The Samurai's Wife (Sano Ichiro Novels Book 5)

Name: The Samurai's Wife (Sano Ichiro Novels Book 5)
Price: 14.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (176 reviews)
Author: Rowland, Laura Joh

by Rowland, Laura Joh

Mystery Thriller Historical Fiction

4.4 (176)

4.4 stars from 176 reviews

372 pages~6.2 hr readPublished by Minotaur Books

$14.99Near peak price

Last checked: Apr 15, 2026

Hidden GemHighly rated but flying under the radar. Fewer readers have found this one yet.

Price history: $2.99 – $17.49

While not the biggest discount we've seen for this book, it's still a great deal and we recommend grabbing it before price returns to its normal range.

Price range: $2.99 – $17.49

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Perfect for you if...

You love historical mysteries grounded in real places and cultures, especially ones that treat their setting with genuine detail rather than window dressing.
You enjoy crime procedurals where the detective couple bickers and balances each other, bringing different strengths to the investigation.
You're drawn to plots where personal stakes (Sano's marriage, his position) collide with national consequences in ways that feel earned.

Maybe not for you if...

You prefer your mysteries stripped down and fast-paced. This book moves deliberately through court politics and character development, which can feel slow if you want pure whodunit momentum.
You want a standalone. This is book five in a series, and while it works on its own, you'll get more from Sano and Reiko's history if you've read earlier entries.
You're uncomfortable with books that centre on power imbalances or historical patriarchal structures, even when the female character pushes back against them.

About this book

Most Honorable Investigator Sano Ichiro travels from Edo to the emperor's palace at his wife Reiko's insistence to investigate a murder. The victim is a high Kyoto official, and the killer possesses knowledge of kiai—"the spirit city"—a powerful scream capable of killing instantly. Sano and Reiko navigate a complex environment of spies, political intrigue, forbidden passions, and elaborate schemes as they pursue the murderer and attempt to prevent their own downfall. The investigation carries consequences beyond the case itself. Failure could trigger the bloodiest war Japan has ever experienced. Set in seventeenth-century Japan, the novel features detailed characters and suspenseful plot developments as Sano and Reiko work to solve the crime and survive the dangers surrounding them.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$2.99 – $17.49

Price has dropped 6 times over the last 6 months. Goes on sale roughly every 33 days. Typically stays discounted for 7 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #192K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Sales have softened 56% recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.4★ from 176 reviews

Review activity has been quiet recently. Rating has remained stable at 4.4 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

Based on past patterns, a price drop could happen soon. It typically goes on sale every 33 days and the last drop was 54 days ago. Typical discount: 83% off.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.