Publishers Weekly's Mary Ann Tennenhouse talks to Sujata about The Pearl Diver

Laura Lippman talks to Sujata about The Pearl Diver

Radio Times interview with Marty Moss-Coane, WHYY-FM, 12/3/2001. (RealAudio file)

Mystery writer looks to Japan's quirks by Foster Klug, Japan Times

Adaptation: Baltimore Mystery Writer Sujata Massey Talks About Oysters, War Brides, and Fusion Cuisine in Her New Novel, The Pearl Diver by Lizzie Skurnick, Baltimore City Paper

Mysterious Ways by Nakasha Ahmad, Nirali Magazine

Once a Rei mystery is finished, there is no time to lie around drinking mai-tais, unless it's part of research for a new book! The Honolulu Star-Bulletin takes a close look at Sujata Massey's Hawaiian mystery research in this news story.

Read an interview with Sujata from the Good Girls Kill For Money Club blog

Listen to an interview with Sujata from KFAI's Sangam, 3/29/08 (RealAudio file)

Reviews:

Shimura Trouble:

"The upbeat narrative and resourceful heroine make for an appealing read."
Kirkus Reviews (April 15, 2008)

"In Agatha-winner Massey's engaging 10th mystery to feature antiques dealer and part-time spy Rei Shimura, Rei and her father, who's recovering from a stroke, travel from California to Hawaii for a family celebration with previously unknown Shimura relatives, who turn out to be involved in a legal battle to recover land stolen from them during WWII... An appealing protagonist and memorable supporting characters blend smoothly with lessons in Hawaiian and Japanese history in a tale sure to win new readers for the series."
Publishers Weekly (March 2, 2008)

"San Francisco undercover agent Rei Shimura has plenty on her plate. Her father, Toshiro, is recovering from a stroke, her long-denied feelings for fellow agent Michael Hendricks keep her love life in turmoil, and she and her father have been invited to a birthday celebration in Hawaii for the patriarch of a brach of the Shimura family that they didn't know existed. They decide to go to Hawaii to meet 'the other Shimuras.' Once there, it's clear that the long-lost relations have a different agenda: reclaim land they maintain was given to the family decades earlier by a plantation owner. The story gets steadily more complicated, as a mysterious fire, a dead body, a troubled teen, and the Hawaiian mafia all play roles in what turns out to be a story of hidden secrets and deadly consequences. A bit of a departure for this series, both in setting and tone (a little less frenetic than usual), the novel makes the most of its Hawaiian setting, adding a heftier dose of romance to go with the suspense and humor."
Booklist (March 1, 2008)

Girl in a Box:

"Sujata Massey has worked her award-winning series to be a mirror on the Japan culture as seen through the eyes of an outsider... The result in Massey's nine novels are an intuitive view of contrasting societies and a young woman trying to find her place in the world. Girl in a Box is a lesson on Japanese retailing, how the kimono and the railroad each contributed to two different types of stores being founded. If that sounds like fodder for a dry business lesson, it's not. Massey weaves this background into an exciting story that is strong on realistic characters. With Girl in a Box, Massey continues a mini-course in Japanese culture and tradition."
Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sept. 3, 2006)

"[Rei's]... risky beginner mistakes add to the suspense of the story, which sparkles as this strong-willed, self-reliant protagonist tries to play the role of a traditional Japanese woman, known as a hako-no-jose, or girl in a box. Filled with tantalizing details of Japanese culture and department stores, this book also teases with the hint of a budding romance... The talented Massey has won the Agatha and Macavity awards for this series. This ninth installment will appeal to a wide spectrum of readers..."
Library Journal (Sept. 1, 2006)

"The reader is immersed in the everyday world of the Japanese worker, from long workdays to the necessity of maintaining a humble demeanor. The likable Rei, who is still getting over a failed romance, must fight a growing attraction to her boss while she tries to find her place in the world as a half-Japanese, half-Asian woman. An increasingly strong series mixing crime and multicultural awareness."
Booklist (Aug. 1, 2006)

"'Girl in a Box' is a Japanese idiom for the sheltered and privileged young lady of good background. Girl in a Box is the latest crime fiction from Sujata Massey featuring protagonist Rei Shimura. In the nine books of this series Massey has developed a character that is a lot of things but 'Girl in a Box' isn't one of them... Massey has written a story for her reader that is, as the back flap copy says, 'a delicious blend of mystery and contemporary women's fiction.' Rei is all woman when it comes to retail. Ms. Massey revels in the world of the department store, Mitsutan... Her skills as a mystery writer keep me coming back to this series time after time. Girl in a Box tells a sinister tale of Japan's current geo-economical infrastructure. It's a story I'll let you unravel for yourself. Chick Lit with a lot of Ludlum."
Ruth Jordan, Crimespree (Fall 2006)

"Winning... Readers will find Rei's cross-cultural escapades as engrossing as the department store's shenanigans. The minor characters — a clerk with a bitchy attitude, an anxious banker from New Jersey — are as well developed as the delightful heroine."
Publishers Weekly (July 10, 2006)

"Shopaholic spy infiltrates a suspiciously successful Tokyo department store... A voyeur's tour of consumption-crazed Tokyo is the real point here, with Rei-san, as always, a companionable guide. "
Kirkus Reviews

The Typhoon Lover:

"Rei is a fascinating character: bold, unique, spirited and intelligent... Massey makes good use of the clash between American and Japanese cultures as a backdrop for an enjoyable story."
David J. Montgomery, Chicago Sun-Times (Oct. 16, 2005)

"As usual, Massey is masterful at contrasting Japanese and American culture and customs, but Rei remains the glue that holds this delightful series together."
Jenny McLarin, Booklist

"[I]n The Typhoon Lover... the award-winning Massey delivers a lively, intuitive view of contrasting societies and a young woman trying to find her place in the world. Rei's vibrant personality, coupled with her intense interest in her Japanese heritage, has always made her one of the most refreshing heroines in mystery fiction."
Oline H. Cogdill, South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Oct. 23, 2005)

"Sujata Massey has entertained fans for several years with her tales of engaging Asian-American antique dealer Rei Shimura. The eighth installment, The Typhoon Lover, is sure to please aficionados of the series and bring new fans on board... this is a well-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable series."
Bruce Tierney, Bookpage.com

"[Massey is] on a roll. Her latest novel's pace is fast and seems to accelerate as the story unfolds. Written in the first person, Rei's voice is intelligent and honest. She's not afraid to talk about her fears and foibles... The Typhoon Lover is a satisfying read. At the end you'll wish you weren't closing the book."
Kathleen Lewis, Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA) (Oct. 9, 2005)

The Pearl Diver:

"...the author plumbs the depths of Rei's personal issues connected to marriage and the possibility of motherhood... This novel is beautifully constructed and highly emotional. Massey's knowledge of Japanese antiques and downtown D.C. enhances the story."
USA Today (Sept. 9, 2004)

"The clever mix of the... restaurant opening with the serious investigation of a disappearance, perhaps a murder, makes this seventh novel of Ms. Massey's enthralling. Rei Shimura has grown with each succeeding novel from an unsure young antiques dealer to a capable, self-confident woman ready to take on difficult problems even if they almost kill her."
Laurie Trimble, Dallas Morning News (August 13, 2004)

"No longer allowed to live in Japan because of a previous misadventure, Rei Shimura is residing in Washington, D.C., with her Scottish fiancé, Hugh Glendinning. Followers of Rei's adventures will not be surprised that an engagement ring doesn't necessarily lead to smooth sailing for the volatile couple. As she tries to adjust to life with Hugh, Rei is introduced to Bento, a new Japanese restaurant, by her yuppie American cousin Kendall. When Bento's eccentric owner Marshall hires Rei to decorate the restaurant, she welcomes the chance to jump-start her Japanese antique dealership in D.C. Impeding her work are Marshall's incessant demands and a new friendship with a prickly hostess named Andrea. When Kendall is abducted outside of Bento, Rei attempts to find out who took her and why — and then becomes a victim herself. Foodies will love the inside look into the restaurant scene, and Massey fans will delight in the chance to gain more insight into their heroine, Rei."
Booklist (July 1, 2004)

"Kidnapping, death and intrigue are all on the menu for Rei Shimura in Massey's winning seventh mystery... Crosscultural misunderstandings and prejudices, plus behind-the-scenes machinations, add spice to an already volatile mix. Adept at crafting dead-on dialogue and juggling serious issues with humor, Massey has produced another triumph."
Publishers Weekly (July 19, 2004)

The Samurai's Daughter:

"All California-born Rei Shimura really wants is to lead her quiet life in Tokyo as an antiques dealer while learning more about her Japanese relatives, but Massey, of course, has other plans for her in this abosrbing cross-cultural puzzle... Massey poses some deeply resonating questions about guilt and responsibility, while Rei faces some universal truths about families, loyalty, and dealing with the past, no matter how unpleasant it may be."
Publishers Weekly (Feb. 24, 2003)

"...Massey is squarely back on track with this sixth, and possibly best, entry in her series starring young Japanese American Rei Shimura. This time the action takes place both in San Francisco, where Rei's parents reside, and in Rei's home city of Tokyo. Deciding to take a brief sabbatical from her antiques business, Rei is researching Shimura family history, in particular, how the family lived before dramatic modernization in the 1960s. Rei's boyfriend, Scottish attorney Hugh Glendinning, is researching a lawsuit that also involves Japanese history: restitution for Asian women forced into prostitution by large Japanese companies during World War II. The couple's blissful time together is soon shattered when one of Hugh's clients is killed and another seriously wounded. To make matters worse, both Rei and Hugh's projects initiate several confrontations with Rei's Japanese father. Massey deftly weaves fascinating historical and cultural detail into a suspenseful plot. A cliffhanger ending leaves the door open for the series to chart more new territory."
Booklist (Feb. 15, 2003)

"In her sixth appearance after The Bride's Kimono, Rei Shimura, a Japanese American antiques dealer and amateur sleuth, contends with Japanese nationalism and the problems it presents... Though this is less light-hearted than earlier entries in Massey's award-winning series, the characters and details of Japanese culture and history are as appealing as ever, and fans will relish this while awaiting the next one. For all mystery collections."
Library Journal (Feb. 15, 2003)

The Bride's Kimono:

"Close attention to background both large (recognizable locations in Washington and northern Virginia) and small (the designer clothes the heroine receives from her mother) helps fix the novel solidly in the real world. But it is the romantic suspense and the multicultural details of customs and attitudes of East and West that will keep most readers turning the pages of this absorbing, sophisticated mystery."
Publishers Weekly

"Rei gets more appealing with every outing, and in this one Massey ratchets up the romantic tension and action... Nicely plotted, well characterized, and carefully crafted, this may be Massey's best yet."
Jane Adams, Amazon.com

"The Bride's Kimono is hip, it's sexy, it's fun, and it has some fascinating details about antique kimonos; this is a wonderful series that just keeps getting better and better."
Writers Write: The Internet Writing Journal

"I have long enjoyed Sujata Massey's books, and this one was absolutely top-notch. As usual she tells a compelling story, with lots of suspense and particularly well drawn characters."
Eden Embler, I Love A Mystery

The Floating Girl:

"A sly, humorous look at Japan's burgeoning anime (comics) phenomenon, with friendly swipes at its xenophobic reactions to outsiders."
Kirkus Reviews

"The fourth entry in Massey's series starring Rei Shimura, a Japanese American antiques dealer living in Tokyo, maintains the high standards of its predecessors... With her wry humor and her multicultural background, Rei is one of the most complex female protagonists around. She is Japanese, but she is also an American living in Japan, and this dichotomy gives her observations on Japanese culture a fascinating double edge. Another must-read from an author who has honed the skill of captivating and educating her readers at the same time."
Booklist

"Massey has a sure hand with her character and the culture. There's plenty of fascinating tidbits about life abroad, but they never get in the way of the story."
Roberta Alexander, Contra Costa (Calif.) Times (July 9, 2000)

"A special novel that immerses the audience into Japanese culture... the heart of Sujata Massey's compelling story resides in the characters who make living in Tokyo an exciting but realistic adventure."
Harriet Klausner, BookBrowser.com

The Flower Master:

"A harmonious mix... The narrative is enhanced greatly by the richly detailed Tokyo setting, from ancient tea houses to arcane rituals involving the cherry blossom festival... and an appealing sleuth."
Publishers Weekly

"The writing is as serene and graceful as the flower arranging...The whodunit intrigue combined with the little tidbits of everyday Japanese life result in a rich, robust read."
Library Journal

"A unique plot, an exceptional protagonist, and some subtle cultural lessons are as beautifully arranged as a vase of cherry blossoms."
Jenny McLarin, Booklist, April 15, 1999

"A fascinating foreign world... The book is a delight."
Roberta Alexander, Contra Costa (Calif.) Times

Zen Attitude:

"Zen Attitude is simply splendid... Massey, an Agatha winner for The Salaryman's Wife, is a gifted storyteller who delivers strong characters, a tight plot and an inside view of Japan and its culture. This paperback original is one of the summer's best deals."
Katy Kelly, USA Today, May 28, 1998

"Rei is the perfect guide to a Japan that few tourists see...with Zen Attitude, Massey clearly shows her rare talent."
Oline H. Cogdill, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, May 29, 1998

The Salaryman's Wife:

"In her first novel, former journalist Massey offers a sprightly, engaging tale by setting a classic English-style whodunit in contemporary Japan. After the coldly beautiful Setsuko Nakamura is murdered in a vacation inn, California-raised Japanese-American teacher Rei Shimura is drawn to investigate the death. 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."
People Magazine's Page Turner of the Week, Nov. 17, 1997

"Brilliant storytelling in this author's debut work... Readers will quickly understand why Sujata Massey won the Malice Domestic Mystery Conference award that enabled her to complete this thrilling novel. The Salaryman's Wife is a fresh blending of the police procedural and amateur detective sub-genre that works extremely well because of its locale: modern and traditional Japan. The characters, especially Rei, are well drawn and the style of English used at times adds a cleverly developed foreign taste to the book. With this delightful debut, readers will want to peruse more novels by Ms. Massey, especially if they're set in the Far East. Rating: 10 (the best)."
Harriet Klausner, BookBrowser.com

"Author Sujata Massey debuts with a highly original and fresh new voice guaranteed to garner her many fans. Top notch romantic suspense with a fascinating cross-cultural edge! Rating: 4 (Excellent)."
Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times, Sept. 1997

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All content © 1998-2008 Sujata Massey.
Photo of Sujata by Jim Burger.