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Sujata Massey
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The Salaryman's Wife (Rei Shimura Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Sujata Massey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 932 ratings
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The authors of the bestselling novel The Nanny Diaries, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, bring you the story of a girl who gets her heart broken…and figures out a foolproof way to get over her ex. Over You’s Max Scott had a hard time getting over Hugo, the boy who dumped her. Now it’s Max’s mission to help NYC girls get over their broken hearts fast, and with dignity. Now Max’s life is better than she ever imagined it could be. Her new business, Ex, Inc., is booming. Better still, her friendship with Ben, a truly sweet guy, could turn romantic. But when Hugo reenters the picture, Max realizes that she isn’t over him. At all.Funny, touching, and romantic, Over You is the kind of book every girl will fall head over heels for.
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  1. Book 1 of 11
    Rei Shimura Mysteries
  2. Print length
    432 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Harper
  5. Publication date
    October 1, 2013
  6. File size
    2.3 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Rei Shimura Mysteries Book 1 - Book 11
Bundle price: Kindle price
$13.81
Bundle price: Kindle price
$33.79
Bundle price: Kindle price
$72.74
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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 She applied for and won the Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, which allowed her to finish this beautifully crafted story of cross-cultural suspense.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.

Review

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

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

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

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

"You can't find a better guide to the mean streets of Japan than Rei Shimura!...An excellent new series fro ma talented new writer." — Marcia Muller

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00EXOFE28
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper; Reissue edition (October 1, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 932 ratings

About the author

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Sujata Massey

Sujata Massey

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My name is Sujata Massey, and I'm so happy you're visiting my author page. I was born in England to a father from India and a mother from Germany. We emigrated to the United States when I was five, and some of the places we lived in my childhood were Pennsylvania, California, and Minnesota. I earned a BA from the Writing Seminars department at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, a wonderful city where I worked for five years as a newspaper reporter. Although I've made some excursions away from Baltimore--two years in Hayama, Japan, and six years in Minneapolis, MN--I've spent most of my life in Baltimore, and currently live in a rambling Victorian there with my family.

My books are published in approximately 20 countries, and you can find excerpts and book reviews for all of them at my author website, sujatamassey.com. I'm best known for my Perveen Mistry series about a young woman lawyer solving crimes in 1920s Bombay. I recommend starting with the first book, THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL before moving on to the following three books. I've also written a lighthearted 11-book mystery series set in modern Tokyo that begins with THE SALARYMAN'S WIFE. Books in both series have received literary awards including the Agatha, Macavity, Lefty and Mary Higgins Clark prizes. I'm very grateful for the recognition and look forward to writing many more mystery novels.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
932 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy reading this book from beginning to end. They find the mystery intriguing and well-written, keeping them guessing until the end. The characters are likable and relatable, and the story provides an interesting insight into Japanese culture and modern life. Readers describe the book as a good start to the series, with informative scenes and an educational twist. Overall, they consider it an entertaining and educational read for those looking for a light mystery.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ReadabilityMystery depthCharacter developmentJapanesitySeries qualityEducational value
59 customers mention "Readability"45 positive14 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it entertaining, well-written, and engrossing. The story is described as fun and complex, with a likable heroine.

"...Very entertaining and informative. Highly recommended. Author’s multicultural perspective is refreshing and informative...." Read more

"...The series was interesting enough to continue reading until unfortunately, Ms. Massey either lost interest or found something else more interesting..." Read more

"The Salaryman's Wife is an entertaining first novel by Sujata Massey...." Read more

"...I'm now into my third Rei Shimura book, finding it as enjoyable as the first two, and plan on buying the entire series, book by book...." Read more

34 customers mention "Mystery depth"24 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery depth of the book. They find it intriguing and engaging, with enough mystery to keep them guessing. The plot builds a good momentum, keeping readers guessing until the end. The story explores many East-West conflicts that are particular to Japan. Overall, it's a satisfying female mystery with a satisfying resolution.

"...While some parts are likely whimsy the story explores many east-west clashes that are particular to Japan in an acceptable and respectful manner...." Read more

"...The mystery is set in Japan and narrated through the character of Rei Shimura, a Japanese-American woman, born and raised in America but now..." Read more

"...The book also failed to have an interesting storyline because it's pretty obvious when the author is trying to mislead you, because a)..." Read more

"In addition to the storyline, I appreciated learning more about Japan and Japanese customs in this book. Rei's spunkiness is also inspiring." Read more

19 customers mention "Character development"14 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the characters' development. They find the mystery in Japan engaging, narrated through the character of Rei Shimura, a Japanese-American woman.

"...Well written. Characters well developed and complicated...." Read more

"...The character Rei is special in the way that there are very few Asian female characters who are leads in a series...unfortunately, at times, the..." Read more

"...The mystery is set in Japan and narrated through the character of Rei Shimura, a Japanese-American woman, born and raised in America but now..." Read more

"...I am not that familiar with the genre, but this book dragged on with only obnoxious characters and was ultimately less mysterious than expected...." Read more

18 customers mention "Japanesity"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's Japanese culture and descriptions. They find the author's multicultural perspective refreshing and informative. The regional and historical content is also appreciated.

"...Highly recommended. Author’s multicultural perspective is refreshing and informative...." Read more

"...experience for the reader who enjoys light mysteries with a strong ethnic slant." Read more

"...book: Rei is a feisty, likable protagonist, giving the reader a crash course in Japanese Culture 101...." Read more

"...The characters seemed realistic and interesting. I loved the Japan setting...." Read more

9 customers mention "Series quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good start to the series. It's an adequate first novel that keeps them hooked on the whole series.

"...I would definetly recommend the book and read another in the series." Read more

"...My recommendation if that you skip this one. It is an adequate first novel, but it's not tightly crafted or particularly clever...." Read more

"...This first book in the series was so good I intend to read not just the whole series but everything she has written...." Read more

"Good first novel, nice weaving in of Japanese culture into a mystery. Writing in clear but overly simple language. Super easy read." Read more

8 customers mention "Educational value"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's educational value. They find it informative and interesting, providing an insight into modern life in Japan. The book is described as intelligent, woman-focused, empowering, and well-written. Readers appreciate the refreshing take on the whodunit genre.

"...Very entertaining and informative. Highly recommended. Author’s multicultural perspective is refreshing and informative...." Read more

"...This all adds up to an entertaining and educational experience for the reader who enjoys light mysteries with a strong ethnic slant." Read more

"...Rei was a good determined detective. I liked that she could empathize with Japanese as well as gaijin...." Read more

"...complex Christie type murder book with the added twist of being culturally educational...." Read more

Don't buy this poor quality book.
1 out of 5 stars
Don't buy this poor quality book.
The print is grey, not black. The print goes so close to the center of the book that the spine must be broken to read the pages. The paper is beige and cheap with show through from preceding/following pages. This is the only version of the book available. Harper should be embarrassed to charge $8.99 for such a poor quality book.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Qats reads
    5.0 out of 5 stars A romp thru conservative and modern Japan.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This books weaves a complex series of ‘who done its’ into one plot and the bad guy is unknown until the very nd. While some parts are likely whimsy the story explores many east-west clashes that are particular to Japan in an acceptable and respectful manner. Well written. Characters well developed and complicated. It’s hard to know who is on what side as pragmatism rules the discovery process, even for ‘Miss Prim’. Very entertaining and informative. Highly recommended.
    Author’s multicultural perspective is refreshing and informative. Cannot wait to see how she convincingly invites readers into her world and asks them to ‘try on’ well articulated views of the world.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • kimi
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Start for the series...
    Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Rei Shimura is introduced in this first novel in a series of mysteries by Sujata Massey. It is barely touched upon that Rei is caught between being 'Gaijin' by Japanese Nationals and 'Japanese' by Gaijin. Having actually lived in that cultural purgatory while living in Japan for two years, i can tell you it is far more intense than made out in the books, but the books are mysteries not a dissertation on cultural identity. In the Salaryman's Wife, there are some twists in the story concerning the victim that in any good mystery, one needs to unravel and some 'red herrings' are found as well. The romance between Hugh Glendinning and Rei is prickly and I wonder if Ms. Massey was reading Pride & Prejudice at the time of writing. The character Rei is special in the way that there are very few Asian female characters who are leads in a series...unfortunately, at times, the character Rei is exasperating. The synopsis of the story can be found in other reviews or on the book page itself so I will not go through it here. The series was interesting enough to continue reading until unfortunately, Ms. Massey either lost interest or found something else more interesting than the adventures of Rei Shimura. The Pearl Diver pretty much finished off the series for me. She should have stopped after Samurai's Daughter. Nonetheless I would recommend reading The Salaryman's Wife and Zen Attitude. Flower Master and Floating Girl are readable if not realistic concerning her 'love interest'...and I would highly recommend The Bride's Kimono, followed by the weaker Samurai's Daughter.
    29 people found this helpful
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  • Becky B.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining light ethnic mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The Salaryman's Wife is an entertaining first novel by Sujata Massey. The mystery is set in Japan and narrated through the character of Rei Shimura, a Japanese-American woman, born and raised in America but now teaching English in Tokyo and pursuing her passion for collecting Japanese antiques. Rei, shopping for antique folk art in the Japanese Alps, discovers the body of a woman in the snow behind the inn where she is staying. The local police enlist her services as a translator for the western guests staying at the inn, involving her in the investigation of the woman's death, a job that Rei continues to pursue on her own as the police settle for the quickest and easiest conclusions.

    What follows are exposés of Japanese-American relations reaching back to the 1950s, of the Japanese Mafia, life on the streets and in the bordellos of Tokyo and of the difficulties facing a foreigner in Japan. Rei tries to fit in and behave, but is, by nature, more assertive than the typical Japanese woman. This behavior offers her opportunities as well as involving her in dire situations. This all adds up to an entertaining and educational experience for the reader who enjoys light mysteries with a strong ethnic slant.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Michael T. McCaffrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Japan, mystery, good writing. What's not to enjoy?
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The Rei Shimura series was new to me. I spent a lot of time in Japan and, after reading a wide variety of books, was in the mood to read fiction with Japan as the focus. I bumped into Ms. Massey's series in a search and have been pleasantly surprised. Sujata Massey is not Japanese, but writes like "an old hand," describing so many scenes and feelings that are so recognizable to me. I'm now into my third Rei Shimura book, finding it as enjoyable as the first two, and plan on buying the entire series, book by book.

    Since I've moved on, I don't recall the specifics of The Salaryman's Wife, other than the fact I really enjoyed it. Unlike in college, where one maintains notes for upcoming exams, I don't. I will certainly recommend this series, however.

    Sayonara
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Lynn S
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lively modern Japanese mystery series
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    The Salaryman's Wife introduces Rei Shimura, a Japanese American young woman living in Tokyo, Japan. Rei works as an English tutor and lives in a seamy neighbourhood with her gay roommate, Richard. Trouble starts when Rei travels to the ancient castle town of Shiroyama for the New Year. She stumbles across the body of one of the inn guests, the wife of a high-powered businessman. I really enjoyed this book: Rei is a feisty, likable protagonist, giving the reader a crash course in Japanese Culture 101. The only gripe I have was the improbability of Rei's involvement, why would she track down the murderer of a woman she barely knew and seemed to dislike? Having said that, though, it's a great read and I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the series.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Megan Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting romp down memory lane for fellow Gen-X-Pats...
    Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great read with all the things I love in a mystery: it puts you into another world, takes you on an exciting mental roller coaster and keeps you guessing until the end. It is narrated an eminently likable and believable character in the person of the glamorous yet down-to-earth Japanese-American Rei Shimura. Sujata Massey writes masterfully and keeps the tension going right until the end.
    What separates this book, for me, from a lot of other wonderful mysteries, is the fact that it is set in 1990s Japan. I landed for the first time in Japan in 1996 and have been a "backpacking teacher" ever since. Most Gen X-Pats like me, who fled indifferent economies for the excitement of Asia in their 20s, will enjoy being taken on a ride through memory lane. Most of my 1990s Asian experiences were in South Korea, but this book is still SO MUCH fun to read. Remember drinking hot coffee out of a can on a cold morning? Remember when you got your first beeper? Remember heart-breakingly kind locals taking you to a temple for a beautiful meal? Does anyone female remember realizing that the only shoes that would fit you were men's trainers? Remember when the whole world DIDN'T speak English and DIDN'T sit hunched over a digital device all day? Rei Shimura is obviously going to enter the digital world as she moves through an 11 book series, but for any Gen-X-Pats out there who want a solid mystery with some detours down an already-forgotten world, do yourself a favour and spend some time with this book.
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  • Cliente Amazon
    3.0 out of 5 stars Lento
    Reviewed in Italy on October 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Sinceramente, trovo il personaggio principale poco credibile così come le situazioni. Lettura faticosa e poco avvincente. Non mi ha presa.
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  • Arindam Banerjee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !!
    Reviewed in India on November 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Rei Shimura steals the show from a twisted plot!
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  • Alessandra
    1.0 out of 5 stars Edizione Kindle piena di "bachi"
    Reviewed in Italy on November 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    L'edizione kindle, piena di errori (righe ripetute, salti di pagine che poi riappaiono successivamente), rende impossibile proseguire nella lettura del libro. Io ho utilizzato l'app kinde su iphone (cosa che faccio abitualmente), non so se su tablet le cose siano migliori.
    Peccato, è la prima volta che mi capita un prodotto così scadente.
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  • 辞書好き
    2.0 out of 5 stars ディーテールは面白いが
    Reviewed in Japan on December 31, 2002
    Verified Purchase
    日系アメリカ人が主人公、舞台が日本、Agatha Awardをとった作品、と聞き読んでみた。
    読み切るのに苦労した。
    物語の盛り上がりに決定的に欠けるのである。ある温泉町で人が殺され、主人公である日系の女性が様々な事件を経て、真犯人の正体が分かる、というプロット。プロットとしてはありふれている。そうであるなら、読者としてはどきどき感を期待するのだが、作者の筆力がそのレベルに達していないのだ。
    一番困ることは、登場人物が魅力的に描かれていないことだ。
    日本文化を説明しているディーテールは確かに面白い。コンビニのおでんの描写、やウィンダムという車名に関する会話、などは他本ではあまり見ない。本文のリズムも作者独特のものがある。しかし、その表現上のきめ細かさとは別に、どうしても読んでしまうほどの面白いプロットを構想してほしかった。残念ながら、このレベルの推理小説は珍しくないと言えよう。
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