Poison River

The First Daidoji Shin Mystery (Legend of the Five Rings Series)

By: Josh Reynolds

Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab

A charming slacker aristocrat discovers a talent for detection and a web of conspiracies in the Emerald Empire, in this snappy novel set in the fantastical world of Legend of the Five Rings.

Daidoji Shin, unrepentant wastrel with a taste for scandal and dice, coasts through his role as Crane Clan's trade envoy in the City of the Rich Frog. But when a case of poisoned rice threatens the brittle peace between the competing clans, the Imperial Governor drags Shin from his indolence and orders him to find the culprit. Despite himself, Shin uncovers an intriguing conspiracy involving more than just dead rats. A murder with no body and a missing actress present a distraction that could finally make Shin put in a full day's work, and maybe even save the city from tearing itself apart.

©2020 Fantasy Flight Games (P)2021 Tantor

More Grounded and Real than Expected

The narrator was great, and the story was also great. It was a compelling mystery with occasional, albeit too rare fantastical elements. The two main characters were fun to listen to and interesting. I loved the way the Rokugan setting was portrayed like a believable, true to life ancient feudal Japan, but with water elemental spirits and ghost communicators and the like. The start of the mystery starts so small that it almost makes you wonder why it needs to be investigated, but then boils into something so big that it threatens to set each of the clans to war with one another. It wraps up neatly and I'm looking forward to rolling right into the next one. Props to Josh Reynolds for making this more like Historical Fantasy and being so true to the culture.

Excellent Detective Story

The narrator was engaging. The story details were excellent - I felt in the scene. The mystery was a simple premise and thr story stuck with it until the end. I kept thinking there were twins talking to the dectective when he said "them" at the end so much - I kept thinking I was missing a character.

Great story

Great story very intriguing and well narrated by kaipo Schawb. loved the twist and turns plus very calculated thoughts of Daidoji Shin.

so good

I had no idea I need samurai detective novel in my life until today so excellent

Entertaining

Main character is an interesting character. Story was good and well written. Overall good book!