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Summary: An interesting look at feudal Japan
Review: I don't read mysteries, I don't like them. Instead, I prefer to read Bundori and Shinju simply for the well written descriptions of 17th century Japan, and in my mind compare their civilization to what was happening at the same time in Western civilization. Laura Joh Rowland writes cleanly and briskly, with good pacing and plenty of action. I like the character of Sano and care about what happens to him, as well as some of the secondary characters. On the flip side, there were some moments in the story that were typically predictable. But once you get past that, it's still an easy read.
Rating: 
Summary: Hackneyed
Review: I have to say that I was disappointed in this book after reading all the wonderful reviews the publisher reprinted inside my copy. It just did not match up to all the praise heaped upon it.
The plot was unimaginative, and the characters stereotyped. Despite the way the other characters praised him, Sano's supposed drive for justice did not shine through, and there were times when he seemed downright thick. Or maybe we've all read too many detective novels by now . . . But I am pretty sure his habit of explaining what he has discovered in his investigation to everyone he happens to meet is not a good thing to do. And I could not believe that he and Aoi loved each other. Like so many things in this book, that just came out of nowhere, and then disappeared again. And do we foresee trouble on the horizon when Sano is caught between Reiko and Aoi? Yawn.
I did enjoy the setting, because it was so different to anything I have read about before; though I'm unclear about whether some aspects, such as the ninja, should be taken with a grain of salt. A historical note at the end would have been much appreciated. My enjoyment of the setting was undercut, though, by Rowland's over-explanation of every single point that today's audience might be expected to have a little difficulty with. Just letting the action and conversations flow and keeping the explanations to a minimum would have been a far more effective way to evoke the period. I do understand that warts-and-all evocation of times gone by would result in characters a modern audience would find it difficult to sympathise with, but I sometimes thought Rowland went a little too far in her appeal to a modern sensibility - e.g. the doctor's attitudes, Sano's immediate acceptance of and respect for Aoi's intellect, his questioning of Bushido at the end.
I'm not sure if I will read any more of Rowland's books. I'm tempted to, because of the setting and because I like to give authors another chance. However, the sexual nastiness in Bundori was gratuitous and offensive, and I'm not sure I could take any more of it. Quite apart from that, how can we respect an investigator who supposedly has a drive for justice yet tries to rape a woman just because he's angry with her?
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Summary: Fun Detective story,
Review: I like all of the stories in this series. Not as much for the detective aspect, wich is good, but more for the office politics correlations to real life. It's sad but true, that ability and performance will always be targeted by insecure non talents more than they will be rewarded for greatness. If you've ever felt like this you will relate to this hero, as he trie to balance being a good man and still keep his job.
Rating:
Summary: Almost 5 stars
Review: I liked this book, in fact I liked it alot. I wish I could give it an A but I can't. It isn't strong enough to merit it. The characters are good but could use a little more depth and well-roundedness. The author makes good use of setting and time period, though she tends to dumb it down for the reader. I liked the characters and story and despite the problems I found it an enjoyable. This gets a StuPage Reviews B.
Rating: 
Summary: Hasn't gotten around the problems of _Shinju_
Review: I read Bundori hoping that Rowland would have cleaned up her writing and plotting a bit from her debut (Shinju). In that regard, I was quite disappointed. Once again, she has written a historically interesting but otherwise uninspired account of Sano in 17th century Japan. Her attempts to show characters' inner lives are superficial. Her writing is, at times, too turgid for the genre. One very good sign is that she didn't feel compelled to keep every minor character from Shinju on in Bundori (as, for example, Martha Grimes does in all the Richard Jury books). That removes an element of predictability. Nonetheless, Rowland would benefit from taking the subtitle of Bundori ("A Novel of Japan" -- as compared with Shinju: A Novel of Suspense) as a suggestion rather than a description. Japan is the most compelling character in either Bundori or Shinju, though Sano is interesting (but he flip-flops on major personal issues with too much facility to be believ! ! able). My only interest in further Rowland books is to learn about Tokugawa Japan in a light, pleasurable format.
Rating: 
Summary: Very graphic, but loads of fun
Review: I usually don't read mysteries, but I had recently purchased another one of the Sano Ichiro books. I lent it to a friend while I was reading another story, and she gave it high praises, so I decided to purchase more of Laura Joh Rowland's books. This one was one of them. I was at first suprised to find so much detail as to the gore and sexual exploits of some of the situations. I just couldn't put the book down. The twists and turns that Mrs. Rowland takes you through in order to get to the killer had me rivoted to the pages. I would highly recommend any of Mrs. Rowland's books regarding Sano Ichiro to anyone.
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Summary: Bundori: A Novel of Japan
Review: I'd like to comment about all of her books in her series, I have read all 4 of them so far and JUST LOVED THEM! I thought the stories were all fascinating and exciting. The suspense is just great, some books you can figure it out half way through. I eagerly await the #5 book in her series "The Samurai's Wife"!
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Summary: Good mystery, some irritating anachronisms
Review: If you want a good mystery and would also like, or at least would not mind, a patina of Tokugawa Japan laid over the structure of the plot, then this is the book for you. It deals with the attempts by a samurai inspector to find out who has been cutting off heads and displaying them as bundori, "war trophies", in direct violation of the Shogun's peace. As such, it is a good mystery. However, there are a few places, usually in characterization, where anachronisms peak through the veil of old Japan. E.g. at one point a reference it made to the Shogun's "sexual preference" for handsome young boys. It is entirely true that in Japan of that era such behavior was not uncommon among the samurai; however, the expression "sexual preference" is a product of late 20th century American thought processes and would never have occured to the Japanese of that era. They probably wouldn't have even thought of it in terms of preference at all. This kind of thing happens rarely, but when it does it can be very jarring. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a good lite mystery novel, this is worth your attention.
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Summary: Don't miss meeting this character
Review: In a enchanting tale of feudal Japan, Sano, an up and coming samurai detective, must weigh his desire to get ahead with the strict code of bushido. In a land full of people with sharp, long, knives, arrogant nobles, and passively accepting populac, there is ample fodder for this genre. If you enjoyed Clavell and are having withdrawal now that he's gone, the promise of this series will not be disappointing
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Summary: High-intensity thriller.
Review: In BUNDORI, Sano Ichiro takes on his next official assignment as the Shogun's Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People. This time he's searching for a bizarre serial killer who seems to be living in the past, presenting the heads of his slain enemies as "war trophies" in tribute to his lord. Once again, as in SHINJU, Rowland gives us a terrific read -- more thriller than whodunit. And she gives us a lot of info on society and everyday life in medieval Japan. She creates an AMAZING sense of place, combining the societal info with her excellent descriptions: "A haze of pale foliage added brightness and life to the city's drab brown thatched or tiled roofs. Cherry trees, in full blossom now, spread rosy clouds over the banks of the many canals, formed solid bands of radiant color along the broad, muddy Sumida River, and turned the hills beyond the castle into a breathtaking wash of pink and green. Their fragrance scented the air with an elusive, poignant sweetness. In the distance, high above the city to the west, rose Mount Fuji's serene, snowcapped peak."I found the detailed sex scenes a bit distasteful, but they did contribute to the sense of character and to the tension. These books are a tremendous amount of work. Rowland can be very proud. Great entertainment. These books are very well done.
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