The Convict's Sword

Table of Contents

 

 

 

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First published in Penguin Books 2009

Copyright © I. J. Parker, 2009

eISBN : 978-1-101-05094-1

1. Sugawara Akitada (Fictitious character)—Fiction. 2. Murder—Investigation—
Fiction. 3. Exiles—Fiction. 4. Smallpox—Fiction. 5. Japan—History—Heian
period, 794-1185—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3616.A745C66 2009
813’.6—dc22 2008043475

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am indebted to a number of friends and fellow writers who were kind enough to read and make comments on this novel, among them especially John Rosenman and Jacqueline Falkenhan.

To my great delight, I also worked with a new editor, Rebecca Hunt—an association that was not only a pleasure but helped make this the best of my novels so far.

My debt to my agents, Jean Naggar, Jennifer Weltz, and Jessica Regel, increases with every book and every contract. They are simply the best in the world.

CHARACTERS

MAIN CHARACTERS

CHARACTERS CONNECTED WITH THE CASES

OTHERS

ALSO: Assorted noblemen, thugs, merchants, soothsayers, beggars, peasants, servants, and children.

PRONUNCIATION OF JAPANESE WORDS