Almost as a throwaway, young Sugarawa Akitada drags himself from the bed where he is recovering from a really bad beating during his detective work to creep into the room where his girlfriend Tamako is sleeping in his mother’s house for if he does that for three nights in succession, in this civilisation in 11th century Japan that constitutes marriage, only requiring acknowledgement by the family to be formalised. Not quite a throwaway for it is also the route the key villain takes to win his victim’s daughter and ensure his inheritance once he does his evil deed. I.G. Parker’s portrayal of this alien society, with its unique rituals and enjoyments, is detailed and most attractive, full of colours, sounds and smells of the beautiful capital city Kyoto was then. That she can trace and integrate three plotlines at the same time in a way that leaves the reader guessing is remarkable.
Coming from an impoverished noble family, Akitada takes leave from his low-ranking job in the Ministry of Justice to teach in the university (one unlike any we know) so he can check up on a case of blackmail for his old professor. On top of that he pursues his own investigation into the disappearance of a prince while praying alone (delicate because the Emperor has declared it a miracle in the belief that the prince was elevated directly into heaven) and another into the murder of a young pregnant woman, all while continuing his courtship of the professor’s reluctant daughter. Parker juggles a fascinating array of clearly differentiated characters, making skilful use of the mores of the times in the crimes, engineers some clever and effective detective work, and has a delicate touch with relationships as well. Great stuff. This is the second in a series of six so far published. What a pity the publisher (Penguin) has decided to take it no further – even more so, as two more are written and waiting. Lets hope another publisher picks the series up soon.
Rashomon Gate by I. J. Parker
Published by Penguin Books, 2006
ISBN: 0-1430-3560-6
