Claws of the Cat: A Hiro Hattori Novel (1) (A Shinobi Mystery)

"While Spann demonstrates admirable attention to detail in her ninja detective debut, it's the contemporary tone of her prose that makes this intriguing 16th-century historical so accessible. Laura Joh Rowland fans will like this book for the time period, but the 'buddy tone' is reminiscent of Ian Morson's 'Nick Zuliani' series and Gary Corby's 'Athenian Mysteries' series."--"Library Journal" (starred review, mystery debut of the month) "Spann's debut provides an absorbing look at Japanese culture along with a sharp mystery."--"Kirkus Reviews" "Spann matches period detail with a well-developed whodunit plot in her promising debut, the first in a new series set in 16th-century Japan."--"Publishers Weekly ""Different enough from Rowland's and Parker's popular series and set in a mostly untapped period of Japanese history, the book should do well with fans of those writers."--"Booklist """Claws of the Cat "is an excursion into 16th century Japan where exotic locales take on a familiar flavor as a samurai investigates a murder....It's an intriguing tale with dramatic descriptions and vivid characterizations, revealing that love, jealousy, and greed not only are universal emotions, but also remain unchanged by the centuries."--"New York Journal of Books ""Spann displays her knowledge and expertise while presenting a fascinating and complicated mystery. This is fun, historically entertaining and a very good book."--"RT Book Reviews" (4 stars) "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 S "Spann's debut provides an absorbing look at Japanese culture along with a sharp mystery."--"Kirkus Reviews""Spann matches period detail with a well-developed whodunit plot in her promising debut, the first in a new series set in 16th-century Japan."--"Publishers Weekly""This new series follows the detective adventures of Hiro, a ninja in 16th-century Japan. The addition of Father Mateo, a Portuguese Jesuit priest Hiro has sworn to protect, gives added perspective. Spann displays her knowledge and expertise while presenting a fascinating and complicated mystery. This is fun, historically entertaining and a very good book."--"RT Book Reviews" (4 stars)"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 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 is the 2015 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year and the author of six other novels in the Shinobi Mystery series: Blade of the Samurai, Flask of the Drunken Master, The Ninja's Daughter, Betrayal at Iga, Trial on Mount Koya, and Ghost of the Bamboo Road. She has a degree in Asian Studies and a lifelong love of Japanese history and culture. When not writing, she works as a transactional attorney focusing on publishing and business law, and raises seahorses and rare corals in her marine aquarium.