Crown City

by Naomi Hirahara

Two young Japanese American men hired to investigate an art theft discover something much more sinister in turn-of-the-century California—from the Mary Higgins Clark Award–winning author of Clark and Division

Pasadena, 1903: Eighteen-year-old Ryunosuke “Ryui” Wada staggers off the boat from Yokohama, Japan, ready to reinvent himself after the untimely deaths of his parents. Though battling loneliness and culture shock, Ryui does his best to settle into his work as an antique dealer’s apprentice while adjusting to his new home. From his enigmatic photographer roommate, Jack, to the beautiful seamstress living downstairs, Ryui finds himself surrounded by colorful characters and unbelievable opportunities and is soon utterly swept up in all “Crown City” has to offer.

But tensions are seething under Pasadena’s bustling prosperity. Ryui is the victim of an anti-Japanese attack, and a painting is stolen from the studio of Toshio Aoki, Pasadena’s most successful Japanese artist, who then hires Ryui and Jack to investigate. It’s not long before their investigations lead them into real danger. Ryui is a naive young man in a foreign country—has he bitten off more than he can chew?

In this fish-out-of-water mystery, studded with cameos by real historical figures, Edgar Award–winner Naomi Hirahara brings to life a fascinating slice of California history.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Historical, Art, Asian Literature

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

Naomi Hirahara is the USA Today-bestselling and award-winning author of multiple mystery series, noir short stories, nonfiction history books and one middle-grade novel. Her Edgar Award-winning Mas Arai series features a Los Angeles gardener and Hiroshima survivor. Her first historical mystery, CLARK AND DIVISION, which follows a Japanese American family from Manzanar to Chicago in 1944, won a Mary Higgins Clark Award in 2022. Her two other series star a young mixed race female LAPD bicycle cop, Ellie Rush, and a Filipina-Japanese American woman in Kaua'i, Lellani Santiago. She also has written a middle-grade book, 1001 CRANES. In 2025, the history book she co-wrote with Geraldine Knatz, TERMINAL ISLAND: LOST COMMUNITIES ON AMERICA'S EDGE, won a California Book Award gold medal. She, her husband and their rat terrier live happily in her birthplace of Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[JemeryInPrint · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Crown City by Naomi Hirahara as a fan of historical fiction, and I wasn’t disappointed. The novel takes its time, weaving in rich historical details that bring 1930s Los Angeles to life. The setting feels almost like a character in itself, with the culture, politics, and atmosphere of the time period blending seamlessly into the narrative.

As someone who loves historical fiction, the slow buildup to the mystery wasn’t an issue for me. I appreciated the focus on character development and setting before the mystery really begins to unfold. By the time the plot picks up, I was already invested in the world and the characters, so the gradual pacing felt natural.

That being said, I did wish the mystery element had been a bit more tightly woven throughout. While the eventual unraveling of the mystery was satisfying, there were moments where I felt like the story lost momentum as it took a while to get to the heart of things. But once the action started, it was engaging and kept me hooked until the end.

The narrator was fantastic, bringing the story to life with a clear, expressive voice that suited the tone of the book perfectly. The pacing of the narration complemented the book’s gradual buildup, and the way the narrator handled the more suspenseful moments really helped elevate the tension. It was a great listening experience that added an extra layer to my enjoyment.

Overall, Crown City is an atmospheric, well-researched historical mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re a fan of historical fiction and don’t mind a slow burn, this one’s definitely worth reading/listening to!

Thank you Naomi Hirahara, RBmedia | Recorded Books, and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m on the record as both a person who firmly believes that genre is fake, and also that genre is important and you ignore it at your peril. I think this position is logically consistent, and this book is a great illustration of why. This author often ends up grouped with mystery authors, but I think that is doing the author a disservice. I picked this ARC (thank you to NetGalley) up looking for a historical mystery, but, if this book is an historical mystery, it’s 95% historical and only 5% mystery. It has a few mystery elements in it (a stolen painting, a missing person), but, despite the fact that the blurb on the back devotes half the time to talking about the hunt for the missing painting, most of this book is focused on the community and community relations. Unfortunately, that’s not my favorite kind of book to read, so I didn’t enjoy this as much as a reader in the target audience would have.

Even from outside the target audience, I can appreciate the character work and the way the writing evokes a sense of place and time. If you like slice of life historical fiction that is focused on tight knit immigrant communities, I think you’d really dig this book. If you’re a genre mystery reader, who really wants the genre beats and the clues, you’re probably better off giving this one a miss.

Recommended for people who like all those librarian spy novels but want to go a little deeper.

[Maryam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is about a young Japanese man who travels to Pasadena for work after his father's death and ends up in the middle of solving a mystery of a stolen painting. The blurb and preface of this book promises a thrilling mystery, however, this is not what the book delivered. I'm very disappointed to say that I did not find what I was expecting from this book. I gave this book 1.5 stars. I was hoping for an adventurous historical mystery but the story severely lacked the mystery and adventure elements. It took around a 100 pages for the mystery part to start unfolding and even then I felt as though the characters themselves weren't interested as such in solving it. They had no interest or connection to any part of it and it seemed very one-dimensional. The character depths and their relationship dynamics with the other characters were represented as very shallow and unimportant. There was no chemistry between any of the characters and the only feelings I got from the main character towards Gigi was that he expected her to be a "prim and proper" woman who he could marry. I think this book would better qualify as a literary historical fiction rather than a mystery. That being said, I did like the historical element of this book. It was well written and researched. It was an easy read and I think it would most likely be more suitable for someone who has just started reading and wants to explore new genres.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
This book is a prequel to the author's 'Chicago' mysteries as it tells the story of Louise's father when he first comes from Japan to California. 'Ryui', 18, is a recent orphan who fortuitously encounters the Marsh brothers (who have an Asian curio shop in Pasadena) and they hire him and arrange for him to journey to the US.
Ryui's story, from living in a boarding house with odd and bad quality food, to getting used to working in a non-Japanese environment and culture if well told. His POV as someone from a country with a long history and culture encountering the American west at the turn of the 20th century is well portrayed too. There's loads of detail about Pasadena and its environs, events, prejudices and (historical) people in 1903, and a minor art theft mystery as well.
For me, this was a technically excellent read, but I didn't connect with the characters much - possibly this is the author's intent to demonstrate the protagonist's alienation.
The author excels at research, and fans of realistic historical fiction should find this book worthwhile. This is (so far) a standalone book, although readers of Hirahara's Chicago mysteries will recognize characters in the prologue/epilogue.

[Michael Doane]

Crown City is a richly atmospheric historical mystery that brings turn of the century Pasadena vividly to life while exploring themes of identity, prejudice, and survival in a changing America. Naomi Hirahara crafts a compelling narrative that blends coming of age tenderness with mounting suspense, anchoring the story in a meticulously researched historical setting.

Ryunosuke “Ryui” Wada is an engaging and sympathetic protagonist, capturing the vulnerability of a young immigrant navigating grief, ambition, and cultural dislocation. As the investigation unfolds, the novel skillfully exposes the racial tensions simmering beneath Pasadena’s polished exterior, lending emotional weight and urgency to the mystery at its core.

What truly distinguishes Crown City is its balance of human intimacy and historical scope. The inclusion of real figures from California’s past enriches the narrative without overwhelming it, while the friendship between Ryui and Jack adds warmth and depth to an increasingly dangerous pursuit of truth. The result is a story that is both absorbing and quietly powerful, offering insight as well as intrigue.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the times that I really wish I could have something half a star, because I would give it 2.5 if I could. However, I decided to round up instead of down because it's not a bad story, I think it just wasn't for me.

I feel that the book misrepresents itself as a mystery when it is more of a slice of life. There were 3 mysteries of varying degrees of importance and in the end, the main characters did next to nothing to actually contribute to solving them. The solutions to all 3 just sort of fell in the right people's laps.

I did like how genuine the setting felt. The constant comparisons between American and Japanese culture were not only interesting but also made the main character feel more real. Jack was easily the most entertaining character, with most of the rest of them, including the main character, feeling a bit dull. Ryui doesn't even meet Jack until a little over a hundred pages in though, so the beginning quarter is a bit of a slog.

All in all, if you like slice of life style time period stories, give this book a try. If you are looking for a fun mystery book, look elsewhere.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of Crown City.

This was my first book by Naomi Hirahara, and it certainly won’t be my last. Crown City is a beautifully crafted historical mystery set in Pasadena in 1903, following young Japanese immigrant, Ryui, as he attempts to rebuild his life after the death of his parents. What begins as a coming of age story quickly develops into a compelling investigation when an artist’s painting is stolen and Ryui becomes involved in uncovering the truth.

The storyline is absorbing, balancing the central mystery with a thoughtful exploration of identity as a new comer, belonging and prejudice in California.

The audiobook narration enhances the experience considerably. The narrator captures Ryui’s youth and vulnerability while maintaining the reflective tone of the story. His pacing suits the historical setting, allowing the atmosphere to build naturally and giving space to the emotional undercurrents as well as the investigative threads. It’s an immersive and engaging listen.

A richly textured historical mystery with heart, restraint and a strong sense of place. Four well earned stars.

[Tara]

Crown City is a masterful blend of historical fiction and mystery that immerses readers in the vibrant yet turbulent world of early 20th-century Pasadena. Naomi Hirahara brings the city to life through the eyes of Ryunosuke “Ryui” Wada, a young Japanese immigrant navigating loss, culture shock, and the complex dynamics of a foreign land.

Hirahara expertly interweaves suspense with rich historical context, from the bustling art scene to the realities of anti-Japanese sentiment. The plot, centered around a stolen painting and a web of intrigue, keeps readers guessing while exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of belonging. With vivid characters, authentic period details, and a narrative that balances tension with heart, Crown City is both a gripping mystery and a moving exploration of a pivotal era in American history.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent work of historical fiction, wrapped in a mystery. The setting is Pasadena, in the early 1900s, when a young man, Ryui Wada, emigrates from Japan, due to a change in circumstances. Pasadena, is a bit of an outlier bc of the community fascination with Japanese art and decor. And soon he and his prickly roommate become detectives when various well to do, hire them to solve various mysteries. I loved, especially, the beginning and conclusion where one gets a span of Ryui's life and those who most influenced him when he came to this country. Hirahara should be more well read across both fiction and mystery bc her books are always complex and so interesting.

I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.

[David Carriere]

Crown City is a richly atmospheric historical mystery that does far more than follow a stolen painting. Naomi Hirahara captures the ache of displacement, the tension of assimilation, and the quiet courage of survival in turn-of-the-century Pasadena with remarkable restraint and depth. Ryunosuke Wada’s journey unfolds against a beautifully rendered historical backdrop where opportunity and prejudice exist side by side. The mystery is compelling, but what lingers is the emotional realism, the cultural specificity, and the sense that every danger Ryui faces is both personal and historical. This is a novel that invites readers not only to follow clues, but to inhabit a forgotten moment in American history.

[Patti Coil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sadly uneven book. The beginning is phenomenal- the world building is beautiful and heartbreaking and provides motive and motivation for Ryunosuke. It’s a lovely immigration coming of age tale where you understand the dynamics of his decision to leave Japan for America and the constraints he finds himself it. It was a 5 star read.

But then. Sigh. It becomes research in search of a plot that should also be a mystery? The book loses its way and its voice and becomes crushed by the weight of unnecessary information and characters that serve no purpose except as evidence that the author spent time doing research. And I guess it becomes a mystery novel? Because it has to become a mystery novel? I’m not sure what happened to this novel.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immigration, mystery, adaptation.
Eighteen year old “Ryui” emigrates - alone - from Japan to Pasadena California in the very early 1900’s, cue culture shock, loneliness and an immersion in the arts, crafts and antiques world.


Ryu and his room mate become detectives ostensibly searching for a lost art work but their investigation discovers darker, hidden mysteries.


A little light on the mystery, but brilliant as a piece of Californian historical fiction - I felt immersed and with Ryui as he grapples with his new life.


A 3.5 star read, rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Soho Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this book expecting more mystery, and while there are definitely several mysteries, as in Hirahara's other books, this is as much about characters and their lives in a certain time and place, starting in Yokohama, Japan in 1885 and then traveling to 1903 Crown City, the future Pasadena. Once I settled into the slower pace, I was soon caught up in the life of the protagonist, Ryunosuke, as he adjusts to the puzzles of life in a new country while also untangling actual mysteries. Recommended for those who like character-driven, literary historical mysteries.

Review based on a DRC received through NetGalley.

[Mary C · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of his father, Ryui Wada emigrates from Japan to Pasadena in 1903. As Ryiu adapts to life in the USA, details of the Japanese community are revealed and how they were viewed by the community. A mystery is included but basically an interesting book about adaption and integration when Pasadena was fascinated by Japanese art and décor.
#CrownCity #SohoPress #sohoCrime #NetGalley

[Mindy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won an ARC from one of my favorite authors 🎉 Hirahara's historical research is always meticulous.