El Quimono Perfumado / The Perfumed Sleeve

Sano Ichiro #9

by Laura Joh Rowland

A finales del siglo XVII, Japón se halla al borde de la guerra civil. En un clima de disturbios y gran agitación popular, Sano Ichiro —«muy honorable investigador de sucesos, situaciones y personas» y protagonista de todas las novelas de la serie— recibe una carta póstuma de Makino, uno de los más venerables consejeros del sogún Tokugawa, con la extraña petición de que investigue su propia muerte. En efecto, el difunto Makino intuía que abandonaría este mundo por causas no naturales y confiaba en que Sano honraría su último deseo. Sin embargo, la investigación pronto se convertirá en un peligroso asunto de Estado. En una frenética carrera contra el tiempo, Sano y su joven e impetuosa esposa Reiko descubren que Makino estaba aliado con el chambelán Matsudaira, líder de una de las facciones enfrentadas, y que el hombre muerto encontrado en una lujosa casa de citas es nada menos que Daiemon, sobrino del chambelán. Así las cosas, de la capacidad de Sano y Reiko para desenredar esta siniestra madeja de intrigas, tejida al compás de sórdidas motivaciones políticas y sexuales, dependerá no sólo el destino de varios miembros relevantes de la corte, sino también la resolución de una explosiva situación social que amenaza con convertir el país en un baño de sangre.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Japan, Historical Mystery, Historical, Crime

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So apparently all anyone did in 17th century Japan was participate in one orgy after another.

[Gintautas Ivanickas · Rating 4 out of 5]

1694-ųjų lapkritis. Edo gatvėse neramumai – sykis nuo sykio kyla riaušės, ginkluoti susidūrimai tarp dviejų nesutaikomų grupuočių. Lordas Matsudaira ir kancleris Yanagisawa visomis išgalėmis kaunasi dėl įtakos silpnavaliui siogūnui. Abu mielai savo gretose matytų vyriausią tyrėją Sano Ichiro, bet tas, nenorėdamas stoti nei į vieną pusę, balansuoja ant ašmenų, saugodamas savo neutralitetą.
Kai vienas iš patikimiausių siogūno patarėjų randamas negyvas, Sano priverstas patenkinti jo pomirtinį prašymą ištirti žmogžudystę. Nors jiedu su Sano buvo aršūs priešai, velionis žinojo, kad nepaperkamas Sano privalės įvykdyti jo paskutinį norą. Atidžiai stebimas lordo Matsudairos ir kanclerio Yanagisawos, Sano elgėsi atsargiai. Kiekvienas iš dviejų galingųjų trokšta apkaltinti dėl tos žmogžudystės kitą. Negana to, tiek Matsudaira, tiek Yanagisawa paskiria po stebėtoją, kurie visur lydi Sano ir seka kiekvieną jo žingsnį, labiau trukdydami, nei pagelbėdami tyrimui.
Devintasis istorinių detektyvų apie Sano Ichiro serijos romanas. Toks mažumėlę su ženklu N-18. Įtariamųjų daugiau nei reikia – tik sugebėk atsirinkt. Ne viską pavyko nuspėt, nors kai kuriuos dalykus autorė netgi be reikalo kiek per anksti pakišo, sakyčiau. Bet skaitėsi smagiai.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scary and fascinating book in the Sano Ichiro series. I would suggest reading the books in order, but one doesn't have to. There is so much suspense in the book that it was difficult to stop reading, although I enjoy this series so much that I didn't want to mow through the book. There are so many beautiful descriptions as well to savor in this emotionally charged story.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even at book #9, this series is still going strong. In fact, THE PERFUMED SLEEVE is one of the best, most intricate Sano Ichiro mysteries to date. Rowland's brilliant plotting and deft handling of suspense kept me up all night turning the pages. Great characters, high stakes, and an exotic historical setting only help to further sweeten the pot. Ichiro continues to be one of the most fascinating detective characters in all of literature.

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could barely get through this book. Perhaps I’ve read too many of this series but it was too formulaic and the last couple of books have tossed in more graphic sex scenes that really don’t enhance the plot but seem like a sad attempt to up the edginess of a fairly predictable plot. Even the characters have lost their charm or complexity. and they persist in patterns that should have been resolved.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the series by Rowland. Although there are no major developments in her writing style, it is clear that she is comfortable and confident in writing this series at this point.

[Sara Platero · Rating 4 out of 5]

En esta novela de misterio acompañaremos al detective Sano en la búsqueda del asesino de uno de los consejeros del sogún, Makino.

Lo más especial de la novela es que está ambientada en el siglo XVII en un Japón cuya capital aún no es Tokio sino Edo, y las tensiones entre los diferentes Daimios están a punto de derivar en una guerra civil bajo la ignorancia del Sogún.

En este ambiente político tan convulso el Detective Sano, totalmente neutro a los dos frentes que se disputan el poder, tendrá que iniciar la investigación de la muerte de uno de los consejeros del sogún bajo circunstancias sospechosas.

Lo que más me ha gustado ha sido poder meterme de lleno en este ambiente tan convulso de Edo. La autora está muy bien documentada y es una pasada ir viendo los diferentes escenarios y acciones de los personajes.

Además en esta novela se explota el tópico de los "cuatro sospechosos" y la investigación se va cercando y descubriendo cada vez más cosas de esos cuatro personajes de forma ordenada y lógica. Y es la primera novela que leo en la que se trata con total claridad las "normas" en cuando a la "homosexualidad aceptable" en esta cultura.

Lo único negativo a destacar, y creo que es más cosa mía que de la autora, es que no he logrado conectar con los personajes. Me parecían bastante planos y me costaba entender su forma de proceder. Además el estilo de escritura de la autora no acababa tampoco de hacerme fluir con la lectura.

En general es una obra que recomiendo a todas las personas, mayores de 15 años, que disfruten con el género de misterio y crimen y quieran trasladarlo a una época diferente.

[Pat MacEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ninth book in Laura Joh Rowland's murder mystery series is set in Edo, in November of 1694, during the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan. The series' hero, Sano Ichiro, is the Shogun's senior investigator of persons and events affecting the bakufu's efficient running of the country. Now he finds himself enlisted in the investigation of the death of Senior Elder Makino, a long time member of the shogun's personal advisory council. Makino is a personal enemy of Sano's but he cannot evade a posthumous request from the dead man to treat the elder's passing as a homicide. Which turns out to be what it is. The list of suspects is nearly endless, and include both the shogun's cousin, Lord Matsudaira, and the shogun's second-in-command, Chamberlain Yanagisawa. Aligning himself with either of those two factions could end up destroying Sano, his family, and his retainers, but Bushido has its own demands. Especially when the Shogun's heir apparent is also murdered, and the nation begins a head-long dive into civil war. Carefully detailed, gripping in terms of both politics and forensics, and given a surprise ending I did not see coming. Highly recommended.

[AGinNoCal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find this series creates a conflict ... within me. The period, the details, the history, and the never ending devious strategies and plotting can make for interesting reading; but, the dialogue and constant over descriptions and the instantaneous on-the-one-hand-on-the-other-hand mental machinations are becoming tedious and sometimes cartoonish. These books simply are not well-written. It can be an actual mental struggle to continue plodding through as some of the events, internal doubts, overheard confessions, sexual escapades, and tumult seem downright silly at times, and yet ... I continue so I can learn the outcome. Kinda like a car wreck you drive by, knowing you shouldn't look but unable to stop yourself...

[grundoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though she'd already switched things up a bit with more varied plotting over the last couple of installments, I admit that enthusiasm has been waning – the primary antagonistic theme had long since moved into wearisome territory. So it came as quite a pleasant surprise that this one not only moved to a much more traditional (and good) whodunnit procedural format, but intertwined it with court at the cusp of civil war AND shook things up in ways that should make for significantly different story next time around. Quite likely my favorite yet, and I'm now really looking forward to seeing what she does with this.

[S.M. Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the books in the Sano Ichiro series are worth reading and re-reading. The whole concept of a samurai detective in feudal Japan is intriguing enough, but Laura Joh Rowland paints such a wonderful pictures. There's court intrigue, sub-plots, clashes of personalities, all mixed in with the conventions of behaviour. The books do have a chronological order, but can be read and enjoyed regardless of publication date. A warm drink, a cosy chair and you're taking to another place, time and culture.

[jaroiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beru jednotlivé díly postupně "podle čísla" a tento mi zatím připadá nejslabší. Buď je to tímto dílem samotným, nebo tím, že už mě série přestala bavit. Ale tentokrát mi připadalo, že kniha je jen omáčkou k tomu, aby měla autorka kam zasadit podivné sexuální scény. Ani ty mě ale nebavily.
Jestli začínáte se Sanem Ičiró, vyberte si raději jiný než tento díl. Tuhle knihu nedoporučuji.

[John Bacho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nine books in, this one dragged the most for me. The investigation took forever to get anywhere, then it suddenly unraveled in the last 15%. Lots of changes for major characters at the finale, so I'm still intrigued to catch up with them in #10.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

plucky dignified detectives continue being plucky, dignified; solve crimes.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

TBA

[Michael Wojciehoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treason, chaos, promotion.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always!

[Arlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

No good.

[Jason Maguglin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow burn in Sano's journey, and it seemed 100% decided until the very end, great surprise ending. Looking forward to seeing what's next.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The interest I have in the historical period keeps me reading this series, but just once, I wish Sano and Reiko would get to investigate a plain old murder with absolutely no creepy sexual elements.

[Marshall Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start but good finish

This one started out slowly but grew into a nice page turner by the end. A good choice for historical mysteries.

[Corinne Morier · Rating 4 out of 5]

AAAAAAH! IT'S SO GOOD YOU GUYS!!

After reading Iris Fan about four-ish years ago and being hella disappointed by the ending, I haven't been able to reread any of the books in this series. Rather than reading them in order like a sane person *shifty eyes* I instead decided to start with the ones I remembered the least. This was the first one in the series I've reread since reading the hot mess that was Iris Fan.

AAAAAH IT'S SO GOOD YOU GUYS!! I totally did not remember the ending (I did remember that Hirata gets attacked and Sano becomes chamberlain but I didn't remember who committed the murder for what reason.) All the pieces fall into place; once I got to the ending, it was like "DUH WHY DIDN'T I SEE THAT COMING." Though it is worth saying that the ending drags just a tiny bit; you find out who committed the murder at about page 290ish but then there's another fifty or so pages of stuff. I mean, yeah, it's important stuff, but it feels like everything's been wrapped up by that point so it kinda feels like extra stuff that was tacked on. Especially since in Assassin's Touch the information is presented again to remind you of what happened... you could easily just skip the last thirty or so pages after the real culprit is revealed.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

As part of the great struggle between Lord Matsudaira and Chamberlain Yanagisawa, Senior Elder Marino has been murdered, and Sano Ichiro must solve the murder by simultaneously not offending either power player while also must incriminate them both. It's a situation fraught with political pitfalls, some of which Sano is unable to avoid. There's not just the mystery but the personal agendas of the principal characters and lots and lots of very out-there sex stuff.

The murder itself starts out interesting but quickly devolves into shocking and graphic sex with little substance. Yes, there are elements of power play in the scenes, but they're so intense and numerous that they don't really serve the plot but make the reader very uncomfortable. Reader, proceed with caution. If you've made it this far in this series, graphic sex isn't new for Rowland, but this book takes the cake.

Sano must navigate around Matsudaira and Yanagisawa's watch dogs to solve the mystery, and it's the political limitations that I often find the most frustrating in these books. Sano's predicament of honor vs truth is ever present, but he doesn't get challenged too much more than usual in this story. It's actually Hirata and Seiko that have more of a presence.

Hirata is trying to make up for disobeying Sano in the previous book, which Sano doesn't hold against him, but Hirata obsesses over to the point where he starts making mistakes in his determination to make amends to Sano. Meanwhile Reiko is undercover as a servant... and it's a miracle she lasts as long as she does. She is the worst servant. I've noticed this previously, but she has no idea how to blend in. Certainly not as a lady and apparently not as a servant either.

Overall, this was one of the more disturbing books, and the lack of a proper resolution for the mystery dampened what little enjoyment I was able to get out of it.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pro:
- fascinating setting of the emperor's court in historical Japan, with samurai all over
- liked how the investigator's wife participates in solving the crimes to which he is assigned, despite tremendous restrictions of female roles and expectations at that place and at that time
- kept changing guess of who culprit was
- intriguing title

Con:
- felt like the writing style was kind of stilted at times, didn't flow for me
- peppered with cliched expressions
- whopper of an "As, you know, Bob," conversation in which two characters divulge recollections and information at the exact moment another character gets in position to eavesdrop, even though there was no convincing reason for them to talk about it that way or at that particular time
- court life somehow seemed unexpectedly dreary, intrigue and imminent war of the story none withstanding. It felt like most of the samurai behaved surprisingly unsamurailike - or perhaps better to say unlike the image I had built up in my head of how they behaved, which is not based on any true knowledge. There also seemed to be just two happy & faithful relationships in the story, with all other unions involving various levels and frequencies of deception, murder, contempt, exploitation. The ongoing list of which individual was cheating on whom, whether in the context of then-accepted practices or not, became long and kind of monotonous, gradually killing my interest in following along to see what would ultimately become of al the characters. The kicker was a character whom I had thought of as being possible the second most important/sympathetic one after the protagonist, who appears to think callously about the fate of a developmentally disabled child at a critical moment in favour of advancing her own interests.

[Kevin Vrieze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number 9 in the Sano series, it delivers everything that was hinted at in The Dragon King's Palace and then some. The suspense and challenges continue to the very last page. It one of the more convoluted plots I've read, but fits nicely in the Tokugawa motif. The character focus seems a bit more on Hirata and Reiko rather than Sano or Midori, and the villainy as much with Lady Yanagisawa as anyone. In the indirection much is brought out about all the other characters and the plot itself. Lovely. The death of Senior Elder Makino becomes the tipping point for a host of other events even though, as we learn, the direct connection is not exactly there. It kept my attention to the very last page. One cannot help but wonder if indeed Yanagisawa will actually make it back at some point and what that will entail. With the new level on which the story ends one, happily, looks forward to the next Sano installment. It is a very gratifying series both with respect to the story as well as descriptions of Japan of that period. One could read this one as a stand alone, but the depth brought by reading them in series is great. Excellent read!

[Tocotin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the more enjoyable books in the series, even though nothing has changed. Sano is bland and uptight as always, Hirata is stupid, Reiko is annoying, the shogun, well, I have no words, and Lady Yanagisawa has lost her last brain cell I don't know where. The most interesting part of the book were clumsy attempts at seizing power in the realm, repeated by Chamberlain Yanagisawa and Lord Matsudaira; also I'd like to know what happened between Yanagisawa and Hoshina, because it seems they're enemies now, and I haven't read the previous book.

I don't care about historical and cultural inaccuracies in this series, because I enjoy reading all these books anyway, and the author does her research, however superficial it may be - but one thing particularly sticks out, and that's the patronage granted to a kabuki actor by a high bakufu official. Actually, samurai were banned from watching kabuki performances and if they wanted to enjoy them, they had to do it in secret. But sure, whatever, the book had lots of (clumsy) sex and was fun in its usual (clumsy) way.

[Sumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sano Ichiro mysteries take place during the Tokugawa Shogunate and this time Sano receives a posthumous request from an old enemy to have his death investigated just in case he was murdered.

At the same time there's a power struggle to control the weak-willed Shogun and both factions want Sano on their side. Each side naturally takes advantage of the investigation to try and implicate the other and both hold enough power to destroy him and his family if he makes a mistake.

As mysteries go, it's not a bad one. Once it got started it moved along quick enough to keep me reading without doing fast forwards.

As a warning to those who want such warnings, there is sex in this book, it's not always heterosexual and some it's pretty bad, to put it mildly, so either skip over those sections or skip this book.

[Kandas Myer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author, while at times immature in her story telling, does one thing extremely well. By the time you are half way through any of her Sano Ichiro novels, you are reluctant to fall asleep without knowing what will happen next. From the volume of books I have read by Laura Joh Rowland, one might guess she is a favorite of mine. The reading is light, easy and woven together in fuedal Japan without being heavily burdened with historical reference. Again, as with the other
Sano novels, I highly recommend reading them in chronological order since the story and characters are on-going from book to book.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was much less historical fiction than it was a mystery novel. And for a mystery novel, I enjoyed it. It *was* set in Japan, 1694, but little is made of the historical backdrop. It was a classic who-dunnit that I would've enjoyed much more without all the sex. It seemed unnecessary & kind of trashy at times.

BUT it was a good mystery, I couldn't predict what happened (which is always nice), and the main characters were pretty well fleshed out. I could tell from the outset of reading that this was part of a series -- past events were referenced, but it didn't make it difficult for me to follow the plot of this book.