Blood Hina

Mas Arai #4

by Naomi Hirahara

In this fourth installment of Naomi Hirahara's highly acclaimed "Mas Arai" mystery series, Mas' best friend Haruo is getting married and Mas has grudgingly agreed to serve as best man. But then an ancient Japanese doll display of Haruo's fiancee goes missing, and the wedding is called off with fingers pointed at Haruo. To clear his friend's name, Mas must first uncover a world of heartbreaking memories, deception, and murder.

 

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Asian Literature, Japan, Mystery Thriller, Japanese Literature

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2010

About the author

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

Reviews

[Patrick Sherriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying the Mas Arai mysteries, although the more I get to know the characters, the more the series descends into soap opera. This was the cosiest of the mysteries so far, but there was a bit of noir towards the end, before everything got luvvie-dovey again.

* * *

Patrick Sherriff publishes a monthly newsletter - http://eepurl.com/bFkt0X - highlighting good fiction published in English about Japan. He lives in Abiko with his wife and two daughters.

[Petrea Burchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi Hirahara's Mas Arai mysteries are wonderful to read for a lot of reasons. First, there's Mas himself. I know of no other character like him. An elderly Japanese gardener who came to America after surviving the bomb at Hiroshima, Mas feels like a man without a country. He doesn't speak good English and after all these years his Japanese isn't so good either, so he's also a man without a language. Hirahara renders his dialect with love and respect, so clearly I can hear him speak. He is such an intricate character that even if you don't care for mysteries, you will care for him.

Second, Hirahara peeks into Japanese immigrant culture in California and Los Angeles, transporting us to locations we might otherwise never see. In "Blood Hina," we visit LA's legendary Flower Market and some scary parts of downtown near Skid Row, contrasted with the freeway ride to San Diego, the sweet calm of Altadena in the San Gabriel foothills, and a tiny desert hamlet in the Imperial Valley.

Then there are the stories themselves. In "Blood Hina," told from Mas' point of view (third person), an old family secret unfolds before his eyes as it unfolds before the reader's. Three-dimensional characters, relationships and motivations move the story—Mas' motivations most of all.

[Chris Cutler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost read this one out of order, since I couldn't find Snakeskin Shamisen in any libraries or bookstores nearby. I'm glad I decided to buy an ebook copy and read the books in sequence. That way I can enjoy Mas' growth and slow changes as they occur. I am eager for #5 to be written.

Once again I enjoyed the development and believability of the relationships, both the old and the new. And, once again, the mystery took me by surprise. This time, one of the elements approached the unbelievable, a small departure for these books that eschew cinematic tropes and find their heart in the plausible every day events of imperfect lives.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the Mas Arai books so far! I have a whole set of Girl's Day Dolls passed down from my grandmother, so this really meant something to me. Plus, enjoying the "love connection" for Mas!

[Mike Ekinaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're Japanese American and grew up in LA you might enjoy this book as it will remind you of people and places from your past.

[John Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm working my way through all seven books in this series. They are pretty good with an unlikely elderly Japanese-American landscaper as a main character. There are interesting details about this bit of Japanese-American culture.

[Randee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up not too long ago at Half Price Books. It's the first time I've read Naomi Hirahara's detective series even though this is the 4th book. I will for sure be reading the others. In fact, the third in the series, Snakeskin Shamisen, won the 2007 Edgar award for best original paperback. I truly enjoyed this because it combines two of my passions, all thing Japanese and gardening. Her detective is Mas Arai who is a curmudgeonly, older Japanese man who lives in Los Angeles and is a semi-retired gardener. He also is a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima. This story revolves around the disappearance of a couple of Hina dolls. I learned some things in this book. For instance, Hinamatsuri aka Girl's Day is celebrated in Japan every March 3rd. Hina-ningyo are ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants and musicians of the Heian period. They were believed to have the power to contain bad spirits. I have seen these 'dolls' my entire life and have admired them without realizing they have such a rich history. Mas hangs out with other Japanese gardeners at the Los Angeles flower market, so there is plenty of chatter about that and gardening. I think this might be a bit slow moving for some. If one isn't particularly interested in Japanese American culture it might be a bit thin...but for anyone who enjoys character studies and doesn't expect a lot of violence and murder being predominently featured, I would suggest giving this a try. I am excited to read the other books in this series.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mas Arai is the best man in his friend’s wedding. It is a good thing that people have wedding rehearsals as Mas has dropped the wedding ring into the koi fish pond. Well things can only get better from here…right? No things can get worse…a lot worse. Mas’s friend’s fiancée’s priceless Japanese doll collection has been stolen. Who would want to steal a doll collection and why? These are the questions Mas must find answers to in Blood Hina.

Author Naomi Hirahara has written several novels but Blood Hina is the first book I have read by this author. After finishing this book, I plan to check out the other novels that this author has written. I liked that Ms. Hirahara used her ethic background and infused it into this book. It showed that Ms. Hirahra is proud of whom she is and wants to share what that culture what readers. Being of Asian background myself, I always find it intriguing when authors incorporate their lifestyle or diversity into their books. Mas Arai is a very likable character. The story line was fast paced and had me trying to figure out the ending before Mas, which I didn’t. This is always a plus for a mystery fan like me to now have the ending solved until right up to the big reveal.

[Spuddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

#4 Mas Arai mystery, featuring the seventy-something Japanese-American gardener in LA. Mas investigates the theft of some Hina dolls that belonged to his best friend's fiance Spoon--and their disappearance caused the bride-to-be to cancel the wedding on the big day itself. Then Haruo himself disappears and Mas is fraught with worry as he uses his harmless old man persona to overhear some interesting information that may lead back to the death of Spoon's first husband some twenty years previously and would mean his friend's life is in jeopardy.

Another excellent entry in this series and I'm really, really hoping there will be more forthcoming. I've grown very fond of Mas and want to hear about the next chapter in his story.

[Rogue Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mas Ari is a wonderful protag: smart, dissembling, loyal. Mixing in incidents of historical significance and interest, old and new Los Angeles, and the Japanese experience in America all make a win-win-win mystery. Publisher's Weekly says, "...shyly powerful", and that's a nice sum up of Hirahara's writing and Mas Ari himself.

In Blood Hina, Mas searches for Haruo who has disappeared shortly after his bride-to-be cancels their wedding and her antique Japanese dolls are stolen. Intrigue at the flower market, South American drug runners, and the peace of a life lived simply.

Thank you to the Ashland Public Library for making this good book available to me.

-- Ashland Mystery

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Semi-retired Japanese-American gardener Mas Arai reluctantly agrees to be best man at his friend Haruo's wedding. Then some heirloom dolls are stolen from Haruo's fiancee Spoon's house, and the wedding is called off. Haruo moves in with Mas, who feels impelled to investigate, even though he doesn't see why there's such a fuss about the hina--wedding doll. Despite himself, Mas also starts to feel sorry for Spoon's youngest daughter Dee, lately out of rehab. This is a wonderful series, and if you start at the beginning, you can see Mas gradually get over his guilt at being a Hiroshima survivor, and also his improving relationship with his Americanized daughter.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mas Arai definately my new favorite "reluctant detective". His character tries so hard to stay in the background - then he does have to help his friends - who are so quirky. A look at Japanese American culture in Los Angeles as well.
Naomi Hirahara was at the San Diego County Library Book Festival, good speaker, she llikened some of Mas Arais characteristics to her father. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a whle to adjust to the "accent" of the characters in this one-but once I got the hang of it-I really enjoyed this mystery. The protagonist is one I've never encountered before-I've read the reluctant detective, and the grumpy detective, but never the 2 together in such an interesting mix. The cultural aspects where wonderfully detailed. Really enjoyed this one.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think I'd like the charcters but in the end I really enjoyed the older Mas character and found the mystery worth the time. This mystery is different with MAs as the unlikely detective. He is not your typical detective.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've come to love this series. Mas Arai used to irritate me, but now I love him. Though if I had to live with him, I'd probably deck him. This is a fine entry to the series, with interesting details about Japanese dolls and the flower market trade in L.A.

[Lani Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming book with an unexpectedly endearing protagonist. Very plausible plot set in a part of the world I know little about. I did not think I would like it when I glanced at it initially, but it is a book and writing style that grows on this reader.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mas Arai is an interesting non-detective detector. A nice addition to the series. Looks like his daughter is moving back to LA....

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book. I have read many reviews that mention that this is not the best of the Mas Arai series. If so, then I really look forward to reading the rest.

[Jane Dugger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as previous ones but still enjoyable.

[Tbfrank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Septuagenarian Mas Aria serves as best man at the wedding rehearsal of fellow Hiroshima survivor Haruo Mukai. Mas wonders what he's doing there and why Haruo, let alone the bride Sutama Hayakawa, wish to begin a second marriage in their 70s. He much rather be lounging in his rundown bungalow, eating ramen and hotdogs, and watching TV. A semi-retired gardener with a handful of clients left, he had plenty of time on his hands and no urge to do anything more.

But he has a responsibility to his friends and standing up for Haruo was a task he couldn't in good conscience ignore. An admirable character trait that leads Mas along a twisty trail that begins with Haruo's disappearance soon after the wedding is called off. No one seems concerned except Mas who, though he thinks the couple probably came to their senses, begins to worry the longer Haruo is missing.

From the theft of two Hina dolls (for which Hauro was falsely accused), the story moves to mysterious messages, threatening phone calls, a home invasion, drug trafficking, gangsters, and a couple of murders - all of which seem related to the fiery death of two prominent members of the LA flower market 20 years before. Mas, afraid his friend is in serious trouble if not already a victim of violent death, must push himself to find at least Hauro if not the answers.

As usual, plenty of color, descriptive and informative details, and good characters.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best of the series so far. Mas Arai's friend, Haruo, disappears after being jilted at his wedding and accused of stealing valuable Japanese dolls. Mas is not an amateur detective, but he knows who to ask and where to look for clues. He uncovers shady dealings related to the dolls going back over 20 years involving drug dealing, faked deaths, and tax evasion. He does find Haruo in the nick of time.

However, the plot line is secondary to the character studies of Mas, his family, and the various eccentric characters in his circle of friends (Wishbone, Stinky, Itchy, and Taxie). This is far more interesting than the plot. The author has created intriguing characters in the JA community of LA.

It appears more interesting complications are on the horizon since the book ends with a love interest for Mas, then his daughter announces that she and her family are moving back to LA from the east coast, and Mas is not exactly ecstatic about these changes in his life.

[Ian Martyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Hirahara manages to write an intriguing mystery that incorporates a wide variety of different Japanese American experiences. As I have said in previous reviews, it's nice to see Mas Arai and his associates grow with each book, and I really appreciate the fact that the same cast of characters keeps coming back and building on each others' previous experiences. I also like how Hirahara really digs into how Japanese Americans have taken aspects of Japanese culture and preserved them in the US, and I think that this book presents yet another example of this practice through its examination of Japanese dolls. I really appreciate the work that goes into making the Mas Arai stories as realistic as possible; as a half-JA who was born and raised in the LA area, reading this realistic portrayal of the characters and the area makes it all the more exciting for me. Looking forward to reading the next Mas Arai adventure!

[Virginia Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mas is set to be the best man for his friend Haruo when Haruo's fiancee, Spoon, suddenly calls off the wedding. Then things get complicated. Two traditional Japanese dolls are stolen from Spoon's home. Haruo disappears, apparently kidnapped. There is a mystery surrounding the last year's of Spoon's first husband's life and his mysterious death in a fiery automobile accident. And I must stop there, or I would begin to reveal some important spoilers.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent series, mostly for the historical and cultural insights the Japanese American community during and after WWII. Mas Arai is a is a good character, but has been aged so quickly that it’s starting to require too large a suspension of disbelief. It’s wonderful to have a senior sleuth, but follow in the model of Mrs Marple and don’t age him so quickly.

[Gay Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series gets better and better

Highly recommend seeing Southern California and its Japanese-American community through the eyes of a grumpy old man who wants to be left alone but can't help scratching the itch of curiosity when friends are in trouble.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific Mas Arai story. Hayaku, hayaku, you must start reading the series!

[Gammamaggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. A different kind of hero. Learned a little about Japanese flower involvement. Would have liked more.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every book in this series makes me love curmudgeonly Mas even more. I'm feeling quite sad that I'm nearing the end.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first of this series and writer. Interesting characters and a bit of a history lesson on Japanese-Americans. Quite a solid plot with not too many twists and turns.

[Christine L · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a slow start, but it slowly builds speed into a page turner!