mbondlamberty's review
4.0
Decent tale, ancient Japan as a backdrop, though sometimes the descriptions seem a little trite.
jeremyhornik's review
2.0
Read at my folks. Too much of a “mystery” for me. When a servant is asked if he swept the snow from the stair outside the room where a murder took place, you know you’re looking at a CLUE. Seemed good for someone, but not for me.
miramanga's review
5.0
I'm a sucker for books set in ancient Japan following my love affair with Barry Hughart. This is a great yarn full of colorful, well realised characters populating a thrilling mystery plot.
writerlibrarian's review
4.0
I liked how slowly the plot unraveled. How Akitada by being bold and trying very hard to not 'be' just a nobleman beats all odds and solves the intricate web of deceit and murders he is faced with.
I especially like the relationship between Akitada, Tora and Seimei. All three from very different social classes nobility, be it not influential nobility, public servant and soldier create a formidable unit of investigators. This was the first book in the series. I had read the second one and I am still impressed by the world building, the historical settings and the likability of the characters.
I especially like the relationship between Akitada, Tora and Seimei. All three from very different social classes nobility, be it not influential nobility, public servant and soldier create a formidable unit of investigators. This was the first book in the series. I had read the second one and I am still impressed by the world building, the historical settings and the likability of the characters.
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