Rating: 
Summary: Read this in one sitting . . .
Review: . . . very entertaining and the mystery comes together beautifully.The 2nd book in the Rei Shimura takes up a few months after the 1st book, "The Salaryman's Wife," leaves off. Rei is living with her Scottish lawyer boyfriend, Hugh and trying to make a success of her antiques business, when, once again, her life gets mired down by murder & intrigue. As with the 1st book in the series the deft handling of the plot kept me interested and surprised until the end. Red herrings and secondary characters are woven into a story that is fast-paced and entertaining, while seamlessly including glimpses into modern and historical Japanese culture. The few quibbles I have with the book focus mainly on the main characters. I found Hugh's stated devotion to Rei suspect, especially after the introduction of his younger brother Angus. His vacillation between the two and his treatment of Rei in several scenes seemed to argue that there was no basis for their relationship other than his need to make a connection with someone Japanese and her physical attraction to him. And, although I find Rei intriguing, I still haven't solidified a bond with her. Like Nevada Barr's heroine Anna Pigeon, Rei takes a while to grow on you. But even when Rei's actions and feelings seem more random than reasonable, there is a depth and complexity to her that is refreshing. She, like the Japan she treasures, isn't easily understood or forgotten. I have just started reading the third book in the series - The Flower Master - and even though I'm only halfway through chapter one I'm intrigued and itching to read more. Sujata Massey has quickly joined a the list of mystery writers who seems to effortlessly draw you into the world they create. I look forward to enjoying many more of her books.
Rating:
Summary: A marvelous sequel to a compelling series
Review: A very nice sequel, and to me somewhat different, even more complex than her her first book, The Salaryman's Wife. Where the Salaryman's Wife had an almost traditional small set of suspects in an out of the way Japanese Inn, but then moves to the urban setting of the city; Zen Attitude tends to sprawl all over Tokyo, until it becomes focused on the intrigues of a specific Japanese temple. Rei Shimura is running her small antiques business and purchases an old japanese chest. Unfortunately, everyone associated with the chest seems to be in danger or dead. Almost as interesting as the mystery itself are several personal complications with her boyfriend and his brother. The deft handling of what could easily be cliché romantic complications, was one of the books highlights; especially when the personal circumstances begin to parallel with the circumstances of the murder.
Rating:
Summary: Japanese tradition with an 'attitude'
Review: After discovering Sujata Massey with 'The Salaryman's Wife', and being captivated by it's shadow's edge world of traditional Japan and the fringe-culture inhabited by 'gaijins' and the other foreign born, I couldn't wait to get my hands on 'Zen Attitude'. Massey doesn't let the reader down. Rei Shimura remains as prickly-yet-likeable as in 'Salaryman' and swims through the same sea of proper Japanese and eclectic outsiders. While I enjoyed the mystery and found it compelling, the real treat for me was the semi-insider's peek of Japan and Japanese culture. Despite her attempts at traditional ettiquette Rei is a modern woman and her PG-13 exploits made a sensitive guy like me blush a few times. Sujata Massey is a writer with a real appreciation for the beauty and tradition that her characters experience. It's nice to see that those things can co-exist with a little attitude.
Rating:
Summary: Rei is a winner!
Review: An entertaining read. My first Sujata Massey book, but I've already purchased two more. I'm going to be going "backward" and "forward" in Rei's life. It will be a fun ride, I'm sure. Thank you, Ms. Massey, for sharing your talents with us.
Rating: 
Summary: An Outstanding View of the Japanese
Review: I am eagerly awaiting the return of Rei Shimura. Again I've enjoyed reading about this incredible woman torn between two cultures. She gives a remarkable view into the lives and feelings of Japanese people that few Westerners know. The story was fantastic and reading about the places in Japan I have visited gave me back wonderful memories. Her characters are believable and likeable. Sujata Massey has obviously done her homework!
Rating:
Summary: Kept Reading
Review: I kept reading until the end, I didn't realize who the
'bad guy' was. I enjoyed reading about the different characters and the different classes/castes that Japan has to offer. Massey's writing style continues to be descriptive and enveloping. I cannot wait to read the third in the series, but I should slow down before I go through all the books and have to wonder what Rei, Hugh, Mr. Ishida, and others are up to.
Rating:
Summary: Kept Reading
Review: I kept reading until the end, I didn't realize who the
'bad guy' was. I enjoyed reading about the different characters and the different classes/castes that Japan has to offer. Massey's writing style continues to be descriptive and enveloping. I cannot wait to read the third in the series, but I should slow down before I go through all the books and have to wonder what Rei, Hugh, Mr. Ishida, and others are up to.
Rating:
Summary: Like a succesfull journey to Japan...
Review: I really love a book which not only entertain you while you read it, but also teach you new things. Zen attitude was like that; it made me look up pictures and information on the Japanese places, antiques etc., which were so beautifully described throughout the book. Furthermore did it have an intriguing plot that made me take the book with me everywhere until I was finished. It was my second Sujata Massey novel and I must say that I'm thrilled that I still have two more on my shelf. Congratulations to Sujata Massey - Don't ever stop writing.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: In ZEN ATTITUDE the action just goes and goes -- the book doesn't FEEL like it's over 300 pages. It has lots of satisfying twists and turns. And I can identify with the complex and frustrating relationships with the men in her life! This series is just the ticket for mystery buffs -- esp. those who like a bit of vicarious traveling thrown in. Want to live in Japan for a while? This is the second in the series that started with THE SALARYMAN'S WIFE. This time we get an interesting, albeit scanty, insight into the world of the Buddhist monastery in Japan. I am in LOVE with this series! I'm recommending it to all my fellow mystery lovers. Next up: THE FLOWER MASTER.
Rating:
Summary: A new star shines with this delightful mystery
Review: Japanese-American Rei Shimura is extremely pleased with her current lifestyle. She has opened up a Tokyo-based antique business and lives with her Scottish boyfriend Hugh Glendinning, an international lawyer. As her lover flies off to Thailand, Rei purchases Nana Mihori's tansu (ancient chest of drawers) for more than she could afford. However, the overpaying for the chest of drawers is not the end of Rei's bad luck. The person who sold her the tansu is found dead and the police suspect Rei is the killer. Soon other individuals linked to the tansu begin to die and attempts on Rei's life occurs too. Using her new found Zen for life, Rei begins to investigate the key to why someone is killing people associated with the tansu. ZEN ATTITUDE is a brilliantly written who-done-it that brings to life Japanese culture. Rei is one of the best amateur sleuths on the market today and her series is worth reading by anyone who enjoys a mystery with a touch of the orient. In a relatively short time, Sujata Massey demonstrates that she is one of the most talented new writers on the mystery scene. Harriet Klausner
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