James Melville (1) (1931–2014)

This Otani mystery interests me because a father trivial fashionable woman dies of fugu (blowfish) poisoning while listening to madrigals at a largely western party in Japan, attended by one of Otan's men. Personally one reason I like it is that I used to know a woman who sang "Sweet Amaryllis" very sweetly.

This book seems to hover somewhat between detective fiction and crime thriller. Central to the book (though not so much to the plot) is the presentation to a Western readership of Japanese cultural expectations, and in particular Japanese reaction to Western culture. This is focused mainly in the endearing character of Superintendent Otani, a middle-aged Japanese policeman trying to reconcile open-mindedness with old-fashioned prejudices. But the technique is often a bit clunky, and the show more gratuitous combination of lesbian sex in a Zen temple is perhaps a little over the top. MB 8-v-07 show less

This Supt, Otani stry is a flashback to his investigation 20 years before of the death of a missionary at a fox (Inari) shrine. IT interested me as I knew missionaries in Japan when I was one in Korea, and because I ike some of the Asian fox-spirit stories, notably on in Tang Dynasty Stories.

Moderately interesting mystery, with new "players" being introduced throughout. Melville, an English cultural diplomat, displays his affection for traditional Japanese ceremonies and customs. Inspector Tetsuo Otani is a middle-aged police inspector, who takes an interest in a murder that occurs on the grounds of a Zen Buddhist temple that caters to foreign students. We see Otani interacting with his subordinates as well as peers from other agencies. Scenes with his wife are endearing. show more Several of the characters are somewhat developed, although none are particularly strong. The style is competent, neither distracting nor enhancing the reader's pleasure. show less