Non-Fiction
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Climb: Leaving Safe and Finding Strength on 100 Summits in Japan | 2020 | Buy |
Shinobi Mystery Reading Order
| Title | Published | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Claws of the Cat | 2013 | Buy |
| Blade of the Samurai | 2014 | Buy |
| Flask of the Drunken Master | 2015 | Buy |
| The Ninja’s Daughter | 2016 | Buy |
| Betrayal at Iga | 2017 | Buy |
| Trial on Mount Koya | 2018 | Buy |
| Ghost of the Bamboo Road | 2019 | Buy |
| Fires of Edo | 2022 | Buy |
Susan Spann writes historical mystery novels set in feudal Japan. Her Shinobi Mystery series follows a ninja detective through eight books, starting with Claws of the Cat in 2013 and running to Fires of Edo in 2022. Each title hints at the setting and atmosphere: Blade of the Samurai, Flask of the Drunken Master, Trial on Mount Koya. The series blends whodunit plotting with the culture, politics, and geography of 16th-century Japan.
Outside of fiction, Spann wrote Climb: Leaving Safe and Finding Strength on 100 Summits in Japan, a 2020 non-fiction book about her experiences climbing mountains across the country. It is an interesting pairing with the Shinobi Mysteries, since both reflect a deep personal connection to Japan. With nine books total, her catalog is focused and consistent.