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The Ninth Netsuke

HER BODY WAS FOUND IN THE SWEET HARMONY ROOM... — Rooms by the hour are the specialty of the Fantasia Hotel, and the Sweet Harmony Room is a favorite, with its emerald-and-gold tiled bathroom, mirrored ceiling, and videotape recorder. It was here that Cleo Ventura, a "hostess" from Manila, met her last client — and her brutal end....

Investigating the scene of the crime (accompanied by his embarrassed wife, Hanae, so as not to arouse suspicion), Superintendent Tetsuo Otani is surprised by a small ivory figure — a netsuke — hidden in the love suite. As it is clearly very old and possibly quite valuable, Otani pockets the netsuke as evidence...and sets in motion a national scandal.

For the netsuke was originally part of a set of nine — each representing one of the Greek muses. Seven are already National Treasures. The eighth, in Otani's possession until Hanae insists on a safer hiding place, becomes the motive for dark suspicion and a kidnapping. But where is the ninth netsuke? And what could it have to do with Cleo Ventura's death?

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Pages
  • 179
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9780449208236
  • Genres
  • mystery, japan, fiction
  • Release date
  • 1986