The body wore brocade
(Book)

Superintendent Tetsuo Otani, commander of one of Japan's prefectural police forces, is to Japan what Maigret is to France. Within the pages of James Melville's novels, Otani comes brilliantly to life, experiencing the nuance, the beauty, the occasional brutality of Japanese life.
But never before has the story been told in Otani's own words. And never before has the story been so personally threatening to Otani's happiness and well-being.
The tale begins, Otani explains, during the New Year holidays, when all of Japan traditionally takes off work and celebrates. Otani is in no mood for frivolity, however, following a terrible row with his usually devoted wife, Hanae, who in all seriousness threatens to leave him.
And, as if the fight with Hanae were not enough, an unknown sniper picks the same day to shoot Otani in the back. Was the bullet intended for him? If so, by whom and why? And what, if any, are the connections among this extraordinary incident, the murder of a wealthy amateur Noh performer in full costume, and a riot fomented to wreck the All-Japan Teachers' Union annual conference?
As always, James Melville offers fascinating insights into the byways of Japanese culture in a richly textured mystery that combines the best of East and West. Otani's "own" story is the most compelling and dramatic yet from a superbly talented author.