Kirkus offers grudging praise.

[I. J. Parker]

THE CONVICT'S SWORD was reviewed by Kirkus a day or so ago. Now, Kirkus has a reputation for grumpy reviews and a certain amount of snootiness, so I'm not too disappointed -- even if the reviewer misread Seimei's character. Subtlety doesn't always work. :) Here it is:


THE CONVICT'S SWORD
Author: Parker, I.J.
Review Date: JULY 01, 2009
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 418
Price (paperback): $$15.00
Publication Date: 8/1/2009 0:00:00
ISBN: 978-0-14-311579-3
ISBN (paperback): 978-0-14-311579-3
Category: FICTION
Classification: MYSTERY

An 11th-century Japanese sleuth solves two killings that strike uncomfortably close to home.

The brutal murder of Tomoe, a blind street singer, offers a stark contrast to the beautiful morning that greets Lord Sugawara Akitada and his beloved wife Tamako. Akitada, who serves as Senior Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, has recently been testy and restless at work. The solution, he realizes, is to fulfill a past promise to ferret out the killer of his friend Haseo, even though this could imperil his position in the royal court. The only clue in the murder of Haseo, a former convict unjustly condemned, is the weapon: a sword. Tomoe's killing presents a more pressing mystery. The prime suspect is Tora, one of Akitada's three lieutenants, reportedly apprehended near the body with knife in hand. Amazingly, Tora's elder cohort Seimei theorizes that the hotheaded young man might indeed be guilty. Akitada uneasily presses for Tora's release so that he can help find the killer. The case only grows more complex when it's discovered that Tomoe may have been a prostitute. A rift in Akitada's marriage and a health scare for Seimei provide further complications. At length, despite a scarcity of clues, the investigation comes full circle, leading to the solution of Haseo's murder as well.

The elegance and deliberate pace of Akitada's sixth case (Island of Exiles, 2007, etc.) are appropriate to the hero's character and satisfying on their own. Abundant historical detail adds interest to the pro forma mystery.

[I. J. Parker]

Thanks, Naomi.

[I. J. Parker]

Ah, yes. I think I called it "flat" when I responded to my publicist. Thanks for the kind words. It's probably worth repeating that all reviews are good publicity. I'm glad they bothered.

[Pepper Smith]

I like the word 'elegance' in there, but I agree that the review isn't anyone's best efforts.

[Dana King]

THis is what Kirkus passes off as a review? This isn't a review; it's a book report, and one that reads like the kid pulled it together during breakfast. I guess they didn't give away the actual ending, though they gave away plenty of other plot points.

Knowing the time and work you put into your books, the effort expended to write this "review" is disappointing.