The Salaryman's Wife is proof that arts grants do occasionally produce good art. Sujata Massey taught English in Japan and worked as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun. She applied for and won the Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, which allowed her to finish this beautifully crafted story of cross-cultural suspense.

Rei Shimura is a 27-year-old Japanese American English teacher, living precariously on her tiny paycheck in Tokyo, the most expensive city in the world. She's determined not to use the plane ticket back to California offered by her parents. On a visit to the ancient castle town of Shiroyama, brought to such rich life that you'll want to head there instantly, Rei gets involved in a local murder. Her probing angers the conservative police and most of the citizens, but Rei persists, in spite of threats to her life and freedom. Her character is so well conceived and her adventures so believable that readers across the world should identify with Rei--and hope for a second serving soon.



"A witty, perceptive take on how contemporary society clashed with traditional culture in modern Japan."



"This book is a magic carpet to the Japanese Alps, and serves up murder as well. Great reading!"



"A terrific debut, crafted with surprising twists and turns, and steeped in the flavor of contemporary Japan."


Jonnie Jacobs
"A terrific debut, crafted with surprising twists and turns, and steeped in the flavor of contemporary Japan."


Barbara D'Amato
"This book is a magic carpet to the Japanese Alps, and serves up murder as well. Great reading!"


Laura John Rowland
"A witty, perceptive take on how contemporary society clashed with traditional culture in modern Japan."


Janet Evanonich
"Sujata Massey blasts her way into fiction with The Salaryman's Wife, a cross-cultural mystery of manners with a decidedly sexy edge."


Book Description
Japanese-American Rei Shimura is a 27-year-old English teacher living in one of Tokyo's seediest neighborhoods. She doesn't make much money, but she wouldn't go back home to California even if she had a free ticket (which, thanks to her parents, she does.) Her independence is threatened however, when a getaway to an ancient castle town is marred by murder.Rei is the first to find the beautiful wife of a high-powered businessman, dead in the snow. Taking charge, as usual, Rei searches for clues by crashing a funeral, posing as a bar-girl, and somehow ending up pursued by police and paparazzi alike. In the meantime, she manages to piece together a strange, ever-changing puzzle--one that is built on lies and held together by years of sex and deception.


About the Author
Sujata Massey was born in England to parents from India and Germany.She studied writing at Johns Hopkins University and worked as a reporter for the Baltimore Evening Sun before moving to Japan, whre she taught English and began writing mystery fiction.The Rei Shimura series starts with The Salaryman's Wife, which won the Agatha Award for best first novel of 1997, and continues with Zen Attitude, and Edgar and Anthony nominee, and The Flower Master.At present Sujata Massey lives with her family in Baltimore and travels to Japan to research future Rei Shimura novels.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Japanese-American Rei Shimura is a 27-year-old English teacher living in one of Tokyo's seediest neighborhoods. She doesn't make much money, but she wouldn't go back home to California even if she had a free ticket (which, thanks to her parents, she does.) Her independence is threatened however, when a getaway to an ancient castle town is marred by murder.

Rei is the first to find the beautiful wife of a high-powered businessman, dead in the snow. Taking charge, as usual, Rei searches for clues by crashing a funeral, posing as a bar-girl, and somehow ending up pursued by police and paparazzi alike. In the meantime, she manages to piece together a strange, ever-changing puzzle—one that is built on lies and held together by years of sex and deception.

Author Biography: Sujata Massey was born in England to parents from India and Germany. She studied writing at Johns Hopkins University and worked as a reporter for the Baltimore Evening Sun before moving to Japan, whre she taught English and began writing mystery fiction. The Rei Shimura series starts with The Salaryman's Wife, which won the Agatha Award for best first novel of 1997, and continues with Zen Attitude, and Edgar and Anthony nominee, and The Flower Master. At present Sujata Massey lives with her family in Baltimore and travels to Japan to research future Rei Shimura novels.

SYNOPSIS

In her first novel, former journalist Massey offers a sprightly, engaging tale by setting a classic English-style whodunit in contemporary Japan. After the coldy beautiful Setsuko Nakamura is murdered in a vacation inn, California-raised Japanese-American teacher Rei Shimura is drawn to investigate the death. Among the unusual cast of suspects: Hugh Glendinning, a Scottish solicitor who is currently working for a Japanese electronics company. Rei is no prim Miss Marple. This young, hip, sake-sipping sleuth leads a reader into a Tokyo that doesn't make the guidebooks. She tells you where to get cold rice balls for breakfast when you're on a tight budget and what to wear to a Buddhist wake in the upscale suburbs. Sly, sexy and deftly done. "Wife" is one to bring home.

FROM THE CRITICS

Jonnie Jacobs

A terrific debut, crafted with surprising twists and turns, and steeped in the flavor of contemporary Japan.

Barbara D'Amato

This book is a magic carpet to the Japanese Alps, and serves up murder as well. Great reading!

Janet Evanonich

Sujata Massey blasts her way into fiction with The Salaryman's Wife, a cross-cultural mystery of manners with a decidedly sexy edge.

Laura John Rowland