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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
slow-paced
mysterious
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Though the shogunate has been defeated, and the Emperor restored, this period is not without conflict, in the form of old jealousies, mistrusts and clan pride manifesting in assassinations and the like. To clean things up and ensure there are no corrupt officials remaining in power, the Imperial Prosecuting Office is formed, with rasotsu (patrolmen) arresting thieves and murderers, while investigators work cases against those in power. Two of these chief investigators are featured: Kawaji Toshiyoshi (a real figure credited with creating Japan's police force) and Keishiro Kazuki.
Kazuki is unusual, dressing unconventionally and having resided in France. He's recently returned with a descendant of a French executioner, Esmerelda Guillotine, and a shiny new guillotine. He takes a hardline against corruption, and wonders if a government can ever be just.
Kawaji is more conventional, is respectful, and feels a little stolid, but does notice vital details, and though against corruption, is a not as set as Kazuki against officials doing somewhat questionable things.
Though the two work together on all the of the seven cases presented in this novel, they're also in somewhat friendly competition with the other, or so Kazuki states, to get to the truth of a matter. Kazuki often employing the talents of Esmerelda, whom he says has trained to be a miko, someone who can channel spirits. Kazuki has her reveal what the newly dead knows about their murder and the culpability of those closest to them. These revelations often reinforce the conclusions Kazuki and Kawaji have come to on a case.
Eventually, the author reveals something surprising, which recasts the events of all the cases we've followed the two investigators on, and ends somewhat shockingly.
I was eager to read this as I find these moments in Japan's history: the reestablishment of the shogunate (early 1600s) then the restoration of the emperor (two hundred years later), fascinating.
This story certainly shows that though outright conflict is past, there is still much ill feeling, jealousy, nepotism and corruption as the new government attempts to clean up the bureaucracy. The author conveys some of this in each case, and we see the tensions between those attempting to modernize Japan and those wanting to keep Japan as it was. The author mentions translations of foreign books, a foreign doctor practising in the city, new technology, and how all this is affecting people.
The novel unfolds slowly, and each case is resolved before moving on to the next. I was kept wondering at Esmerelda's important role in each case, as there is both fascination for foreigners and some disgust directed at her, and frustration for Kazuki's reluctance to send her back to France.
There are several assassinations and beheadings over the seven cases. These are not rendered in graphic detail, but there is a lot of death along the way to the ending, which was both surprising, and not surprising, considering the questions I had from case one.
This is not a fast-moving story, but it is rich in historical detail, and makes for a an intriguing look at this specific time in Japan's history.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Kazuki is unusual, dressing unconventionally and having resided in France. He's recently returned with a descendant of a French executioner, Esmerelda Guillotine, and a shiny new guillotine. He takes a hardline against corruption, and wonders if a government can ever be just.
Kawaji is more conventional, is respectful, and feels a little stolid, but does notice vital details, and though against corruption, is a not as set as Kazuki against officials doing somewhat questionable things.
Though the two work together on all the of the seven cases presented in this novel, they're also in somewhat friendly competition with the other, or so Kazuki states, to get to the truth of a matter. Kazuki often employing the talents of Esmerelda, whom he says has trained to be a miko, someone who can channel spirits. Kazuki has her reveal what the newly dead knows about their murder and the culpability of those closest to them. These revelations often reinforce the conclusions Kazuki and Kawaji have come to on a case.
Eventually, the author reveals something surprising, which recasts the events of all the cases we've followed the two investigators on, and ends somewhat shockingly.
I was eager to read this as I find these moments in Japan's history: the reestablishment of the shogunate (early 1600s) then the restoration of the emperor (two hundred years later), fascinating.
This story certainly shows that though outright conflict is past, there is still much ill feeling, jealousy, nepotism and corruption as the new government attempts to clean up the bureaucracy. The author conveys some of this in each case, and we see the tensions between those attempting to modernize Japan and those wanting to keep Japan as it was. The author mentions translations of foreign books, a foreign doctor practising in the city, new technology, and how all this is affecting people.
The novel unfolds slowly, and each case is resolved before moving on to the next. I was kept wondering at Esmerelda's important role in each case, as there is both fascination for foreigners and some disgust directed at her, and frustration for Kazuki's reluctance to send her back to France.
There are several assassinations and beheadings over the seven cases. These are not rendered in graphic detail, but there is a lot of death along the way to the ending, which was both surprising, and not surprising, considering the questions I had from case one.
This is not a fast-moving story, but it is rich in historical detail, and makes for a an intriguing look at this specific time in Japan's history.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
This was too hard for me to follow (tons of characters and switching between particular stories and broader historical context a lot), but it was interesting to learn a bit more about this time period
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book reads more like a historical fiction than a mystery novel. I was interested in the short story format, but it was too dry for me to keep pushing through.
It was so dry that I felt like it was telling me everything and showing me nothing. I enjoy dry writing but this was too hard to connect to for me.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated