I.J. Parker Books In Order

Publication Order of Sugawara Akitada Books

Chronological Order of Sugawara Akitada Books

Publication Order of Sugawara Akitada Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Hollow Reed Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

I.J. Parker is an author of fiction.

Her first name is Ingrid. She was not always a published writer. Before she was an author, she taught at a university in Virginia. She has since retired from teaching.

Parker is known for writing novels that primarily focus on Asian culture. In particular, she focuses on research on Japan (in the 11th century). She has an interest professionally in the literature of that culture too. Her first Akitada-inspired short story came out in October 1997 in a mystery magazine.

She has a background of knowing multiple languages and does have some experience with the Japanese language. However, since she is not totally adept at it, Parker does her research by utilizing translations and getting assistance from scholars that had a special interest in this time and were willing to help her with details of the period.

Parker is the creator and author of the Sugawara Akitada series of fiction. This Japanese influenced and inspired series kicked off in 2002 with the release of the debut novel. Rashomon Gate was quickly followed by an exciting sequel that was released in 2003. There are well over a dozen novels in this series from I.J. Parker, so check it out if you are interested in Japan, foreign cultures, or unique works of fiction!

Rashomon Gate is the first book in Parker’s Sugawara Akitada series. This historical mystery takes place in the 11th century and in Japan, in all of its rituals and risk. From the writer that brought readers the book The Dragon Scroll is an all new story that isn’t afraid to tell a dark tale.

This story involves ancient Japan and even in a place such as this, murder does occur. It’s the olden times and when things get out of hand or someone is killed and someone else is suspected, they still call in the detective. It doesn’t matter if it’s several hundred years in the past, someone’s got to solve the murder.

That’s where Sugawara Akitada gets called in. The detective is forced to work in the Ministry of Justice but when an old friend asks him about a case, he may get some relief. His father is reduced nobility and that’s part of the reason for his situation, but now Professor Hirata has requested him personally.

It appears that a friend of his is being blackmailed by someone else. So he decides to try and get some information on the case by going undercover and doing what he has to in order to figure out who the blackmailer is. He is now teaching at the famous Imperial University.

However, Sugawara soon is distracted from his first case. That’s all because a young girl has suddenly been murdered. The dead girl is not the only person having unfortunate luck as an older man has also gone missing. The Emperor says that the disappearance of the man is a miracle, but is it what the emperor has declared it to be in truth?

With someone who is blackmailing someone else to catch and two more intriguing cases popping up, the detective has his hands full. This mystery novel is full of action and the complexity and beautiful historical details that are included by the author as a result of in-dept research is certain to leave its many readers charmed and wanting to read the next book in the series!

The Hell Screen is the engaging second novel in Parker’s Sugawara series. In the first book, we met the Japanese detective that had finally been able to get out in the world and tackle some new cases. When we last left him, he was busy investigating a case of blackmail for a friend that taught at university.

Now we are back in ancient Japan. Akitada has completed an assignment as the provisional governor for Eichigo. Now he is at last allowed to come back to Heian Kyo. He had hoped that he would be able to come back to a warm welcome and see his gorgeous wife and son. But things are not going to be that way.

Now Akitada is forced to ride in front of the group so that he can rush to be with his mother and by her side as she is dying. She cannot even get out of bed, and now he is doing what he can to get there. With the light going down getting in the way and then rain coming down ceaselessly forcing him to pause and take shelter, he is not making the time that he wants.

The detective is forced to shelter in a temple. There he cannot sleep and constantly tosses and turns, a hell screen that is brightly illustrated paired with a cry making it impossible for him to sleep. He finally is able to get back home and that is when he discovers his mother.

She is not only sick but bitter too and is not happy to see him at all. She is cursing the fact that he came back at all. Meanwhile, Yoshiko has been giving up her happiness in order to care for their mother. She has been both maid and nurse to her.

Even though his younger sister is busy caring for their mother, his other sister seems to be doing well. Akiko got married to a man named Toshikage, a rich nobleman. Together they are reportedly preparing to bring a child into the world together, so all seems to be going well– perhaps even countering the haze of death that is with them due to their mother.

He feels confident in the fact that his sister is doing well. However, it’s not that much longer before the brother is called upon. His sister wants him to clear the name of her husband and start an investigation. That is when he finds out that when he was at the temple, the scream was due to a woman being murdered.

Now he has another mystery to solve. But when personal interest and professional interest come together, can Akitada make it through intact? Pick up this book to find out!

One Response to “I.J. Parker”

1. Betty Wandell: 3 years ago

   I really have enjoyed reading the Sugawara Akitada series. I have read the first 8 books in the series but am finding it hard to track down the other books. Death on an Autumn River is next. I have limited resources and am looking for used copies. Was there a limited amount of copies printed?

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