The Samurai's Wife

Following the success of her debut novel Shinjū, published by HarperTorch in 1994, Laura Joh Rowland created a series of books featuring Sano Ichirō. The Samurai's Wife is the fifth book of the series, published by St Martins Press in 2000. Rowland would go on to write 13 more titles in the Sano Ichirō series.

Publishers Weekly noted that "With her fifth mystery set in 17th-century Japan, Rowland offers a rich historical that is equal parts police procedural and political thriller." The review concluded, "Rowland delineates the class distinctions of her characters with subtlety and pulls together the strands of her multifaceted plot with enviable grace."^[4]

Kirkus Reviews commented "Early on, initiated readers will plod through rote description of societal structure and gender relations in feudal Japan, as newcomers struggle to catch up. Each, though, will soon be whisked through the tale, slowed only occasionally by too-blunt exposition, a too-contemporary colloquialism, or the evocative charms of an exotic setting."^[2]

In Issue 13 of The Historical Novels Review, Rachel Hyde noted, "Normally the most absorbing aspect of even a historical whodunit is the plot, but in Rowland’s superb Sano and Reiko series her spellbindingly exotic descriptions of 17th century Japan are every bit as interesting as her teasing plots." Hyde approved of Rowland's approach in explaining the exotic setting, saying, "Most people reading this story are not familiar with 17th century Japan, and it would be all too easy to adopt a didactic style and lose the reader by skimping on plot and imparting too much information. Rowland never does this, though, and the result is a thrilling tale set in a splendidly authentic and well-realised milieu." Hyde concluded, "Honorable Sano, intrepid, brave Reiko, and scheming Yanagisawa are a formidable trio to equal any in crime fiction – a samurai Holmes, Watson and Moriarty? No – something more original than that. Great to see somebody breaking away from familiar settings and trying something different.^[1]"

Michelle Calabro Hubbard, writing for Book Reporter, noted that "The sights, sounds, and smells of ancient Japan are such a presence in Ms. Rowland's work that it is as if the country is another character. You can actually see a beautifully costumed samurai as he proudly rides his horse down the busy streets of Edo." Hubbard concluded, "The Samurai's Wife is more than just a richly described travelogue, it is also a well-crafted mystery that keeps you guessing up until the end."^[3]