight. I'm not sure why but I need a breather between stories.
A murder mystery set in Shogun Japan. Great period detail on clothing, society, and more. Highly recommended.
17th Century Japan. Sano and Reiko at it again. I liked the mystical elements of this one.
Japanese history & suspense, no mystery. Not best of series.
Kind of interesting story, but the writing is so juvenile that when my friend asked for the copy back to pass on, I did not even care enough to finish it (even after getting 2/3 of the way through) and gave it back. The author seems to think her audience are cultural philistines, explaining such basic aspects of Japan as to be insulting. Years ago I think I tried to read another of her books, and came away with a similar opinion. There are much better alternatives for almost any aspect of these...more
The beginning was quite slow, but the finale made up for that. It was another great case for Sano.
But I think I will never really like Reiko ... she is just too much of a nuisance... why can't she understand that her actions can do more harm than good sometimes? Well I guess she learned her lesson in the end, even though it was the hard way for her to learn it :/ I hope she's not that annoying in the next book again because I thought she was a much better character in the previous book.
But I think I will never really like Reiko ... she is just too much of a nuisance... why can't she understand that her actions can do more harm than good sometimes? Well I guess she learned her lesson in the end, even though it was the hard way for her to learn it :/ I hope she's not that annoying in the next book again because I thought she was a much better character in the previous book.
Aug 12, 2007
Caroline
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Caroline by:
Xarah
Shelves:
read-in-2006,
historical-mystery
Really enjoyed this, even if the series gets a bit repetitive. I liked the idea of a murderer who has the ability to kill with just the touch of a finger, but that could be my background as a fan of Xena: Warrior Princess talking.
I found this to be rawer and more real than previous sano ichiro mysteries. A fascinating glimpse into Japanese 16th century Shogun culture and the curious martial art of the 'death touch".
Sep 22, 2007
Troy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Mystery lovers
Another great read from Ms. Rowland about a murder mystery based in feudal Japan. Easy to read and get into the story.
I cannot help it, I just enjoy this Japanese Mystery series.
This is the 10th book in the Sano Ichiro series.
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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.
More about Laura Joh Rowland...
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