The Wages Of Zen

Condition remarks:
Condition: Good. Jacket: Worn/faded, no tears. Page Condition: Good. Markings: No markings visible. Binding: Intact. No stickers or labels visible.

Set against the richly atmospheric backdrop of modern Japan, The Wages of Zen is a detective mystery by James Melville, the third entry in his celebrated Superintendent Otani series. The novel follows the deceptively mild-mannered Tetsuo Otani, head of the Hyogo Prefectural Police, as he investigates the suspicious deaths occurring at a Zen Buddhist retreat near Kobe. Melville masterfully blends procedural intrigue with a deep, affectionate portrait of Japanese culture, customs, and social nuance, creating a tone that is both contemplative and quietly suspenseful. The investigation uncovers a world of hidden tensions beneath the serene surface of monastic life, drawing Otani — aided by his loyal colleagues Kimura and Noguchi — into a web of deceit that is as philosophically rich as it is thrilling.