Flask of the Drunken Master
Japan, 1565. The third Shinobi mystery from Spann opens with the murder of a sake brewer and the imprisonment of an obvious suspect, but samurai detective Hiro Hattori isn’t convinced they have the right man. Together with Father Mateo, the Jesuit priest Hiro is bound to protect, he searches for the truth during a dangerous political shift in Kyoto before it’s too late for the condemned man.
As a secret shinobi (called a ninja in China), Hiro favors the discipline and skill of his training, oftentimes cringing at Father Mateo’s naivety of tradition. This makes a splendid backdrop for those unfamiliar with 16th-century Japan, as there are ample situations in which Hiro must explain to his companion the finer points of Japanese customs and weapons.
Spann’s writing is detailed and descriptive enough to ground you in the story but is not overly flowery, which suits her two heroes as they face the hurdles of their investigation, namely samurai guards on alert for spies, and money-hungry lenders. I do find the glossary helpful for the proper usage of names, as the people can get confusing depending who is addressing a character, and to what level of respect. Enjoyed it!
