The Convict's Sword
by I.J. Parker
11th century Japanese Mystery
Lord Sugawara Akitada, senior
secretary in the Minstry of Justice, cannot forget the promise to his
friend Haseo. Condemned to die for a crime he swears he did not commit,
Haeso has left few clues behind to help Akitada's hunt for answers.
Although his sword remains, Akitada must first uncover the very details
of the charged crime, including the victim. All records have been wiped
away just as the family name of convicts are erased. Meanwhile,
Akitada's retainer, Toro, investigates the the murder of Tomoe, a blind
singer. As the two seek to uncover the truth, smallpox disrupts the
city's normal patterns as residents flee and others seek to protect
themselves.
Set in 11th century Japan, THE CONVICT'S SWORD gives an authentic look
into the history of the period without sacrificing the mystery to the
historical details. THE CONVICT'S SWORD is a delight for mystery lovers
like myself who crave challenging complex mystery puzzles over the more
linear mysteries peppered with a few red herrings. Indeed, the
historical details and the mystery itself combine in equal measure to
make THE CONVICT'S SWORD a thrilling adventure for fans of both genres.
The mysterious lack of details sets the stage for an exciting mystery
while Akitada's reasoning and examination of clues creates a mystery
that leads him deeper and deeper into the setting and characters
related to the mysteries. Alongside the main storyline, I.J. Parker
creates subplots, such as the events and troubled relationships in his
workplace and family, that create a rich depth of characterization. The
characters are never static but their ongoing relationships change and
deepen throughout the story as the events challenge them in new ways.
Sixth in the Sugawara Akitada mysteries, not including the short
stories, THE CONVICT'S SWORD works as a stand alone for newcomers to
the series, like myself, although in finishing this novel, I am eager
to explore I.J. Parker's earlier mysteries and anxiously await any
future releases as well. The mystery is not bogged down with a
retelling of past cases nor does a reader feel a lack of information
coming to the series fresh thanks to the richness of the author's
characterization. Likewise, a reader need not be a scholar of Japanese
history to enjoy this mystery. While the novel is packed full of
historical detail, the author's style is not antiquated nor do the
characters feel remote and detached. The historical details are never
superfluous but rather are exquistely integrated into the
characterization and hunt for clues. I.J. PARKER gives the reader a
look into the Heian age and the dynamics within the city and its
residents as the case takes both Akitada and Toma to look for clues in
various groups of residents. THE CONVICT'S SWORD has a wonderful
mixture of action, a more intellectual fine analysis of records, and
the rich relationships within society and between individuals.
Publisher:
Penguin (July 28, 2009)
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