Nom de Plume

I have read every single book in this series, but I have to say: my interest is waning. The younger Rei was edgy and interesting, the Japanese antiques world was fascinating, the cultural tensions delicious. Rei is now a contractor for the CIA and goes undercover in a Japanese department store. She has the hots for her boss, who of course, has the hots for her too. But the Japan Rei now inhabits is bland and colorless–that is, except for the never-ending description of Japanese haute couture she succumbs to as a salesgirl.

Even more distressing is what a prig she has become. Specifically, she has become a health Nazi. It’s very difficult to take seriously anyone who, when doughnuts are being passed around, observes that she just hates eating empty calories, especially in the morning. Or who has at least three people say to her, “You look like you work out.” Or talks incessently about triceps, her arm muscles, and how she always does several sets of push-ups before she goes sleeveless.

It’s a shame.