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The Cloud Pavilion Audiobook
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(3.02) - 284 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Japan, 1701. A woman is brutally attacked within a bamboo prison as clouds swirl around her head. Meanwhile, at Edo Castle, samurai detective turned chamberlain Sano Ichiro is suspicious of his old rival, Yanagisawa, who has been oddly cooperative since returning from exile. But just as Yanagisawa's true motives begin to emerge, Sano's estranged uncle comes to him for help. His daughter has disappeared, and he begs Sano and his wife—who once suffered through the kidnapping of their own son—to find her before it is too late.
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"This book is about a detective named Sano Ichiro in Japan in the 1700's. I enjoyed it because it was so different in its background. This story is one of many about him and his family. It does seem a little like the NYPD are the police because the idiom is more American than Japanese. "
— Naomi (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“While the crimes (and punishments) described here are vicious and the vision of life in Edo outside the shogun’s gates is grim, the relationship between Sano and his mystery-loving wife, Reiko, is cozily akin to that of Nick and Nora Charles--minus the cocktails and repartee.”
— Washington Post -
“Entertaining…Rowland creates a well-crafted portrait of an exotic place and time.”
— Times-Picayune (New Orleans) -
“Rowland’s masterful fourteenth historical to feature Sano Ichiro…Established fans will be pleased by how Rowland has developed Sano’s son, Masahiro, along with other secondary characters they have become attached to, while newcomers should find the people, plot, and early eighteenth-century Japanese setting hard to resist.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“In 1701 Japan, a young wife and mother is raped and left on the streets of Edo. Chamberlain Sano Ichiro (The Fire Kimono) is asked by his uncle to find the person responsible. The fact that Ichiro's mother was declared dead by her family when she married his father just adds to the antagonism Ichiro feels toward his uncle, and he must also keep a sharp eye on his mortal enemy, Yanagisawa, who is gaining in political strength and readying himself to destroy Ichiro. Verdict: With her fourteenth series historical, Rowland continues to turn out beautifully plotted, suspenseful mysteries.”
— Library Journal -
“Multiple crimes challenge Chamberlain Sano Ichiro, along with the return of a bitter rival…More crimes follow when Sano’s probe takes him to Edo’s dangerous criminal underworld, but an even greater challenge is keeping control of those around him, all with clashing agendas. Gracefully written and replete with historical detail, more character-driven and linearly plotted than most of its thirteen predecessors, this is a fine entry point for series newbies.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Reading this book is like being transported back to Japan in the year 1701—and it’s a wonderful journey. Rowland’s fourteenth mystery in this series comes alive with characters who are larger than life. The imagery and historical descriptions are fresh and interesting, but Rowland keeps the suspense at the forefront, where it belongs.”
— RT Reviews (4 stars)
Awards
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Named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Mystery Books for2009
The Cloud Pavilion Listener Reviews
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" A good mystery, but moves slowly. "
— Julie, 2/13/2014 -
" I love this series. This book spends alot of time on the plight of women in feudal Japan. The insight into the culture is even more interesting than the mystery! "
— Diane, 2/4/2014 -
" Another good Sano Ichiro novel, but the themes are getting old. "
— Rachel, 1/30/2014 -
" This is the best samurai murder mystery series, true to historical settings, customs, relationships, politics, and individuals' points of view. This plot draws the reader in so that the book is hard to put down at the end. "
— Steve, 1/16/2014 -
" I enjoy this series quite a bit though this is not one of the highlights. Fun while it lasts, but it fell flat on reflection. "
— Patty, 1/6/2014 -
" The main characters are very likable. The historical background (1701 Japan) is very interesting. The plot is a bit far-fetched and predictable. "
— Beatrice, 11/27/2013 -
" Another in the stack of mystery paperback series--in mid-Tokugawa Japan, a samurai investigator attempts to work within the system to keep order--of course, the coroner is an Eta smartass with banned Dutch anatomy textbooks "
— Margaret, 11/2/2013 -
" Political intrigue. One crime, three criminals. One mysterious powerful enemy. These are elements in this Sano tale. As Usual Laura Joh Rowland writes an exciting, twist-filled mystery set in shogun-era China. A good read. "
— Bea, 8/31/2013 -
" Really enjoy this series about a samurai detective in 10 century Japan. Latest book in the series. "
— Miste, 7/8/2013 -
" Interesting story but I'm not sure I want to read any more int he series "
— Nancy, 10/10/2012 -
" I really like this series, but I felt that this one was a little flat until the end. Sano's old rival is up to his old tricks, but not in the manner he has been in the past. The inrigue I expected was not here, but I felt that a set up for the next book was there. "
— Kim, 7/4/2012 -
" A murder mystery in 1701 in Japan. Not my cup of tea "
— Grandma, 9/5/2011 -
" This book is about a detective named Sano Ichiro in Japan in the 1700's. I enjoyed it because it was so different in its background. This story is one of many about him and his family. It does seem a little like the NYPD are the police because the idiom is more American than Japanese. "
— Naomi, 6/25/2011 -
" Soft porn in a wrapper with generous dolop of violence against women and perversion. Not literature and not even entertainment. How does crap like this get published? :P Probably a hit with the New York Times set. "
— E, 6/6/2011 -
" Political intrigue. One crime, three criminals. One mysterious powerful enemy. These are elements in this Sano tale. As Usual Laura Joh Rowland writes an exciting, twist-filled mystery set in shogun-era China. A good read. "
— Bea, 1/15/2011 -
" I love this series. This book spends alot of time on the plight of women in feudal Japan. The insight into the culture is even more interesting than the mystery! "
— Diane, 4/3/2010 -
" Soft porn in a wrapper with generous dolop of violence against women and perversion. Not literature and not even entertainment. How does crap like this get published? :P Probably a hit with the New York Times set. "
— E, 11/5/2009 -
" A good mystery, but moves slowly. "
— Julie, 10/23/2009 -
" I enjoy this series quite a bit though this is not one of the highlights. Fun while it lasts, but it fell flat on reflection. "
— Patty, 10/15/2009
About Laura Joh Rowland
Laura Joh Rowland is the acclaimed author of the mystery series featuring samurai detective Sano Ichiro set in seventeenth-century Japan, as well as a historical suspense series starring Charlotte Bronte, and a Victorian mystery series. Her work has won the RT Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award and been included in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the five best historical mystery novels. Also her work has been nominated for the Anthony Award, the Hammett Prize, and the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan. She is a former aerospace scientist, a painter, and a cartoonist.
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.