Trial on Mount Koya by Susan Spann

First Sentence:  "I question your judgment, Hiro."

Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo and his protector, and friend, master ninja Hiro Hattori travel to a Buddhist temple at the summit of Mount Koya.  Hiro is carrying a secret message for an Iga spy who is at the temple posing as a priest.  A blizzard moves in preventing anyone from leaving, including a killer who is murdering the priests and posing their bodies.  It is up to the two men to identify the killer and quickly as they come to realize that Father Mateo is slated to be a victim.

      

Although this book begins immediately where "Betrayal at Iga" ended, it stands on its own with new readers being brought quickly up to date.  And besides, there's a cat. 

      

Spann's ability to create a mental picture provides a clear sense of place—"Stone lamps positioned around the yard illuminated the space, their flickering light unusually pale and weak beneath the sickly sky."  The simple explanation of the "Manifestations of Buddha" is interesting, as are the explanations of the jusanbutsu and the bodhisattvas.  One of the great gifts of reading is learning about other cultures and beliefs.  Spann does a fine job of both, as well as providing translations for the Japanese used in the story.  

      

There are wonderful characters including Ana, Hero's housekeeper. She is a beam of light who pushes back the dark—"Ana looked down her nose at Hiro—a significant feat, given her diminutive size."  It's hard to resist a protagonist who has his priorities in order—"…the story was wasting time he could use to find his cat and stop the killer."  There are also basic truths to be found—"I did not choose this life, but I could choose the way I live it."  Hiro and Father Mateo balance one another.  It is a relationship which has developed over time and into one of trust and respect.  Hatsuko, the female samurai, is a very interesting character.  She is someone of whom one would like to see more.

      

Spann creates a very good sense of urgency and danger which builds to an unexpected revelation. She shows the idiocy of hatred brought about by policies—"If it makes you feel better, I promise to hate you again as soon as safety grants me the luxury of unfounded prejudices."

      

One very small criticism, which may be more on the publisher than the author.  The book includes a cast of characters and a glossary.  Unfortunately, these have been placed at the end of the book, rather than the beginning where they would have been much more useful.  However, the plot is very well done and gives a nod back to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None."

      
"Trial on Mount Koya" is atmospheric and suspenseful with a highly dramatic ending and an important self-realization for Hiro.

TRIAL ON MOUNT KOYA (Hist Mys-Hiro Hattori/Father Mateo-Japan-1565) – Good

      Spann, Susan – 6^th in series

      Seventh Street Books – July 2018