Rating: 
Summary: I give it a 2, others would probably give it a 3 or 4
Review: I'll give everyone out there a tip on how to choose a good book. When you look at the reviews that are usually quoted on the covers, forget about what they actually say (they're all going to be glowing, of course). Instead, take a look at who/where the reviews came from. A really good novel from someone like Scott Turow will have blurbs from the Sunday Times, the New York Times, major novelists such as Ruth Rendell, and so on. Strong praise from strong publications and people on both sides of the Atlantic. That's a good sign. You can't see them here on the Net, but my copy of "The Salaryman's Wife" gives four blurbs, from Laura Joh Rowland, Janet Evanonich, Barbara D'Amato and Jonnie Jacobs. Ever hear of any of these people? Me either. This book won an Agatha Award, which leads me to believe that (a) it was a slow year for mysteries and (b) no one on the Agatha Award committee knows anything about Japan. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent book to take to the beach when you don't want to tax your brain. Massey has nice pacing, a direct style that doesn't impinge on the reader's awareness much, and some snappy dialog. However, with a few name changes the mystery could have been set anywhere in America and no one would be the wiser. It obviously doesn't bother all the people who wrote gushing reviews below, but my main problem with this book is that Massey's Japanese characters don't seem to be Japanese in the slightest. They get huffy, tap their feet impatiently, make snide comments, contradict each other loudly (and in front of people they barely know) and generally act like badly behaved teenagers in L.A. Massey apparently spent a year in Japan in 1995 and travels back and forth shopping for antiques and doing research for the other books in her series. However, I'd be willing to bet that she speaks virtually no Japanese herself, as she seems not to have absorbed a bit of the culture beyond a few dishes and place names. To her credit, Massey gets the language mostly correct, although there is one gaff where she translates "Rei no kareisa" as "Rei's beauty." "Karei" means beautiful in the sense of ornate, baroque, decorated, gaudy, etc. (Either that or "flatfish".) It's a term from the world of antiques, but not one applied to women. So either she reviewed the Japanese herself and didn't catch it, or she asked a Japanese person to help her but phrased the request in such a way ("This is right, isn't it?") that that person didn't feel comfortable telling her she was wrong. Given the treatment of her Japanese characters and her complete, utter lack of understanding about how the Japanese mind works, I imagine it's probably the latter. Although I'm not one of those people who reads mysteries a lot and makes a point of figuring them out in advance, I had it solved about 150 pages into the (400-page plus) book. So there wasn't any big surprise at the end. If you really like to sink your teeth into a good whodunit, skip this book. Similarly, if you want to learn something about Japan, for god's sake don't take what's in here seriously. Try Henry Meigs' "Gate of the Tigers" instead. Final verdict: Not too bad for a first novel, but has nothing to do with Japan. If you're an expat here or know much about Japanese culture, avoid it like the plague. If you don't know much about Japan, though, you'll probably like it well enough. Personally, I'd like to see Massey write about a subject she really knows (like antiques, perhaps?) in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm Hooked!
Review: What a great first book! Powerfull story telling that keeps you reading. Characters that are believable; some we love and others we love to hate. I'm totally addicted to Rei and have gone on to read the other books in the series which get better (something I didin't think was possible). You will not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: well-written mystery, fascinating view of modern Japan
Review: There are two of the funniest sentences I've ever read on the first page of this book. Mysteries are pretty formulaic and part of what makes them interesting is the setting, and the setting of this mystery in modern Japan is fascinating. She also pulls off something Agatha Christie did frequently in her books - the identity of the murderer is a total surprise. And then, when you look at it again you see the author was fair, and the evidence was in front of you all along. Very nice.
Rating:
Summary: Great Japanese setting!
Review: This was a wonderful story and the setting was very erotic and the characters seem very realistic. I liked the staging of contemporary Japan. This book incredibly combines facts about Japan and the role of women within the Japanese society. A great mystery with cultural explanation mixed with romance...what more could you want? A wonderful story!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: Having lived in Tokyo for the past year, I could identify with a lot of Rei's (the main character) observations. Some other reviewers call it racist or xenophobic. I just call it honest. Only by living among the Japanese (most likely not on a military base) can one really begin to see beneath the polite exterior. In addition to the spot-on observations about life in Japan, the story really moves and keeps one guessing. I especially enjoyed Rei's personal struggle in trying to decide whether she was Japanese or American -- something that maybe only people of diverse backgrounds (or those who are close to others with diverse backgrounds) can appreciate. Bottom line: great story, and fascinating cultural commentary. I'll definitely read more of Massey's works.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing and Misleading
Review: As an expat living in Japan, one notices three primary differences between here and the U.S.: service, friendliness, and safety. Yet, according to Miss Massey's book, none of these things exist here. In her world, most Japanese aren't friendly, service to Americans is poor, and there are dangers everywhere. The author seems ot have taken a parochial view of Japan, that maybe she experienced, and generalized all of Japan into that view (along with some other misdirected and stale generalizations). These include, among others: Japanese wives who must be only trophy pieces with few talents or redeeming qualities; salarymen who must be rude; military officers who are always arrogant and snotty; and, military policemen who are rude and unhelpful. In addition, her hero is a tiresome young girl who has grown up in a wealthy family and whose adult life has been formed by from the ivory towers of her undergrad and graduate educations. Maybe the hero will appeal to you, but I grew tired of the girl's rants and opinionated views - typical of many 27 year olds who have been insulated by a privileged and ivory tower upbringing and think the world should exist per their terms. The characterization of the girl would have been perfect if it had been exposed for what it is. Instead, the hero is taken as exactly that - a hero, one whose foibles are presented as positives: her borish behavior and brashness make her a strong young lady; her prejudging of classes of people represents a progressive mind, since she would never succumb to their levels; and, her being appalled at Japanese traditions that differ from her way of thinking also makes her progressive. The worst part is that the author's presentation of Japan is seen as an accurate portrayal of Japanese life and ways. The representations of life here is Japan are not all accurate. Her experience in Japan may not have been postive, but there's a reason why most Americans who come here stay for so long - it's a wonderful life over here and the Japanese are a wonderful people. Also, the author's descriptions are off base in some other areas. For instance, with the military portion, the author has obvious errors: i.e., there aren't separate entrances at US bases for Americans and for Japanese; NCO Clubs aren't off base; protests are not a common occurrence outside American bases; and, all military members are not arrogant, rude, or want to beat up gays - as all the military characters in her story represent. Finally, the only part that gained stars was the mystery. It is an okay suspense. The reader can make a guess early, and then the rest of the book in interesting figuring out the why's and how's - but that answer becomes obvious about three quarters of the way through. As a final note, if you want a good, and entertaining, perspective of an ex-pat's life in Japan then read the Max Danger series by Bob Collins. He presents the good and the frustrating parts of life here in a really humorous way (and he hits everything on the head), and, best of all, his hero is someone you would like to really meet.
Rating: 
Summary: Xenophobe
Review: I bought three of Massey's books at one time due to the fact that she won the Agatha Award for "The Salaryman's Wife." I usually give a book 100 pages before giving up, but I couldn't get past 40 or so without feeling thoroughly disgusted. How on earth could she have won an award for this piece of trash? The main character, Rei Shimura is xenophobic. I have no doubt that Ms. Massey really lived and worked in Japan, but she couldn't have been here very long because her character's disdain for all things foreign reflects homesickness typical of the newly arrived. Her command of the Japanese language betrays her longevity, however, and that's what's unforgivable. Save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Good effort but layoff the wholesome crap
Review: For a first time effort- well done! Also as a resident of Japan, I found I could relate well to the intricacies of the Japanese society that were described so well. However I did find some of the character's quirks rather disturbing. It was evident that she looked down at some of the traits of the Japanese society and considered herself somewhat superior. She gets offended when the Japanese react with surprise when she mentions she's from California (well obviously, she's half Japanese and most Japanese tend to stereotype), she rips into a "gaijin" gentleman who mistakenly enters her bath, and makes references associating him and the soap lands in Tokyo (quite harsh considering it was just a mistake). The character dosent like the Salaryman's wife, offering no explanation as to her reasons, except for the fact that she's 10 years younger than her husband, "beautiful and a trophy wife" (well again, there's nothing wrong with that and most men wouldnt mind that at all) Finally she makes it a point to mention, at the onset of one of her meals that she had forgotten to say grace. (well, my, surely chances of paradise are now lost...)
Rating: 
Summary: The Salaryman's Wife
Review: Set in the Japanese Alps, this book is one of Sujaya Massey's very best. I have read all her books (currently reading the Floating Girl). She does an excellent job of weaving Japanese culture and customs into her "who dunnits". The Salaryman's Wife and Zen Attitude are her two best in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: I absolutely loved this book!
Review: I can't believe I've only just recently discovered Sujata Massey's Rei Shimura series! Thanks Amazon for recommending it! I really love this character. If you like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, you'll also like Rei Shimura.
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