South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Mystery novelist focuses on Japan, touches on manga

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel -- where I interned as a young cub reporter a few years back -- has a regular mystery novel column by Oline H. Cogdill. In the latest installment, Cogdil interviews Rei Shimura, who sets most of her novels in Japan:

Rei Shimura, now making her eighth appearance in The Typhoon Lover, may appear to be an unlikely sleuth. After all, what would a twentysomething Japanese-American working as an antiques dealer in Japan know about solving crimes?

But author Sujata Massey sculpted her mystery-fiction heroine as an inquisitive, na�ve and intelligent young woman who has straddled two cultures her entire life. Moreover, Massey shaped her series as a nonviolent investigation into questions of heritage and identity. Using antiques as a springboard, Massey's novels have focused on manga (Japanese comic books), abandoned war brides, the history of kimonos and the art of flower arranging.

Rei's likable personality, her realistic situations and the insider's view of Japan struck a chord with readers ever since her 1997 debut in the Agatha Award-winning The Salaryman's Wife. Since then, Massey has been nominated for every mystery fiction award, and her novels have been published in 12 countries.