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Tetsuo Otani #6
Death of a Daimyo
After the death of supreme daimyo Konnosuke Yamamoto, Inspector Otani and his assistants face the prospect of imminent gang warfare unless they can identify the daimyo's successor
145 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1984
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About the author
James Melville
61 books16 followersRoy Peter Martin is an English author who has written under the pseudonyms James Melville and Hampton Charles.
James Melville was born in London in 1931 and educated in North London. He read philosophy at Birkbeck College before being conscripted into the RAF, then took up school-teaching and adult education. Most of his subsequent career has been spent overseas in cultural diplomacy and educational development, and it was in this capacity that he came to know, love, and write about Japan and the Japanese. His Superintendent Otani crime novels combines superb story-telling with a fascinating insight into modern Japanese life. He has also written an historical novel set in Japan, The Imperial Way.
James Melville was born in London in 1931 and educated in North London. He read philosophy at Birkbeck College before being conscripted into the RAF, then took up school-teaching and adult education. Most of his subsequent career has been spent overseas in cultural diplomacy and educational development, and it was in this capacity that he came to know, love, and write about Japan and the Japanese. His Superintendent Otani crime novels combines superb story-telling with a fascinating insight into modern Japanese life. He has also written an historical novel set in Japan, The Imperial Way.
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November 8, 2022“When Will This Cruel War Be Over”
The Main Character, Emma Simpson was lucky to be born into a wealthy family on a plantation during this time period. Most of the men she loved like her father, uncle, brother, and the love of her life all went to fight in the Civil War. Early on in the war her brother and uncle both die. Some of their slaves escape and run away from their plantation, And people come and raid their plantation and steal the food they need to survive they have their cousin and aunt over for the remainder of the war which is more people to feed. Emma’s mother becomes very ill and can’t take care of herself let alone the rest of her family, so she is stuck in her room, but later on, dies due to the sickness getting worse. After Emma’s mother's death, things just kept getting worse for Emma, her caousin, and her aunt. The Yankees invaded the countryside taking over Emma’s house to use as a Headquarters. Emma was still determined to wait for her father and and loved one to eventually come back. As I was reading the book I actally felt like I was there with them, Everytime something sad happened I could feel, everytime something happened that made them mad I was mad. This book was a very interesting read and definitely put me on the edge of my seat while reading it, if I had to recommend this book to anyone it would be anyone in 8th grade or higher and you definitely have to like historical fiction. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was that it was a very slow read and tough read because of that, but you have to make sure if you do decide to read it that you stay focused because you could get lossed very easily. Otherwise, this was a very great book and I loved the history the author included within.
The Main Character, Emma Simpson was lucky to be born into a wealthy family on a plantation during this time period. Most of the men she loved like her father, uncle, brother, and the love of her life all went to fight in the Civil War. Early on in the war her brother and uncle both die. Some of their slaves escape and run away from their plantation, And people come and raid their plantation and steal the food they need to survive they have their cousin and aunt over for the remainder of the war which is more people to feed. Emma’s mother becomes very ill and can’t take care of herself let alone the rest of her family, so she is stuck in her room, but later on, dies due to the sickness getting worse. After Emma’s mother's death, things just kept getting worse for Emma, her caousin, and her aunt. The Yankees invaded the countryside taking over Emma’s house to use as a Headquarters. Emma was still determined to wait for her father and and loved one to eventually come back. As I was reading the book I actally felt like I was there with them, Everytime something sad happened I could feel, everytime something happened that made them mad I was mad. This book was a very interesting read and definitely put me on the edge of my seat while reading it, if I had to recommend this book to anyone it would be anyone in 8th grade or higher and you definitely have to like historical fiction. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was that it was a very slow read and tough read because of that, but you have to make sure if you do decide to read it that you stay focused because you could get lossed very easily. Otherwise, this was a very great book and I loved the history the author included within.
September 21, 2015
James Melville was an extremely genial and likable author with a deep love of his adopted country Japan. And that's what really makes all his short Inspector Otani police procedurals such enjoyable reading.
Having said that, however, this book is very poorly plotted. I want to be careful not to put in any spoilers here, but the whole premise of the story is that the murder of a Japanese businessman in England is somehow linked to the death of a yakuza "godfather" back home. And yet no reason is ever given to the reader why the police should suspect this to be the case. It's also extremely implausible, to me at least, that in the course of the investigation the police would send an attractive unarmed female officer on undercover assignment - without any backup whatsoever - on a boat setting out to sea that's literally filled with drunken lecherous yakuza thugs. Finally, Melville fails to establish any suspense in discovering the identity of the murderer. The list of possible suspects is too limited.
Having said that, however, this book is very poorly plotted. I want to be careful not to put in any spoilers here, but the whole premise of the story is that the murder of a Japanese businessman in England is somehow linked to the death of a yakuza "godfather" back home. And yet no reason is ever given to the reader why the police should suspect this to be the case. It's also extremely implausible, to me at least, that in the course of the investigation the police would send an attractive unarmed female officer on undercover assignment - without any backup whatsoever - on a boat setting out to sea that's literally filled with drunken lecherous yakuza thugs. Finally, Melville fails to establish any suspense in discovering the identity of the murderer. The list of possible suspects is too limited.
March 24, 2017
I really like Melville's series about Tetsuo Otani, a Japanese police officer. This one actually takes place in England, while Otani is on vacation. I love his insights into another culture.
Reread 3-24-17 - I like the characters in these books, and how they develop. Funny, I never really realized how high up in the police department Otani is, until his wife brought it up. He's not just some rural police captain. He's got 9000 people working under him.
Reread 3-24-17 - I like the characters in these books, and how they develop. Funny, I never really realized how high up in the police department Otani is, until his wife brought it up. He's not just some rural police captain. He's got 9000 people working under him.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews