Josh Reynolds does adventure well, and I enjoy the amount of time and research he puts into his craft. I was not familiar with the background for this story, but really enjoyed the narrative.

I really enjoy the Legend of the Five Rings series, and this entry had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed. It had that mystery element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the other books in this series. The overall feel felt like the same world and series overall. I enjoyed the way Josh Reynolds wrote this and always enjoy what I read from him.

Shin is embroiled in a murder plot, again, except this time he's the suspect. Auditor Kenzo, who was sent to make sure that Shin was doing what he was supposed to be doing has been found dead, in Odoma's brewery no less and Odoma has accused Shin of the murder. While anyone in Frog City knows that to take Odoma's word when it comes to Shin is just plain stupid, his cousin, Aota does not. Determined to haul Shin back to family and duty Aota decides he is Shin's judge and jury. Luckily for Shin there is an investigator on the case who cares about the truth. Unfortunately, she's his ex. Shin is in a race against time to prove his innocence and at the rate bodies are turning up to keep himself from being just another dead body.

I did not realize how much I've grown to love Shin until this book. I spent 100% of this book being furious at him for not seeing what was right in front of him while being far more angry at those who chose to take advantage of him; of his kindness, his generosity, and his fierce loyalty to those who have remained loyal to him. And I will not give away the character death that almost made me throw my Kindle but let's just say Reynolds and I need to have a come to Jesus conversation about not killing off side characters his readers have grown to love.

To be fair I feel that's probably one of the best reviews I can give not just this book, but the series period. Reynolds wrote not just a few well done murder mysteries but created a spider's web of intrigue with some of my favorite characters at the heart of it. In four books did he not only establish Shin as a character that must be protected at all costs, he built a trust between myself and all of the characters that made it extremely difficult for me to believe that they would betray me so easily. And it is not so much that he accomplished this it is that I didn't even realize it had happened over the course of the last four books.

Overall, I 100% recommend this book, however, it is 100% necessary for this series to be read in order. It is truly impossible to understand the heartbreak this book causes without reading the previous books.

As always thanks to Aconyte Books and NetGalley for the eArc!

Review: I am so late to the party that I forgot my shoes. One of the most comfortable reads I have ever had. Pure transportation into a world with smooth descriptive facets and engaging characters. This author is legit and I plan on getting every novel in this series.

Rating: 5/5

Growing up I was a big fan of the Dorothy Hoobler samurai detective books. Reynolds captures the spirit of that series and infuses this book with delightful energy.