Book Review: Claws of the Cat (Shinobi Mystery, #1) by Susan Spann

Claws of the Cat by Susan Spann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent Japanese historical mystery perfect for fans of Laura Joh Rowland’s Sano Ichiro series!

When one of Father Mateo's congregation, a lovely young entertainer in a geisha house, is accused of the murder of one of its samurai patrons, Matsui Hiro, Father Mateo's Japanese translator/bodyguard (and undercover shinobi or ninja) lends his skills to find the real killer. The murdered man's son gives the pair three days to discover the murderer or face death as part of the son's traditional revenge.

Claws of the Cat is set in 16th-century Japan, and you can almost feel, hear, and smell the setting as you live the story alongside the wonderful lead characters, Hiro and Father Mateo. The story also features memorable supporting characters, including Ana, the curmudgeonly housekeeper, and Luis, the Portuguese merchant and guest in Father Mateo's home.

The story is filled with authentic-sounding, authentic-feeling details, and the author certainly has the chops to prove their authenticity. This was a fabulous reading experience; I feel like I just returned from a trip to medieval Japan, and I was absolutely immersed in the story. I highly recommend this to historical mystery fans, especially those who enjoyed Laura Joh Rowland's Sano Ichiro series.

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