The USA Today–bestselling author “dishes up authentic history and cultural tidbits along with a first-class mystery” (Publishers Weekly). A fabled illusion performed by a stage magician who claims to possess real supernatural powers. A treasure from the colonial era in India when international supremacies vied for power. A phantom trading ship lost over 200 years ago. And a ninja whose murderous … ago. And a ninja whose murderous intentions in present-day Japan connect the deeds of a long-dead trader who was much more than he seemed . . .
When Jaya travels from San Francisco to Japan with her stage magician best friend Sanjay—a.k.a. The Hindi Houdini—for his Japanese debut, she jumps at the chance to pursue her own research that could solve a tantalizing centuries-old mystery.
With the colorful autumn leaves of historic Kyoto falling around her, Jaya soon loses sight of what’s real and what’s a deception. A mysterious ninja attempts to sabotage Sanjay’s trick, along with Japan’s most controversial magician, Akira. Ancient folklore blurs the lines between illusion and reality when a magician’s assistant appears to be a kitsune, a mythical fox spirit. As tricks escalate to murder, Jaya and her friends must unravel secrets hidden in the ancient capital of Japan, before one of their own becomes the next victim.
“A beautifully complex, fast-paced mystery—a well-crafted blend of modern magic and ancient secrets, full of compelling characters and set in one of Japan’s most beautiful—and mysterious—locations.” —Susan Spann, author of the Hiro Hattori Mysteries
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The Ninja’s Illusion is another wonderful Jaya Jones mystery! I couldn’t put it down! The setting is Japan with Sanjay planning a magic performance while Jaya researches a historical anomaly. Then the scary stuff begins. Can they figure out what’s going on before somebody really gets hurt? Tight plot, excellent dialogue, great characters, and a romantic triangle keep the reader turning pages!
I loved it! This is a must read series!
murder, mystery, myths-legends, japanese-lore, fakir-lore, illusionists, history-and-culture, historical-places-events
Meet Jaya Jones, history professor extraordinaire and several of her friends. Tamarind is a very brilliant and colorful college librarian, Sanjay is a wacky magician who failed law school only to become an accomplished magician with roots in India, now working with an egomaniac magician in Japan. Murder, a mysterious fakir magic trick no one can seem to replicate, and interpersonal issues make for a riveting read. There are lots of plot twists, and the misdirection is not only on the stage. Of course, there is the suspense, humor, snarkiness, action, and history insights that we love and expect. The publisher’s blurb give clues, but can’t begin to prepare you for the addictive nature of the book that seems to demand that it be read in one sitting!
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to receive this gift from the publisher!
I was randomly selected to receive this as an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review of it. I love the Jaya Jones series and was anxious to read this one. It never disappointed. Each time Jaya gets involved in treasure hunts, the locations and history used makes you want to see those places. The Fushimi Imari shrine drew me in this time. But aside from that, Gigi does an exceptional job in writing a mystery that has you trying to figure it out right up to the very end. And the way this one ends, I’m curious what her next exploit will be.
I first read about Jaya in the prequel Fool’s Gold in Other People’s Baggage. After that, I’ve read all the books in the series. I think you’ll enjoy reading about Jaya and her friends and family. Just try it.
My first book by Gigi Pandian, The Ninja’s Illusion. A TRUE Treasure. There’s a stealthy ninja, magic and illusion. Spying, sabotage and theft. Murder and romance. Exciting scenes and unpredictable twists and turns. Using exquisite details and ‘poetic license’ to weave fiction with past/present historical facts. Her writing creates “The perfect place for the impossible”….pages come to life. This book is an ‘exhilarating, baffling, passionate, nerve-racking and blissful’, CONSUMING reading adventure !!! Book 5 in GP’s Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series. The only difficult part reading this book, deciding, read book 1 or 4 next !?! Jaya Jones, asst. prof. of history, is quickly becoming a world renowned go-to person for historical research. And her research can become a hunt, literally. Worldwide. Finding treasure, secrets and/or evil doers along the way. Though trained in jujitsu her strongest assests, her mind and her magnifying glass. Jaya is not alone. Collecting an intelligent and crazy cast of characters as she goes. She travels to Japan from San Francisco home for best friend, Sanjay’s world premiere magic show. She also has a research request concerning, 18th century Dutch shipping to 1700’s Japan. Modern day Japan as the backdrop. All tied together by the ancient Indian Rope Trick. What is real and what is illusion ?!? Who is friend and who is foe ?!? Which GP book to read next ?!? I received this book as an ARC from Henery Press publishing through NetGalley. I am voluntarily posting this review.