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| Plot Summary of Perfumed Sleeve |
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St. Martin's, Apr 2004, 24.95
ISBN: 0312318898
In 1694 Edo, violence explodes between supporters of the shogun's cousin Lord Matsudaira and followers of the shogun's second-in-command Chamberlain Yanagisawa as both side lay claim as the successor. This leads to the death of elderly councilman Makino Narisada though his demise seems of natural causes. The deceased's valet asks the shogun's investigator Sano Ichiro, to look into his death.
Sano quickly finds clues that make him reconsider his initial thought of old age as the cause. When the political rivals realize that Sano aided by his capable wife investigates, they quickly blame their opponent of committing murder. Sano still has some lingering doubts that a homicide occurred, but finds that he is caught in the midst of deadly secret alliances as other die too.
Though the murder investigation sometimes takes a back seat to the incredible look at late seventeenth century Japan, historical mystery readers will find Laura Joh Rowland's latest tale fresh and fascinating. Sano remains one of the great protagonists of the last few years as he tries to walk a path in which two super heavyweights try to pull him into their respective side of the power struggle. The support cast enhances insight into the era and the hero more so than the inquiries. Readers who enjoy a deep insightful examination of a bygone period will want to read PERFUMED SLEEVE and the previous novels of this solid series (see The Dragon King's Palace)
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Perfumed Sleeve |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- 17th century
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, Foreign
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- life in that culture
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
Age:
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- Japanese
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Asia/Pacific
Yes
Asian country:
- Japan
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 1
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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Click here for more information about this book
Laura Joh Rowland Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 Tango-chan
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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