Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Avon (2002), Mass Market Paperback, 400 pages
Description
Antiques dealer Rei Shimura has managed to snag one of the most lucrative and prestigious jobs of her career: a renowned museum in Washington, D. C. , has invited her to exhibit her kimonos and give a lecture on them. Accompanied by a gaggle of Japanese office ladies bent on a week of shopping, Rei lands in the capital. But her big break could ultimately break her. Within hours one of the kimonos is stolen, and then Rei's passport is discovered in a shopping mall dumpster-on the dead body of one of the Japanese tourists. Trouble is only beginning, though, for now Rei's parents have arrived and so has her ex-boyfriend. To track down the kimono and unmask a killer, Rei's got to do some clever juggling, fast talking, and quick sleuthing, or this trip home could be her last.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Sistahluck
This is one of the best titles in a series starring Rei Shimura, a Japanese-American antiques dealer and mystery-solver. Each adventure has Rei dealing with some aspect of Japanese culture. Past books have touched on shrines and temples, ikebana, Japanese pottery, tansu chests and pearl divers.
LibraryThing member seekingflight
A fluffy but easily forgettable read about Rei Shimura, a half-Japanese woman living in Tokyo, who’s asked to courier some kimono from Japan to Washington, and speak as a guest lecturer at the exhibition where they’re displayed. One of the kimono is stolen, and matters go from bad to worse when
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she’s then caught up in a murder investigation. Meantime, Rei's ex comes back into her life, and she’s caught between him and her current Japanese boyfriend. Not a total waste of time: some interesting parallels are drawn between the women who wore the kimono in Japan in the 1800s, and the contemporary relationships of some of the minor characters; I got enough into the book to care about what happened to the characters; and there’s a tense finale. I liked some of the observations about Japanese culture, although they felt relatively superficial. Show Less
LibraryThing member magnolia2
Sujata Massey writes her novels winding Japanese history and facts together with interesting characters and plot lines. A great way to learn more about Japan while enjoying a good story. This particular book teaches about the history and significance of Japanese kimonos.
LibraryThing member lahochstetler
Rei Shimura is back solving antiques-based mysteries. This time she is a courier for antique kimono from a Tokyo museum to an exhibition in Washington. Rei discovers that the collection includes Kimono belonging to a courtier's wife and mistress. One of the kimono is stolen, a Japanese woman goes
I really enjoy this series. It is smart and enmeshed in the Tokyo art world. That said, that fact that the police are not involved in this fiasco is absolutely unbelievable. So too was the interaction on the airplane that puts Rei in contact with the murder victim.
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missing, and Rei has to try and preserve her reputation in the antiques community. The appearance of an ex-boyfriend adds to the drama. I really enjoy this series. It is smart and enmeshed in the Tokyo art world. That said, that fact that the police are not involved in this fiasco is absolutely unbelievable. So too was the interaction on the airplane that puts Rei in contact with the murder victim.
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LibraryThing member nandadevi
The author had every chance here to write a great novel. The subject matter offered insights not only into Japanese culture and particularly textiles, but also into the interior world of modern museums. The plot (setting aside the romantic element) had potential in the best who-dun-it tradition,
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and behind that was the potential for a great back story - of the origins of these kimono and the relations between the original owners. But, alas, all of this wonderful material was well and truly buried under a very average treatment of characters, and a romantic plot straight from Mills & Boon. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Agatha Award (Nominee — Novel — 2001)
Language
Original publication date
2001-09-04
Physical description
400 p.; 6.68 inches
ISBN
0061031151 / 9780061031151
Local notes
Rei is unexpectedly invited to accompany a treasure trove of antique kimonos to a Washington, D.C., museum and to deliver a couple of lectures on the cultural history of the gorgeous garments. A last-minute decision to substitute a priceless wedding kimono for one that's too fragile to travel sets in motion a chain of events that lands Rei in serious peril.