The Shrine Virgin: An Akitada Novel (Akitada Mysteries Book 14)

Akitada, with his family and retainers, has barely settled into his new position as governor of Mikawa province when he receives from the capitol an assignment to cross the bay to the Ise temple complex and locate a missing princess who's vital to the reputation of the Japanese nation - and possibly to its peace.My criticisms are that the book is thematically thin, and that it misses a number of opportunities for serious suspense and depth.There's little in the way of a moral to the story, except a very light treatment of Parker's consistent illumination of the evils of the caste system of Heian-era Japan. More noticeably, this particular novel traverses a number of situations with opportunities for suspense, but either passes them by entirely, or offers resolutions that play out too quickly and easily to grip the reader in a page-turner sort of way. As a result the story is more melodramatic when it could have been "nail-biting epic."[Caution: Potential spoiler alert...] In addition, the subplot involving Tora and Saburo's investigation of piracy remains separate from the main milieu involving Akitada - almost as if the former were presented as a mere setup of conflict with local law enforcement for future editions. I'd been expecting the missing princess and piracy cases to be somehow intertwined - therefore more complex and intriguing as a whole - but they were separate. I was also surprised that the titular character, the princess who's the Ise Shrine Virgin, only appears in a single scene, a virtual walk-on role. I'd expected her story to be told in tandem to the enrichment of the main plot, but she's only referenced in third person.Another, more general criticism is that Parker has chosen a chronological rather than episodic format for the series. In this book in particular we get a lot of references to both Akitada and Saburo aging and therefore becoming reduced in their physical capacities. That's an obvious nod to authenticity but with a heavy downside: It diminishes the stature of both characters, and therefore the novel as a whole. I'm not sure it's possible to present a character who traverses life events like becoming a widower, remarrying and expanding a family without also referencing aging, but given a series based on a repeating character, he either has to be presented as "timeless" or at some point retiring, which latter would mean ending the Akitada series, and nobody wants that.In the case of a secondary character like Saburo, he could retire and remain a minor character while another enters the "cast" - like the intriguing character Junichiro. But Akitada is the focal point of the series, which means he has to remain sharp and functional for the series to maintain its appeal. In this novel he seems soft and almost coddled by Parker - even when he's in peril we don't really fear for him much, and his emergence from harm is generally too facile - certainly more so than the gripping ordeal he escaped in "Island of Exiles."On the significant upside, once again we're immersed in an atmosphere that's palpable in its realism, and surrounded by a cast of vivid characters. The era comes alive in Parker's prose, almost as if you're standing there in person, and plot and setting alike are intriguing and memorable. I'm looking forward to diving into the next in the series, but I'm also hoping it will have more depth and suspense than this one. 'Nonetheless excellent entertainment and time well spent.

Not a fun life but rather luxurious. Akitada is quite the lucky risk taker but never come here without some suffering for his victory!

Focuses on the value of relationships and loyalty before caste and moralizing. Conflict between good guys and bad guys makes it a good teen novel. Good historical period novel, with stories building on each other if read in order. Would be a great series on audible with correct pronunciation of names

If you were to ask the author she would be able to tell you when I became inthralled with her Akitada stories; but it's been quite a few years. The story lines capture my interest from the moment I read the first page, and have me wake in the night so I can get closer to the finish line.The historical background at the end of the book is so interesting, and so much appreciated.What makes her books so interesting, whatever is written in it, could very easily be translated into todays world; only upgraded in action, places, and crime solving.I am getting started to read THE ASSASSIN'S DAUGHTER, and know it will hold my interest as have all the others.ANY LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE SHOULD HAVE HER BOOKS DISPLAYED IN A MANNER THAT WILL MAKE A READER GET HOOKED FROM THE COVER PAGE ALONE. Brilliant writing, that is all I have to say.

Very good mystery story with great characterization and fine writing. Even if we haven't read the previous books, this story can stand on its own. If we have, it just adds to our enjoyment of the series. To have the return of a child character from a previous book as an adult, and find that he's developed faults is something one does not usually see. One of the most interesting features of these books is the development of the characters. We actually become involved in the lives of Akitada Sugowara and his followers. As is usual in these novels, we can follow the reasoning of the protagonist as he goes toward the solution of the mystery.

I don't have time to read much so Im very picky and tend to stick with authors I like.I love all the Akitada books and identify with the characters as an Asian American learning about how my heritage affects my personal culture. My only reservation stems from the main character's adaptation of very Western Christian and modern individualistic values, which I dont feel would be very successful in Heian Japan. It certainly creates more empathy, and possibly illustrates the internal struggles of a people that are unbelievably strong and selfless, bound by duty to country and rules of society.My experience living in Japan was the most enriching and beautiful of my life. I saw the most gracious of humankind and learned how to appreciate beauty in the minutiae. The Akitada mysteries take me back with joy, and I return to them often.

liked it on the whole. glad there was another adventure. my two complaints are that the author spent too much time on the Akitada mystery and the dwarf and didn't have enough time to connect the Tora and Saburo mystery, or have them solve it, and she makes them out to be inept. she wrapped it up as an afterthought. should have finished the Akitada mystery earlier. once they found her kidnapped there was no mystery and what took two chapters to finish could have been done in one or a half.

IJ Parker always impresses me with her Akitada novels. I'm always sad that I've finished one and have no more to read. She creates an atmosphere of 11th century Japan that you can smell, hear and feel. The main characters are developed in distinct but very human ways and the plots are intricate, usually involve a serious of seemingly unrelated crimes and include very personal human dramas that reveal the attitudes of the times and the basic human nature of her characters that are universal, regardless of the time or place.

Japan 1031, The Heian Period. This follow up to The Old Men Of Omi finds Akitada in Mikawa province. Sitting in his garden in early autumn listening to his daughter Yasuko and his new young wife Yukiko playing a lute and a zither the new governor of Mikawa province is feeling very content with life.Unfortunately this peaceful idyll is interrupted by the arrival of Kiyowara Yasunori with instructions from the imperial secretariat. The next day Akitada departs alone by ferry for Ise province on a secret assignment. Adopting a disguise as Yoshiminie Takatsuna , the persona he first used in I.J. Parker's 2007 investigation Island Of Exiles, Akitada is soon caught up in murder and intrigue as he persues his latest investigation.This is an excellent new chapter in the Akitada series with the author's usual ability to create memorable characters and evocative settings in eleventh century Japan. A feudal world full of shrines and danger.

I wait for this writer to let me know when each next book is published as I know I will enjoy every one of them.

HI,NOT TO SPOIL IT,ANOTHER GREAT AKITADA STORY,PLEASE DONT MISS IT.

There are 53 pages missing in the middle of the book I bought from page 170 to 223. Extremely disappointing. Sadly all the Akitada novels are badly edited. It's a shame because the stories are very enjoyable and entertaining.

I really love these books - well written wonderful descriptions and plots - have all the series and read them again and again