The Flower Master

The tenth and final installment of Rei's adventures, "Shimura Trouble", came out this past spring and Amazon is apparently having great trouble getting copies from its British publisher. While you wait for a copy to become available, you will want to revisit this, in my opinion, the strongest entry in the Rei series, both for its completely, affectionately inhabited Tokyo setting, but also for the meticulous (and oddly, for Westerners) compelling descriptions of the classical Japanese art of ikebana. The mystery set-up here, and its resolution, is also one of the better-plotted and surprising. In later installments, Massey has a tendency to overplay her hand, telegraphing well in advance who probably dunnit, but I guarantee that is not the case here. Events of the plot aside, you may even want to take up ikebana when you are done, it's that interesting. When we last left Rei, she had settled into a domestic routine with Hugh Glendinning in his luxury apartment in Roppongi. She continues to reside there uneasily, torn over both commitment to Hugh and being a denizen of the most elite neighborhood in Tokyo. She counters this dose of Westernization by signing up for flower arranging lessons at a local school. This installment gives a prominent role to Rei's delightfully efficient Aunt Norie, who we will never enjoy in such largesse again. This book also introduces the mysterious Takeo Kayama, the wealthy heir to the flower arranging empire who presents an attractive, and Japanese, alternative to Hugh. In her ambivilent state, Rei is definitely torn, even if Kayama-kun himself may be sinister. This third installment continues, and improves upon, the strong plotlines, quirky characters and interesting tidbits about Japanese cultural icons and mores that Massey started in the two previous efforts. This was actually the first book in this series that came to my attention, and it hooked me immediately, even without Rei's backstory from the prequels. I have read them all now, and still believe "The Flower Master" is the best of the lot. If you only read one Rei Shimura mystery, this is the one to choose. But of course, this book is so captivating, you will want to read them all. Not all of Massey's later efforts live up to the high bar she set herself with her first three books, but you will never find another sleuth like Rei Shimura, "honto ni". (Truly!)

I live in Tokyo as an American so devour all sorts of interesting and entertaining reads about the city and the country. Very familiar settings around the Ueno area and great cross-cultural insights. Love sassy Rei, her friends and Yokohama family... I read the book in a few sittings. A tame, easy breezy whodunnit set at a flower arranging school with a diverse, colorful cast of expats and local characters that was super fun to read. Boyfriend woes too in the mix. Left me wanting more! I have consumed several more in the series!

I very much like Sujata Massey's style, and I am quite taken with her main character Rea Shimura. I also like the views that Massey gives us of Japanese life through the eyes of a Westerner. I felt that this, her third novel, was another pleasureable romp, following Rea as she gets unwillingly involved in and solves yet another mystery. I found, however, that this tale did not fire my interest as her others had. I enjoyed meeting her friends again and watching a new man enter that circle. I liked the insights into Ikebana culture. I only gave it three stars, however, because I felt that the the lengthy build-up led to a surprising but not particularly exciting resolution. As I finally closed the book my feeling was - Okay, hmmm. Nowhere near a Wow! I have no doubt that other readers who, like me, anticipate the latest Massey story will want to read this one. I am just hoping that the next is more gripping, intriquing, moving....

Sujata Massey develops some of the most interesting and complex mystery plots I've ever encountered. She obviously loves Japan, the Japanese culture, and the Japanese people. Although I thought I knew a lot about Japan and its people I learned a lot more from Ms. Massey's series. These are books are well researched and well written. The protagonist, Rei, is a bit quirky, sometimes not using good sense in her misadventures, but always likeable.

The plot of "Flower Master" was much easier to follow--and to enjoy--than in the same author's "Salaryman's Wife." Even so, some of the protagonist's encounters with key characters seemed to just magically occur, without foreshadowing or any explanation for the remarkable coincidence of their being in the same place at the same time, in Tokyo, one of the largest cities in the world. The character development was better for some (especially for her Aunt Rieko) than in the prior novel. I was very surprised by the author's description of the protagonist asking a Japanese acquaintance if she suffers from cancer--a culturally "shameful" diagnosis that Japanese doctors often conceal from both patient and family ("It's a stomach ulcer" is a common euphimism for colon cancer). It would be entirely inappropriate to ask if your acquaintance has cancer, certainly during the time frame of this novel. The ending resolution of the mystery seemed rushed, without adequate plot development to make it believable.

The Flower Master is a cozy mystery that helped me imagine Tokyo as a living, breathing community of caring people. The protagonists are likable and the mystery was presented well. If you’re interested in Japanese culture, you’ll learn a few tips, too!

The plot was quite compelling with enough turns to maintain interest. Ikebana and some haiku and Japanese language give realistic contemporary insights into culture.

The author entranced me with the joys and pitfalls of living in a strange culture and communicating in a foreign language. As an American Japanese entrepreneur, the heroine dances between danger and making a living funding valuable Japanese antiques while living in one of the most expensive city in the world.

Ich habe die Bücher der Simura Rei Reihe alle verschlungen. Diesen zweiten Band habe ich lange nicht bekommen. Als ich ihn endlich hatte, habe ich ihn an einem Tag gelesen. Spannend wie immer mit vielen Einsichten in die japanische Kultur. Einfach Klasse Unterhaltung.

Gave an insight into Japanese life and culture with a little mystery along the way

This is a very well written little murder mystery centred around the ladies at an ikebana (flower arranging) school in Tokyo. Rei Shimura attends the school at the insistence of her well-meaning, but interfering aunt Norie. One of the teachers is then murdered setting the scene for a private investigation by Rei that reveals more than just the murderer. I enjoyed the Tokyo setting and was pleased to be taken through the city by someone who is clearly knowledgeable about its streets and history without indulging in the overstated descriptions so often used by foreigners who set their books in Japan. My only complaints about this book would be the beginning and end. The start is just a little too slow, and the ending feels slightly rushed. Other than that though, it's a great read with well-drawn characters, nice, quick dialogue and an even pace. The writing often seems simple, but such an effect suits a book like this perfectly and requires great skill to create. Very enjoyable.

Having enjoyed the books in the India series of this author, I am disappointed in this book set in Japan. Why is it full of spelling errors? Sloppy proof reading or published before any editing was done? Also, the author is clearly not on solid ground writing about this country.

I liked that I was able to learn more about a different culture. However, the book needed editing.