[XOB]≡ Download Free Blade of the Samurai A Shinobi Mystery Shinobi Mysteries Susan Spann 9781250027054 Books

Blade of the Samurai A Shinobi Mystery Shinobi Mysteries Susan Spann 9781250027054 Books

Download As PDF : Blade of the Samurai A Shinobi Mystery Shinobi Mysteries Susan Spann 9781250027054 Books

Blade of the Samurai A Shinobi Mystery Shinobi Mysteries Susan Spann 9781250027054 Books

This is the second book in a series (so far at 6 books and counting:about Matsui Hiro (a shinobi—an assassin) who has been sent by his clan to serve as the bodyguard for Father Mateo, a Portuguese priest attempting to convert the Japanese to Christianity. Set in the 16th century, the historical background seems to me (a dilettante in this time period and country) seems extraordinarily well done. At that time, the Japanese only allowed external trade with the Portuguese, who had a small number of merchants in the country, confined generally to specific parts of the major cities. The Japanese had also permitted a number of Catholic priests to accompany the merchants and, while not actively encouraging those priests, also did not prohibit their activities. Most of the priests proselytized the upper classes; Mateo worked among the lower classes. (A reasonable overview of the period can be found on the wikipedia) In this period, the Emperor was largely a figurehead, with control of the government in the hands of the Shogun.

The books are set largely in Kyoto, at that time the residence of the Emperor and the most important city in Japan. The period is known as the Sengoku (“Age of Warring States”), and was a period of considerable political instability and internal warfare. This book is set in the 1650s (European dating), if I recall correctly.

The book opens with Hiro (his personal name; Matsui is a family name, and not, actually, his real name) being disturbed by a creaking floorboard, causing him to go into (if you will) ninja mode. The intruder turns out to be a relative, Kāzu, who works as a scribe in a government office. His superior, Ashikaga Saburo, has been murdered, with Kāzu’s dagger, and Kāzu is certain he will be accused. He swears he is innocent. (The dead man is a member of the Shogun’s family.)

And then there comes a hammering on the door—a messenger from the government compound has come to bring Father Mateo to investigate the murder of Saburo (because of his success in solving a prior baffling murder—with, of course, Hiro’s assistance. Hiro does not reveal Kāzu’s presence, and arranges for him to slip away while Mateo, accompanied by Hiro, goes to begin an investigation of Saburo’s murder. A complicating factor is that it appears that an army, raised by Lord Oda, is marching on Kyoto, apparently with the aim of replacing the Ashikaga Shogunate with an Oda Shogunate. So there is also a concern that Saburo’s murder is in fact linked to the country’s political instability.
Spann does an excellent job of keeping the dynastic issues clear and this helps make the investigation of the murder stand out. While dynastic issues seem to be at the forefront, the murder could easily have been a personal matter—Saburo has private as well as political enemies. As
Mateo and Hiro investigate, and as the political crisis looms, two more deaths complicate matters, and Hiro meets Saburo’s very young son (who turns out to be an important part of the story).

This is, in my opinion, an extraordinarily rich book. The characters (especially, but not only the continuing characters of Mateo’s household) are well defined and developed people; I never got any sense that they were these just to move the story along. Hiro, who is really the main character, and Mateo are engaging, complex characters, whose friendship enriches the story. For me, this book is a must-read, as is (so far) the entire series.


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Blade of the Samurai A Shinobi Mystery Shinobi Mysteries Susan Spann 9781250027054 Books Reviews

This, and it's predecessor Claws of the Cat, are mysteries that you NEED to read. The shift in time to feudal Japan makes the mystery one that can only be solved by the deductive capabilities of the sleuth, and Japan itself means that you're in a land where everyone cares more about saving face and not having direct conversation to an extent that every conversation is a battle of wits.

This book expands on the characters, but also the setting and unique strangeness that is feudal Japan. The ending leaves you satisfied with the mystery, but is also bittersweet in a way that I can only say is very Japanese.

Simply put, it's an amazing read and you owe it to yourself to read it. Ms. Spann does feudal Japan right.
This is far from my typical range of taste. The period and setting challenged my visualization skills. But I stayed the course gladly. Interesting characters invested with nice cultural revelations and detail kept me going. Bought another in the series. Worth your time and an interesting and rewarding book
In this second installment in the Shinobi Mystery series, Matsui Hiro and Father Mateo return to try and find the killer of one of the shogun’s chief samurai. Set inside the shogun’s mansion and grounds, the story features murder, political intrigue, and romance within another mental trip to medieval Japan for the reader. This book is just as entertaining and interesting as the first in the series and once again, we get an authentic glimpse into the life and culture of 16th century Japan.

My only disappointment with this series is that the next isn’t due out until 2015, of course. I highly recommend this to historical mystery fans especially those that have enjoyed the Sano Ichiro series by Laura Joh Rowland.
Susan Spann's BLADE OF THE SAMURAI rings with authenticity as we are transported back to 16th century Kyoto with its rigid social conventions, points of etiquette and violent murder. An unlikely pair of sleuths, a Portuguese Jesuit priest and his translator, who is an undercover spy, are put thoroughly on the spot by the local shogun and are given three days to discover the identity of the murderer, or stand in his place for execution. What follows is a tight drama, a line-up of fascinating suspects and a whodunit that keeps us guessing until the end. I loved the descriptions of Japanese life and the customs of the elite samurai class and the tentative position in this society of the Jesuit priests who have come to instill the tenets of Christian faith in a society that reveres hierarchy and its own unbending traditions.
Susan Spann has done it again with the second book in her Shinobi Mystery series. While I very much enjoyed Claws of the Cat, Blade is even better. Hiro and Father Mateo have grown as characters--not modern day men masquerading as ancient Japanese, as happens in so many historical books--but genuine, well rounded characters moving through a flawlessly recreated medieval Japanese world. Some new and colorful characters show up, as well-- Kazu and Suke the drunk are fabulous. The mystery is neatly plotted and kept me guessing to the end. Highly recommend, and can't wait for the next one.
This is the second in the five book (so far) series of books that follow Hiro, a shinobi ((Ninja), and the Jesuit priest (Father Mateo) he is sworn to protect, as they solve crimes in feudal Japan.

This plot, which involves a threat against the Shogun, and a number of murders, is more convoluted than necessary - thus only 4 rather than 5 stars, as this book is well written and seems to accurately reflect the period in terms of customs and such.

I liked the attention to detail as Hiro moved around Kyoto and the mention of various shrines and streets, as that helped place the action as it unfolded.

A really good book, but not a great book - however, if one is reading the entire series, don't overlook this one, as it does provide an enjoyable reading experience.
This is the second book in a series (so far at 6 books and countingabout Matsui Hiro (a shinobi—an assassin) who has been sent by his clan to serve as the bodyguard for Father Mateo, a Portuguese priest attempting to convert the Japanese to Christianity. Set in the 16th century, the historical background seems to me (a dilettante in this time period and country) seems extraordinarily well done. At that time, the Japanese only allowed external trade with the Portuguese, who had a small number of merchants in the country, confined generally to specific parts of the major cities. The Japanese had also permitted a number of Catholic priests to accompany the merchants and, while not actively encouraging those priests, also did not prohibit their activities. Most of the priests proselytized the upper classes; Mateo worked among the lower classes. (A reasonable overview of the period can be found on the wikipedia) In this period, the Emperor was largely a figurehead, with control of the government in the hands of the Shogun.

The books are set largely in Kyoto, at that time the residence of the Emperor and the most important city in Japan. The period is known as the Sengoku (“Age of Warring States”), and was a period of considerable political instability and internal warfare. This book is set in the 1650s (European dating), if I recall correctly.

The book opens with Hiro (his personal name; Matsui is a family name, and not, actually, his real name) being disturbed by a creaking floorboard, causing him to go into (if you will) ninja mode. The intruder turns out to be a relative, Kāzu, who works as a scribe in a government office. His superior, Ashikaga Saburo, has been murdered, with Kāzu’s dagger, and Kāzu is certain he will be accused. He swears he is innocent. (The dead man is a member of the Shogun’s family.)

And then there comes a hammering on the door—a messenger from the government compound has come to bring Father Mateo to investigate the murder of Saburo (because of his success in solving a prior baffling murder—with, of course, Hiro’s assistance. Hiro does not reveal Kāzu’s presence, and arranges for him to slip away while Mateo, accompanied by Hiro, goes to begin an investigation of Saburo’s murder. A complicating factor is that it appears that an army, raised by Lord Oda, is marching on Kyoto, apparently with the aim of replacing the Ashikaga Shogunate with an Oda Shogunate. So there is also a concern that Saburo’s murder is in fact linked to the country’s political instability.
Spann does an excellent job of keeping the dynastic issues clear and this helps make the investigation of the murder stand out. While dynastic issues seem to be at the forefront, the murder could easily have been a personal matter—Saburo has private as well as political enemies. As
Mateo and Hiro investigate, and as the political crisis looms, two more deaths complicate matters, and Hiro meets Saburo’s very young son (who turns out to be an important part of the story).

This is, in my opinion, an extraordinarily rich book. The characters (especially, but not only the continuing characters of Mateo’s household) are well defined and developed people; I never got any sense that they were these just to move the story along. Hiro, who is really the main character, and Mateo are engaging, complex characters, whose friendship enriches the story. For me, this book is a must-read, as is (so far) the entire series.