Synopses & Reviews
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 Kyotos floating world, where they learn that everyone from the elusive teahouse owner to the dead mans dishonored brother has a motive to keep the samurais 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 ninjas 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.
Review
A finalist for the Silver Falchion Award under the Best First Novel category
"While Spann demonstrates admirable attention to detail in her ninja detective debut, its 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 Morsons 'Nick Zuliani' series and Gary Corbys 'Athenian Mysteries' series."—Library Journal (starred review, mystery debut of the month)
"This well-written debut mystery set in 16th-century Japan offers a glimpse into a little-known society as well as a brain-teasing puzzle....The bulk of the book is a fascinating description of how [Hiro] teases clues out of conversations and balances the requirements of his assignment with the demands of the samurai lifestyle. One can only hope this Northern California author brings Hiro back in another adventure."—San Jose Mercury News
"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....Its 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 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 couldnt turn the pages fast enough."—Richard Doetsch, bestselling author of Half-Past Dawn
Review
"Spann's debut provides an absorbing look at Japanese culture along with a sharp mystery."—Kirkus Reviews
"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 couldnt turn the pages fast enough."—Richard Doetsch, bestselling author of Half-Past Dawn
Review
"While Spann demonstrates admirable attention to detail in her ninja detective debut, its 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 Morsons 'Nick Zuliani' series and Gary Corbys '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
“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 couldnt turn the pages fast enough."—Richard Doetsch, bestselling author of Half-Past Dawn
Review
When a Kyoto samurai is murdered at a teahouse, the victim's son (a police commander) demands quick resolution. He is ready to convict and execute Sayuri, the young entertainer found at the scene, and who happens to be a Christian convert. But her priest, Father Mateo, negotiates two days to prove her innocence. Matsui Hiro, a master shinobi, or ninja, is responsible for protecting the Portuguese Jesuit priest, and since Father Mateo feels obligated to save Sayuri, Hiro moves into detective mode. Hiro initially observes details that indicate the killing was personal, but then he learns that the teahouse owner destroyed financial records after the crime. Further, the victim was not universally loved; his family includes an estranged brother, a widow who is also a Christian convert, and a defiant samurai daughter. Time is running out for Sayuri. VERDICT While Spann demonstrates admirable attention to detail in her ninja detective debut, it's the contemporary tone of her prose that makes Library Journal
Synopsis
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 Kyotos floating world, where they learn that everyone from the elusive teahouse owner to the dead mans dishonored brother has a motive to keep the samurais 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 ninjas 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.
About the Author
SUSAN SPANN is a transactional attorney and former law school professor whose practice focuses on publishing law and business. 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.