The strife between Sano Ichiro, the samurai detective who has risen to power in the shogun's court, and his enemies has escalated to the brink of war. Called away from the crisis by the shogun's orders to investigate a mysterious skeleton Sano and his wife, Reiko, must confront dangerous, long buried secrets. What was Sano's own mother doing on the night when a burning kimono ignited a blaze that destroyed the city of Edo? The shogun gives Sano and Reiko just three days to find out--or risk losing not only their position at court but their families lives as well."Sano may carry a sword and wear a kimono, but you'll immediately recognize him as an ancestor of Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade." -- The Denver Post
Laura Joh Rowland is
the author of the mystery series set in 17th c. Japan that features
samurai detective Sano Ichiro. Her work has been published in 13
foreign countries and nominated for the Anthony Award and the Hammett
Prize. She is also the author of The Secret Adventures of Charlotte
Bronte. Laura lives in New Orleans with her husband Marty and their two
cats. 
