I.J.'s Sugawara Akitada rocks!

[B.R.Stateham]

Speaking of historical detectives--you should read I.J. Parker's 'Island of Exiles.' I've just written a review for it on Amazon and, really, it's a damn good book. If you're a history buff you have to love feudal Japan in the Tenth or Eleventh Century!

Haven't read your newest yet, I.J. But I will . . . .

[B.R.Stateham]

It was a pleasure, kid. The books are delicious. I especially like the touch of having Akitada secretly relishing his swordsmanship and his lust for battle even though he is an intellectual. A fine contradiction, there. Good stuff.

[I. J. Parker]

Oh, B.R., thanks so much. How nice! I think you pushed the scoring over to a 5-point overall estimation.
Yes, they do carry forward from book to book, though the plots are distinct. I've always wanted to write Akitada's life story -- and that is not a genre novel. Having my cake and eating it, too. :)