Fires of Edo: A Hiro Hattori Novel (A Shinobi Mystery) Paperback – 17 Feb. 2022

Fires of Edo is the eighth book in Susan Spann's Shinobi mystery series. Fair to say, I don't think I've read anything like it previously, at least as far as the setting of 16th century. Japan is concerned. (16th century anywhere for that matter.)We have two travellers happening upon a fire in a village. After assisting at the scene, they stop to investigate it. This brings them into contact with a figure from one of their pasts. From what I understand, there is an ongoing dispute or feud between two rival sects, which is probably an over-riding series arc.A few months on I'm struggling to remember too much about the book to be honest, though I can recall some of the feelings it evoked in me. I enjoyed the dramatic change of setting from my usual reading. Historic mysteries don't hold a particular attraction for me as I kind of lack the imagination to want to immerse myself in the past. Susan Spann had me enjoying the book though. I liked seeing this peculiar, alien world with it's different food, customs and rules of behaviour.The main characters were good company and the story had enough excitement to have me not counting down the pages until the end. There are a few twists and turns and dramatic incidents before an ending which satisfied me and tied up all the questions presented earlier. Who did what and why.While I wouldn't put it up there as one of my most enjoyable reads of the year, I am interested in re-visiting the series in the future. That's usually the benchmark of whether I've enjoyed a book or not. Do I want to read more from the author about the same characters? Yes. Which is fortunate because I have a few of the earlier titles on the pile.Setting - a plus, story - a plus, characters - developed, a plus. Writing - enjoyable.Overall 3 from 5(Note to self, try not to leave such a long gap between reading something and trying to put together some intelligent thoughts.)Read – February, 2022Published – 2022Page count – 230Source – review copy from Saichek PublicityFormat – PDF read on laptop

First Sentence: FIRE!Samurai Hiro and the Portuguese priest, Father Mateo, who Hiro has been assigned to protect, have arrived in Edo to warn their fellow spies to return to Kyoto since their lives are in danger. A fire sends them to assist the fire brigade, headed by Daisuke, a fellow member of Iga Ryu who bullied Hiro when they were children. This is the third recent fire, yet this one reveals the partially dismembered body of yet another samurai. A bookshop owner and his apprentice are arrested and may die unless Hiro and Father Mateo can save them, the guild, and even their own lives which are now at risk.What a wonderful look at 16th Century Japan, its villages, and its technique for fighting fires. But this was no gentle time. Spann makes clear how harsh feudal life, and law, could be.Hiro and Father Mateo Ávila de Santos, along with their delightful housekeeper Ana, and her cat Gato, are characters one enjoys spending time with, as well as they do with one another. As usual, it is best to start this series at the beginning to understand the character development. Part of the intrigue is in following ttheir travels to the Portuguese colony at Yokoseura where Father Mateo can be kept safe until Japan names a new shogun, a matter fraught with danger and spies from rival sides. Yet it is in their travels that they find themselves embroiled in murder and great danger.One can’t set a book set in Japan without talking about the food—“Paper-thin slices of fresh sashimi rested on delicate, palm-sized dishes glazed the color of autumn leaves. Nearby, a pair of whole grilled fish sat side by side on a rectangular, black-glazed plate. Coils of pale, fragrant steam rose from the covered soup bowl and the heaping of rice on the far lacquered tray. Beside the rice, two tiny plates of bite-sized tsukemono rounded out the meal.”But it’s the mystery, and the characters involved that keep the pages turning. You have Daisuke, commander of the fire brigade, and Hiro’s long-time adversary Hanzō, a famous ninja commander and leader of the Iga ryu, and Hiyoshi who is politically ambitious and wants to be the new head of the fire brigade. One wishes the Cast of Characters was at the beginning of the book, rather than the end.FIRES OF EDO is suspenseful, with plenty of twists and a very dramatic climax. It is educational as Spann includes actual historical figures. It’s a quick, engrossing read and a very good addition to the series.FIRES OF EDOHistMys/Hiro Hattori/Fr.Mateo-Japan-1566by Susan Spann – 8th in seriesSeventh Street Books, Feb 2022, 265 pp.RATING: VG+/A

Superb story-telling and, as always, I eagerly await the next episode in the saga.Thank you so much, Susan, and hope you will continue these tales for many years to come.

I have read all of Susan Spann's Shinobi Mysteries. I like Ms. Spann, enjoy the history and culture of Japan. This novel is set in 1566 in Edo (modern day Tokyo).In this novel we continue to follow Shinobi (Ninja) Hiro Hattori and Jesuit Father Mateo on their travels around Japan. The author does a great job of setting the scene and informing the reader of the day to day activities of the population during that period. She also shows how the various classes of the population treat each other.I was not impressed with the actual story being told in this novel, and do not feel it was as good as her prior books following Hiro and Father Mateo.One plot error (Spoiler Alert) was why would Kaeru have notified Hattori Hanzo, of Oda Nobunga’s plan, if she was really trying to help Nobunga, along with her co-conspirator Daisuke.I thought the ending of the novel was a bit rushed, thus only four stars.

Fast pace, fun read. I have read six Shinobi novels this month, with the last two novels to go this week. I hope there is more from this author soon.

Time spent with Hiro and Father Mateo is always a treat. This story is especially compelling with the information about the Edo fire brigade and the rules and regulations enforced to keep fires from happening. As always Susan Spann's research makes its way to the page effortlessly and enriches the story. The final confrontation had me holding my breath and turning the page. A great story and a wild ride!!