I've read four of Rowland's Sano Ichiro series and this is the best one so far. Rowland incorporates the legend of the 47 ronin and creates an intriguing mystery against the backdrop of the Tokugawa Shogunate at the dawn of the 18th century. Yanasigawa and the recently demoted Sano find themselves on opposite ends of the case. Are the ronin heroes -- or criminals? Political forces within the Court and societal pressures in the streets of Edo threaten to cause a rift in the regime.If you're a fan of Sano Ichiro's adventures and are accustomed to strong-willed wife Reiko's assistance (and, sometimes, meddling) in his investigations, then you'll appreciate this complex and intriguing mystery. The 47 ronin avenged their dead master by killing his greatest enemy, upholding the best ideals of bushido. It was also premeditated murder by masterless samurai: an act that could unleash social unrest if the verdict appears unjust. Sano must balance the public's support of the ronin with the demands of the Shogun to resolve the politically volatile case to his satisfaction.It is a riveting mystery, as Sano already has the killers in custody but he needs to discover the real motive behind the murder. It's more complicated than vengeance. Unreliable witnesses and the machinations of his enemies plague the investigation throughout the story.Sano's son Masahiro is approaching puberty and develops an affection for a ronin's mistress: a woman who may shed light on the case. Masahiro has also become a page at the Tokugawa court, a job which Sano fears could place his son at risk if the Shogun's lurid attentions turn in his direction.The rivalry between Yanasigawa and Ichiro is another subplot. Their political skirmishing continues and, on opposing sides of the ronin trial, they could ignite the feud into open conflict. Already out of the Shogun's good graces, Sano must tread lightly -- and succeed -- or risk shame and political/financial ruin.I "read" this (and The Fire Kimono) as audiobooks and they were both entertaining. This was a good book in the Sano series. It was not my personal favorite though. The family is paying for the bad blood between Sano and his rival Yanagasiwa and his son. It is a little sad since we know how honorable and dedicated Sano is. The plot was just not may favorite either. You spend the whole book trying to figure out if the soldier in charge left his family to keep them safe or because he didn't like his wife. I did not like the mistress either. As much as I am complaining this book is still good and better than a lot of other books I have read. I enjoy the time period as described by Rowland and the characters are good people.
What do You think about The Ronin's Mistress (2011)?
I happened upon this book at the library. Very interesting look at feudal Japan and a good mystery.
—megmaes
I always enjoy Laura Joh Rowland's books, they are always entertaining and can be educational
—DeepthiMVincent
Bit too contrived compared to other books but suspenseful none-the-less.
—June
Loved it! So much detail and the story keeps getting better and better!
—tricia
