OR

Kindle Price:	$4.99
Sold by:	Amazon.com Services LLC

Promotions apply when you purchase

Add an

audiobook with Audible narration for $7.49

Audiobook Price: $17.46

Save: $9.97 (57%)

Read with our free app

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.

Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

There was an error. We were unable to process your subscription due to an error. Please refresh and try again.

Follow the author

Sakura Nobeyama

+ Follow

More books from this author

The Watanabe Name Kindle Edition

by Sakura Nobeyama (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 1,026 ratings

See all formats and editions

PenCraft Award 2019 Winner - Historical Fiction

"...flawlessly well-written mystery with a captivating plot that offers a dark perspective on family unity.” –IndieReader

Japanese business magnate Kenji Watanabe, 80, has protected the secrets surrounding his father’s murder for many years. When a detective calls in 2002 hoping to solve the case with new information, Kenji takes immediate action to keep the truth from becoming public.

In 1967, Kenji’s father, a former general in the Imperial Japanese Army, had more than his fair share of enemies. When a burglar stole his war sword and left a threatening note, it became clear that someone held a nasty grudge. And when the general was found murdered with Kenji holding the same sword over his dead body, Kenji became the prime suspect.

Kenji learned who killed his father and knew why, but no one was ever arrested. In 2002, the statute of limitations has already run out. No charges can be brought regardless of the new evidence. Yet, Kenji would rather die than reveal the secret.

Editorial Reviews

Review

PenCraft Award 2019 Winner - Historical Fiction

Serious Writer Awards 2020 - Semifinalist

"...flawlessly well-written mystery with a captivating plot that offers a dark perspective on family unity." -IndieReader

"I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a well written and plotted historical mystery." -Vine Voice

"[Nobeyama] has successfully created an American style mystery, a who-done-it, set in Japan." -Authors Reading

About the Author

Sakura Nobeyama is a student in the mountains of Japan. She studies English literature and history and enjoys horseback riding, mountain climbing, reading, and classical music. This is her first novel.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07RC5YX41
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Rose Writing; 1st edition (July 25, 2019)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 25, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1300 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 257 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,123,310 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #7,546 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #7,669 in Saga Fiction
- #14,465 in Historical Mystery

Customer Reviews:
4.5 1,026 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Sakura Nobeyama

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

1,026 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Bichon Mom

Such a well written historical mystery

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

I would never have guessed that this is the author’s first novel. It is so well written and edited and was a joy to read.

The story is told in flashback form starting with the prologue in 2002 Japan and the hero, Kenji Watanabe, remembering a time in 1967. That time period is the setting for the first half of the book and the focus in on family relationships and expectations. The social mores and dynamics of the class system in Japan are a fascinating backdrop for a murder. The characterizations are well done and the dialogue is smooth and draws the reader into the mystery.

The second half of the book goes further back to World War II and the setting is primarily in China during Japanese occupation. It was fascinating to me to learn about the conflict between the Chinese and Japanese during the war and the historical detail was neatly woven into the story.

The epilogue brings the reader back to 2002 and the book has a clear and definite ending. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a well written and plotted historical mystery.

33 people found this helpful

Helpful

bookyloo

No cheese, please!

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book was very well done and a pleasure to read. Characters were believable and the plot was compelling. I was surprised by the inclusion of a bag of bread and cheese , however, which was left for children in hiding. I don’t believe that the Chinese used any dairy products in their diet in the 1940s, or at any time, for that matter. Other than that, it was a great read!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Abbigail Holmes

Mystery and History, 2 in 1

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

A great novel placed both in Japan and China about two families bonded by terrifying past and hidden present.
Even the book was sometimes hard to read because of all those historical moments which took time to remember and continue reading, the story itself didn't lose on its attractivity.
The characters are written very well, very plastic and you can identify with every one of them. All places are very vividly described but most of all I was fascinated by the relationships and the way the author involved us in each of presented relationship so we can feel like we are part of it. That is really a rare gift to have and even if you don't like books like this read it because of the writing style.
It is worth reading.

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book and it was a fast read. Accounting the story of a Japanese family with rich military history, the book reveals the views of modern day youth and the traditions of the older generations. It is so well written I was easily visualizing every scene. A huge component tells of the struggles and prejudices experienced and the conflicts between two strong nations as it delves into the history of wartime. The story also focuses on family dynamics and a refreshingly honest clash of values. I rarely read books twice, but this may be an exception. Well done!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Michael W. Malone

One of the Best Novel's I've Read in 2019

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2019

Verified Purchase

This is a story set in Japan throughout a long timespan. It is about dishonor but also about honor. The main character, Kenji, is a mixed bag but when push comes to shove he does what is right even to the end of the book. The other characters are remarkable and totally believable. There is nothing contrived about them. It's a book about wealth and greed, but it's one about being a man of honor. I highly recommend it.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

J-L

A good and gripping read

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

It is a well written and interesting tale told from the perspective of the different characters in the book. It is one of the nicer fiction books I have read in a while. The one thing that I found annoying (and stops me giving 5 stars) is that there are various dialogues in the book that are written in a language that makes it sound as if you are in Mississippi and not in the Far East. One example of this is the conversation between the main character, his wife and the children of the caretaker of their property. But if you read past this then you have a good and gripping read.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Carol

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2019

Verified Purchase

OK, here's the deal. Lots of people are qualified to write reviews exploring the character development, pacing, etc. And their reviews are very beneficial. I'm not that kind of reader/reviewer.

But, I was so impressed by this book that I wanted to put in my two cents worth also. I enjoyed reading this story and learning a bit of culture and history during the process. But, I didn't read it for that reason. I read it because it's a wonderful story of people, and no matter who they are or where they live, people are the same and have the same emotions and worries and fears. I highly recommend this book and hope you will be as pleased with it as I am.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lucinda

A decent book about very unpleasant people

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019

Verified Purchase

The General (grandfather) is manipulative, money-grubbing, woman-grabbing, lying, … His wife is almost as bad.

His son (the father) used to be OK but is becoming more like his father.

The youngest generation is still decent, but I think the book will be about how they are manipulated into becoming like their father and grandfather.

At 31%, I don’t want to read any more about this family. However, it was well-enough written that I knew the characters as people. It isn’t the author’s fault that I don’t like them.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Matthew A Waite

Beautifully Woven; Atmosphere and Intrigue

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2022

Verified Purchase

The book got off to a slower start than I normally like, but then the ultimate payoff was thus made all the more sweet and satisfying. I was also anxious that some of the history might clash with what I already know of that period of Chinese history, given that a good deal of what's to be found in English language history books on China is frequently jingoistic tosh.
But not this book. It carries an accurate portrayal of the Japanese occupation of Manchuria, without wallowing in the macabre. I look forward to more from this author.

JanG

A great read

Reviewed in Canada on November 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

I picked up this book because I enjoy reading novels set in Japan. I got much more than I expected...history, intrigue, cultural information I truly loved this book and hope the author writes again soon. It would make a great movie

Pranab Moudgil

Very nicely told, read a gem after a long time

Reviewed in India on October 28, 2019

Verified Purchase

Never once I felt bored. Pure gold. Such wonderful flow and use of vocab.. My heartfelt best wishes Sakura San.
I loved the story, definitely, the lucid way of telling a tale, extremely impressive.

Dave Maher

Found this really gripping

Reviewed in Australia on October 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book started slowly for me but once I got into it I was really caught up in the story line.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, so much so that I was disappointed when it ended as I wanted to continue the journey the book took me on. I will be looking to read more from this author.

Jessie K Lynch

Very good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2023

Verified Purchase

This is not usually the kind of book I would read but I bought it on a hunch and am glad I did. A good stort but also a small insite into a war I knew little about.

OR

Buy for others

Buying and sending eBooks to others

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

The Watanabe Name Kindle Edition

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Sakura Nobeyama

Customer reviews

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries