Fascinating historical mystery set in 1700's Japan. The sleuth, Sano Ichiro, and his wife Reiko set out to solve the attempted assassination of the current shogun who has been stabbed with an iron fan with iris motif. Although the writing style was somewhat pedestrian and simplistic, I enjoyed learning about Japan of that period. Besides the mystery, I enjoyed following the personal dramas of Sano and his family. A bit of the supernatural was introduced, which fell in line with what I've read of Japanese kwaidan, e.g., Lafcadio Hearn. After I started reading I realized this novel was a close to the series, although the author leaves the way open for Sano's son to follow in his footsteps with Dad as advisor. I am now interested enough to read the whole Sano series. ( )

This is my second book by Ms. Rowland but it makes me wish I had more space in my reading schedule to fit in more of Sano’s adventures. I would very much like to go back to the beginning of his story and read it from its inception. Don’t worry that you need to have read any of the previous 17 novels in the series to fully appreciate The Iris Fan because you don’t – it stands alone just fine with sufficient flashbacks to pertinent information without being overbearing.

Sano had been demoted in the last novel (The Shogun’s Daughter) and this book finds him working at his new assignment yet still pursuing the case that caused his dismissal. He thinks he has finally found the lead that will put him back in the Shogun’s good graces but he instead finds himself captured and being hauled back to the court in disgrace. But once he gets there it is discovered that the Shogun has been murdered. In the ensuing confusion Sano is somewhat vindicated by being put in charge of the murder investigation but it’s a double edged sword. There are forces working against his finding the murderer, the murderer wants him dead and those who just want him to disappear would like to make that happen. He is also having relationship problems with his wife as if he doesn’t have enough other problems.

Although it’s been over a year since I read The Shogun’s Daughter I feel right back into Sano’s world with little difficulty. This is due to the talent of Ms. Rowland – the world she creates is unique and well developed so her readers can step into that world easily. The books are well researched and the little details always make historical fiction so wonderful. Sano is a fascinating character – bound to his honor code above all else. I can understand why there are so many fans of this series. The ending is very satisfactory and despite this being the last in the series it seems to me that there is an opening for further novels. I hope so – I would most assuredly follow the adventures of the honorable Sano. ( )