Sujata Massey - The Typhoon Lover (2005)
Reviewed by David J. Montgomery
Japanese-American antiques dealer Rei Shimura is a very different sort of character from Molly Doyle, but no less entertaining. Making her eighth appearance in Sujata Massey’s The Typhoon Lover, Rei is asked by the U.S. State Department to help investigate the disappearance of a priceless antiquity that was looted from Iraq.
She arrives in Japan to track down the artifact, starting her search with an ex-boyfriend who is alleged to have the item in his possession. When a typhoon simultaneously strikes the island, she uses the natural disaster as cover to pursue her investigation, with disastrous results.
Rei is a fascinating character: bold, unique, spirited and intelligent. Unfortunately, the supporting cast that surrounds her is not as sharply-drawn. Her obnoxious twit of a boyfriend is particularly grating.
Still, Massey makes good use of the clash between American and Japanese cultures as a backdrop for an enjoyable story. It might be a little rough around the edges, but it’s nevertheless entertaining.
Posted by David J. Montgomery in Book Reviews | Permalink
