Trial on Mount Koya

Author: Susan Spann

Series: Shinobi Mystery #6

Publisher: 7th Street Books

Release Date: July 3, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Another thrilling and insightful installment in the Shinobi series! Keep them coming!

Hiro and Father Mateo have been tasked with delivering a message from Iga to a temple on Mount Koya. Arriving just before a blizzard sets in, they are greeted by Ringa, the temple guardian.  Ringa recognizes Hiro as Hanzo’s cousin and quickly separates them to have the message, at which time he also reveals he is an Iga spy.  That night while sleeping, Hiro and Father Mateo are awakened by cries throughout the temple to find that Ringa has been murdered and posed as a Buddha.  Hiro and Father Mateo are asked by the abbot to stay and investigate the murder to find the killer.  They learn that the abbot sent a request to Iga to have an assassin brought in to teach the priests self-defense.  Shortly after their encounter, the abbot is found murdered.  Then the plot thickens when another priest is found murdered shortly thereafter.  Tempers flare and baseless accusations begin to be made.  Can Hiro and Father Mateo solve the case before another murder occurs?  And what is the pattern?  Why destroy the priests of a Buddhist temple in a neutral region?

This is one of those series that I look forward to all year! And when it finally shows up, I just tear into it to see what is going to happen next.  The stories that Spann comes up with are so entertaining and intriguing.  I can’t get enough of the banter between Hiro and Father Mateo.  There are times that I just laugh out loud and what goes on between the two of them.  I’ve also enjoyed watching their relationship grow closer as they continue on their journey.

I also enjoy the historical accuracy that Spann has brought to this series covering much of 16^th century Japan.  The cultures and behaviors have been brought to life and very educational.  This particular book dives down into the Buddhist temples and their way of life.  She did a great job of explaining the belief system to help the reader understand the motivation behind the killer.

This is a great series that I recommend for all readers. It doesn’t even feel like a historical fiction novel most of the time.  She does a great job of pulling the reader into the book that you feel like you are part of the action.  Grab a copy today!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.