Book Review: Kill the Shogun

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Kill the Shogun     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Dale Furutani
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical
Series: Matsuyama Kaze # 3
Morrow, Sep 2000, $23.00, 240 pp.

In 1603 Japan, honor dictates that samurai Matsuyama Kaze continue his three year quest to find and rescue Kiku-Chan, the daughter of his murdered lord. Though weary of his seemingly endless but hazardous trek, in deference to the wife of his deceased lord, Kaze knows he must continue the search until he is dead or Kiku-Chan is rescued.

Clues inform Kaze that Kiku-Chan has been brought to the new capital of Japan, Edo. However, as Kaze gets closer to his quarry, he learns that the advisors to the new Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu want him eliminated. Since his enemies are based in Edo, entering the city is dangerous, but veneration of his former master requires Kaze to do so even though it probably will cost him his life.

KILL THE SHOGUN, the third book in Dale Furutani’s samurai series, is a great historical novel that will thrill fans and send new readers searching for the previous books (see DEATH AT THE CROSSROADS AND JADE PALACE VENDETTA). As expected the exciting story line is rich with the heritage of seventeenth century Japan. That alone makes the novel worth reading. However, excellent characters and a fabulous plot turn this tale, like its predecessors, into a superior story strongly standing by itself or as part of a delightful three-book volume. Both will work, but the latter is more than a great dinner, it is a feast. Though Kaze’s quest has ended (read the book if you want to know how), hopefully the award winning Mr. Furutani has more stories set in historical Japan.

Harriet Klausner

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