Rashomon Gate (Sugawara Akitada Series #1) by I. J. Parker

From the Publisher

A riveting historical mystery—the second in the Akitada series—set amid the exquisite ritual and refined treachery of eleventh century Japan

From the author of The Dragon Scroll comes an ingenious new novel of murder and malfeasance in ancient Japan, featuring the detective Sugawara Akitada. The son of reduced nobility forced to toil in the Ministry of Justice, Akitada is relieved when an old friend, Professor Hirata, asks him to investigate a friend's blackmail. Taking a post at the Imperial University, he is soon sidetracked from his primary case by the murder of a young girl and the mysterious disappearance of an old man—a disappearance that the Emperor himself declares a miracle. Rashomon Gate is a mystery of magnificent complexity and historical detail that will leave readers yearning for more.

Publishers Weekly

Of noble family but of minor importance, 11th-century Japanese sleuth Sugawara Akitada serves as a clerk in the Ministry of Justice in this solid debut, which follows the success of Parker's Shamus-winning short story, "Akitada's First Case." A request from Hirata, a law professor and his old mentor at the Imperial University in Heian Kyo (modern-day Kyoto), results in Akitada becoming a temporary teacher there. Ostensibly, Hirata is concerned with what appears to be a blackmailer at the already struggling university such a scandal might well be a deathblow. But Hirata also has in mind a possible match between his daughter, Tamako, and Akitada, who in addition becomes involved in the disappearance of a student's grandfather. Lord Minamoto, a young student consigned to the school, believes his grandfather was murdered, but the emperor has ruled the disappearance a miracle, so Akitada must move carefully. Parker has neatly blended familiar and esoteric Japanese history, religion, culture and superstition with a well-paced plot to create an appealing historical mystery. Amusingly, the Imperial University seems not too different from today's institutions, with uncertain governmental support, jealousies and bickering among the faculty, as well as impecunious students striving to make ends meet. Akitada, impetuous, passionate and intelligent, is aided by a scampish servant, Tora, and an elderly, resourceful retainer, Seimei. Readers should welcome further tales about the trio. 10 b&w illus. Agent, Jean Naggar. (July 22) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Though 11th-century Japan has no professional sleuths, nobleman Sugawara Akitada has earned a reputation as the next best thing, a gifted amateur whose detective work offers a welcome change of pace from his humdrum routine as a government clerk. Now Akitada's mentor, elderly Imperial University law professor Hirata, invites him to help unravel a complicated blackmail plot involving two other members of the faculty. Thinking it may be his last chance to spend time with the frail Hirata-not to mention Hirata's lovely daughter, childhood friend Tamako-Akitada eagerly accepts, accompanied by his servant Tora, a former highwayman. The university buzzes with scandal, subplots, and faculty feuds fueled by hotheaded, heavy-drinking Chinese literature professor Oe. Posing as a colleague, Akitada probes the college culture while Tora prowls the dangerous tenderloin of the city, Heian Kyo, and partakes of its often forbidden pleasures. By the time Hirata reveals that he invited Akitada only as a potential suitor for Tamako, his protege is up to his neck in murder. The victims include wealthy Prince Yoakira, beautiful musician/suspected prostitute Omaki, the waterfront beggar Umakai, and, after a night of drinking and peer-bashing, the universally hated Oe. Smug police inspector Kobe is determined to link the murders, but the methodical Akitada gathers evidence that points to a contrary conclusion. A debut whose roots are in a Shamus Award-winning story from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. The slow, measured prose suits Akitada but not the devilish Tora, and the whole production would benefit from less plot and more oomph.

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