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Shinobi Mystery #7
Ghost of the Bamboo Road
When a vengeful spirit terrorizes a mountain village, a ninja and a Jesuit must save the villagers from the phantom’s wrath.
January 1566: En route to Edo, Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo spend the night in a rural mountain village whose inhabitants live in terror of a legendary vengeful ghost. When the innkeeper's wife is murdered and Father Mateo’s housekeeper, Ana, is blamed for a crime she did not commit, Hiro and Father Mateo are forced to investigate and reveal the truth. But when another woman turns up murdered in the snow, the detectives must face the shocking truth that the vengeful yurei the villagers fear might be more than just a legend after all.
January 1566: En route to Edo, Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo spend the night in a rural mountain village whose inhabitants live in terror of a legendary vengeful ghost. When the innkeeper's wife is murdered and Father Mateo’s housekeeper, Ana, is blamed for a crime she did not commit, Hiro and Father Mateo are forced to investigate and reveal the truth. But when another woman turns up murdered in the snow, the detectives must face the shocking truth that the vengeful yurei the villagers fear might be more than just a legend after all.
238 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2019
19 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Susan Spann
12 books217 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 32 reviews
November 16, 2019
I love Hiro Hattori, and that is all. I love his understated sense of humor, his sharp mind, his Shinobi skillz, his cat, and the way his softer side keeps coming out despite his harsher intentions. And of course I also love Father Matteo and the buddy relationships that has grown up between these two very different men. In Ghost of the Bamboo Road, I particularly loved seeing Hiro come right up against a creepy village ghost. The mystery is engrossing and I didn't figure out whodunnit until the very end.
December 25, 2021
Originally published at Reading Reality
No one wants to think that one of their neighbors is capable of committing murder – or even any lesser crimes. It’s why so many small town and country house mysteries usually start out with everyone involved pointing the finger, not at each other, but at some unknown wandering stranger. We all want our own little closed group to be blameless – it’s too uncomfortable to think otherwise.
But for the blame for not one or two but eventually four recent deaths in an isolated rural village to be attributed to ghosts and not any living humans at all is a bit too much for either shinobi (read ninja) Hiro Hattori and his friend and protectee Father Mateo to credit. The villagers may believe in ghosts, but Hiro has too much practical experience of the world to believe in ghosts. Father Mateo’s faith means that he does not believe in ghosts either – no matter how many times one of the villagers claims that he already is one.
Both Hiro and Father Mateo also have way too much experience in investigating mysterious and uncanny murders that always turn out to have been committed by humans and not any supernatural creatures at all.
Color them both skeptics. Even in the face of seemingly an entire village quivering in fear of an avenging ghost who seems to be systematically eliminating every remaining villager who refused to help her when she was alive.
It’s too easy for the logical Hiro to see that while the deaths may be mysterious, placing the blame on a ghost is a bit too convenient for someone. Or perhaps more than one someone. But the inconvenience of the local samurai refusing to allow them to leave until the crime is solved is all too real – and his blackmail attempt all too transparent.
It’s up to Hiro to suss out the real killer and their real motives – along with discovering who is responsible for a string of thefts that is somehow tied up in the murders – before they can continue on their self-appointed journey to Edo.
Escape Rating A-: I was so tempted to start with a Ghostbusters riff, because neither Hiro nor Mateo are afraid of any ghosts. Making this story an attempt to tell a ghost story with two total non-believers at its center.
The journal that Hiro and Mateo are on, from the disaster at Mount Koya in the previous book in the series, Trial on Mount Koya, is self-appointed or self-inflicted on Hiro’s part. The organization and family that trained him in the hidden arts of the shinobi is under threat from the capital, and Hiro is trying to warn all the covert agents along the way to Edo. Father Mateo is on the run after the events in a previous book in the series, The Ninja’s Daughter.
That being said, this story does stand somewhat alone. Not that knowledge of the previous events in the series isn’t handy or that acquiring that knowledge by starting at the beginning in Claws of the Cat isn’t a great reading time, but it would be possible to pick this up without starting at the beginning as this is set in an isolated part of their longer journey.
However, this series as a whole is an absolute treat for historical mystery and historical fiction readers. At the time the story takes place, Medieval Japan was mostly closed to outsiders. Father Mateo’s presence as guide and audience surrogate provides a window into a time, place and culture that was just opening to outsiders. We have been able to explore and discover along with him, while helping – or sometimes hindering – Hiro’s investigations along the way.
And while watching their relationship, initially curious strangers, bodyguard and protectee, change into friendship verging on brotherhood – with all the affection and exasperation inherent in that kind of family tie.
The case they have to solve here is both fascinating because of its setting and familiar because of the all-too-human motivations that set these crimes into motion. Hiro and Mateo are always outsiders even in places where they are most familiar, but in this tiny village they are more obviously so. It’s clear that much is known but not spoken of, and it’s up to these two strangers to bring those secrets into the light of day.
If only so that they can finally escape the place with their own mission also accomplished and their household intact!
I’ve followed this entire series, and loved every minute of it. But somehow I missed this book when it came out, and didn’t discover it existed until I learned about the upcoming publication of the next book in the series, Fires of Edo, which is due out in mid-February. From the title, it looks like their rather fraught journey to Edo is going to reach its destination, but hopefully not its end.
I’m looking forward to traveling with them again. Soon!
No one wants to think that one of their neighbors is capable of committing murder – or even any lesser crimes. It’s why so many small town and country house mysteries usually start out with everyone involved pointing the finger, not at each other, but at some unknown wandering stranger. We all want our own little closed group to be blameless – it’s too uncomfortable to think otherwise.
But for the blame for not one or two but eventually four recent deaths in an isolated rural village to be attributed to ghosts and not any living humans at all is a bit too much for either shinobi (read ninja) Hiro Hattori and his friend and protectee Father Mateo to credit. The villagers may believe in ghosts, but Hiro has too much practical experience of the world to believe in ghosts. Father Mateo’s faith means that he does not believe in ghosts either – no matter how many times one of the villagers claims that he already is one.
Both Hiro and Father Mateo also have way too much experience in investigating mysterious and uncanny murders that always turn out to have been committed by humans and not any supernatural creatures at all.
Color them both skeptics. Even in the face of seemingly an entire village quivering in fear of an avenging ghost who seems to be systematically eliminating every remaining villager who refused to help her when she was alive.
It’s too easy for the logical Hiro to see that while the deaths may be mysterious, placing the blame on a ghost is a bit too convenient for someone. Or perhaps more than one someone. But the inconvenience of the local samurai refusing to allow them to leave until the crime is solved is all too real – and his blackmail attempt all too transparent.
It’s up to Hiro to suss out the real killer and their real motives – along with discovering who is responsible for a string of thefts that is somehow tied up in the murders – before they can continue on their self-appointed journey to Edo.
Escape Rating A-: I was so tempted to start with a Ghostbusters riff, because neither Hiro nor Mateo are afraid of any ghosts. Making this story an attempt to tell a ghost story with two total non-believers at its center.
The journal that Hiro and Mateo are on, from the disaster at Mount Koya in the previous book in the series, Trial on Mount Koya, is self-appointed or self-inflicted on Hiro’s part. The organization and family that trained him in the hidden arts of the shinobi is under threat from the capital, and Hiro is trying to warn all the covert agents along the way to Edo. Father Mateo is on the run after the events in a previous book in the series, The Ninja’s Daughter.
That being said, this story does stand somewhat alone. Not that knowledge of the previous events in the series isn’t handy or that acquiring that knowledge by starting at the beginning in Claws of the Cat isn’t a great reading time, but it would be possible to pick this up without starting at the beginning as this is set in an isolated part of their longer journey.
However, this series as a whole is an absolute treat for historical mystery and historical fiction readers. At the time the story takes place, Medieval Japan was mostly closed to outsiders. Father Mateo’s presence as guide and audience surrogate provides a window into a time, place and culture that was just opening to outsiders. We have been able to explore and discover along with him, while helping – or sometimes hindering – Hiro’s investigations along the way.
And while watching their relationship, initially curious strangers, bodyguard and protectee, change into friendship verging on brotherhood – with all the affection and exasperation inherent in that kind of family tie.
The case they have to solve here is both fascinating because of its setting and familiar because of the all-too-human motivations that set these crimes into motion. Hiro and Mateo are always outsiders even in places where they are most familiar, but in this tiny village they are more obviously so. It’s clear that much is known but not spoken of, and it’s up to these two strangers to bring those secrets into the light of day.
If only so that they can finally escape the place with their own mission also accomplished and their household intact!
I’ve followed this entire series, and loved every minute of it. But somehow I missed this book when it came out, and didn’t discover it existed until I learned about the upcoming publication of the next book in the series, Fires of Edo, which is due out in mid-February. From the title, it looks like their rather fraught journey to Edo is going to reach its destination, but hopefully not its end.
I’m looking forward to traveling with them again. Soon!
April 27, 2020
Even in 16th-century Japan, a list of agents, in this case the shinobi agents of Hiro Hattori’s own clan, can cause deadly problems if it falls into the wrong hands. Hiri needs to warn his clan that a rival warlord is in possession of the list so he travels to a small village where he believes a fellow agent to be on a mission. Accompanied by Father Mateo, the Portuguese Jesuit he protects, along with their housekeeper, Ana, and Hiro’s cat, Gato, he sees that the agent is missing. Hiro and Father Mateo are then drawn in to the investigation of multiple murders that are believed to have been caused by a ghost in the eerily half-deserted village but the situation becomes even more pressing when Ana is accused of stealing from the inn’s proprietor. And where is the missing agent?
Ms. Spann never fails to entertain me and educate me as well since her stories are full of medieval Japanese history. I love the primary characters and their interactions with each other; for instance, Gato always manages to get in the thick of things but Father Mateo can only suffer around him, being highly allergic. The two men have grown to be quite fond of each other (not that they would say so) and the priest accepts the shinobi’s protection as gracefully as he can manage while Ana is irascible and, yet, attentive. The author has a way with words and conveys the times and the setting vividly, so much so that I can practically smell the tea served in the teahouse. My only regret after reading this entry is for the too-long wait for the next book.
Ms. Spann never fails to entertain me and educate me as well since her stories are full of medieval Japanese history. I love the primary characters and their interactions with each other; for instance, Gato always manages to get in the thick of things but Father Mateo can only suffer around him, being highly allergic. The two men have grown to be quite fond of each other (not that they would say so) and the priest accepts the shinobi’s protection as gracefully as he can manage while Ana is irascible and, yet, attentive. The author has a way with words and conveys the times and the setting vividly, so much so that I can practically smell the tea served in the teahouse. My only regret after reading this entry is for the too-long wait for the next book.
December 16, 2019
I have really enjoyed this series. This seventh entry, while not the most action-packed episode, was still a satisfying read, and I recommend it to fans of mysteries and historical fiction.
The saga of Father Mateo and his companion and protector, Hiro, continues as the pair (along with their housekeeper, Ana, and cat, Gato) find themselves in a small village that used to be a waypoint along the travel road to Edo before a landslide blocked the road and prevented travelers from reaching the hamlet easily. Hiro intentionally took them this way in order to fulfill his mission: to inform the other shinobi agents of his Iga clan that a list containing all of the agents' identities and locations has fallen into the hands of Oda Nobunaga, the warlord vying to become Shogun. One of those agents had been posted to this small village to gain intelligence from travelers, yet by the time our protagonists arrive, she is missing, presumed to have been posing as the young teahouse woman who had apparently died in the landslide that blocked the travel road. Hiro and Father Mateo quickly become embroiled in the investigation of a series of murders allegedly caused by a vengeful ghost known as a "yurei," thought to be the spirit of another young teahouse woman who had died violently the previous year. Along the way, Ana, the stalwart housekeeper and cook, gets accused of stealing money from the proprietor of the inn where they are staying, and Hiro and Father Mateo must solve the murders and the thefts in order to escape the village unscathed.
The story continues to be interesting, as Hiro and Father Mateo strengthen their friendship while still sometimes clashing at their differences. Spann has a real talent for writing about scenery, social norms, and sensory descriptors, imparting a wealth of historical and cultural and culinary information while painting a vividly detailed picture to the reader. She also has a real talent for creating scenarios with many likely culprits, so the final gathering during which Hiro inevitably explains how the crimes were committed and by whom still leaves the reader guessing (for the most part). And I particularly love how she somehow finds a way to include a humorous character in each novel (in this case, a particularly "special" mountain ascetic who has the habit of taking instructions from foxes). I'll be honest and say that this entry was at times a little plodding compared to her others (lots of prayers and naps, and not much urgency from the characters), and was especially light on the ninja action that seems to be constantly coiled inside Hiro waiting to spring out, but the mystery presented a good puzzle, and even presented a supernatural/religious conundrum for the characters, so I still found it a pleasant read.
A few tiny editing errors aside, the mechanics of the writing were top-notch, as Spann is a skilled writer who clearly has a skilled editor to ensure a quality final product. I enjoy her books not only for the entertaining storylines, but for the read unmarred by having to slog through grammar and syntax mistakes.
Another hearty recommendation for fans of mysteries, historical fiction, and cross-cultural fish-out-of-water stories.
Thanks to Seventh Street Books (and my Queen of the Book Fairies) for providing me with a copy of this book.
The saga of Father Mateo and his companion and protector, Hiro, continues as the pair (along with their housekeeper, Ana, and cat, Gato) find themselves in a small village that used to be a waypoint along the travel road to Edo before a landslide blocked the road and prevented travelers from reaching the hamlet easily. Hiro intentionally took them this way in order to fulfill his mission: to inform the other shinobi agents of his Iga clan that a list containing all of the agents' identities and locations has fallen into the hands of Oda Nobunaga, the warlord vying to become Shogun. One of those agents had been posted to this small village to gain intelligence from travelers, yet by the time our protagonists arrive, she is missing, presumed to have been posing as the young teahouse woman who had apparently died in the landslide that blocked the travel road. Hiro and Father Mateo quickly become embroiled in the investigation of a series of murders allegedly caused by a vengeful ghost known as a "yurei," thought to be the spirit of another young teahouse woman who had died violently the previous year. Along the way, Ana, the stalwart housekeeper and cook, gets accused of stealing money from the proprietor of the inn where they are staying, and Hiro and Father Mateo must solve the murders and the thefts in order to escape the village unscathed.
The story continues to be interesting, as Hiro and Father Mateo strengthen their friendship while still sometimes clashing at their differences. Spann has a real talent for writing about scenery, social norms, and sensory descriptors, imparting a wealth of historical and cultural and culinary information while painting a vividly detailed picture to the reader. She also has a real talent for creating scenarios with many likely culprits, so the final gathering during which Hiro inevitably explains how the crimes were committed and by whom still leaves the reader guessing (for the most part). And I particularly love how she somehow finds a way to include a humorous character in each novel (in this case, a particularly "special" mountain ascetic who has the habit of taking instructions from foxes). I'll be honest and say that this entry was at times a little plodding compared to her others (lots of prayers and naps, and not much urgency from the characters), and was especially light on the ninja action that seems to be constantly coiled inside Hiro waiting to spring out, but the mystery presented a good puzzle, and even presented a supernatural/religious conundrum for the characters, so I still found it a pleasant read.
A few tiny editing errors aside, the mechanics of the writing were top-notch, as Spann is a skilled writer who clearly has a skilled editor to ensure a quality final product. I enjoy her books not only for the entertaining storylines, but for the read unmarred by having to slog through grammar and syntax mistakes.
Another hearty recommendation for fans of mysteries, historical fiction, and cross-cultural fish-out-of-water stories.
Thanks to Seventh Street Books (and my Queen of the Book Fairies) for providing me with a copy of this book.
December 12, 2019
Originally posted on lampshadereader.com
*Received a copy from the publisher for review.*
Ghost of the Bamboo Road by Susan Spann picks up after the events of the previous novel and finds Hiro and Father Mateo along with Ana their house servant, and Gato their cat, continuing their journey to Edo. Their mission this time is to find spies of Hattori Hanzo and give them messages of warning. However, as always, their plans don't always work out and they find themselves in the midst of a mystery and murder.
I've said this once and I'll definitely say this again. I totally ship the Hiro and Father Mateo duo and there HAS to be a TV series made (a la Poirot) about this series. They have the banter, the uniqueness of their characters, a spunky house keeper, and a cat that somehow inadvertently helps with their mysteries. Not to mention that Father Mateo is totally allergic to said cat. It's the perfect storm for a live action series.
Anyways, I feel sorry for Hiro (even though he would hate me feeling this way), but all he wants is to move along and mind his own business. But a murder/mystery HAS to happen around him and because one of his own is accused of theft he is honor bound to prove their innocence and stick around the strange village and solve their mysteries as well.
This village had me cringing. All of the inhabitants were crazy and quirky. But the author did a good job incorporating the Japanese's superstitious beliefs about ghosts, and wove the story around it. When multiple mysterious deaths occur, a vengeful spirit is blamed, but Hiro, being the sensible one will prove that a human is committing the murders not a ghost.
This is the perfect winter type mystery because of the setting. Snowy village with cold mountains, I could feel the atmosphere. Susan Spann has the ability to transport the reader to feudal Japan every time, with each new setting it's like we're also journeying to every landmark, village, and city, along with Hiro and Father Mateo. Can't wait for their new adventures.
*Received a copy from the publisher for review.*
Ghost of the Bamboo Road by Susan Spann picks up after the events of the previous novel and finds Hiro and Father Mateo along with Ana their house servant, and Gato their cat, continuing their journey to Edo. Their mission this time is to find spies of Hattori Hanzo and give them messages of warning. However, as always, their plans don't always work out and they find themselves in the midst of a mystery and murder.
I've said this once and I'll definitely say this again. I totally ship the Hiro and Father Mateo duo and there HAS to be a TV series made (a la Poirot) about this series. They have the banter, the uniqueness of their characters, a spunky house keeper, and a cat that somehow inadvertently helps with their mysteries. Not to mention that Father Mateo is totally allergic to said cat. It's the perfect storm for a live action series.
Anyways, I feel sorry for Hiro (even though he would hate me feeling this way), but all he wants is to move along and mind his own business. But a murder/mystery HAS to happen around him and because one of his own is accused of theft he is honor bound to prove their innocence and stick around the strange village and solve their mysteries as well.
This village had me cringing. All of the inhabitants were crazy and quirky. But the author did a good job incorporating the Japanese's superstitious beliefs about ghosts, and wove the story around it. When multiple mysterious deaths occur, a vengeful spirit is blamed, but Hiro, being the sensible one will prove that a human is committing the murders not a ghost.
This is the perfect winter type mystery because of the setting. Snowy village with cold mountains, I could feel the atmosphere. Susan Spann has the ability to transport the reader to feudal Japan every time, with each new setting it's like we're also journeying to every landmark, village, and city, along with Hiro and Father Mateo. Can't wait for their new adventures.
January 6, 2020
I forgot how much I’ve missed these characters until I picked up this book!
As Hiro and Father Mateo make their journey to Edo to warn Iga assassins that their cover may have been comprised, they must stop in a rural mountain village along the way. Another Iga assassin has been stationed here to watch the travel road. They stop at the local ryokan to stay the night and discover that they owners are completing a mourning period. Hiro immediately senses that something is off about this village and wants to find the operative and leave as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that night there is a murder in the burial yard. The innkeeper’s mother is murdered and the village residents believe that a vengeful spirit is responsible. Another murder soon follows and the residents believe that the visitors are responsible for angering the spirit. Father Mateo’s servant Ana is soon accused of theft as well. In order to appease the local Samurai, as well as prove there is no such thing as ghosts, Hiro and Father Mateo begin to investigate the murders and the theft. Hopefully they will find the operative as well and all be able to continue their mission.
It has been quite a while since I had a Hiro and Father Mateo mystery. Way too long actually. I hadn’t realized just how much I had missed their constant banter and adventures. As a reader, I have enjoyed getting to watch the professional relationship between the two become much more personal. Even though they still don’t agree on everything, they can be respectful of each other and work together. This is a lesson from 1566 that could be applied to almost everyone in 2020. I also appreciated that this book focused on the mystery and a showing of Japanese customs as several of the previous books have done. One drawback that I had from the last book was the amount of detail that was given to describing the temples. I know that the author had just finished a pilgrimage and visited several of the temples, so the details were fresh on her mind, but it took away from the overall story. That said, every time I hear there is a new Shinobi mystery coming out, I get excited to continue the journey. I hope it takes several more books to complete the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
As Hiro and Father Mateo make their journey to Edo to warn Iga assassins that their cover may have been comprised, they must stop in a rural mountain village along the way. Another Iga assassin has been stationed here to watch the travel road. They stop at the local ryokan to stay the night and discover that they owners are completing a mourning period. Hiro immediately senses that something is off about this village and wants to find the operative and leave as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that night there is a murder in the burial yard. The innkeeper’s mother is murdered and the village residents believe that a vengeful spirit is responsible. Another murder soon follows and the residents believe that the visitors are responsible for angering the spirit. Father Mateo’s servant Ana is soon accused of theft as well. In order to appease the local Samurai, as well as prove there is no such thing as ghosts, Hiro and Father Mateo begin to investigate the murders and the theft. Hopefully they will find the operative as well and all be able to continue their mission.
It has been quite a while since I had a Hiro and Father Mateo mystery. Way too long actually. I hadn’t realized just how much I had missed their constant banter and adventures. As a reader, I have enjoyed getting to watch the professional relationship between the two become much more personal. Even though they still don’t agree on everything, they can be respectful of each other and work together. This is a lesson from 1566 that could be applied to almost everyone in 2020. I also appreciated that this book focused on the mystery and a showing of Japanese customs as several of the previous books have done. One drawback that I had from the last book was the amount of detail that was given to describing the temples. I know that the author had just finished a pilgrimage and visited several of the temples, so the details were fresh on her mind, but it took away from the overall story. That said, every time I hear there is a new Shinobi mystery coming out, I get excited to continue the journey. I hope it takes several more books to complete the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
June 6, 2020
Japan, January 1566: Master ninja Hiro Hattori, Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo, and Mateo’s housekeeper, Ana, are on a secret mission to Edo. They stop at a mountain village for the night. The next morning, a woman’s body is found. Villagers blame it on a vengeful ghost, a yurei, seeking retribution for her untimely demise. Shortly thereafter, money is stolen from the home they’re staying in, and Father Mateo’s housekeeper is blamed. In order to free Ana from punishment, Hiro and Father Mateo start to investigate. When Father Mateo sees a ghostly apparition wandering the village at night and another body is discovered, the two men wonder if the legend of the yurei is more powerful than the mortal answers they seek.
In this seventh book in the Shinobi Mystery series, I’d hoped to feel a deeper bond between the two main characters. There are hints, but it isn’t too strong. Hiro more often seems frustrated with Father Mateo and vice versa. I did find it helpful to have read the previous book, as there are a few mentions of lingering emotions from their last adventure weighing on the relationship.
The atmosphere is engrossing. Spann does a great job making the time period come alive. The customs and environment are skillfully described. The author also does a great job creating a dubious cast of characters, making it difficult for readers to guess the culprit. I quite enjoy reading the Shinobi Mystery series and look forward to more, with their clever plot twists balanced with an engrossing atmosphere. If you like cozy mysteries, this series is for you. An added bonus? Ninjas!
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
In this seventh book in the Shinobi Mystery series, I’d hoped to feel a deeper bond between the two main characters. There are hints, but it isn’t too strong. Hiro more often seems frustrated with Father Mateo and vice versa. I did find it helpful to have read the previous book, as there are a few mentions of lingering emotions from their last adventure weighing on the relationship.
The atmosphere is engrossing. Spann does a great job making the time period come alive. The customs and environment are skillfully described. The author also does a great job creating a dubious cast of characters, making it difficult for readers to guess the culprit. I quite enjoy reading the Shinobi Mystery series and look forward to more, with their clever plot twists balanced with an engrossing atmosphere. If you like cozy mysteries, this series is for you. An added bonus? Ninjas!
Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...
December 2, 2021
Book Review by Stacey Lorenson
Ghost of the Bamboo Road, by Susan Spann
(A Hiro Hattori Novel) A Shinobi Mystery
Rating: 3.7
I really enjoyed Ghost of the Bamboo Road by Susan Spann. Ghost of the Bamboo Road is a beautifully written, historical mystery novel, richly laden with Japanese history, culture, rituals, and folklore. Set in 16th century Japan, a Master ninja, Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo are waylaid in a rural mountain village for a stop-over during their journey. A murder occurs during their stay, which the villagers attribute to an avenging ghost that inhabits the village. An additional complication adds to their woes when Father Mateo’s housekeeper, Ana, is accused of stealing. These events launch the unlikely detectives, Hiro and Father Mateo, to stay in the village and untangle the mysteries that paralyze this village with fear and accusations.
Even though Ghost of the Bamboo Road is the 7th installment of the Shinobi Mystery series (there are 6 previous novels), Spann does a good job of filling the reader in on the characters past escapades as it pertains to the current story. Spann fills this story with beautiful descriptive prose of the land, the people and their ancient customs. I liked Spann’s inclusion of the Japanese dialect scattered throughout the book. A glossary of these Japanese terms is provided at the back of the book, which proved very helpful. I love finishing a book and feeling like I’ve learned something new. I am now inspired to read the previous Shinobi Mystery books!!
Ghost of the Bamboo Road, by Susan Spann
(A Hiro Hattori Novel) A Shinobi Mystery
Rating: 3.7
I really enjoyed Ghost of the Bamboo Road by Susan Spann. Ghost of the Bamboo Road is a beautifully written, historical mystery novel, richly laden with Japanese history, culture, rituals, and folklore. Set in 16th century Japan, a Master ninja, Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo are waylaid in a rural mountain village for a stop-over during their journey. A murder occurs during their stay, which the villagers attribute to an avenging ghost that inhabits the village. An additional complication adds to their woes when Father Mateo’s housekeeper, Ana, is accused of stealing. These events launch the unlikely detectives, Hiro and Father Mateo, to stay in the village and untangle the mysteries that paralyze this village with fear and accusations.
Even though Ghost of the Bamboo Road is the 7th installment of the Shinobi Mystery series (there are 6 previous novels), Spann does a good job of filling the reader in on the characters past escapades as it pertains to the current story. Spann fills this story with beautiful descriptive prose of the land, the people and their ancient customs. I liked Spann’s inclusion of the Japanese dialect scattered throughout the book. A glossary of these Japanese terms is provided at the back of the book, which proved very helpful. I love finishing a book and feeling like I’ve learned something new. I am now inspired to read the previous Shinobi Mystery books!!
April 30, 2020
Love traveling along with Father Mateo, the Portuguese Jesuit, and his " scribe " , Hiro, who is really a samurai on a mission to locate other spies and send them back to their master for reassignment. The men are on their way to Edo but must locate a female samurai living in the foothills of the Hakone mountains. It is winter, the town is almost deserted and on the evening of their arrival the owner of the guest house is murdered while visiting her daughter's grave after dark. The superstitious residents of the town believe the ghost of the daughter, who was brutally raped and beaten and left to die in the woods, has returned and is taking vengeance on those who left her to die. Naturally, Hiro and Father Mateo, who do not believe in ghosts, think the murderer is very human. Still, they must find the spy and move on to Edo without delay. Unfortunately, the theft of the family's silver and the accusation that Father Mateo's housekeeper, Ana, is the thief, prevents their departure. As long as they must remain and prove Ana's innocence they may as well figure out who the murderer is, right?
As usual, the mystery is multifaceted and the setting is captivating--high in the mountains of Japan, snow covered ground, foggy days and nights and a hermit who lives in a cave and communes with foxes. A wonderful escape on these late Spring rainy April days.
As usual, the mystery is multifaceted and the setting is captivating--high in the mountains of Japan, snow covered ground, foggy days and nights and a hermit who lives in a cave and communes with foxes. A wonderful escape on these late Spring rainy April days.
August 27, 2020
Very interesting mystery and a delightful story. I was thoroughly entertained while visiting with Hiro and Father Mateo in this very enjoyable mystery.
When a vengeful spirit terrorizes a mountain village in medieval Japan, a ninja and a Jesuit priest must reveal the truth and save the villagers from the phantom's wrath.
January 1566: En route to Edo, Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo spend the night in a rural mountain village whose inhabitants live in terror of a legendary vengeful ghost. When the innkeeper's wife is murdered and Father Mateo's housekeeper, Ana, is blamed for a crime she did not commit, Hiro and Father Mateo are forced to investigate and reveal the truth. But when another woman turns up murdered in the snow, the detectives must face the shocking truth that the vengeful yūrei the villagers fear might be more than just a legend after all.
When a vengeful spirit terrorizes a mountain village in medieval Japan, a ninja and a Jesuit priest must reveal the truth and save the villagers from the phantom's wrath.
January 1566: En route to Edo, Master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo spend the night in a rural mountain village whose inhabitants live in terror of a legendary vengeful ghost. When the innkeeper's wife is murdered and Father Mateo's housekeeper, Ana, is blamed for a crime she did not commit, Hiro and Father Mateo are forced to investigate and reveal the truth. But when another woman turns up murdered in the snow, the detectives must face the shocking truth that the vengeful yūrei the villagers fear might be more than just a legend after all.
January 24, 2020
Once again, I was sucked into a world I never thought would interest and fascinate me so much - medieval Japan. Shinobi Hiro Hattori and Father Mateo are faced with another mysterious death, this time in a small mountain village on the travel road to Edo. Susan Spann manages to introduce the reader to medieval Japanese daily life (food, furbishing of rooms...) and customs so smoothly, you are immersed in the setting before you know it, and try to figure out what happened along with Hiro and Father Mateo. The first death does not remain the only mysterious incident, and when Father Mateo is convinced he has seen the revenge-seeking village ghost, even Hiro comes close to questioning what is real and what is not.
AN excellent 7th installment in this wonderful series!
AN excellent 7th installment in this wonderful series!
January 16, 2020
Atmospheric in its detailed description of place and setting, this seventh novel in the Hiro Hattori Shinobi Mystery is a delightful read that puts you squarely into a time and place that feels both exotic and exciting to this Western reader.
Though I've been to Japan, I've seen only its cities, and the book makes me curious about the mountains, hills, and forests that are such a perfect setting for a ghost story and mystery in medieval times.
I have become fond of both Hiro and Father Mateo from the previous books, and am looking forward to the author's next in the series!
My full review: https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/2...
Though I've been to Japan, I've seen only its cities, and the book makes me curious about the mountains, hills, and forests that are such a perfect setting for a ghost story and mystery in medieval times.
I have become fond of both Hiro and Father Mateo from the previous books, and am looking forward to the author's next in the series!
My full review: https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/2...
November 22, 2019
A Priest and An Assassin
Ghost of the Bamboo Road, by Susan Spann, is set in 16th century Japan. Father Mateo, from Portugal, and his shinobi protector, Hiro Hattori, may seem like an odd couple, but they often find themselves involved in solving a murder to save the unjustly accused. This is a fascinating series with an in depth look at the culture of shinobis and customs of 16th century Japan. Begin at the beginning with Claws of a Cat and keep reading.
Ghost of the Bamboo Road, by Susan Spann, is set in 16th century Japan. Father Mateo, from Portugal, and his shinobi protector, Hiro Hattori, may seem like an odd couple, but they often find themselves involved in solving a murder to save the unjustly accused. This is a fascinating series with an in depth look at the culture of shinobis and customs of 16th century Japan. Begin at the beginning with Claws of a Cat and keep reading.
May 4, 2020
Love the series but this one did not top my list of best entries. There was a lot of roaming around in the snow chasing a hermit (I hate books featuring cold and snow!), bad food and angry women. The info about fox spirits and various Japanese gods was interesting. Not a lot of humor and a cold uncomfortable setting which the touches of Japanese culture did not overcome made this Road underwhelming. I look forward to Spring and a better adventure in #8.
May 20, 2021
The journey to Edo
The journey of two men, a woman and a cat is delayed by a ghost and a complicated mystery along the way. I believe this is the last book in the series. I’m sorry to say sayonara. Having already read Chris Bradford’s YA Young Samurai series it appears I must lay down my katana and wakizashi and tanto for a while. But only for a while. Who knows? Hiro and Gato may return. Kyui, Susan.
The journey of two men, a woman and a cat is delayed by a ghost and a complicated mystery along the way. I believe this is the last book in the series. I’m sorry to say sayonara. Having already read Chris Bradford’s YA Young Samurai series it appears I must lay down my katana and wakizashi and tanto for a while. But only for a while. Who knows? Hiro and Gato may return. Kyui, Susan.
December 6, 2019
Although I have only read books one through three I still loved this one!! I will have to go back and read books four through six but I really enjoyed this one!! This series has become one of my all time favorites and I just couldn't put them down. Ghosts and more await the reader of this story and man o man I can not wait for more!!!
August 12, 2020
Another satisfying entry in the Hiro Hattori mystery series. I love this unlikely alliance between a Jesuit priest and Shinobi warrior. Their relationship keeps deepening and their ability to solve mysteries. It is interesting to learn more about 17th century Japan and the ideology that has shaped the country.
November 18, 2019
It was good to be with Hiro, Father Mateo, Ana and Gato once again. I love the growing relationship between the Shinobi and his priest. There is humor and mystery as well as the continuing cultural education that is deftly woven throughout the novel.
December 11, 2019
Though interesting for Japanese myths and folklore, it wasn't much of a ghost story. Over long descriptions of landscape and mist when something spooky or scary should have been happening. Not my favorite of the series, but it did move the overall story along.
January 1, 2020
I really enjoy this series and this was another strong showing. Initially, I had trouble keeping the characters straight (likely my own fault) and I predicted one of the major story elements early on but I still enjoyed this outing of Father Mateo and Hiro just as much as the others.
January 9, 2020
You get a ninja, a Jesuit priest, a cat, a foggy mysterious Japanese village with quirky characters, a ghost and mysterious murders to solve. What else could you possibly want? It is fun, historically entertaining and just a good book.
February 24, 2020
Finished it in two days as holiday reading. I learned new things about Japanese culture and I liked the plot again.
I will need to look for another series as holiday reading while Susan Spann works on the next adventure on their way to Edo, looking forward to it!
I will need to look for another series as holiday reading while Susan Spann works on the next adventure on their way to Edo, looking forward to it!
April 17, 2022
As with every book in this series, this one did not disappoint. I love Hiro and Father Matteo with all my heart, the writing is great, the mystery is impeccable, and the spookiness of the ghost story was a great added touch. I am eagerly moving on to book number 8.
April 18, 2022
A good story and, at times, a little creepy! The ghost sounded scary! As usual, Hiro was his usual badass self, not taking any guff from anyone, even a fat samurai. And again, I had no idea who the killer was until Hiro explained it all. Onto the next story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2019
I am a big fan of Susan Spann and the Shinobi Mystery series. The characters are delightful. The setting is educational. And the mysteries are always suspenseful and satisfactorily solved.
April 28, 2020
Well plotted page turner.
May 31, 2020
I always enjoy Susan Spann's Shinobi Myteries. I enjoy the characters, even the cat named Gato.
December 13, 2020
Starts slowly, ends excitingly. Another fine example of this excellent series!
June 11, 2022
Not the most engaging of the series, Mutt and Jeff encounter a mountain mystic wacko and a uncover a poorly concealed "surprise" ghost.
June 29, 2022
Resolving superstions
I have read all the preceding books. When I start reading it is almost impossible to put the book down. The characters are well written and stay true to their personality in each book. I recommend this book and all proceeding ones to anyone looking for a great read.
I have read all the preceding books. When I start reading it is almost impossible to put the book down. The characters are well written and stay true to their personality in each book. I recommend this book and all proceeding ones to anyone looking for a great read.
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