Who doesn't love a mystery? One with an historical setting...even better. Set in Feudal Japan, The Shogun's Daughter, brings us to the center of the political intrigue of the royal court. The mystery involves the death of the Shogun's daughter, seemingly from smallpox. We soon find out there are suspicions she was murdered.

I thought the ruthlessness of the royal courts in Medieval and Renaissance England was bad. Turns out, they have nothing on the Japanese royal courts. It seems no one can trust anyone and even those you think you trust turn against you for personal gain, in most cases. There are some who are loyal and honorable. The main characters of this book are in that group. As they seek the truth behind the murder of the Shogun's daughter and to topple the new regime who seek to place an impostor on the throne, they must also safeguard themselves against treachery and danger.

This book is the seventeenth installment in Rowland's Sano Ichiro series, but it reads quite well as a stand alone novel. I had no problem understanding the story. Rowland tells this story in such a way that I was transported and felt as if I was part of it. She brings Feudal Japan to life.

I am finally getting around to finishing this series This is less of a mystery and deals more with political intrigue. It seemed a little darker and more complex than previous titles in the series. I'm glad I finally had time to read it.