Rating: 
Summary: Cultural Interest Has No Borders
Review: Massey's goal is to explore and teach about culture. Born in England to Indian and German parents, she's fascinated by Japan, so she sets her novels in that country and makes her main character Japanese-American. (I understand the strategy completely; I'm Italian-American, but my protagonists are Hispanic or Greek.) Zen Attitude is a worthy contribution to her series. It's an amiable mystery that allows Rei Shimura to continue her Japanese odyssey. Shimura's identity makes her a logical, trustworthy narrator. I like the anitquities angle. Since I know nothing about Japanese furniture, it's easy enough for Massey to plant clues I miss, yet I don't feel cheated that I missed them. I enjoyed reading about Shimura's boyfriend problems, especially when the problematic kid brother arrives, since this is the kind of familiar mess we all dread. The end of the book is a little too dramatic to be completely effective, but it doesn't mar the overall experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Love Her or Hate Her, but You Can¿t Put the Book Down
Review: Rei Shimura has moved up in the world, now she lives in luxury with her lover, Scottish Lawyer Hugh Glendenning, and she's selling antiques, her lifelong dream. This is a big change for the Rei we met in "The Salaryman's Wife." She has been hired by a major player in the antiques world, the formidable Nana Mihori. The right deal with Mihori can set Rei up for life, so when she finds a ceremonial chest of drawers worth millions of yen, she is overjoyed. She spends way too much on behalf of Mihori, has the priceless piece delivered to her apartment, then finds to her horror that it's a fake.Once again Sujata Massey takes us on a wild Japanese ride and along the way we meet a female judo champion, Hugh's spoiled brother Angus who will smoke anything in sight, a hip young car salesman who may or may not be a serial killer, a buddhist temple run by the Mihoris, and the very scary daughter of the Mihori clan and of course there's Rei Shimura herself, who seems so exasperating as she gets involved in murder.
Rei Shimura is a character that you'll either love or hate as you flip though the pages as fast as you can read, because love her or hate her, you won't be able to put the book down. Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne
Rating:
Summary: one foot running
Review: Rei Shimura is a wonderful character--someone you feel you know in person, rather than from the pages of a book. She's vulnerable and innocent, yet street-smart, with an appealing ironic vision of herself--and completely believable. Rei has set herself loose in Japan, a culture she's heir to--sort of. As a Japanese-American she wants to understand this enigmatic and ancient society, but her misreading of too many things leads her into very dangerous terrain. The plot is complex, and while I found the ending slightly disappointing, I had a great time getting there.
Rating:
Summary: a successful follow-up to the Salaryman's Wife
Review: Rei Shimura is back for more murder and mayhem in ZEN ATTITUDE. She's found a second career away from teaching at the language school, as an antiques dealer to wealthy American and Japanese clients. She's moved in with her Scottish lawyer boyfriend, Hugh Glendinning, and her life seems to be sailing along. However, while shopping for a tansu (Japanese wooden chest) for a client, Rei overpays for it and soon is involved in another murder investigation. Once again we get more glimpses into Japanese culture and daily life. Rei's search for the killer takes her to a Buddhist temple festival in the countryside and even more perils await her there. Ms. Massey has another winning read on her hands. Her characters are very well-drawn, the plot is fast-paced and intriguing. All in all it's great reading.
Rating:
Summary: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Review: Rei Shimura's life is moving toward her own Zen Attitude -- calm, composed, happy in life and love - the perfect balance. But nothing can be simple for Rei - yet. This second novel from Sujata Massey follows her highly successful "The Salaryman's Wife," which introduced readers to this young woman trying to make her own way in a culture that sees her almost as a failure - she's still single at age 27, and she's only half Japanese. That's why the success of her antiques business is so important, and why anything that threatens the success of this venture threatens her own stability - and as readers of the first book know, Rei tends to be rather volatile. So when that threat includes murder, well, Rei does whatever it takes to center her life again. Once again Ms. Massey's characterization is superb - we're treated to a female judo champion, the hierarchy of a Buddhist temple priesthood, other antique dealers, even Rei's boyfriend's wild Scottish brother. ! ! The subplots are intriguing, seamlessly tied together to create a denouement that is hinted at, yet should remain a surprise for most readers. The little touches are what make Ms. Massey's work so delightful. Scenes describing caged canaries in the police station, services at an ancient temple and a festival celebrating folk tales are interspersed with murder, high stakes antiques for sale and Rei's doubts about the future of her life in Japan. Indeed, Rei Shimura can be extremely exasperating - you may either love her or hate her. To Sujata Massey's credit, you will want to read more about her.
Rating:
Summary: Crack open the rice wine; she's done it again!
Review: Sujata Massey has surpassed herself! Zen Attitude is a novel that contains all of the ingredients for a highly successful sequel to Massey's debut novel, the Salaryman's Wife. Rei Shimura comes bouncing back with all of the zest that one has come to expect, but with a slightly more mature approach to everyday life. She is still involved with Hugh Glendinning, but we can forgive her this slight indulgence when he is held up to the light against his brother Angus, who has less redeeming qualities than a nest of particularly antisocial vipers. This time, Rei battles to unravel the mystery concealed within an antique Japanese chest, and she does so with the same flair that she exhibited in The Salaryman's Wife. Character delineation is is not merely well done, it is excellently done. Massey's knowledge of Japan is also vividly apparent on every page. If you want to know exactly what it feels like to go shopping for antiques in Kamakura, the ancient capital of Japan, th! en throw away the guide books and make sure that Zen Attitude is close at hand. Rei Shimura has become a good friend. We have only met up twice over the course of the past year, but each meeting has been delightful and something to savor. I certainly hope that the third installment of this wonderful series is not long in coming out. Christopher Belton (author of Crime Sans Frontieres)
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Summary: OK, but...
Review: Sujata Massey's books are entertaining but in this book she gave too much free reign to Angus, Hugh's vile brother. Of course, the audience isn't supposed to emphathise with Angus but his rantings against the Japanese, et al were tedious and racist. I almost expected him to declare his membership of the British National Front!
Rating:
Summary: OK, but...
Review: Sujata Massey's books are entertaining but in this book she gave too much free reign to Angus, Hugh's vile brother. Of course, the audience isn't supposed to emphathise with Angus but his rantings against the Japanese, et al were tedious and racist. I almost expected him to declare his membership of the British National Front!
Rating:
Summary: Another great read from Sujata Massey
Review: Sujata Massey's books never disappoint me! I have read them all, and she really knows how to tell a story. Her character of Rei Shimura is appealing because she is intelligent and appealing. The fact that Ms. Massey's books are set in Japan was the reason I first bought one, but the story convinced me to buy the others. I have written two romantic suspense novels set in Japan, and I am happy to see her novels be sos successful. It gives me hope!!!
Deborah Kemp...
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Summary: fascinating picture of the Japan I knew as a gaijin.
Review: The mystery reminded me of so much of Japan I had forgotten: the Kamiso, itinerant Buddhist monks; itadakimasu, the Japanese Grace before meals. The characters are well developed and of interesting variety: Angus, an annoying Scottish younger brother of Rei Shimura's lover; Wajin the surprising Buddhist priest; Ishida-san, the elderly antiques dealer who knew a "nice" thief who would selectively steal. All in all, a book that will enchant both mystery buffs and Japanophiles equally. And if you are fortunate enough to be both, you are in for a rare treat.
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