Red Chrysanthemum

Every witness has a different story as a samurai struggles to save his family and his honor when his wife is found at a murder scene in this mystery set in feudal Japan.

“Rowland’s historical detail and graceful prose enhance another solid mystery.” —Kirkus Reviews

Tokyo, 1698: Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to become the shogun’s second-in-command, is investigating rumors of a plot to overthrow the ruling regime. But conspiracy theories travel far too close to home when Sano discovers that Lord Mori, heir to the shogun, has been found murdered in his own bed . . . with Sano’s pregnant wife, Reiko, lying naked beside him.

Was Reiko Lord Mori’s scorned mistress, and vengeful assassin, as Lady Mori alleges? Or is she involved in a stunning hoax with her husband—as the ghost of Lord Mori has charged? Now, in this tale of intrigue and treachery that draws on the tradition of the classic film Rashamon, Sano is in a desperate race against time to find the real killer or face execution for treason . . .

“A quick and easy read which fans of the series will devour with relish.” —Historical Novel Society