From Publishers WeeklyStarred . Parker's fourth Sugawara Akitada mystery (after 2006's Black Arrow), set in 11th-century Japan, manages to outplot its superb predecessors. When exiled and disgraced Prince Okisada is poisoned on Sado Island, a penal colony, Akitada is recruited by a shadowy pair of high-ranking government officials who devise a risky plan to find the killer. While the local governor's son has been arrested for the murder, suspicions linger that he was framed by high constable Kumo Sanetomo as part of a plot against the emperor. Akitada, disguised as a convict, infiltrates Sado Island and suffers physical abuse from corrupt guards and police as he uncovers indications that the prince may have ingested the fatal blowfish toxin by accident. The fast-moving, surprising plot and colorful writing will enthrall even those unfamiliar with the exotic setting. The Shamus Award Parker won with her first Akitada short story may soon have company. (Sept.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.About the AuthorI. J. Parker, winner of the Shamus Award for "Akitadas First Case," a short story published in 1999, lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She writes regularly for Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine. what is the name of this book Island of Exiles (Sugawara Akitada Mysteries, No. 5)
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Parker Just Keeps Getting BetterBy UFO6I've developed a voracious appetite for Parker's Sugawara novels that's unlike anything I've experienced for a long time, and if it didn't carry with it an unwarranted diminution of her previous titles, I'd call "Island of Exiles" her best work yet. There are scenes in this novel reminiscent of Tolkien, as raw and gritty a dramatization of a man's reduction to an animalistic state and triumphant reemergence from it as I can remember.This one vaults Sugawara entirely out of his familial and official milieus to do some undercover work - *seriously* undercover - and the departure is both harrowing and exhilarating. Akitada's extramarital fling in this one detracts somewhat from his character's sense of integrity, but in Sugawara's cultural/historical context it's certainly not an implausible nor even unusual occurrence. Presumably his lapse will feed into later character evolution? At any rate, the plot, which begins with a horrific, dreamlike ordeal, builds gradually into an absolute rip-snorter that is thoroughly engrossing. I lost countless hours zooming in on Sadoshima Island via Google Earth while reading this novel, and have added it to my list of must-visit Japanese locales for future vacations. The novel feels so real that I half expect to find the temples and horrific mines Parker describes when I get there. Actually, I was floored when I saw the posted images of the real-world Choukoku Temple at Hase - the image of Shunsai's monastery that Parker had painted in my head previously was virtually identical to them.Once again, the wait for her next is going to be as excruciating as it was for this one. is indicating the hardcover version of "Island" is set for release in a couple of weeks - very odd that the paperbacks were published beforehand.I highly recommend Parker's novels for historical fiction fanatics, Japanophiles in particular. Reading the Sugawara novels in order is not essential but on the whole probably more enjoyable, as there are numerous references within them to prior cases. Enjoy!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Rough Akitada MysteryBy AnnieThis is a rougher selection of the Akitada Mystery series, quite a bit dark. Love the author's books, great research. A must for Japanese students who want to get a feel for Japanese Medieval times. Reminds me of "The Tale of Genji", a Japanese Classic written by a Japanese woman in the 10th century.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fab seriesBy BximenezHave thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series so far and am already halfway through the next novel in the series as I write this review....in fact I am dreading the moment when I catch up with the writer and have to wait for the next book to be released!If you enjoy: - crime/mystery series - historical novels - JapanThen this is the right book series for you!And if you enjoy it as much as I do, then leave IJ Parker a review: she writes, makes her own drawings and self-publishes....and, in my book, that deserves recognition!