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Claws of the Cat
A Shinobi Mystery
by Susan Spann
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Pub Date
Jul 16 2013
| Archive Date
Jul 16 2013
Description
May 1564: When a samurai is brutally murdered in a Kyoto teahouse, master ninja Hiro has no desire to get involved. But the beautiful entertainer accused of the crime enlists the help of Father Mateo, the Portuguese Jesuit Hiro is sworn to protect, leaving the master shinobi with just three days to find the killer in order to save the girl and the priest from execution.
The investigation plunges Hiro and Father Mateo into the dangerous waters of Kyoto's floating world, where they learn that everyone from the elusive teahouse owner to the dead man's dishonored brother has a motive to keep the samurai's death a mystery. A rare murder weapon favored by ninja assassins, a female samurai warrior, and a hidden affair leave Hiro with too many suspects and far too little time. Worse, the ninja's investigation uncovers a host of secrets that threaten not only Father Mateo and the teahouse, but the very future of Japan.
Debut author Susan Spann delivers a riveting mystery filled with rich period detail and a fine sense of Japanese culture. Claws of the Cat boasts a detective like no other and a world never seen before in crime fiction.
May 1564: When a samurai is brutally murdered in a Kyoto teahouse, master ninja Hiro has no desire to get involved. But the beautiful entertainer accused of the crime enlists the help of Father...
Description
May 1564: When a samurai is brutally murdered in a Kyoto teahouse, master ninja Hiro has no desire to get involved. But the beautiful entertainer accused of the crime enlists the help of Father Mateo, the Portuguese Jesuit Hiro is sworn to protect, leaving the master shinobi with just three days to find the killer in order to save the girl and the priest from execution.
The investigation plunges Hiro and Father Mateo into the dangerous waters of Kyoto's floating world, where they learn that everyone from the elusive teahouse owner to the dead man's dishonored brother has a motive to keep the samurai's death a mystery. A rare murder weapon favored by ninja assassins, a female samurai warrior, and a hidden affair leave Hiro with too many suspects and far too little time. Worse, the ninja's investigation uncovers a host of secrets that threaten not only Father Mateo and the teahouse, but the very future of Japan.
Debut author Susan Spann delivers a riveting mystery filled with rich period detail and a fine sense of Japanese culture. Claws of the Cat boasts a detective like no other and a world never seen before in crime fiction.
A Note From the Publisher
SUSAN SPANN is a transactional attorney focusing on publishing law and a former law school professor. She has a deep interest in Asian culture and has studied Mandarin and Japanese. Her hobbies include Asian cooking, fencing, knife and shuriken throwing, traditional archery, martial arts, rock climbing, and horseback riding. She keeps a marine aquarium where she raises seahorses and rare corals. Spann is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She lives in northern California with her family.
SUSAN SPANN is a transactional attorney focusing on publishing law and a former law school professor. She has a deep interest in Asian culture and has studied Mandarin and Japanese. Her hobbies...
A Note From the Publisher
SUSAN SPANN is a transactional attorney focusing on publishing law and a former law school professor. She has a deep interest in Asian culture and has studied Mandarin and Japanese. Her hobbies include Asian cooking, fencing, knife and shuriken throwing, traditional archery, martial arts, rock climbing, and horseback riding. She keeps a marine aquarium where she raises seahorses and rare corals. Spann is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She lives in northern California with her family.
Advance Praise
"Susan Spann skillfully transports the reader to Samurai Japan and serves up
a feast of intrigue and suspense in a well-drawn exotic and unforgettable world.
Claws of the Cat is a delicious adventure and a remarkable debut."—Tasha
Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Floating
City
"A
terrific mystery debut that delivers an uncanny sense of life in
16th century Japan. Claws of the Cat is fast-paced, tightly
plotted, and impossible to put down. Susan Spann has created one of the most
original and engaging detectives to enter the mystery world in a long while—the
master ninja, Hiro. So take a trip back in time to the murderous, political
world of the ninja and the samurai, if you dare!"—Margaret Coel, New York
Times bestselling author of the Wind River mystery series
“A
blend of history, mystery, and charm. Hiro and Father Mateo are a fresh take on
‘East meets West.’ Authentic and engaging.”—Laura Joh Rowland, author of The
Incense Game
"Claws of the Cat is an amazing debut novel that
exceeds expectation. Mystery, adventure, characters who leap off the page, I
couldn’t turn the pages fast enough."—Richard Doetsch, bestselling author of
Half-Past Dawn
"Susan Spann skillfully transports the reader to Samurai Japan and serves up
a feast of intrigue and suspense in a well-drawn exotic and unforgettable world.
Claws of the Cat is a delicious...
Advance Praise
"Susan Spann skillfully transports the reader to Samurai Japan and serves up
a feast of intrigue and suspense in a well-drawn exotic and unforgettable world.
Claws of the Cat is a delicious adventure and a remarkable debut."—Tasha
Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Floating
City
"A
terrific mystery debut that delivers an uncanny sense of life in
16th century Japan. Claws of the Cat is fast-paced, tightly
plotted, and impossible to put down. Susan Spann has created one of the most
original and engaging detectives to enter the mystery world in a long while—the
master ninja, Hiro. So take a trip back in time to the murderous, political
world of the ninja and the samurai, if you dare!"—Margaret Coel, New York
Times bestselling author of the Wind River mystery series
“A
blend of history, mystery, and charm. Hiro and Father Mateo are a fresh take on
‘East meets West.’ Authentic and engaging.”—Laura Joh Rowland, author of The
Incense Game
"Claws of the Cat is an amazing debut novel that
exceeds expectation. Mystery, adventure, characters who leap off the page, I
couldn’t turn the pages fast enough."—Richard Doetsch, bestselling author of
Half-Past Dawn
Marketing Plan
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We want to hear what you think! Email netgalley@stmartins.com with your thoughts.
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Other Format |
| ISBN |
9781250027023 |
| PRICE |
$24.99 (USD)
|
Additional Information
Available Editions
| EDITION |
Other Format |
| ISBN |
9781250027023 |
| PRICE |
$24.99 (USD)
|
Average rating from 9 members
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