Book Review: The Jade Palace Vendetta

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Jade Palace Vendetta     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Dale Furutani
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Matsuyama Kaze # 2
Morrow, Jul 1999, $23.00, 256 pp.

Europe considers the year to be 1603, but Japanese see it as the eighth year of Keicho. Life is finally quieting down following the battle of Sekigahara where the Takugawa clan became the rulers of Japan. Fifty thousand samurai were left without a master. Many such as Matsuyama Kaze became ronins, a homeless warrior. In the case of Matsuyama, he searches for the missing nine-year old daughter of his former Lord and Lady.

After three years of futility, Matsuyama finally finds a clue. He now seeks three people who most likely can provide him with answers. As he travels down The Tokaido Road, he rescues a merchant under attack by several bandits. He safely escorts his new but temporary employer home and receives gold in payment.

He goes back to his hunt for the trio of people with answers. When he catches up to the threesome, he learns they have a personal vendetta against the person Matsuyama just rescued. Still, they agree to help him if the ronin can learn what happened to their grandmother's grandson, who disappeared on the merchant's estate.

THE JADE PALACE VENDETTA, the second novel in Dale Furutami's Samurai trilogy, is a remarkable work of historical fiction that brings to life a part of the Japanese heritage not seen by westerners. The descriptions are so well drawn, the audience feels they have been magically transported to an exotic locale. Cleverly integrated within the story line of the well-designed mystery are folklore tales, legends, and customs. Anyone who takes pleasure in a wonderful work of historical fiction that makes a different era and culture come to life needs to read this novel and its predecessor.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner