This was a strong fourth book in the Samantha Olivares Mystery series, it had that mystery element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this book. Alice Kanaka does another great job in bringing us back to this world and had that mystery element that I hoped for. It left me wanting to read more in this series and glad I read this.

I enjoyed this book. Fascinating look at everyday life in Japan plus a murder thrown in the mix. Jack along with his cousin goes to Japan to meet his mother's family. When out for a walk Jack finds a murdered man and as he is a medical examiner he gets involved.

A gentle murder mystery set in a small town in Japan. The story includes a murder although it’s mainly about what it feels like to visit Japan for the first time. Although it’s part of a series, enough background is provided that it can be read as a standalone novel.

Our two cousin protagonists are visiting Japan for the first time as one of them is half Japanese and visiting their mother’s family for the first time. We see the challenges of communicating when neither speaks the others’ language as well as lots of the small cultural customs which make up daily life in a Japanese family. If you’re thinking of moving to Japan, a highly recommended to start familiarising yourself with these customs.

The murder mystery is the second strand of the novel, almost a subplot really, as a local arrogant tycoon is found dead and there’s really no shortage of people who he’d annoyed. There’s also a gentle critique on the Japanese police methods - they’d seemingly rather have a conviction than catch the culprit.

There’s the odd typo to iron out - I’d recommend that the author do so and reissue the ebook. The one that comes to mind was clearly intended to be “if the shoe fits” but is currently “if the foo *****”(!)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.