PenCraft Award 2019 Winner – Historical Fiction ”…flawlessly well-written mystery with a captivating plot that offers a dark perspective on family unity.” –IndieReader Japanese business magnate Kenji Watanabe, 80, has protected the secrets surrounding his father’s murder for many years. When a detective calls in 2002 hoping to solve the case with new information, Kenji takes immediate action to … hoping to solve the case with new information, Kenji takes immediate action to keep the truth from becoming public.
In 1967, Kenji’s father, a former general in the Imperial Japanese Army, had more than his fair share of enemies. When a burglar stole his war sword and left a threatening note, it became clear that someone held a nasty grudge. And when the general was found murdered with Kenji holding the same sword over his dead body, Kenji became the prime suspect.
Kenji learned who killed his father and knew why, but no one was ever arrested. In 2002, the statute of limitations has already run out. No charges can be brought regardless of the new evidence. Yet, Kenji would rather die than reveal the secret.
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The Watanabe Name: Sakura Nubeyama
A well written family saga exposes tangles of family history from World War II to the 2000s. The family patriarch is murdered, and his son investigates, learning more than he can ever reveal. Generations change, society moves on, but secrets must be kept. An excellent historical mystery and study of family relationships and emotions.
loved this book. Great author.
Well written mystery taking place in Japan. Combines a cold case murder with the story of a family and their history that goes back to WWII using a lens focused on China/Japanese conflict. Very unique angle and story. Writer gives great insight on Japanese beliefs and lifestyle. Enjoyable and different.
Kept me turning pages.
Learned a lot about the Japanese culture. Interesting.
learned a lot through historical information of how families in Japan coped with the loss in WW II and over the next 20+ years
Absolutely fantastic. I loved every minute and every page.
Many interesting turns and twists. I had a bit of a problem keeping up with the time period since it jumped around. Clever plot. I enjoyed it very much.
Rarely has a book had such an impact on me. This book is very different from most books I’ve read but I absolutely loved it. I easily give it a 5+ star rating.
Great detail
interesting story—different
Loved this book
I was invested in this book from the first page. I thought I had it all figured out until I got to the last few pages and the real ending. Japanese code of honor and protecting the family name are themes throughout. A murder and a suicide – all to protect honor and family.
This is a very interesting book, family dynamics and culture, excellent plot and characters, very well written.
This book is a beautifully written story that had me laughing sometimes, but mostly crying. A story of the family ties that bind us but sometimes feel more like a prison.
Great insight into Japanese and Chinese lives during and after WWII.
A great look behind the shoji screens of an important Japanese family. From recent times back through World War II the story follows several generations living with the consequences of actions in Manchuria.
This book was absolutely fascinating. I usually speed through books, but took my time reading this one, and I’m glad I did. It was a wonderful story that begins with the main character’s discovery of his father’s murder several decades earlier. This beautifully-written book had everything: deception, jealousy, love, and danger. Unlike many characters that struggle with questions of honor, the main character in The Watanabe Name was very relatable. I was swept up into the story, and followed it as it traversed time and countries. I highly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting more work by Sakura Nobeyama.
The author provided insight to the Japanese and, to a lessor extent, Chinese cultures. As a historical novel the story is average. As a mystery it is below average as I determined the killer quite early in the story.