Book Review: The Hell Screen

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

The Hell Screen     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
I. J. Parker
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Akitada Sugawara
Penguin Books, 2008, 415 Pages

Eleventh Century Japan is brought to life in the pages of The Hell Screen. Sugawara Akitada has received word that his mother is dying. He is on his way home and stops to rest at a mountain temple. A man and a woman arrive at the temple at the same time as Sugawara. Although Sugawara takes notice of the couple it is not until later that he realizes the huge part the two plays in the mystery he is determined to solve. It is at this same temple that Akitada views the Hell Screen.

When Akitada finally arrives at his home he finds that his mother’s condition has worsened but her dislike of him hasn’t changed. She still hates him. It is hard to imagine a mother feeling so strongly against her only son but there is a mysterious reason behind this hatred.

It is soon revealed that murder has taken place on the very night that Akitada stayed at the mountain temple. The woman that arrived at the temple at the same time as Akitada was found murdered and her brother-in-law arrested for the murder.

Akitada shows himself to be a very good detective and a real diplomat. Although set in 11th century Japan the book is a very fast and interesting read that I would highly recommend. This is not Akitada’s first adventure and I want to read the previous books in this series.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

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