A mystery death brings a dilettante detective to life, and drags his long-suffering bodyguard into a nest of intrigue that will test their mettle, and their blades… introducing our second novel set in Legend of the Five Rings‘ rich fantasy world: Poison River by Josh Reynolds, released worldwide in August 2020.
This is the first of the Daidoji Shin Mysteries, pitting a scandal-prone Crane noble against clan machinations across Rokugan. One of our favourite elements is the relationship between the louche detective Shin and his fearsome and heavily armed sidekick, Hiramori Kasami. Follow the clues below for the full synopsis, jaw-droppingly gorgeous cover art, courtesy of John Anthony di Giovanni, and some searching questions for Josh.
A charming slacker aristocrat discovers a talent for detection and a web of conspiracies in the Emerald Empire, backed up by his badass samurai bodyguard.
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.
That Cover
Josh Reynolds
Legend of the Five Rings has an interesting clan structure, why are the Crane the right clan for this story?
I wanted to capture the feel of a Golden Age mystery – a Peter Wimsey or a Campion, say, where a dilettante nobleman investigates a crime that the authorities can’t – or won’t – solve. The Crane are the perfect clan for that. Their background places an emphasis on courtly intrigue and diplomacy as their members navigate the invisible tides of influence that binds the disparate parts of Rokugan together. A perfect set-up for the sort of character I wanted to write, in other words.
Who are your favourite detectives in fiction, and how do Daidoji Shin and Kasami measure up?
Well, Sherlock Holmes, obviously. I’m also fond of Lord Peter Wimsey and Albert Campion. Plenty of others as well – Judith Lee, Henry Crabbe, V I Warshawski, Poirot, Lucas Davenport, Tommy and Tuppence, Nick and Nora Charles, Brother Cadfael, Jim Chee, Nero Wolfe, Spenser, Travis McGee, Max Carrados, Lady Molly, Sexton Blake… the list goes on.
As you can see, I really like detective fiction. It’s probably my favorite genre.
As far as how my characters stack up…well, that’ll be up to the readers, won’t it? I’m hoping to catch a bit of that Dorothy Sayers magic with them – or maybe Nick and Nora Charles, without the romance. Some banter, some action, a scene where everybody sits in a room while the detective explains the plot… but as I said, it’ll be up to the readers.
From Arkam to the City of the Rich Frog, how do you change gears between star-born terrors and competing samurai clans?
It’s easier than you think. My Arkham Horror novel is a mystery as well, just a different sort. At the moment I’m rereading all of the background material in preparation for starting the first draft, and I’ll be spending the holidays reading some old mystery favorites in order to get in the proper frame of mind. Hopefully it’ll all congeal into something grand!
JOSH REYNOLDS is the author of over thirty novels and numerous short stories, including the wildly popular Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000. He grew up in South Carolina and now lives in Sheffield, UK.
Poison River is available worldwide for pre-order from major retailers now:
