Black Lotus - (Sano Ichiro Novels) by Laura Joh Rowland (Paperback)

About the Book

When veteran samurai-detective Sano Ichiro investigates the burning of a cottage belonging to the Black Lotus Temple, he finds that three victims didn't die by fire, but were murdered before the fire began. Sano's search for a killer leads him to an orphan girl found at the scene. Sano's wife, Reiko, believes the girl is innocent, and soon discovers a sect involved in extortion and prostitution of which the killer could be a member. Martin's Press.

Book Synopsis

Set in the luscious finery of the samurai court of medieval Japan, this installment in the bestselling series by Laura Joh Rowland, is filled with shocking surprises and suspense as readers are once again allowed access into the world of Sano Ichiro.

In September of 1693, the Black Lotus Temple, spiritual center for hundreds of Buddhist nuns, monks, priests, and orphans, is burned to the ground leaving three dead and one orphan running for cover. Veteran samurai-detective Sano Ichiro, the Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations and People, is called on to investigate the incident. He quickly discovers that despite appearances, the victims did not die in the fire: they were brutally murdered before the fire even began.

With a triple homicide on his hands, Sano's search for a killer leads him to Haru, the orphan girl found at the scene of the crime. But Sano's wife Reiko, investigating the case against Sano's wishes, is convinced of Haru's innocence. Reiko's investigation leads her behind the walls of the Black Lotus Temple. It is within these walls that she discovers a sect involved in extortion, prostitution, and hedonistic rituals. Could one of the sect's members be the killer? Will Reiko risk her marriage to Sano in order to prove Haru's innocence?

Review Quotes

"Well-developed characters, absorbing plot, and rich detail should win the author a place on mystery bestseller lists." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Like the big sprawling novels of James Clavell, the Sano Ichiro mysteries are full of captivating detail, with lively characters and solid stories." --Booklist

"Laura Joh Rowland's richly detailed books about a 17th-century Japanese samurai-warrior-turned-detective are...packed with plot narrative." --Chicago Tribune

About the Author

Laura Joh Rowland is the granddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants. She grew up in Michigan and was educated at the University of Michigan, where she graduated with a B.S. in microbiology and a master's in public health. She lives in New Orleans with her husband, Marty, and their three cats. Her previous novels include The Samurai's Wife, The Concubine's Tattoo, and Shinju, all of which feature the samurai-detective Sano Ichiro.