The Ninja’s Illusion: A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery

In Pandian’s highly entertaining, fast-paced fifth outing for spunky historian Jaya Jones (after 2016’s Michelangelo’s Ghost), Jaya flies from her native San Francisco to Kyoto, Japan, to lend moral support to Sanjay Rai, a longtime friend known professionally as the Hindi Houdini. Sanjay has agreed to be the opening act for Akira, Japan’s most celebrated magician, who claims to have found the secret to the famous Indian rope trick. Jaya no sooner touches down than she is off and running—through the narrow streets of the city’s historic districts and famous bamboo forest and up mountainsides to sacred shrines. When a body turns up at the outdoor venue for the televised magic show just a few days before taping, the action intensifies; Jaya must juggle her research on an 18th-century explorer known as the Dutchman of Dejima with her investigations. As usual, Pandian dishes up authentic history and cultural tidbits along with a first-class mystery. She also adds just the right light touch of romance. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Oct.)