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Shinobi Mystery #6
Trial on Mount Koya
Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo head up to Mount Koya, only to find themselves embroiled in yet another mystery, this time in a Shingon Buddhist temple atop one of Japan's most sacred peaks.
November, 1565: Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya, carrying a secret message for an Iga spy posing as a priest on the sacred mountain. When a snowstorm strikes the peak, a killer begins murdering the temple's priests and posing them as Buddhist judges of the afterlife--the Kings of Hell. Hiro and Father Mateo must unravel the mystery before the remaining priests--including Father Mateo--become unwilling members of the killer's grisly council of the dead.
November, 1565: Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya, carrying a secret message for an Iga spy posing as a priest on the sacred mountain. When a snowstorm strikes the peak, a killer begins murdering the temple's priests and posing them as Buddhist judges of the afterlife--the Kings of Hell. Hiro and Father Mateo must unravel the mystery before the remaining priests--including Father Mateo--become unwilling members of the killer's grisly council of the dead.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2018
64 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Susan Spann
12 books220 followersAuthor 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)
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)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 26, 2018
It's books like this that make me glad that I am a reader. How else could I visit a Buddhist monastery in the 1560's? It is so interesting to learn customs and history of a time gone by. As a bonus, this was a wonderful homage to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None." This book kept me captivated from page one.
Hiro Hattori is a master ninja who travels as a chaperone to Father Mateo, a Portuguese Jesuit as he travels Japan spreading the word of Christ. Hiro is ordered to carry a message to an Iga spy operating as a priest in a monastery at the summit of Mount Koya. They arrive in a blizzard that makes it impossible for anyone to come or arrive. There's just them, the monks and another pilgrim with a young boy. Their contact is murdered almost immediately and posed as a Buddhist judge of the afterlife. Then more priests are murdered and posed as other judges. Hiro is in a race to find the killer before he or Father Mateo become the next victims.
I found the story of the Buddhist views of afterlife and the 49 days of judging quite fascinating. I liked the back stories of how each priest arrived at the monasteries to serve. I liked how stubborn Hiro is in his theory of the murder and the unmasking of the killer. It was a tribute that I think Agatha Christie would have liked.
Hiro Hattori is a master ninja who travels as a chaperone to Father Mateo, a Portuguese Jesuit as he travels Japan spreading the word of Christ. Hiro is ordered to carry a message to an Iga spy operating as a priest in a monastery at the summit of Mount Koya. They arrive in a blizzard that makes it impossible for anyone to come or arrive. There's just them, the monks and another pilgrim with a young boy. Their contact is murdered almost immediately and posed as a Buddhist judge of the afterlife. Then more priests are murdered and posed as other judges. Hiro is in a race to find the killer before he or Father Mateo become the next victims.
I found the story of the Buddhist views of afterlife and the 49 days of judging quite fascinating. I liked the back stories of how each priest arrived at the monasteries to serve. I liked how stubborn Hiro is in his theory of the murder and the unmasking of the killer. It was a tribute that I think Agatha Christie would have liked.
March 3, 2018
I was lucky to get an advance copy of this terrific novel. The page-turning historical mystery is reminiscent of And Then There Were None -- if the famous Agatha Christie mystery had been set in medieval Japan on a sacred mountaintop during a snowstorm.
In addition to enjoying the clever plot, I loved the backdrop of real Japanese history.
In addition to enjoying the clever plot, I loved the backdrop of real Japanese history.
July 24, 2018
First Sentence: "I question your judgment, Hiro."
Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo and his protector, and friend, master ninja Hiro Hattori travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya. Hiro is carrying a secret message for an Iga spy who is at the temple posing as a priest. A blizzard moves in preventing anyone from leaving, including a killer who is murdering the priests and posing their bodies. It is up to the two men to identify the killer and quickly as they realize Father Mateo is slated to be a victim.
Although this book begins immediately where "Betrayal at Iga" ended, it stands on its own with new readers being brought quickly up to date. And besides, there's a cat.
Spann's ability to create a mental picture provides a clear sense of place—"Stone lamps positioned around the yard illuminated the space, their flickering light unusually pale and weak beneath the sickly sky." The simple explanation of the "Manifestations of Buddha" is interesting, as are the explanations of the jusanbutsu and the bodhisattvas. One of the great gifts of reading is learning about other cultures and beliefs. Spann does a fine job of both, as well as providing translations for the Japanese used in the story.
There are wonderful characters including Ana, Hero's housekeeper. She is a beam of light who pushes back the dark—"Ana looked down her nose at Hiro—a significant feat, given her diminutive size." It's hard to resist a protagonist who has his priorities in order—"…the story was wasting time he could use to find his cat and stop the killer." There are also basic truths to be found—"I did not choose this life, but I could choose the way I live it." Hiro and Father Mateo balance one another. It is a relationship which has developed over time and into one of trust and respect. Hatsuko, the female samurai, is a very interesting character. She is someone of whom one would like to see more.
Spann creates a very good sense of urgency and danger which builds to an unexpected revelation. She shows the idiocy of hatred brought about by policies—"If it makes you feel better, I promise to hate you again as soon as safety grants me the luxury of unfounded prejudices."
One very small criticism, which may be more on the publisher than the author. The book includes a cast of characters and a glossary. Unfortunately, these have been placed at the end of the book, rather than the beginning where they would have been much more useful. However, the plot is very well done and gives a nod back to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None."
"Trial on Mount Koya" is atmospheric and suspenseful with a highly dramatic ending and an important self-realization for Hiro.
TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA (Hist Mys-Hiro Hattori/Father Mateo-Japan-1565) – Good
Spann, Susan – 6th in series
Seventh Street Books – July 2018
Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo and his protector, and friend, master ninja Hiro Hattori travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya. Hiro is carrying a secret message for an Iga spy who is at the temple posing as a priest. A blizzard moves in preventing anyone from leaving, including a killer who is murdering the priests and posing their bodies. It is up to the two men to identify the killer and quickly as they realize Father Mateo is slated to be a victim.
Although this book begins immediately where "Betrayal at Iga" ended, it stands on its own with new readers being brought quickly up to date. And besides, there's a cat.
Spann's ability to create a mental picture provides a clear sense of place—"Stone lamps positioned around the yard illuminated the space, their flickering light unusually pale and weak beneath the sickly sky." The simple explanation of the "Manifestations of Buddha" is interesting, as are the explanations of the jusanbutsu and the bodhisattvas. One of the great gifts of reading is learning about other cultures and beliefs. Spann does a fine job of both, as well as providing translations for the Japanese used in the story.
There are wonderful characters including Ana, Hero's housekeeper. She is a beam of light who pushes back the dark—"Ana looked down her nose at Hiro—a significant feat, given her diminutive size." It's hard to resist a protagonist who has his priorities in order—"…the story was wasting time he could use to find his cat and stop the killer." There are also basic truths to be found—"I did not choose this life, but I could choose the way I live it." Hiro and Father Mateo balance one another. It is a relationship which has developed over time and into one of trust and respect. Hatsuko, the female samurai, is a very interesting character. She is someone of whom one would like to see more.
Spann creates a very good sense of urgency and danger which builds to an unexpected revelation. She shows the idiocy of hatred brought about by policies—"If it makes you feel better, I promise to hate you again as soon as safety grants me the luxury of unfounded prejudices."
One very small criticism, which may be more on the publisher than the author. The book includes a cast of characters and a glossary. Unfortunately, these have been placed at the end of the book, rather than the beginning where they would have been much more useful. However, the plot is very well done and gives a nod back to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None."
"Trial on Mount Koya" is atmospheric and suspenseful with a highly dramatic ending and an important self-realization for Hiro.
TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA (Hist Mys-Hiro Hattori/Father Mateo-Japan-1565) – Good
Spann, Susan – 6th in series
Seventh Street Books – July 2018
July 13, 2018
Originally published at Reading Reality
One of the factors that makes historical mysteries so interesting is that the investigator, whoever they might be, is forced to rely on instinct and intelligence, as forensics as we know them today do not yet exist. At the same time, the investigator can’t let their instincts get too much in the way. To quote Will Rogers, who won’t be born for more than three centuries after Trial on Mount Koya takes place, “It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.”
Shinobi (read ninja) Hiro Hattori is usually an excellent investigator. In his own society, mid-16th century Japan, he is an outsider on multiple levels. First he’s a master assassin. Second he’s the bodyguard and now friend of a Portuguese Jesuit priest. And third he is masquerading as a ronin, a masterless samurai. He’s normally on the outside looking in, even while appearing to be part of everything.
But in this particular case, while he is an outsider in this group of isolated people, he is unable to muster his usual clear-sighted lack of emotional involvement. He is still grieving the events of the the previous book, Betrayal at Iga, and his judgment is clouded because his friend is as threatened as everyone else in this remote killing ground.
And having just lost his lover in a murder that he believes he should have prevented, he is afraid of losing his closest friend as well. As a consequence he is jumping at shadows, unable to see or admit that his clouded judgment is causing him to miss vital clues and suspect people who he should have eliminated from suspicion – if he were operating as his usual, rational self.
Normally, between the Jesuit Father Mateo and the shinobi Hiro Hattori, Hiro is the level-headed one while Mateo rushes in where his religion’s angels would certainly fear to tread. And while Mateo still serves as our “Watson” in this outing, being the outsider to whom Hiro must explain the ins and outs of their purpose and location, in this particular story he is much more clear-sighted than his friend.
This story is also a variation on one of the classic mystery tropes. A relatively small group of people is isolated by a blizzard in a remote location. No one can get in, and no one can get out. There is a murderer amongst them who turns out to be a serial killer. And he must be one of them, because he can’t escape and no one could be hiding on the mountainside in the fierce and freezing storm.
It is up to Hiro, with the assistance of Mateo, to first get his head out of his own ass, and then to figure out whodunit. The setting is a remote monastery, where someone is methodically murdering the monks. As Hiro puts it, the usual methods for murder are love, money and power. They are in a monastery, a Buddhist monastery. It seems as if those motives could not possibly apply.
But of course one of them does. It is up to Hiro to figure out how and why before his best friend becomes the next victim.
Escape Rating B: This series is absolutely fascinating, both for its characters and for this recreation of a marvelous world that seems both incredibly exotic and extremely familiar. Exotic because I have little knowledge of the place and period it covers. Familiar because in the end, the characters are so very human, in all their muck and glory.
Human beings are, at heart, the same all over. While what constitutes money and power may vary from one society to another, the lengths that humans will go to in order to achieve or steal them are all too similar.
And, as always, that love is all there is is all we know of love. But what Hiro to his surprise grasps on the one hand, he loses track of on the other. Eros is not the only form of love. A strong enough version of any form of love could be a motive for murder.
Or the killer could simply be barking mad. Or both.
In its remote setting and isolated group of religious observers, Trial on Mount Koya reminds me just a bit of The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny. With one major difference. At the end of The Beautiful Mystery, while I certainly felt for the victims, I also understood why the particular events, the murders, happened. When completed, the story felt finished and I felt satisfied that all had been resolved, good had, if not triumphed in that particular case, at least lived to fight another day.
As much as I enjoyed Trial on Mount Koya, the deep dive back into Hiro and Mateo’s world, and the progress of the investigation, as well as learning more about 16th century Japan and its culture, the revelation of the killer and his reasons felt unsatisfactory. This is possibly because the killer was both utterly insane and completely organized at the same time. It may have been because his logic and his motives were so far outside my own perspectives that I just couldn’t understand them enough.
And it could be that there is more yet to discover, not about this killer in particular but about the outside events that set Hiro and Mateo on this particular journey in the first place. I’ve enjoyed every one of their adventures from the series’ beginning in Claws of the Cat, and if you love historical mysteries I highly recommend starting this series at the beginning.
I’ll be back to follow them on their journey. They are intending to take the road to Edo. I’m sure they’ll have more fascinating adventures along the way. And probably turn up a dead body, or two, or six.
One of the factors that makes historical mysteries so interesting is that the investigator, whoever they might be, is forced to rely on instinct and intelligence, as forensics as we know them today do not yet exist. At the same time, the investigator can’t let their instincts get too much in the way. To quote Will Rogers, who won’t be born for more than three centuries after Trial on Mount Koya takes place, “It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.”
Shinobi (read ninja) Hiro Hattori is usually an excellent investigator. In his own society, mid-16th century Japan, he is an outsider on multiple levels. First he’s a master assassin. Second he’s the bodyguard and now friend of a Portuguese Jesuit priest. And third he is masquerading as a ronin, a masterless samurai. He’s normally on the outside looking in, even while appearing to be part of everything.
But in this particular case, while he is an outsider in this group of isolated people, he is unable to muster his usual clear-sighted lack of emotional involvement. He is still grieving the events of the the previous book, Betrayal at Iga, and his judgment is clouded because his friend is as threatened as everyone else in this remote killing ground.
And having just lost his lover in a murder that he believes he should have prevented, he is afraid of losing his closest friend as well. As a consequence he is jumping at shadows, unable to see or admit that his clouded judgment is causing him to miss vital clues and suspect people who he should have eliminated from suspicion – if he were operating as his usual, rational self.
Normally, between the Jesuit Father Mateo and the shinobi Hiro Hattori, Hiro is the level-headed one while Mateo rushes in where his religion’s angels would certainly fear to tread. And while Mateo still serves as our “Watson” in this outing, being the outsider to whom Hiro must explain the ins and outs of their purpose and location, in this particular story he is much more clear-sighted than his friend.
This story is also a variation on one of the classic mystery tropes. A relatively small group of people is isolated by a blizzard in a remote location. No one can get in, and no one can get out. There is a murderer amongst them who turns out to be a serial killer. And he must be one of them, because he can’t escape and no one could be hiding on the mountainside in the fierce and freezing storm.
It is up to Hiro, with the assistance of Mateo, to first get his head out of his own ass, and then to figure out whodunit. The setting is a remote monastery, where someone is methodically murdering the monks. As Hiro puts it, the usual methods for murder are love, money and power. They are in a monastery, a Buddhist monastery. It seems as if those motives could not possibly apply.
But of course one of them does. It is up to Hiro to figure out how and why before his best friend becomes the next victim.
Escape Rating B: This series is absolutely fascinating, both for its characters and for this recreation of a marvelous world that seems both incredibly exotic and extremely familiar. Exotic because I have little knowledge of the place and period it covers. Familiar because in the end, the characters are so very human, in all their muck and glory.
Human beings are, at heart, the same all over. While what constitutes money and power may vary from one society to another, the lengths that humans will go to in order to achieve or steal them are all too similar.
And, as always, that love is all there is is all we know of love. But what Hiro to his surprise grasps on the one hand, he loses track of on the other. Eros is not the only form of love. A strong enough version of any form of love could be a motive for murder.
Or the killer could simply be barking mad. Or both.
In its remote setting and isolated group of religious observers, Trial on Mount Koya reminds me just a bit of The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny. With one major difference. At the end of The Beautiful Mystery, while I certainly felt for the victims, I also understood why the particular events, the murders, happened. When completed, the story felt finished and I felt satisfied that all had been resolved, good had, if not triumphed in that particular case, at least lived to fight another day.
As much as I enjoyed Trial on Mount Koya, the deep dive back into Hiro and Mateo’s world, and the progress of the investigation, as well as learning more about 16th century Japan and its culture, the revelation of the killer and his reasons felt unsatisfactory. This is possibly because the killer was both utterly insane and completely organized at the same time. It may have been because his logic and his motives were so far outside my own perspectives that I just couldn’t understand them enough.
And it could be that there is more yet to discover, not about this killer in particular but about the outside events that set Hiro and Mateo on this particular journey in the first place. I’ve enjoyed every one of their adventures from the series’ beginning in Claws of the Cat, and if you love historical mysteries I highly recommend starting this series at the beginning.
I’ll be back to follow them on their journey. They are intending to take the road to Edo. I’m sure they’ll have more fascinating adventures along the way. And probably turn up a dead body, or two, or six.
Read
July 16, 2018Not my cup of tea.
July 17, 2018
http://openbooksociety.com/article/tr...
Trial on Mount Koya
Hiro Hittori Shinobi Mystery Book #6
By Susan Spann
ISBN#9781633884151
Author’s website: susanspann.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo head up to Mount Koya, only to find themselves embroiled in yet another mystery, this time in a Shingon Buddhist temple atop one of Japan’s most sacred peaks.
November 1565: Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya, carrying a secret message for an Iga spy posing as a priest on the sacred mountain. When a snowstorm strikes the peak, a killer begins murdering the temple’s priests and posing them as Buddhist judges of the afterlife–the Kings of Hell. Hiro and Father Mateo must unravel the mystery before the remaining priests–including Father Mateo–become unwilling members of the killer’s grisly council of the dead.
Review:
Trial on Mount Koya, the sixth book in the fascinating Shinobi Mystery Series, is full of period detail and exceptionally developed characters, a well-done homage to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
I really enjoy this series, and when I read that author Spann considered this her love letter to Christie and all things mystery, I knew I would be hooked. As an admirer of Spann and a lover of Christie, I am not disappointed. In this installment, we find Hiro and Father Mateo on Mount Koya at Myo-in, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples. They are there to deliver a message to Iga spy Ringa and expect to be on their way in the morning, but a blizzard hits the summit, trapping them, and Ringa is found murdered and posed as one of the Buddhist judges of the afterlife. Hiro fears that Ringa’s cover is blown, leading to his death, but when other priests are also murdered and posed as other judges, Hiro and Mateo must work together to stop the murderer before everyone in the temple, including Mateo, die.
An isolated group of people without contact to the outside world with a killer on the loose has become a common foundation for a many a mystery book, popular because it has proven time and time again that it works. In Trial on Mount Koya, it is a perfect setup. The isolation brings a sense of urgency to the tale.
Our hero Hiro, being a trained assassin and shinobi (ninja), has always been a level-headed sleuth, never allowing his emotions to get in the way of an investigation. However, here we see a different side of Hiro. He is grieving over the events in Betrayal at Iga and is haunted by someone’s death feeling certain that he is to blame. Influenced more by this than his usual intuition and fact-finding, he jumps to some conclusions that impede the investigation. His fear of failing Mateo also influences every action and thought. We see a totally different Hiro, the man more than just the accomplished ninja.
Over the course of the series, Hiro and Mateo’s relationship grows from protector and protected to genuine friendship and devotion to each other. More than just an oath to carry out an assignment and uphold the honor of Iga, a job, Hiro now considers Father Mateo a brother.
Hiro and Mateo are well-developed characters, growing over the course of the series, but the characters central to Trial on Mount Koya are also well defined. Spann provides a backstory for each of the priests and pilgrims, and it helps readers relate to them and inspires a sense of connection. Readers care about these characters and worry for their safety and mortality. As always, the meticulous attention to detail and Spann’s obvious love of Japanese culture shine through making for a fascinating journey back to sixteenth-century Japan.
Trial on Mount Koya can be read as a standalone mystery, but I do suggest reading the entire series to fully appreciate Hiro and Mateo. I highly recommend it to any historical fiction or mystery reader.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Trial on Mount Koya
Hiro Hittori Shinobi Mystery Book #6
By Susan Spann
ISBN#9781633884151
Author’s website: susanspann.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo head up to Mount Koya, only to find themselves embroiled in yet another mystery, this time in a Shingon Buddhist temple atop one of Japan’s most sacred peaks.
November 1565: Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya, carrying a secret message for an Iga spy posing as a priest on the sacred mountain. When a snowstorm strikes the peak, a killer begins murdering the temple’s priests and posing them as Buddhist judges of the afterlife–the Kings of Hell. Hiro and Father Mateo must unravel the mystery before the remaining priests–including Father Mateo–become unwilling members of the killer’s grisly council of the dead.
Review:
Trial on Mount Koya, the sixth book in the fascinating Shinobi Mystery Series, is full of period detail and exceptionally developed characters, a well-done homage to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
I really enjoy this series, and when I read that author Spann considered this her love letter to Christie and all things mystery, I knew I would be hooked. As an admirer of Spann and a lover of Christie, I am not disappointed. In this installment, we find Hiro and Father Mateo on Mount Koya at Myo-in, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples. They are there to deliver a message to Iga spy Ringa and expect to be on their way in the morning, but a blizzard hits the summit, trapping them, and Ringa is found murdered and posed as one of the Buddhist judges of the afterlife. Hiro fears that Ringa’s cover is blown, leading to his death, but when other priests are also murdered and posed as other judges, Hiro and Mateo must work together to stop the murderer before everyone in the temple, including Mateo, die.
An isolated group of people without contact to the outside world with a killer on the loose has become a common foundation for a many a mystery book, popular because it has proven time and time again that it works. In Trial on Mount Koya, it is a perfect setup. The isolation brings a sense of urgency to the tale.
Our hero Hiro, being a trained assassin and shinobi (ninja), has always been a level-headed sleuth, never allowing his emotions to get in the way of an investigation. However, here we see a different side of Hiro. He is grieving over the events in Betrayal at Iga and is haunted by someone’s death feeling certain that he is to blame. Influenced more by this than his usual intuition and fact-finding, he jumps to some conclusions that impede the investigation. His fear of failing Mateo also influences every action and thought. We see a totally different Hiro, the man more than just the accomplished ninja.
Over the course of the series, Hiro and Mateo’s relationship grows from protector and protected to genuine friendship and devotion to each other. More than just an oath to carry out an assignment and uphold the honor of Iga, a job, Hiro now considers Father Mateo a brother.
Hiro and Mateo are well-developed characters, growing over the course of the series, but the characters central to Trial on Mount Koya are also well defined. Spann provides a backstory for each of the priests and pilgrims, and it helps readers relate to them and inspires a sense of connection. Readers care about these characters and worry for their safety and mortality. As always, the meticulous attention to detail and Spann’s obvious love of Japanese culture shine through making for a fascinating journey back to sixteenth-century Japan.
Trial on Mount Koya can be read as a standalone mystery, but I do suggest reading the entire series to fully appreciate Hiro and Mateo. I highly recommend it to any historical fiction or mystery reader.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
July 11, 2018
Several months ago I was fortunate enough to read Trial on Mount Koya by Susan Spann, which is the sixth book in her Shinobi Mystery series. Anyone follows my reviews must know by now how much I love this series, so I was highly anticipating this new one. The fifth book last summer, Betrayal at Iga, I had felt was her best yet, but I didn't have much doubt that she'd still excel with this one as well.
Once I found out that her childhood, and I suppose her adulthood, love of Agatha Christie inspired her to give a nod to And Then There Were None, my personal favorite Christie novel, I was instantly sold anyway. Couple that with ancient Japan, the same amazing characters in master ninja Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo, and Spann's elegant writing, and I couldn't wait to tear open the cover.
Publisher's Weekly gave it a stellar review: "Cleverly riffs on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None... Spann has never been better at balancing mystery with the politics of the era."
As I tell readers in my reviews with all these books, they can be read as stand-alone novels as far as each plot goes. But as with most mystery series in which same characters reside, you certainly get more out of the characters, their lives, and their development if you read the entire series, but it doesn't matter much which one you start with, so if you choose this one, going back later to the first book and trending through would be pleasurable reading too.
In this adventure, Hiro is asked to go to Myo-In, a Buddist Temple on Mount Koya, to deliver a secret message to an Iga spy posing as a priest. Of course, in proverbial mystery style, a snowstorm arrives locking everyone in, and so does a killer, taking them out one-by-one.
First, it's probably the best place to reiterate just how much Spann has been able to grow Hattori and Mateo throughout the series. Her character development leaves us as long-time series fans feeling as if we know these two in real life. That said, in each of her books, never more true than with this sixth book, her surrounding cast of characters are also very dimensionally developed even if they aren't featured in more than one book. I love how her writing can be so descriptive and deep as to make us immediately be able to view these characters and their surroundings in our minds like we're watching a movie.
With Trial on Mount Koya specifically, the two main protagonists are in an enclosed setting, making it increasingly harder one would think to nurture a character outward, but Spann intricately, through dialogue and pace, shows us just how strong these men are when faced with such pressure. As always, one of the best parts of reading her books is the humor between the two gentleman, and from page one, it was right there, drawing me in feeling as if I was back traveling with friends (oh, and a cat!).
In talking about setting then, with the severe storm, they all are in enclosed and in tight circumstances, which makes this novel atmospheric and claustrophobic, just as a real classic Christie novel might or a good film. This plays well with Spann's descriptive writing and her amazing handle on dialogue, leaving us as the reader on edge ourselves.
Spann's writing is highlighted in this novel by her ability to challenge herself with each book, her adept use of cinematic prose, and her talent for suspense, this time psychological thrills. I felt on the edge of the movie theatre seat of mind for the entire read.
Not only was this a blast to read, and a much needed one for some reading stress relief, but it was also so interesting to learn more not only of Japan in past books, but of Buddhism and its history and meanings. Spann also, in lieu of the other political themes from 16th century Japan in her other books, shows us various cultures and personalities of priests and characters adorning the plot of this novel and how they intersect (or don't) with each other, which was very interesting as well. As always, Spann is a wealth of knowledge, but you almost forget you're learning as you're wrapped up in her succinct and engaging plot.
Spann is currently climbing 100 summits in Japan and spent release day on Mount Koya. I can't imagine a more spectacular way to celebrate another novel. If you only read one book a summer, I'd with great pleasure suggest reading Spann's Shinobi Mysteries. Trial on Mount Koya beats out Betrayal at Iga for best of the series, and also is my favorite read of 2018 so far. Not many books for pleasure reading are capturing my attention at the moment, and as a book editor, many are making me halt and want to get out my red pen, but Trial on Mount Koya was like taking a grand vacation! This is what good reading is all about, fellow bibliophiles.
Trial on Mount Koya is a mystery full of suspense, chilling atmospheric tension, and unique characters that will keep you guessing till the last page when you'll scream at your cat laying next to you, "I should have known!!" Spann fools me EVERY time. If you want a historical mystery full of substance, beautiful imagery, comedic dialogue, and serious killers pitted against a stubborn ninja, then Trial at Mount Koya is for you. Spann brings Agatha Christie to feudal Japan and takes mystery writing to the next level.
I can't wait for the seventh book!!
Once I found out that her childhood, and I suppose her adulthood, love of Agatha Christie inspired her to give a nod to And Then There Were None, my personal favorite Christie novel, I was instantly sold anyway. Couple that with ancient Japan, the same amazing characters in master ninja Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo, and Spann's elegant writing, and I couldn't wait to tear open the cover.
Publisher's Weekly gave it a stellar review: "Cleverly riffs on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None... Spann has never been better at balancing mystery with the politics of the era."
As I tell readers in my reviews with all these books, they can be read as stand-alone novels as far as each plot goes. But as with most mystery series in which same characters reside, you certainly get more out of the characters, their lives, and their development if you read the entire series, but it doesn't matter much which one you start with, so if you choose this one, going back later to the first book and trending through would be pleasurable reading too.
In this adventure, Hiro is asked to go to Myo-In, a Buddist Temple on Mount Koya, to deliver a secret message to an Iga spy posing as a priest. Of course, in proverbial mystery style, a snowstorm arrives locking everyone in, and so does a killer, taking them out one-by-one.
First, it's probably the best place to reiterate just how much Spann has been able to grow Hattori and Mateo throughout the series. Her character development leaves us as long-time series fans feeling as if we know these two in real life. That said, in each of her books, never more true than with this sixth book, her surrounding cast of characters are also very dimensionally developed even if they aren't featured in more than one book. I love how her writing can be so descriptive and deep as to make us immediately be able to view these characters and their surroundings in our minds like we're watching a movie.
With Trial on Mount Koya specifically, the two main protagonists are in an enclosed setting, making it increasingly harder one would think to nurture a character outward, but Spann intricately, through dialogue and pace, shows us just how strong these men are when faced with such pressure. As always, one of the best parts of reading her books is the humor between the two gentleman, and from page one, it was right there, drawing me in feeling as if I was back traveling with friends (oh, and a cat!).
In talking about setting then, with the severe storm, they all are in enclosed and in tight circumstances, which makes this novel atmospheric and claustrophobic, just as a real classic Christie novel might or a good film. This plays well with Spann's descriptive writing and her amazing handle on dialogue, leaving us as the reader on edge ourselves.
Spann's writing is highlighted in this novel by her ability to challenge herself with each book, her adept use of cinematic prose, and her talent for suspense, this time psychological thrills. I felt on the edge of the movie theatre seat of mind for the entire read.
Not only was this a blast to read, and a much needed one for some reading stress relief, but it was also so interesting to learn more not only of Japan in past books, but of Buddhism and its history and meanings. Spann also, in lieu of the other political themes from 16th century Japan in her other books, shows us various cultures and personalities of priests and characters adorning the plot of this novel and how they intersect (or don't) with each other, which was very interesting as well. As always, Spann is a wealth of knowledge, but you almost forget you're learning as you're wrapped up in her succinct and engaging plot.
Spann is currently climbing 100 summits in Japan and spent release day on Mount Koya. I can't imagine a more spectacular way to celebrate another novel. If you only read one book a summer, I'd with great pleasure suggest reading Spann's Shinobi Mysteries. Trial on Mount Koya beats out Betrayal at Iga for best of the series, and also is my favorite read of 2018 so far. Not many books for pleasure reading are capturing my attention at the moment, and as a book editor, many are making me halt and want to get out my red pen, but Trial on Mount Koya was like taking a grand vacation! This is what good reading is all about, fellow bibliophiles.
Trial on Mount Koya is a mystery full of suspense, chilling atmospheric tension, and unique characters that will keep you guessing till the last page when you'll scream at your cat laying next to you, "I should have known!!" Spann fools me EVERY time. If you want a historical mystery full of substance, beautiful imagery, comedic dialogue, and serious killers pitted against a stubborn ninja, then Trial at Mount Koya is for you. Spann brings Agatha Christie to feudal Japan and takes mystery writing to the next level.
I can't wait for the seventh book!!
July 17, 2018
Guided by the conviction that men kill for three reasons--power, money, or love--Hiro Hattori, protagonist of Susan Spann's TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA (Seventh Street Books), races to unravel a disturbing series of murders at a remote Buddhist temple. Sent to deliver a secret message to an Iga ninja residing there, Hiro and Father Matteo become trapped at the monastery by a violent storm. As thunder booms and snow swirls in impenetrable clouds, a murderer begins to pick off the monks one by one, leaving the victims posed as one of the thirteen jusanbutsu, or deities that judge the souls of the dead. Realizing that the number of jusanbutsu matches the number of individuals at temple--including themselves--Hiro and Matteo must unmask murderer and motive before all succumb. Judging love and money as unlikely factors behind murders at an impoverished monastery, Hiro focuses on the power struggles that complicate the monks' attempts to name a new abbot. Only when Matteo becomes the murderer's next target does Hiro recognize the error in his thinking. But how to outwit someone intent on creating a grisly council of the dead?
TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA succeeds as both compelling mystery and rich historical fiction. The closed situation--a given number of individuals isolated in an inescapable location with an unknown killer among them--keeps tension high and forces the characters into a persistent state of mistrust. The realization that each victim personifies one of the thirteen jusanbutsu only adds to the strain, as survivors attempt to predict who will be next to die and how. The abbot falls victim early on, leaving the monks without a designated leader and exposed to the danger of factions. The presence of a prickly pilgrim allows for the possibility of outside political involvement, and Hiro and Matteo are never above suspicion in the eyes of the monks. The oppressive weather not only heightens the danger by muffling sounds and obscuring sight, but adds the stress of a ticking clock--the murderer obviously intends to complete the monastery's annihilation by storm's end. Spann manipulates these elements of suspense with great finesse, creating a true page-turner of a plot that culminates in an emotionally satisfying and logically convincing conclusion.
Even more notable in this sixth installment of the Shinobi Mysteries is the seamless fusion of psychological insight with cultural history. The murderer's modus operandi vividly exposes readers to Buddist teachings on death and final judgment. Each victim's gruesome pose permits discussion of a particular Buddist avatar, while the entire chain of murders opens discussion of how Buddhism treats the passage of souls from this life to the next. These teachings are integral to understanding the murderer's twisted motivation. None of the earlier Shinobi mysteries delves so far into religious questions, but in TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA Buddhist and Christian teachings confront each other in a direct and sustained manner. Father Matteo finds himself forced to counter Buddhist teaching with his own Christian convictions and comes directly under suspicion for murdering in the service of a rival religion. Spann treats this clash of philosophies with admirable insight, adding depth to Matteo's character and aspirations even as she humanizes a murderer whose horrific acts have a noble, if ultimately warped, purpose.
Politics simmers below the surface in this latest Shinobi Mystery, allowing questions of a more philosophical bent to bubble to the surface. Yet the underlying threat posed by Japan's feuding overlords remains ever present and ever dangerous to the Portuguese priest and his mission. Hiro cannot afford to let guilt and the heartbreak of lost love cloud his vision as Father Matteo falls into the hands of a murderer struggling to redeem his own disappointed devotion. Ingenious, ambitious, and resoundingly successful, TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA is Susan Spann's best novel yet.
TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA succeeds as both compelling mystery and rich historical fiction. The closed situation--a given number of individuals isolated in an inescapable location with an unknown killer among them--keeps tension high and forces the characters into a persistent state of mistrust. The realization that each victim personifies one of the thirteen jusanbutsu only adds to the strain, as survivors attempt to predict who will be next to die and how. The abbot falls victim early on, leaving the monks without a designated leader and exposed to the danger of factions. The presence of a prickly pilgrim allows for the possibility of outside political involvement, and Hiro and Matteo are never above suspicion in the eyes of the monks. The oppressive weather not only heightens the danger by muffling sounds and obscuring sight, but adds the stress of a ticking clock--the murderer obviously intends to complete the monastery's annihilation by storm's end. Spann manipulates these elements of suspense with great finesse, creating a true page-turner of a plot that culminates in an emotionally satisfying and logically convincing conclusion.
Even more notable in this sixth installment of the Shinobi Mysteries is the seamless fusion of psychological insight with cultural history. The murderer's modus operandi vividly exposes readers to Buddist teachings on death and final judgment. Each victim's gruesome pose permits discussion of a particular Buddist avatar, while the entire chain of murders opens discussion of how Buddhism treats the passage of souls from this life to the next. These teachings are integral to understanding the murderer's twisted motivation. None of the earlier Shinobi mysteries delves so far into religious questions, but in TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA Buddhist and Christian teachings confront each other in a direct and sustained manner. Father Matteo finds himself forced to counter Buddhist teaching with his own Christian convictions and comes directly under suspicion for murdering in the service of a rival religion. Spann treats this clash of philosophies with admirable insight, adding depth to Matteo's character and aspirations even as she humanizes a murderer whose horrific acts have a noble, if ultimately warped, purpose.
Politics simmers below the surface in this latest Shinobi Mystery, allowing questions of a more philosophical bent to bubble to the surface. Yet the underlying threat posed by Japan's feuding overlords remains ever present and ever dangerous to the Portuguese priest and his mission. Hiro cannot afford to let guilt and the heartbreak of lost love cloud his vision as Father Matteo falls into the hands of a murderer struggling to redeem his own disappointed devotion. Ingenious, ambitious, and resoundingly successful, TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA is Susan Spann's best novel yet.
June 4, 2018
In early winter of 1565 Portuguese Jesuit priest Father Mateo and master ninja Hiro Hattori travel to a Shingon Buddhist temple on Mount Koya, ostensibly on a pilgrimage but actually to give a message to an agent from Hiro’s home province of Iga. The message is delivered, but before the pair can continue with the next step in their journey an early snowstorm hits the temple, and a killer begins murdering the temple’s priests and posing their bodies like the Buddhist jusan butsu, the judges of the dead. Hiro and Mateo must unmask the killer before they, too, become targets.
Trial on Mount Koya is steeped in rich atmosphere, and that may be both its strength and its weakness. The author draws a beautifully exotic picture of the scenes, but I grew impatient with the many detailed descriptions of rooms, buildings, wall hangings, etc., that were rife in the first half of the book, so impatient that if I had not committed to reviewing the book, it might have ended up in my Did Not Finish pile. The discussion of the Buddhist traditions and beliefs, however, were woven into the story better and enriched the book for me. Some years ago I saw a book called “Characters Make Your Story”, and the characters have the potential to make this story VERY captivating. Hiro and Father Mateo have interesting life stories, and there are a number of little insights into their personalities in the book that make them human and sympathetic, but these are somewhat overwhelmed by the descriptive passages, especially in the early part of the book. The unlikely duo of a Jesuit priest traveling around with a ninja is intriguing, and once I accepted the idea I wanted to know Hiro and Mateo better. The pace and, accordingly, my interest picked up significantly in the last half of the book, as the author surprised me with clever plot twists and an appropriate but unexpected denouement.
To add to the enjoyment, of course, there’s a cat, Gato, who plays a nice cameo role in the story.
The writing itself was another strong point. It is rare for me to highlight written passages in a mystery, but there were some lovely ones, like: Hiro noticed a spider spinning its delicate web in a corner between the rafters and the wall. He felt a flash of unexpected pity. So late in the year, the web would trap no moths or flies. Delicate insects died in winter’s cold.
I had never heard of this series, but a mystery set in 1565 featuring a master ninja and a Portuguese Jesuit priest was TOO intriguing to pass up. I regret not beginning with the first book and recommend that readers begin with book one, Claws of the Cat. First of all, the book has a number of references to past events that clearly will be spoilers for reading the earlier books. In addition, it was somewhat difficult to get into the culture and religion of the time, and having the context provided by the earlier books might have helped. The author provides a short Glossary of Japanese Terms and a Cast of Characters at the end of the book, which I consulted frequently during the early part of the story.
Fans of the series are sure to enjoy this addition to the adventures of Hiro and Father Mateo. Other readers should begin with Claws of the Cat and then look forward to the Trial on Mount Koya.
Very original setting and plot!
Trial on Mount Koya is steeped in rich atmosphere, and that may be both its strength and its weakness. The author draws a beautifully exotic picture of the scenes, but I grew impatient with the many detailed descriptions of rooms, buildings, wall hangings, etc., that were rife in the first half of the book, so impatient that if I had not committed to reviewing the book, it might have ended up in my Did Not Finish pile. The discussion of the Buddhist traditions and beliefs, however, were woven into the story better and enriched the book for me. Some years ago I saw a book called “Characters Make Your Story”, and the characters have the potential to make this story VERY captivating. Hiro and Father Mateo have interesting life stories, and there are a number of little insights into their personalities in the book that make them human and sympathetic, but these are somewhat overwhelmed by the descriptive passages, especially in the early part of the book. The unlikely duo of a Jesuit priest traveling around with a ninja is intriguing, and once I accepted the idea I wanted to know Hiro and Mateo better. The pace and, accordingly, my interest picked up significantly in the last half of the book, as the author surprised me with clever plot twists and an appropriate but unexpected denouement.
To add to the enjoyment, of course, there’s a cat, Gato, who plays a nice cameo role in the story.
The writing itself was another strong point. It is rare for me to highlight written passages in a mystery, but there were some lovely ones, like: Hiro noticed a spider spinning its delicate web in a corner between the rafters and the wall. He felt a flash of unexpected pity. So late in the year, the web would trap no moths or flies. Delicate insects died in winter’s cold.
I had never heard of this series, but a mystery set in 1565 featuring a master ninja and a Portuguese Jesuit priest was TOO intriguing to pass up. I regret not beginning with the first book and recommend that readers begin with book one, Claws of the Cat. First of all, the book has a number of references to past events that clearly will be spoilers for reading the earlier books. In addition, it was somewhat difficult to get into the culture and religion of the time, and having the context provided by the earlier books might have helped. The author provides a short Glossary of Japanese Terms and a Cast of Characters at the end of the book, which I consulted frequently during the early part of the story.
Fans of the series are sure to enjoy this addition to the adventures of Hiro and Father Mateo. Other readers should begin with Claws of the Cat and then look forward to the Trial on Mount Koya.
Very original setting and plot!
July 2, 2018
Another thrilling and insightful installment in the Shinobi series! Keep them coming!
Hiro and Father Mateo have been tasked with delivering a message from Iga to a temple on Mount Koya. Arriving just before a blizzard sets in, they are greeted by Ringa, the temple guardian. Ringa recognizes Hiro as Hanzo’s cousin and quickly separates them to have the message, at which time he also reveals he is an Iga spy. That night while sleeping, Hiro and Father Mateo are awakened by cries throughout the temple to find that Ringa has been murdered and posed as a Buddha. Hiro and Father Mateo are asked by the abbot to stay and investigate the murder to find the killer. They learn that the abbot sent a request to Iga to have an assassin brought in to teach the priests self-defense. Shortly after their encounter, the abbot is found murdered. Then the plot thickens when another priest is found murdered shortly thereafter. Tempers flare and baseless accusations begin to be made. Can Hiro and Father Mateo solve the case before another murder occurs? And what is the pattern? Why destroy the priests of a Buddhist temple in a neutral region?
This is one of those series that I look forward to all year! And when it finally shows up, I just tear into it to see what is going to happen next. The stories that Spann comes up with are so entertaining and intriguing. I can’t get enough of the banter between Hiro and Father Mateo. There are times that I just laugh out loud and what goes on between the two of them. I’ve also enjoyed watching their relationship grow closer as they continue on their journey.
I also enjoy the historical accuracy that Spann has brought to this series covering much of 16th century Japan. The cultures and behaviors have been brought to life and very educational. This particular book dives down into the Buddhist temples and their way of life. She did a great job of explaining the belief system to help the reader understand the motivation behind the killer.
This is a great series that I recommend for all readers. It doesn’t even feel like a historical fiction novel most of the time. She does a great job of pulling the reader into the book that you feel like you are part of the action. Grab a copy today!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Hiro and Father Mateo have been tasked with delivering a message from Iga to a temple on Mount Koya. Arriving just before a blizzard sets in, they are greeted by Ringa, the temple guardian. Ringa recognizes Hiro as Hanzo’s cousin and quickly separates them to have the message, at which time he also reveals he is an Iga spy. That night while sleeping, Hiro and Father Mateo are awakened by cries throughout the temple to find that Ringa has been murdered and posed as a Buddha. Hiro and Father Mateo are asked by the abbot to stay and investigate the murder to find the killer. They learn that the abbot sent a request to Iga to have an assassin brought in to teach the priests self-defense. Shortly after their encounter, the abbot is found murdered. Then the plot thickens when another priest is found murdered shortly thereafter. Tempers flare and baseless accusations begin to be made. Can Hiro and Father Mateo solve the case before another murder occurs? And what is the pattern? Why destroy the priests of a Buddhist temple in a neutral region?
This is one of those series that I look forward to all year! And when it finally shows up, I just tear into it to see what is going to happen next. The stories that Spann comes up with are so entertaining and intriguing. I can’t get enough of the banter between Hiro and Father Mateo. There are times that I just laugh out loud and what goes on between the two of them. I’ve also enjoyed watching their relationship grow closer as they continue on their journey.
I also enjoy the historical accuracy that Spann has brought to this series covering much of 16th century Japan. The cultures and behaviors have been brought to life and very educational. This particular book dives down into the Buddhist temples and their way of life. She did a great job of explaining the belief system to help the reader understand the motivation behind the killer.
This is a great series that I recommend for all readers. It doesn’t even feel like a historical fiction novel most of the time. She does a great job of pulling the reader into the book that you feel like you are part of the action. Grab a copy today!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
July 3, 2018
In the aftermath of the events at Iga, Hiro has been tasked with traveling to Myo-in, a Buddhist temple at the top of Mount Kōya. With Father Mateo (and Gato) by his side, Hiro is to share orders to a fellow shinobi stationed at the temple. This man is to travel the road between Kyoto and Edo to warn the other Iga agents about the attack on Iga. But before the man can get started on his mission, he is brutally murdered within the temple's walls. With a storm raging and just ten fellow priests and four travelers, including Hiro and Father Mateo, the suspect pool is small. Hiro and Father Mateo once again agree to help unravel the mystery, but as the storm rages on it becomes clear the killer isn't finished. Can they unmask the murderer before the killer is the only one left standing?
Trial on Mount Koya is Spann's homage to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None and I have been dying to share it with you ever since I heard that was the concept behind this latest book.
Setting is such a key component in this series and in this book in particular. In the style of Agatha Christie, this is a close and closed off setting, which ratchets up the suspense a hundred fold. The storm has kept anyone from coming and going and the killer is clearly hiding amongst the characters. And of course those characters and the plot are the other driving forces!
Hiro and Father Mateo are known quantities. We've met them and traveled alongside them for six books now (though I should note that you can easily jump in with any installment), and they've now investigated a number of other murders, so we know that they're not going to be fooled by the killer. And yet, this killer is quite cunning and brutal to boot - each new victim is posed to represent the judges of the afterlife.
I really do love each new book in this series. And I have to say that the real pleasure in them is a direct result of the fact that Spann is clearly so passionate about her subject. As I write this, she is in Japan in the midst of her latest project: conquering each of the 100 summits and chronicling her climbs along the way. In fact, if you visit her blog you'll see that she's celebrating release day on Mount Kōya itself, revisiting the location that inspired this story.
Trial on Mount Koya is Spann's homage to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None and I have been dying to share it with you ever since I heard that was the concept behind this latest book.
Setting is such a key component in this series and in this book in particular. In the style of Agatha Christie, this is a close and closed off setting, which ratchets up the suspense a hundred fold. The storm has kept anyone from coming and going and the killer is clearly hiding amongst the characters. And of course those characters and the plot are the other driving forces!
Hiro and Father Mateo are known quantities. We've met them and traveled alongside them for six books now (though I should note that you can easily jump in with any installment), and they've now investigated a number of other murders, so we know that they're not going to be fooled by the killer. And yet, this killer is quite cunning and brutal to boot - each new victim is posed to represent the judges of the afterlife.
I really do love each new book in this series. And I have to say that the real pleasure in them is a direct result of the fact that Spann is clearly so passionate about her subject. As I write this, she is in Japan in the midst of her latest project: conquering each of the 100 summits and chronicling her climbs along the way. In fact, if you visit her blog you'll see that she's celebrating release day on Mount Kōya itself, revisiting the location that inspired this story.
July 3, 2018
November 1565. The nation of Japan is divided as daimyos vie for victory over each other for the position of Shogun. Oba Nobunaga has spies everywhere and Samurai Hiro Hattori is traveling with his friend, Portuguese priest Father Mateo, to Shingon Buddhist Temple on Mount Koya. His mission is to deliver a message to an agent from Hiro’s home town of Iga. However, Ringa the agent never gets to deliver any message as he is murdered that same day. So begin a series of murders that Hiro and Father Mateo are asked to solve.
All the reader knows is that the first four deaths, as they gradually occur on different days, are unusual. The victim of each monk is posed as one of the Buddhist Judges of the dead in the afterlife, a judgment that progresses over a period of time. The description of each Judge and the way the victims are posed in death is fearful and awesome!
The reader gets to focus on two different areas in this mystery story. One focuses on elements of Shingon Buddhism, one of many sects of Buddhism, and one which obviously has political connections, a common aspect of 16th Century Buddhism. The other is the divided nature of the resident monks of Mount Koya. Some have samurai backgrounds, some poor backgrounds, some thwarted ambitions, some holding unresolved issues and all who try to maintain a life of prayer and meditation when outside matters are not encroaching on their peaceful way of existence. They also hold a prideful sense of arrogance in stating multiple times that the depth of Shingon Buddhism is beyond Hiro and Father Mateo’s miniscule understanding.
One might hope no further deaths will ensue but that is not the case. The reader expects Hiro and Father Mateo to solve the mystery of so many deaths and how he does that makes the remainder of the novel fascinating and exciting. There are some interesting and even humorous scenes involving some woman monks and a child who is a bit of a mystery as well as the adults in the novel.
Susan Spann is a highly skilled writer who knows exactly where to place tension, complexity, simplicity, levity and seriousness in a very successful work of historical mystery fiction!
All the reader knows is that the first four deaths, as they gradually occur on different days, are unusual. The victim of each monk is posed as one of the Buddhist Judges of the dead in the afterlife, a judgment that progresses over a period of time. The description of each Judge and the way the victims are posed in death is fearful and awesome!
The reader gets to focus on two different areas in this mystery story. One focuses on elements of Shingon Buddhism, one of many sects of Buddhism, and one which obviously has political connections, a common aspect of 16th Century Buddhism. The other is the divided nature of the resident monks of Mount Koya. Some have samurai backgrounds, some poor backgrounds, some thwarted ambitions, some holding unresolved issues and all who try to maintain a life of prayer and meditation when outside matters are not encroaching on their peaceful way of existence. They also hold a prideful sense of arrogance in stating multiple times that the depth of Shingon Buddhism is beyond Hiro and Father Mateo’s miniscule understanding.
One might hope no further deaths will ensue but that is not the case. The reader expects Hiro and Father Mateo to solve the mystery of so many deaths and how he does that makes the remainder of the novel fascinating and exciting. There are some interesting and even humorous scenes involving some woman monks and a child who is a bit of a mystery as well as the adults in the novel.
Susan Spann is a highly skilled writer who knows exactly where to place tension, complexity, simplicity, levity and seriousness in a very successful work of historical mystery fiction!
April 22, 2019
Anyone who is a fan of Agatha Christie will recognize the tip of the hat this book is to her And Then There Were None with the isolated setting and the killer who picks off the victims one at a time and that really adds an element of fun to the story. This unusual pair of sleuths—a Portuguese Jesuit priest and his shinobi companion/bodyguard—have come to this remote temple because Hiro has been ordered to deliver a message to an Iga spy but they soon find themselves looking for a murderer among the monks and a couple of visitors. Although each investigation these two have conducted has its own peculiarities, this time Hiro is off-center, partly because of a personal sorrow but also because he comes to believe his friend may be in real jeopardy.
Along with the investigation, we also learn a little about the Buddhist religion in the 16th century and why the killer might be posing his victims, one by one, as the judges of the afterlife. The juxtaposition of the Buddhist tenets with those of a Catholic priest is striking and sheds more light on the relationship between Hiro and Father Mateo, two men who are vastly different and yet so respectful of each other. Each brings a unique perspective to the investigation and they are made even more interesting by their positions in feudal Japanese society.
Ms. Spann, as I’ve come to expect, creates vivid settings—her ability to evoke a visual understanding of the surroundings is full of the small details that bring them to life—and her characters are so fully fleshed out as to make our sleuths seem like people we actually know. It’s not just the two investigators that draw the attention, though; others are just as memorable, such as their housekeeper, Ana (a favorite of mine from earlier books).
Wonderful use of atmospheric language, very appealing players and an intriguing plot make Trial on Mount Koya another brilliant entry in this series I’ve come to love. Hiro and Father Mateo are among my very favorite historical investigators and I can barely wait for their next adventure, Ghost of the Bamboo Road, due out later this year.
Along with the investigation, we also learn a little about the Buddhist religion in the 16th century and why the killer might be posing his victims, one by one, as the judges of the afterlife. The juxtaposition of the Buddhist tenets with those of a Catholic priest is striking and sheds more light on the relationship between Hiro and Father Mateo, two men who are vastly different and yet so respectful of each other. Each brings a unique perspective to the investigation and they are made even more interesting by their positions in feudal Japanese society.
Ms. Spann, as I’ve come to expect, creates vivid settings—her ability to evoke a visual understanding of the surroundings is full of the small details that bring them to life—and her characters are so fully fleshed out as to make our sleuths seem like people we actually know. It’s not just the two investigators that draw the attention, though; others are just as memorable, such as their housekeeper, Ana (a favorite of mine from earlier books).
Wonderful use of atmospheric language, very appealing players and an intriguing plot make Trial on Mount Koya another brilliant entry in this series I’ve come to love. Hiro and Father Mateo are among my very favorite historical investigators and I can barely wait for their next adventure, Ghost of the Bamboo Road, due out later this year.
July 8, 2018
This is the 6th book in the series. I have really enjoyed this series so far. I have not read the first three books of the series...I really must find them and read them one day.
This would do okay as a stand-alone, but there is a lot of references to the previous book so I would encourage at least reading the 5th book. In this adventure, Hiro and Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple on Mount Koya. During their stay there, murder happens and they become entrusted to solve it. They really can't go anywhere without this happening to them I swear! Things become more complex when other murders around the temple start happening. Who did it and why?
The mystery was good! I had my guess and I was wrong. Kuddos! I honestly did not expect the murder AT all. However, after Hiro explains it...it did seem obvious.
As per usual, I like our crew. I like Hiro even more because of his dedication to that dang cat. It is honestly cute and very honorable. Father Mateo is such a good soul. He is still so clueless in some aspects even though he has lived in Japan for years now. He means no harm, but he sometimes forgets where he is at.
The story was waaaaaaaay slower than previously. They are stuck on this mountain so we missed some of the usual political mystery as well. It took me longer than normal to get into this story. It felt like a bridge to the next book. I am excited to see what happens next. So yes, not as good as the previous two books, but it was necessary for the next book to happen.
A good mystery, but the story was not as good as the others overall. Much slower and missing that political drama/mystery from the previous ones. I am excited to see what happens next! I really need to read the other two books before this next one comes out...maybe I'll just bite the bullet and buy them since I cannot find them at libraries. -_- I'll stamp this with 3 stars.
This would do okay as a stand-alone, but there is a lot of references to the previous book so I would encourage at least reading the 5th book. In this adventure, Hiro and Father Mateo travel to a Buddhist temple on Mount Koya. During their stay there, murder happens and they become entrusted to solve it. They really can't go anywhere without this happening to them I swear! Things become more complex when other murders around the temple start happening. Who did it and why?
The mystery was good! I had my guess and I was wrong. Kuddos! I honestly did not expect the murder AT all. However, after Hiro explains it...it did seem obvious.
As per usual, I like our crew. I like Hiro even more because of his dedication to that dang cat. It is honestly cute and very honorable. Father Mateo is such a good soul. He is still so clueless in some aspects even though he has lived in Japan for years now. He means no harm, but he sometimes forgets where he is at.
The story was waaaaaaaay slower than previously. They are stuck on this mountain so we missed some of the usual political mystery as well. It took me longer than normal to get into this story. It felt like a bridge to the next book. I am excited to see what happens next. So yes, not as good as the previous two books, but it was necessary for the next book to happen.
A good mystery, but the story was not as good as the others overall. Much slower and missing that political drama/mystery from the previous ones. I am excited to see what happens next! I really need to read the other two books before this next one comes out...maybe I'll just bite the bullet and buy them since I cannot find them at libraries. -_- I'll stamp this with 3 stars.
July 3, 2018
Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Priest Father Mateo are back for book 6 in the Shinobi series (this is my 3rd introduction to them). Carrying a message up Mount Koya, the two stop at a temple as the weather turns bad, seeking refuge. In this temple are a group of Buddhists that live there, as well a father and his boy also seeking refuge from the storm while they wait to spread ashes. Hattori knows the Buddhist responsible for the protection of the temple and asks him, on break of the weather, to carry a message outside the temple for him. As Hattori and Mateo go to sleep, they are woken in the middle of the night to find that this Buddhist is dead. Hattori suspects someone know that he was a messenger and killed him for it. But then a few hours later, there's another death. Who is killing these monks?
Hattori and Mateo offer to help solve the crime and start interviewing all of the suspects. In the previous books I've read, what I liked most about this series was the history of Japan it provides in the 1500s, how Hattori needs to teach Mateo the culture of Japan since he is an outsider, and the interactions between the two men. This book had the first. A temple in the mountains and descriptions of the different Buddhas and their meanings. However it lacked a bit in the other two categories. There were some concerns mentioned from Hattori on what he thought Mateo might say. Maybe Mateo is learned enough from Hattori on how to behave properly and this isn't needed as much anymore? It was always a fun part of previous books though, which also follows in to the last category of the banter between the two. Because of this, I feel like it would be difficult to pick up the series with this book. Overall, still a good book but my least favourite of the three in this series I've read.
Hattori and Mateo offer to help solve the crime and start interviewing all of the suspects. In the previous books I've read, what I liked most about this series was the history of Japan it provides in the 1500s, how Hattori needs to teach Mateo the culture of Japan since he is an outsider, and the interactions between the two men. This book had the first. A temple in the mountains and descriptions of the different Buddhas and their meanings. However it lacked a bit in the other two categories. There were some concerns mentioned from Hattori on what he thought Mateo might say. Maybe Mateo is learned enough from Hattori on how to behave properly and this isn't needed as much anymore? It was always a fun part of previous books though, which also follows in to the last category of the banter between the two. Because of this, I feel like it would be difficult to pick up the series with this book. Overall, still a good book but my least favourite of the three in this series I've read.
August 6, 2018
Hiro Hattori and Father Mateo have climbed to the temple of the Shingon Buddhist Temple on Mount Koya as the weather starts to turn for the worse. They are there so Hiro can deliver a message to a warrior priest from his clan so he can warn other agents of the trouble brewing in the country as they await the appointment of a new Shogun. They expect it to be a simple, restful visit but as is often the case with these two, life does not offer what they expect.
Soon the priests of the temple are being murdered in a symbolic manner that concerns Hiro as he feels that Father Mateo will soon be the next on the list and he is sworn to protect him. They must work to figure out who is doing the killings – one of the priests? a visiting pilgrim who is not what he seems? a female samurai who presence is also questionable? Someone is on a killing spree and they are all stuck on the mountain due to a snow storm.
I believe this is my fifth adventure with these two characters so they are quite familiar. Each year I very much look forward to my foray into 16th century Japan with Hiro Hattori, Father Matteo, Ana and Gato. It’s like catching up with old friends – but in a different century and people die. There is a certain comfort in the familiarity of a series like this; you know the characters and you can’t wait to “go out” with them again. Ms. Spann does not disappoint with this latest installment. The location is exotic, the mystery twisty and the banter between the two men is entertaining.
There was a bit less fighting for Hiro in this tale and bit more reflection. I think it was good for him as he did suffer a deep loss in the preceding book. He needed a bit of a kick in the pants to remind him that life goes on despite great sorrow. I shall very much look forward to next year’s journey for these two.
Soon the priests of the temple are being murdered in a symbolic manner that concerns Hiro as he feels that Father Mateo will soon be the next on the list and he is sworn to protect him. They must work to figure out who is doing the killings – one of the priests? a visiting pilgrim who is not what he seems? a female samurai who presence is also questionable? Someone is on a killing spree and they are all stuck on the mountain due to a snow storm.
I believe this is my fifth adventure with these two characters so they are quite familiar. Each year I very much look forward to my foray into 16th century Japan with Hiro Hattori, Father Matteo, Ana and Gato. It’s like catching up with old friends – but in a different century and people die. There is a certain comfort in the familiarity of a series like this; you know the characters and you can’t wait to “go out” with them again. Ms. Spann does not disappoint with this latest installment. The location is exotic, the mystery twisty and the banter between the two men is entertaining.
There was a bit less fighting for Hiro in this tale and bit more reflection. I think it was good for him as he did suffer a deep loss in the preceding book. He needed a bit of a kick in the pants to remind him that life goes on despite great sorrow. I shall very much look forward to next year’s journey for these two.
August 18, 2018
Hiro Hattori and Father Mateo find themselves in a Buddhist monastery at the summit of sacred Mount Koya. They've left Ana, the housekeeper, lower down the slope at a nunnery since it is forbidden for women to enter the monks' home. Gato , the cat, is with them, though they had to promise to keep her in their guest room at all times. As is always the case, Hiro is on a mission. This one entails making contact with a monk who is actually an undercover spy and giving him his newest assignment. The contact and directions are made easily almost upon arrival and so, it would seem, mission accomplished, our friends could move on.
Oh, but this is the 6th Shinobi Mystery and by now, faithful readers know this is not to be. On the very night of arrival, their contact is murdered and a blizzard begins making the roads to the monastery snowy, icy, impassible. Needless to say this is likely to keep the murderer from easily making his or her way away in the darkness of night. As murders begin to occur on an almost daily basis, it is obvious the killer is still among them and that it may be that no one except the culprit will live to tell the tall once the storm passes.
Who is killing the monks off, posing them as incarnations of the Buddha and why? A good, engrossing tale, filled with interesting characters and lots of Japanese religious and cultural history as well as a juxtaposing of Buddhism and Christianity. Loved it.
Oh, but this is the 6th Shinobi Mystery and by now, faithful readers know this is not to be. On the very night of arrival, their contact is murdered and a blizzard begins making the roads to the monastery snowy, icy, impassible. Needless to say this is likely to keep the murderer from easily making his or her way away in the darkness of night. As murders begin to occur on an almost daily basis, it is obvious the killer is still among them and that it may be that no one except the culprit will live to tell the tall once the storm passes.
Who is killing the monks off, posing them as incarnations of the Buddha and why? A good, engrossing tale, filled with interesting characters and lots of Japanese religious and cultural history as well as a juxtaposing of Buddhism and Christianity. Loved it.
August 9, 2019
Another great entry in this series, with more suspects, character development, and historical and cultural description.
Set in a Shingon Buddhist temple on a mountain, the sixth entry in this series has the crime-solving duo of Hattori Hiro and Father Mateo investigating the murders of a number of the temple's monks, whose bodies were displayed to resemble Buddhist judges of the dead. The list of potential victims and suspects includes other monks, pilgrims, children, Buddhist nuns, samurai women, and even Hiro and Father Mateo and their housekeeper Ana. The plot moves quickly through the investigation, the suspects are all plausible, the twists are surprising, and the conclusion is satisfying. Spann continues to display skill in crafting a great detective mystery.
Along the way, we get more backstory and emotional development of Hiro and Father Mateo, and a boatload of Japanese cultural and religious description that had not previously been included in the series. Plus, we get some great samurai/ninja action, and maybe even a couple of characters who are likely to pop up in later novels (at least I hope they do). Spann clearly has a thorough grasp of Japanese history, culture, geography, and religion, and a deft ability to describe those to the reader while advancing the plot at a good pace.
Another full recommendation for fans of historical fiction or mysteries. I can't wait for the next one.
Set in a Shingon Buddhist temple on a mountain, the sixth entry in this series has the crime-solving duo of Hattori Hiro and Father Mateo investigating the murders of a number of the temple's monks, whose bodies were displayed to resemble Buddhist judges of the dead. The list of potential victims and suspects includes other monks, pilgrims, children, Buddhist nuns, samurai women, and even Hiro and Father Mateo and their housekeeper Ana. The plot moves quickly through the investigation, the suspects are all plausible, the twists are surprising, and the conclusion is satisfying. Spann continues to display skill in crafting a great detective mystery.
Along the way, we get more backstory and emotional development of Hiro and Father Mateo, and a boatload of Japanese cultural and religious description that had not previously been included in the series. Plus, we get some great samurai/ninja action, and maybe even a couple of characters who are likely to pop up in later novels (at least I hope they do). Spann clearly has a thorough grasp of Japanese history, culture, geography, and religion, and a deft ability to describe those to the reader while advancing the plot at a good pace.
Another full recommendation for fans of historical fiction or mysteries. I can't wait for the next one.
July 31, 2018
I had already enjoyed 3 titles from this wonderful series –
Blade of the Samurai
(#2),
The Ninja’s Daughter
(#4) and
Betrayal at Iga
(#5) – and was delighted to hear Spann’s latest offering,
Trial on Mount Koya
features the classic whodunnit locked-room mystery structure in ‘a homage to Agatha’.
In the last novel, Spann introduced readers to the secluded forest setting and mountain village that was Hiro Hattori’s birthplace. We also learned of people from his childhood to whom this samurai had given his heart. Now add an arduous trek up Mount Koya with a secret message and a cat-box, a snowstorm that traps Hiro and Jesuit Mateo in a temple of zealous and suspicious Shingon priests, and then a group of women seeking shelter, and you have a tinderbox ready to combust. Read full review >>
In the last novel, Spann introduced readers to the secluded forest setting and mountain village that was Hiro Hattori’s birthplace. We also learned of people from his childhood to whom this samurai had given his heart. Now add an arduous trek up Mount Koya with a secret message and a cat-box, a snowstorm that traps Hiro and Jesuit Mateo in a temple of zealous and suspicious Shingon priests, and then a group of women seeking shelter, and you have a tinderbox ready to combust. Read full review >>
July 3, 2018
This is the sixth book in the Shinobi series featuring Hiro Hattori and Father Mateo.
It’s November 1565. Hito Hattori is a ronin, a samurai without a master, who has been hired to protect and translate for a Portuguese Jesuit priest, Father Mateo. They travel to a Shingon temple on the sacred mountain, Mount Koya, to deliver a message to an Iga spy posing as a Buddhist priest at the temple. When a blizzard moves into the area, a killer begins murdering priests and posing his victims as a Buddhist judge of the afterlife. Hiro and Father Mateo are asked to solve the murders.
The author has said she had Agatha Christie in mind as she wrote this entry in her series. She did a good job of it, too. This is a traditional locked-room mystery with a twist. Instead, of a locked room, there’s a temple in a middle of blizzard.
The author does a good job of giving just enough information about the two main characters to making the sixth book in the series easy to get into without the reader feeling like she/he has come late to the party.
The writing is very good, the characters well-drawn, and the storyline unique. It will only be a short time before Hattori and Father Mateo are two of your favorite characters and the series’ books being must reads.
It’s November 1565. Hito Hattori is a ronin, a samurai without a master, who has been hired to protect and translate for a Portuguese Jesuit priest, Father Mateo. They travel to a Shingon temple on the sacred mountain, Mount Koya, to deliver a message to an Iga spy posing as a Buddhist priest at the temple. When a blizzard moves into the area, a killer begins murdering priests and posing his victims as a Buddhist judge of the afterlife. Hiro and Father Mateo are asked to solve the murders.
The author has said she had Agatha Christie in mind as she wrote this entry in her series. She did a good job of it, too. This is a traditional locked-room mystery with a twist. Instead, of a locked room, there’s a temple in a middle of blizzard.
The author does a good job of giving just enough information about the two main characters to making the sixth book in the series easy to get into without the reader feeling like she/he has come late to the party.
The writing is very good, the characters well-drawn, and the storyline unique. It will only be a short time before Hattori and Father Mateo are two of your favorite characters and the series’ books being must reads.
July 23, 2018
Within this 244 page story, the author illustrates the shifting perspectives of good and evil and the differences and similarities between the philosophies taught by Christianity and Buddhism. While we don't live in the sixteen-century setting of Shogun reign where Samurai warriors are honor-bound to commit suicide if they fail their missions, this historically based novel is told with a timelessness that makes the characters as relevant as though they are modern day heroes. The characters' names added a layer of interest - Hiro as the hero, Father Mateo as the potential Christian martyr, even Soro as the pilgrim hiding a secret about a female alliance. This fast-paced novel is at once historical fiction, religious and philosophical discussion and crime thriller and in all its manifestations, it delivers page-turning interest. My major critique of the story was that I wish there was more of it - more prose, more delving in the secondary characters, more discussion of the priests' rituals. But what I did read, I enjoyed and would like to continue on with the Shinobi Mystery series.
I received a free copy of this book in order to complete the review.
I received a free copy of this book in order to complete the review.
June 25, 2019
I'm not sure, but this may rank four stars if you are reading it in order. Alas, I somehow missed, when I picked it up, that it was #6 in a series, and it gave me a very strong sense of having dropped into the middle of a story.
That's a shame, because I actually enjoyed it very much. The idea of a samurai and a Jesuit priest as traveling companions and friends, set in a Buddhist monastery in the 16th century, struck me as great fodder for a book, and it really was. It was very atmospheric, and I learned a lot about Buddhism. On top of that, this one was an homage to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None." What's not to like? There was great inner dialogue for the samurai, and all the characters felt fully developed. I was not able to guess who the murderer was, and why, until it was revealed.
If this sounds good to you, I encourage you to look up the series and start at the beginning. I may do just that myself, given how much I enjoyed this one!
That's a shame, because I actually enjoyed it very much. The idea of a samurai and a Jesuit priest as traveling companions and friends, set in a Buddhist monastery in the 16th century, struck me as great fodder for a book, and it really was. It was very atmospheric, and I learned a lot about Buddhism. On top of that, this one was an homage to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None." What's not to like? There was great inner dialogue for the samurai, and all the characters felt fully developed. I was not able to guess who the murderer was, and why, until it was revealed.
If this sounds good to you, I encourage you to look up the series and start at the beginning. I may do just that myself, given how much I enjoyed this one!
August 29, 2018
A fan since book 1, I eagerly awaited the release of the newest case of the unusual detective duo Father Mateo and shinobi Hiro Hattori, set in medieval Japan.
I recommend reading the books in order, but each book stands on its own and can be enjoyed and understood without have read the previous ones.
In this book, Portuguese priest Father Mateo and his “translator” Hiro Hattori (a shinobi hired as Father Mateo’s bodyguard but who has become his closest friend) find themselves stuck in a Buddhist temple during a snowstorm as someone – someone stuck at the temple with them – starts killing people one by one. As Hiro and Father Mateo try to find the killer, Susan Spann masterfully keeps you guessing, dropping hints so tiny that when Hiro finally understands, I’m still puzzled.
If you like murder mysteries in unusual settings, this book (and the rest of the series) is for you.
I recommend reading the books in order, but each book stands on its own and can be enjoyed and understood without have read the previous ones.
In this book, Portuguese priest Father Mateo and his “translator” Hiro Hattori (a shinobi hired as Father Mateo’s bodyguard but who has become his closest friend) find themselves stuck in a Buddhist temple during a snowstorm as someone – someone stuck at the temple with them – starts killing people one by one. As Hiro and Father Mateo try to find the killer, Susan Spann masterfully keeps you guessing, dropping hints so tiny that when Hiro finally understands, I’m still puzzled.
If you like murder mysteries in unusual settings, this book (and the rest of the series) is for you.
September 6, 2018
3.5* Not the most involving of Hiro's adventures although there is considerable growth in the relationship between Hiro and Fr. Mateo as well as in Hiro's understanding of himself. Mateo now seems less a fish out of water who must be shielded and guided by Hiro and is becoming more of an equal partner in detecting. I enjoyed learning about Shingon Buddhist practice during this stay at an isolated Buddhist temple. Once again the ending of this story sets the stage for a further adventure which, happily, should continue to include acerbic housekeeper, Ana, and the adorable cat, Gato who were both largely relegated to the sidelines in this one.
October 27, 2023
On one hand I loved this and how it started. I was drawn to the whole concept. I liked the pacing and the characters were not two-dimensional.
Execution however was lacking. I did not buy the motive and the denouement. I am a Buddhist and I did not find those priests to be Buddhist, although one could argue that they might indeed have been this way, I struggled. Something in it felt disappointing, like they almost caught it but didn't. The shinobi ronin felt more authentic to me than the monks, and they felt like a group of novices rather than like any monks I have ever met. And really that affects the whole story and I cannot say more without spoilers.
Execution however was lacking. I did not buy the motive and the denouement. I am a Buddhist and I did not find those priests to be Buddhist, although one could argue that they might indeed have been this way, I struggled. Something in it felt disappointing, like they almost caught it but didn't. The shinobi ronin felt more authentic to me than the monks, and they felt like a group of novices rather than like any monks I have ever met. And really that affects the whole story and I cannot say more without spoilers.
July 17, 2018
Still reeling from the events at Iga, Hiro and Father Mateo are trapped in a mountaintop temple during a snowstorm. They have come to deliver a message but become trapped with a killer as one by one monks are murdered. This Agatha Christy homage is beautifully constructed with the temple grounds becoming another character in this complex story of love, duty, and sacrifice. Although not a totally shocking ending, I was pleased with how events further bonded Hiro and Father Matero. A great read from beginning to end.
August 23, 2018
I've really enjoyed this series, and hope it continues for a long time. I've always had a yen for things Japanese, particularly set in samurai times, and this is right in my wheelhouse. While reading this one, I felt like the plot was very familiar, which was justified. Spann mentions, in the acknowledgements, that this is her homage to A. Christie's "And Then There Were None". The book, like it's predecessors, was well-written, and steeped in the culture of the times. I highly recommend this series.
December 3, 2018
I was intrigued not only by Buddhist doctrine in Hiro's day, and the discussion of Fr. Mateo with Mount Koya priests, but also by the samurai codes and conduct that seem very real and plausible for those historical times.
The well planned plot of the book, the identity of the culprit is almost impossible to guess, plus well developed characters and good writing, come together for a very enjoyable and enlightening mystery novel. I'm looking forward to the next of Hiro's adventures.
My full review: https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/2...
The well planned plot of the book, the identity of the culprit is almost impossible to guess, plus well developed characters and good writing, come together for a very enjoyable and enlightening mystery novel. I'm looking forward to the next of Hiro's adventures.
My full review: https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/2...
November 15, 2020
This is perhaps the most intriguing mystery in this superlative series by Susan Spann. Hiro and Father Mateo (and Gato the mischievous cat) arrive at a monastery in winter, accompanied by a massive snow storm. In this already tense situation someone is trying to kill all the inhabitants, monks and visitors, at the monastery.
Soon Hiro realizes that Father Mateo is high on the list to be killed. But his judgment is blurred by his grief for his beloved Nemo and his hatred of Nobunaga. And the killer has planned ahead.
Soon Hiro realizes that Father Mateo is high on the list to be killed. But his judgment is blurred by his grief for his beloved Nemo and his hatred of Nobunaga. And the killer has planned ahead.
August 30, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery--in fact, I've already looked up the rest of the books, in order to continue reading. ;) The setting and atmosphere drew me in, and I love the dynamic between the two main characters. Plus, of course, the cat. :D
As for the mystery itself, I had a few guesses--one of which came out correct--and overall it was, absolutely, a worthy Christie homage! The motive was fascinating, in its own way, and very intricate.
I love books that can make me feel welcome in another world, and this one absolutely fit the bill!
As for the mystery itself, I had a few guesses--one of which came out correct--and overall it was, absolutely, a worthy Christie homage! The motive was fascinating, in its own way, and very intricate.
I love books that can make me feel welcome in another world, and this one absolutely fit the bill!
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