THE NINJA'S ILLUSION by Gigi Pandian has an incredible setting in Japan. The Jaya Jones series always has multi-layered plots and outstanding settings and supporting characters. This is a must-read and there’s no problem picking up right here in the series.

I love a cozy mystery but this one was just missing something for me. I can't pinpoint it but I dragged my feet to finish this.

A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

The Ninja’s Illusion, the 5th in Gigi Pandian’s Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, is easily read on its own. Assistant Professor and historian Jaya Jones travels to Japan to see her best friend Sanjay’s magic show debut. When another magician is murdered and her friend’s hotel room is ransacked, Jaya jumps into action to protect her friend.

Each character seemed to come to life and reading this book was like traveling with a group of friends. The author also painted a magical picture of Japan and its history, interspersed with the world of illusion.

The mystery was well constructed with so many twists and turns that I was totally caught off guard with the final reveal. This may have been the first book that I read by this author but it certainly won’t be the last! ( I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.)

When Jaya Jones, a history professor at a San Francisco university, has a break Thanksgiving week, she intends to travel to Japan to see her best friend, Sanjay, known as the Hindi Houdini, perform his magic. But before leaving, she receives a cryptic call from him telling her not to come. Jaya, who also is a well-known treasure hunter who finds artifacts and turns them over to the countries where they belong, is meeting with Professor Nakamura as well, refuses to stay and goes anyway.

Once she reaches Japan, Sanjay refuses to tell her anything except that 'it's complicated.' When she meets the magician he'll be working with, Akira, she finds the man rude and arrogant. His assistant, Yako (whose real name is Yoko), is supposedly a kitsune, a fox who can take human form. While Jaya doesn't believe it, she still wants to know what is really happening. Yet with the appearance of Sanjay's mentor Sébastien, a retired French magician who still creates mechanical wonders for others, it only complicates things. Once Jaya learns that tricks have been sabotaged and a mysterious ninja is following them, she wants Sanjay to stop. When he refuses, and Akira is murdered, Sanjay still intends to continue, making Jaya worried for him.

But then another magician enters the scene, even more attacks are occurring, and Jaya begins to discover that her own research regarding helping Professor Nakamura might have something to do with what's going on with Sanjay's rope trick. It also might have deadly consequences for one of them, if she doesn't find the truth, and soon...

This is the fifth book in the series, and I have to say I've loved every one of them. I also have to say that unfortunately, I've read the sixth one first, so this is a bit of a 'backtrack' for me, which I usually don't do; but this is how much I love this series. (To clarify, if I miss a book, I usually won't go back and read the previous one, but continue on.)

At any rate, the mystery is top-notch, blending Jaya's research with Sanjay's magic, and it works. We are drawn into the tale easily, and the descriptions of the area around Jaya is rich and colorful. It makes one want to visit one of the temples, or at the very least, spend time in Kyoto itself. As a bonus, we get to see Jaya as she is at her most confused regarding her personal life, and deciding what she really wants; giving us more insight as to the type of person she is.

There is plenty of suspense and enlightenment of Japanese history regarding the treatment of foreigners in ancient times. For myself, I found it fascinating; but I usually do with with Ms. Pandian's books. She is a writer who does her research well, and every time I choose one of her books I know that not only will I be entertained, but learn something new.

When the ending comes and the killer is revealed, it is a bit of a surprise, but there are clues leading up to it and we learn the identity the same time as Jaya; yet the author gives us enough of a tight climax that makes it all worthwhile. Highly recommended.

The Ninja's Illusion is the 5th book in the Jaya Jones series and this is a series that I really enjoy. It is a cozy, but with adventure and history thrown in. Jaya is a professor of history, but has a reputation for finding treasure. In this story, Jaya travels to Japan where here best friend Sanjay a.k.a. The Hindi Houdini is working with the controversial magician, Akira who is planning on ding the Indian Rope Trick. It is one of those tricks that is talked about, but noone has ever seen it performed. Sanjay wants Jaya to stay home, but that makes her more eager to travel to Japan. As well she has agreed to help Professor Nakamura with some research into a Dutch Trading Ship and its captain. When Jaya and Sanjay meet up at a temple in Japan and someone dressed as a Ninja tries to harm them, they become very concerned. More questionable occurrences happen as well as a dead body turning up. Can Jaya find the treasure of the Dutchman? Will Sanjay perform The Indian Rope Trick?

The Ninja's Illusion is an entertaining book to read, just as the others in this series have been. Each of these books in the series can be read as stand alone stories, but once you read one, you will want to go back and read the rest. The story is intriguing with enough of a mystery to satisfy and cozy mystery lover and with enough adventure to intrigue a mystery/adventure lover. I love the dialogue between the characters. Whether it is Sanjay and Jaya, Jaya and her librarian friend Tamarind or even her brother, it is easy going and fun. The one thing that did bother me was the romance triangle that seemed to pop up midway through the story. Jaya and Lane have been taking some time apart, and suddenly, Jaya's best friend Sanjay, announces that he has feelings for her and kisses her. Not only was Jaya a bit uncomfortable with this, but as a reader, I was as well. I hope that storyline does not continue as I do not enjoy love triangles. I was happy to see Tamarind show up on Japan. She does a good job keeping Jaya on track and pointing her in directions that she does not always see on her own. This book has sabotage, murder, and suspicion. Even a body disappears, and suspicions surround a mysterious ninja that seems to be following Jaya and Sanjay. Add in a fox spirit and you have just enough spirituality and magic for a great ending. I recommend this book to lovers of mystery stories whether it be cozy or adventurous.

I am late to the party when it comes to Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries. I've only read one other before this, but I had enjoyed it quite a bit.

In <em>The Ninja's Illusion</em> a stage magician claims to have real super-natural powers and will be performing, not as a trick but as real magic, a fabled illusion - the Indian Rope Trick , in which a magician makes a rope rise into the air and a young boy climbs the rope, disappears and reappears somewhere else.

Jaya Jones is traveling to Japan with her friend Sanjay (aka The Hindi Houdini) who is going to make his Japanese debut with his magic show. But a ninja seems to have other ideas about Sanjay's performance and has appeared and tried hard to sabotage the show.

One of Gigi Pandian's strengths as an author is her wonderful characters. Jaya Jones (who is a wonderful nod to Indiana Jones) is not a superhuman adventurer but a very real, very intelligent woman who searches for treasure around the world. She's lovable and flawed, which makes us identify with her. She's our best friend and we root for her and worry about her, even though we know she'll come through okay.

Pandian's mysteries (based on the books I've read in this series and her other, Alchemist, series) are well-crafted and engaging. There's solid story-building and because we understand and like the characters we're pulled right in on a mysterious journey. Pandian also does some nice research to bring a specific level of accuracy to her story. Although I was familiar with the Indian Rope Trick as a trick, I was not aware of the history and science behind it. A Google search brought me to a few web pages that had much of the information that Pandian shares through the course of her story.

As much as I enjoyed this, I will admit that I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the previous Jaya Jones book, <em>Michelangelo's Ghost</em> (see my review on my blog). Most of this had to do with the subject. I was much more fascinated by the Park of Monsters than I was by the Indian Rope Trick. However, both brought to light some fascinating information for me and I look forward to seeing what Pandian brings to us next.

Looking for a good book? <em>The Ninja's Illusion</em> by Gigi Pandian brings to us a wonderful mystery surrounding a familiar, old trick, with a brilliant and lovable new mystery/treasure hunter in Jaya Jones.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is #5 in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Series. I have read and enjoyed the previous books and this one is not an exception. Jaya takes us to Kyoto Japan in this installment to see her best friend Sanjay perform in a magic show and of course there ends up being an historical treasure that needs finding. The author does a terrific job with her research and I think my favorite part of these books is how much I learn about the locations we visit. I find the information completely fascinating! And I have to say that I was glad to see that Jaya finally made a decision regarding her love life – it will be interesting to see where this takes her in future books. Can’t wait to see where we are going next.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE Gigi Pandian's Gargoyle series but have had trouble getting into this series for some reason. The premise is great and I like Jaya, her brother, her on again off again boyfriend, and her best friend, the magician. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys adventure mixed with the life of an academic.

I love Gigi Pandian's books and this one was just as fantastic as the Pryor books in her Jaya Jones mystery series. She's an excellent researcher, and her books are are wonderfully detailed. Her plots move along seamlessly and her characters are so well developed and believable. Jaya Jones Is A fantastic main character and I admit to having a soft spot for Sanjay ❤

I cannot wait until the next book in the series is available. Gigi Pandian always leave me wanting new books of hers to read!

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a for and honest review*

I enjoyed this book and the characters were well written.

Jaya Jones travels to Japan to solve an historical mystery at the heart of her visit, whilst at the same time support her best friend Sanjay, who is there to perform an exciting trick of illusion. Enter a murderous ninja, a controversial magician, sabotage, ancient folklore and once again mystery and history coalesce into an entertaining read.

First book from this author that I have read. This can be read as a standalone. I was not lacking the information I needed to enjoy the book. There are 2 different mysteries at play. One involves the magicians; the other involves history. Each mystery is captivating in its own way. I did find the characters interesting and the pace did slow in some areas.

Don’t be put off by the slow start to The Ninja’s Illusion.  It takes a bit of time to get to the meat of the mystery, but once you are there the novel becomes impossible to put down.  Jaya Jones is a treasure hunter/researcher.  Alone she isn’t that exceptional but together with her unusual friends and associates that is another matter entirely.  Jaya travels to Japan to meet up with her friend Sanjay who is performing with Japan’s most controversial magician, Akira.  Akira  intends to perform the impossible - a rope trick that was witnessed long ago and no one has been able to perform since.  But his show preparations are first plagued with sabotage, and then murder.  The situation is desperate but Jaya is determined to unravel the mystery before Sanjay unravels.  What does the impossible illusion have to do with a missing ship and a potential treasure? Seemingly nothing, but as Jaya is quick to learn - in the world of magic there are connections present that may appear invisible to the casual viewer.

I wasn't too impressed by the beginning, but as I went deeper in the novel, the characters and situation became far more interesting.  I enjoyed Gigi Pandian’s approach to this nontraditional mystery.  It was a breath of fresh air in comparison to the multitude of formulaic cozies.  If you are looking for a light mystery that has little violence and a unique plot, The Ninja’s Illusion is a good choice.

4 / 5

I received a copy of The Ninja’s Illusion from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

This is the best book in the Jaya Jones series by Gigi Pandian. The Ninja's Illusion follows the exploits of Sanjay, the Hindu Houdini and Jaya in Japan. Sanjay is asked to assist a renown Japanese magician with an impossible trick. When the magician disappears, Jaya and Sanjay try to learn the secret behind the Ninja's Illusion. An excellent adventure.

In the fifth book of the Jaya Jones series, she embarks on a trip to Kyoto which encompasses a visit to her friend the magician Sanjay, known as the Hindi Houdini. Sanjay is assisting the famous Japanese ex-pop star, now magician Akira, with the impossible Indian Rope Trick.

In addition to this, she is neatly tying in some research work she has been doing into an eighteenth-century Dutch East India Company ship, with a visit to the Japanese Professor Nakamura. His work “involved European trade in Japan and centred on Dejima, the Japanese island where the Dutch were allowed to enter Japan during its isolation period”.*

The book is entertaining and contains a lot of beautiful descriptions of Japanese food, folk and culture. The characters all interact well with each other and the plot, whilst not particularly complex, runs its course in a well-paced manner.

The book is a pleasant and light read and followers of Jaya will enjoy it. However, for me, there was too much frantic and frenetic action with not enough down-times.

Sméagol

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

*For those interested in this time in Japanese history I recommend “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet” by David Mitchell

Domo arigato, Ms. Pandian! This was an intricately woven tale of ancient and modern plots, intrigue, and secrets. This is a new series for me and now I will be purchasing the previous books.

This is the first book in the Jaya Jones series that I have read. In reading the teaser, I had anticipated more of Indiana Jones meets a modern-day Nancy Drew. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I hadn’t anticipated or expected the amount that the story centers around the world of magic and illusions.
The story takes Jaya to Japan where her best friend Sanjay is working with another magician, Akira, to put together a performance that incorporates the famous and nearly impossible Indian Rope Trick. Shortly after arriving in Japan, Jaya and her friend Sanjay are attacked at a Buddhist temple by a man in Ninja garments. After the attack, Sanjay admits that the pending performance has encountered several accidents and sabotage. As the story expands, it becomes clear there is friction and distrust between the magicians preparing to perform as well as outside parties.
Next thing you know, Akira is found dead near the site of the planned outdoor performance. Jaya decides she must get to the truth behind what has been going on. A lot of twists and turns in the world of illusions and magic.
I found the story interesting, but never could completely relate to Jaya. I see that many people have enjoyed this series, so it’s possible this wasn’t the best starting point. I intend to try another story in the series. The historical detail surrounding the India Rope Trick and the Japanese cultural history I found interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Henery Press for the ARC.

While not my favorite in the series, it was still an entertaining ride. If you're a person who loves Japanese culture, this book would be right up your alley. The mystery was intriguing, and the elements of magic were cool too.