Zen Attitude (Rei Shimura Mysteries Book 2)

Good writing and a good introduction to Japanese culture. I note than some Japanese criticize her works, but my comment would be that Japanese culture never likes to air its dirty laundry. I find her cultural observations right on the mark. I actually think she has great love and admiration for Japan and its people, but she occasionally does not pull her punches.

Characters are well developed and consistent with Salarymans Wife. They are also just as irritating, and probably as intended by the author, endearing. This reader had to suspend disbelief to accept the attraction of the protagonist to a white man, then believe that she could avoid so many attempts on her life. After that, it’s entertaining. It is well written and easy to read without putting it down.

This second in the utterly charming Rei Shimura series is even more delightful--and more addictive--than its wonderful predecessor, "The Salaryman's Wife."In this story, Ms. Shimura has taken some giant strides. She now lives in luxury with her lover, Hugh Glendenning, the Scots lawyer--but as always, her simple Japanese side is at war with her American side over the opulence of their apartment. She has given up her lowly job, and is now selling antiques, her lifelong dream. Her Japanese side allows her entree into the most conservative of Japanese homes, while her American side allows her to bargan cannily for the best price.Such is the situation when we happily meet Ms. Shimura again in "Zen Attitude." She has been hired on consignment by a major player in the antiques world, the formidable Nana Mihori. One antiquing coup with Mihori can set Shimura up for life. Therefore, when she finds the quintessential "tansu," a ceremonial chest of drawers worth millions of yen, Ms. Shimura is overjoyed. She spends way too much on behalf of her client, has the priceless piece delivered to her own apartment--and then finds out to her horror that it is a fake.And that's just the beginning. Throw in Hugh's majorly cool but spoiled rotten brother Angus, who will smoke anything and everything in sight; a hip young car salesman who may or may not be a serial killer; a buddhist temple run by the Mihoris but seemingly fraught with evil; and the overly macho, very scary daughter of the Mihori clan, and you have but a taste of the adventures to come. All I will say here is...all is NOT what it seems.This series is a find. An absolute treasure. I cannot wait to ready the next, and recommend Ms. Massey's unique, deceptively zenlike series to anybody who likes the truly different.

In this second novel in the Rei Shimura series, the heroine, struggling to establish her Japanese antiques business, is tricked into buying a doctored antique chest. When she tries to return it, the seller turns up dead. Meanwhile, Rei is sucked into the turbulent family relationships of the customer for whom she bought the chest, who is the wife of an abbot at a famous Japanese shrine. Rei's relationship with her live-in boyfriend, Hugh Glendinning, becomes turbulent as well when Hugh's renegade younger brother stays at their apartment for an extended visit. As in the first novel in the series, Rei is smart, sexy and basically sweet behind her tough facade. I particularly liked the way that several of the characters revealed new dimensions as the story proceeded, proving themselves to have more complex personalities than Rei, and the reader, initially perceived. The resolution of the mystery is very satisfying, tying the different strands of the story together in a humorous and action-packed climax. The book also provides a fascinating window into Japanese culture. This is a great series--I highly recommend it.

I liked her books that took place in India and recommended the author to friends but this book was terrible. No plot, just lots of running around with drama. All of the characters behaved weirdly. May keep me from buying more books by her

There is not much zen in Rei. It comes out when needed. She's a paradox. A melding of her two worlds. Stubbornness, impetuousness and independence from her Americanness. The introspection and respectfulness from the Japanese side.

I found myself having difficulty putting this book down in the later part of story. And I had some feeling for the protagonist, Rei. A good sign. The feeling was often frustration with Rei's actions, always being so strong-willed, never listening to anyone. I enjoyed the book enough that I am buying the next two books in the series. The mystery is complex. I also enjoy the setting being in Japan. I like Japan and its people and hope to spend more time there in the future, however, I like the quiet countryside instead of the hectic pace of Tokyo. Yes, indeed, there are quieter, less populated areas of Japan.

I have now read the first two volumes in this series of Japan mysteries. The stories are engaging, and the main character is likable. However, some of the plot twists are far fetched, to fuel the suspense. What I like best about the books are the insights they give you into Japanese culture and experience. If you are visiting Japan, these are a nice introduction to some of the experiences you will encounter. Just as Tony Hillerman introduces readers to Navaho culture, Sujata Massey does a good job introducing Japanese culture.

I did not finish the book. Got bored.