The Exile Way

Lady Aoi #1

by Ann Woodward

Trained in the Chinese healing arts, Lady Aoi stands witness to the evil that has invaded the Imperial palace in Heian Japan--a mysterious fire ignited, the princess' quarters assailed, a young girl inexplicably murdered, a noble minister accused. Now Lady Aoi finds herself the target of a deadly enemy and must flee a court filled with spies and criminals in order to expose their illict secrets.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

212 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Ann F. Woodward

Reviews

[Phair]

Bit of an odd book. More political intrigue than a real mystery and Lady Aoi was an odd sort of sleuth. She was restricted by social mores in her ability to physically investigate the criminal and political doings so she mostly sat and thought about information brought to her by others. I did like the almost secret society of beggars who were her "Baker Street Irregulars" as well as body guards.
This is a period of Japanese history with which I am unfamiliar so I would really have liked an author note to bring me up to speed on the background and social structure of the era.
There were some decent descriptions of dress, houses and especially the gardens as places of peace and reflection but it didn't come alive as much as in Susan Spann's Shinobi series set in a much later century. There's only one more book in The Lady Aoi series and I may still read it one day.

[Barb in Maryland]

So nice to read a Japanese medieval mystery that isn't depressing. here's hoping there will be many more. I loved Lady Aoi! Certainly a lot less convoluted than Rohland's Japanese mysteries (and not as depressing, either).

[Goldenwattle]

I began to want to read this story, but only after getting someway into the book. The only reason I got that far was that I was travelling (road trip in NZ) and that was the only book I had to read. It’s an okay read to fill in time.

[Alex]

An interesting mystery story. Easy to figure out who did it, but excellent prose. I'd like to read the second book in the series.