Susan Spann
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Susan Spann

Goodreads Author


Born
in Santa Monica, CA, The United States
Website

Twitter
susanspann

Genre
Mystery, Historical, Crime

Member Since
March 2012

URL


Author of the Hiro Hattori Novels (Shinobi Mysteries), featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori and his Portuguese Jesuit sidekick, Father Mateo.

CLAWS OF THE CAT (Minotaur Books, 2013)
Library Journal Mystery Debut of the Month
Silver Falchion Finalist: Best First Novel

BLADE OF THE SAMURAI (Minotaur Books, 2014)

FLASK OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER (Minotaur Books, July 2015)

THE NINJA'S DAUGHTER (Seventh Street Books, August 2016)

BETRAYAL AT IGA (Seventh Street Books, July 2017) ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

Do you think you'll ever write a book taking place pre-the first book? Showing Hiro's early years as a ninja-in-training/ninja, and Father Mateo in Portugal? And also their first meeting?
Susan Spann I've actually considered writing that part of the story, and probably will at some point. Mainly, I haven't decided whether to write it as a novel-len…moreI've actually considered writing that part of the story, and probably will at some point. Mainly, I haven't decided whether to write it as a novel-length work, a novella, or a series of linked short stories. One way or another, though, I almost certainly will tell that part of the story in time! (less)
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Where did your inspiration to write a murder mystery in feudal Japan come from? I have become fascinated in the time period and I was wondering what caught your eye about the period and locality.
Susan Spann I'm so sorry I'm just now seeing this!! I've loved feudal Japan since I saw the SHOGUN miniseries back in 1980 (I can't believe it's been over 30 year…moreI'm so sorry I'm just now seeing this!! I've loved feudal Japan since I saw the SHOGUN miniseries back in 1980 (I can't believe it's been over 30 years...). The inspiration for the series came from a combination of my love for Japan and an idea that popped into my head one morning while I was getting ready for work. Out of nowhere, I thought: "most ninjas commit murders, but Hiro Hattori solves them." I knew immediately that was such a cool idea, I just had to write it. From there, I picked the time period because the mid-16th century was the height of real ninja activity in Japan, and also the time when the Jesuits were present - allowing me to create a Holmes and Watson feel to the books.(less)
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Combine Editions

Average rating: 4.06 · 2,866 ratings · 654 reviews · 11 distinct works • Similar authors
Claws of the Cat (Shinobi M...
3.88 avg rating — 921 ratings — published 2013 — 13 editions
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Blade of the Samurai (Shino...
4.08 avg rating — 458 ratings — published 2014 — 5 editions
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The Ninja's Daughter (Shino...
4.13 avg rating — 334 ratings — published 2016 — 4 editions
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Betrayal at Iga (Shinobi My...
4.27 avg rating — 300 ratings — published 2017 — 2 editions
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Flask of the Drunken Master...
4.02 avg rating — 293 ratings — published 2015 — 5 editions
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Trial on Mount Koya (Shinob...
4.17 avg rating — 241 ratings — published 2018 — 3 editions
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Ghost of the Bamboo Road (S...
4.18 avg rating — 158 ratings — published 2019 — 3 editions
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Fires of Edo (Shinobi Myste...
4.43 avg rating — 127 ratings — 3 editions
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Climb: Leaving Safe and Fin...
4.06 avg rating — 32 ratings — 4 editions
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Susan Spann's Blog

Cream Puffs With Totoro at Shirohige Cafe in Tokyo

Over the weekend, I headed out to the Shimo-kitazawa neighborhood in southwest Tokyo to visit Gotokuji (also known as the “cat temple”); afterward, we walked over to Shirohige’s Cream Puff Cafe for some of the cutest cream puffs in Tokyo (if not the world). Shirohige’s is famous for totoro cream puffs, but the downstairs take-out shop also sells a variety of Ghibli-themed cookies, and some cakes, Read more of this blog post »
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Published on October 19, 2025 09:35
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Series by Susan Spann

Claws of the Cat Blade of the Samurai Flask of the Drunken Master The Ninja's Daughter Betrayal at Iga Trial on Mount Koya Ghost of the Bamboo Road
(8 books)
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4.06 avg rating — 2,832 ratings

Susan is Currently Reading

The Branson Beauty
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by Claire Booth (Goodreads Author)
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Sep 24, 2024 02:40AM
Gilded Lives, Fat...
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Mar 29, 2016 07:27PM
Kansai cool: a jo...
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May 13, 2014 01:29AM

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Susan’s Recent Updates

Susan Spann wrote a new blog post

Cream Puffs With Totoro at Shirohige Cafe in Tokyo

Over the weekend, I headed out to the Shimo-kitazawa neighborhood in southwest Tokyo to visit Gotokuji (also known as the “cat temple”); afterward, we Read more of this blog post »
Nov 14, 2025 01:47AM  · 
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Quotes by Susan Spann  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“If your imaginary friends are at all like mine, they’re better off dead.”
― Susan Spann
tags: imagination, writing
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“Small-minded men had large opinions that left no mental room for any ideas but their own.”
― Susan Spann, Trial on Mount Koya
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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
2025 & 2026 Readi...: LynnE's 2014 Challenges 26 109 Aug 27, 2014 09:00AM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Title and Author Game, Round 2 15570 1206 Mar 21, 2016 09:15AM  
Cozy Mysteries : August 2016 8 74 Aug 15, 2016 10:19AM  
SA Book & Challen...: Carolien's 2016 Reading Goals 7 26 Dec 31, 2016 09:29PM  
The Life of a Boo...: Carolien's Murder is Everywhere 2016 challenge 38 108 Jan 20, 2017 06:04AM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Title and Author game, Round 3 13653 559 Apr 03, 2017 09:53AM  
Cozy Mysteries : July 2017 3 122 Jul 02, 2017 11:49AM  
The Life of a Boo...: July is, 'All Things Japanese' Month 16 45 Jul 18, 2017 12:46PM  
The Seasonal Read...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD 2921 511 Aug 31, 2017 09:01PM  

Susan’s Quotes

“We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship, for to undertake to wound or offend a man for his own good is to have a healthy love for him.”
― Michel de Montaigne
tags: criticism, friendship, judgement, judgment
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Susan’s Groups

61867 Authors Authors Authors — 28 members — last activity Sep 28, 2013 06:36AM
Everyone (writer or reader) and self-published authors can join and share their work with each other.
54239 Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction — 6117 members — last activity Dec 03, 2025 04:17PM
The focus of this group is historical fiction set in Ancient and Medieval eras(with some post Medieval), in any geographical location. Preference is g ...more

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