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The Dragon Scroll: A Mystery of Ancient…
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The Dragon Scroll: A Mystery of Ancient Japan Featuring Sugawara Akitada (edition 2005)

by I. J. Parker

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
2741296,072 (3.58)27
In an adventure filled with highway bandits, unscrupulous politicians, and renegade monks, The Dragon Scroll introduces readers to the lively world of eleventh-century Japan and an irrepressible hero--Sugawara Akitada. On his first official assignment, Akitada--an impoverished nobleman and earnest young government clerk in the Ministry of Justice--is sent from the capital city on a nearly impossible mission to the distant province of Kazusa to discover why tax convoys are disappearing. In the politically murky world of the Japanese court, he has been set up to fail. Against the odds, the ever-resourceful Akitada, his elderly servant Seimei, and his impudent bodyguard Tora are determined to fulfill their mission and discover the truth in a town of dangerous secrets.… (more)
Member:hirotani
Title:The Dragon Scroll: A Mystery of Ancient Japan Featuring Sugawara Akitada
Authors:I. J. Parker
Info:Penguin (Non-Classics) (2005), Edition: First Edtion, Paperback, 338 pages
Collections:Kindle (read)
Rating:****
Tags:Detective Fiction, Japanese, Sugawara

Work Information

The Dragon Scroll by I.J. Parker

  1. 10
    Shinjū by Laura Joh Rowland (LongDogMom)
    LongDogMom: The Sano Ichiro historical mystery series set in the 1700s in Edo, Japan is similar in style if you enjoy Parker's Akitada series then you will probably enjoy Rowland's series as well. Best to read the series in order as Sano's life and career evoles throughout the course of the books in addition to the individual mystery he is working on solving within each novel. This is the first in the series.… (more)
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English (11)  French (1)  All languages (12)
Showing 1-5 of 11 (next | show all)
I was intrigued by Parker's mysteries set in medieval Japan - a place where my reading has seldom taken me. Sugawara Akitada, a lowly government official was sent on an impossible mission because he was expendable. This had a good plot with lots of action, delightful characters, and unexpected humour. ( )
  VivienneR | Sep 15, 2019 |
The likable but not yet ept Akitada, is in way over his head but determined to do his best. He has a lot to learn, but being smart actually does, mostly. Not quite up to the Judge Dee mysteries I loved decades ago, but worthwhile. ( )
  quondame | Jan 26, 2019 |
This was a pretty good start to a series.  The main character was kind of flat, but I see his potential for later so I'm okay with it.  Tora started out with a bang, and I was glad because he is my favorite character in the series.  The storyline was good, but Parker went a round about way for resolving all the loose threads.  It wasn't a bad ending, I just think it needed a little more editing.  Overall, I really enjoyed it! ( )
  jguidry | May 31, 2016 |
I am really enjoying this series. I cannot wait to read the next one! ( )
  DivineMissW | Jul 7, 2012 |
I'm tempted to give this book all five possible stars because it is actually sheds light on the universal human condition while it explores a mind bending mystery and puts itself in the everyday life of the period, right down to the grinding poverty, hunger, and filth of Japan before the Shogun and before the Samurai. A bright but low-ranking government clerk, Sugawara Akitada, is given what is considered an impossible task because there is no need to waste the time of an important person to investigate what cannot be found out. He travels to the provincial capital where, for three years, the province's taxes owed to the emperor have left the governor and simply disappeared before reaching the proper authority. By sticking to his strict education of manners and treatment toward others yet feeling softness for those whose condition is worse than his own (and that is almost everyone), Akitada keeps his eyes and mind open and listens to what he can learn, he does a thorough job of investigating the situation in the provincial capital as he solves the mystery of the missing tax money as well as the murders of three women and brings down the evil men masquerading as Buddist priests. He finds and loses love, as any good detective should, and picks up a new assistant who is sure to be prominent and helpful in future adventures. Of course, Akitada is rewarded, but not nearly as much as he should be by plotting officials who decide the fate of those below him (Isn't that just the way it goes?), but goes cheerfully on his way toward his future in spite of his harping mother and chiding supervisors. I can't wait to be with him again. ( )
  herbcat | Apr 14, 2011 |
Showing 1-5 of 11 (next | show all)
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For my agent, Jean Naggar, in gratitude for her unswerving support, her encouragement, and her faith in me.
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There were two watchers in the garden that night.
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In an adventure filled with highway bandits, unscrupulous politicians, and renegade monks, The Dragon Scroll introduces readers to the lively world of eleventh-century Japan and an irrepressible hero--Sugawara Akitada. On his first official assignment, Akitada--an impoverished nobleman and earnest young government clerk in the Ministry of Justice--is sent from the capital city on a nearly impossible mission to the distant province of Kazusa to discover why tax convoys are disappearing. In the politically murky world of the Japanese court, he has been set up to fail. Against the odds, the ever-resourceful Akitada, his elderly servant Seimei, and his impudent bodyguard Tora are determined to fulfill their mission and discover the truth in a town of dangerous secrets.

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