Arcadia Public Library

In 17th Century Japan, Investigator Sano Ichiro probes a series of revenge killings connected to a century-old dispute. But how to bring the guilty to justice when they are powerful men? Part mystery, part personal drama as Sano--himself a samurai--tries valiantly to follow bushido, the way of the warrior in a society whose ancient noble ways have been all but forgotten. By the author of Shinju.

Ichiro Sano's investigation of a triple murder at the Black Lotus Temple in 17th century Japan leads him to suspect an orphan girl. His wife, Reiko, believes the girl is innocent and starts her own investigation.

When four women, including his wife, are kidnapped and imprisoned in the tower of a ruined palace, Sano Ichiro is directed by his shogun under penalty of death to work with his enemies in order to secure the women's freedom.

In 1698 Japan, samurai detective Sano Ichirō finds his role as the shogun's trusted advisor threatened when the shogun's heir, Lord Mori, is found murdered, with Sano's pregnant wife, Reiko, lying beside him, naked and covered in blood.

Japan, March 1700. Troops ambush and attack Lady Reiko, the wife of Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to power and influence. The troops who have attacked Reiko appear to belong to Sano's enemy, Lord Matsudaira, who denies all responsibility. But if the rivals are not to blame, who is?

"Japan, 1703. On a snowy night, 47 warriors murder the man at the center of the scandal that turned them from samurai into masterless ronin two years before. Clearly this was an act of revenge--but why did they wait so long? And is there any reason they should not immediately be ordered to commit ritual suicide? Sano Ichiro, demoted from Chamberlain to his old post as Most Honorable Investigator of Events, Situations, and People, has mere days to...

When the shogun is forced to claim an illegitimate son as his heir after the death of his only child, Sano Ichirō, believing the malevolent youth to be part of a plot to seize power, risks the safety and honor of his family to uncover the truth.