Legend of the Five Rings: Poison River by Josh Reynolds

Poison River

The First Daidoji Shin Mystery, A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

Poison River

The First Daidoji Shin Mystery, A Legend of the Five Rings Novel

By Josh Reynolds

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.

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Legend of the Five Rings

Legend of the Five Rings

The realm of Rokugan is a land of samurai, courtiers, and mystics, dragons, magic, and divine beings – a world of heroism, magic, and steel. The clans have defended and served the Emperor for a thousand years both on the battlefield and in Rokugan’s courts. While conflict and political intrigue divides the clans, the true threat awaits in the darkness of the Shadowlands, behind the vast Kaiu Wall. There, in the twisted wastelands, an evil corruption endlessly seeks the downfall of the empire. The rules of Rokugan’s society are absolute, and the Great Clans must always maintain their honor, lest they lose everything in the pursuit of glory.

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Publication Details

Series: The Daidoji Shin Mysteries, book 1
Page Count: 368pp
Cover Art: John Anthony di Giovanni
Genre: Fantasy


Paperback edition

US On Sale Date: December 1, 2020
UK On Sale Date: February 18, 2021
Paperback ISBN: 9781839080197
Paperback Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm


Ebook edition

Global Ebook On Sale Date: December 1, 2020
ebook ISBN: 9781839080203


Audiobook

Global On Sale: December 7, 2021
ISBN: 9781666190748

About the Author


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. Born and raised in South Carolina, he now resides in Sheffield with his wife and daughter, as well as a highly excitable dog and something he hopes is a cat.

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Interviews and Articles

“I wanted to write a Golden Age mystery, I wanted to write characters with a sense of humour, and a lot of word play, and I wanted to do something without a lot of action or violence to it.”
Court Games, Interview with Josh Reynolds, author of Poison River

“Rokugani justice is such that things like evidence and proof mean very little, and I wanted to explore how an investigation into a crime might go in a place where such things are often seen as (at best) a waste of everyone’s time. Can a detective solve a mystery when no one cares about the solution?”
Track of Words, Interview with Josh Reynolds, author of Poison River

Reviews

“Everything you would hope for from a Rokugan novel.”
Fistful of Meeples

“All fans of Legend of the Five Rings will be delighted to read this convoluted mystery. The author did brilliantly in portraying all the clans, their characteristics, little quirks and petty squabbles. The main character, Shin, is a perfect example of that… There are so many vivid details from the Rokugan that fans will enjoy. ”
Kamila Reads

Poison River has everything you would hope for from a Rokugan novel… Any time spent reading this is definitely well-spent, and I would recommend it to others.”
Fistful of Meeples

“Come for the mystery, stay for the fantastic characters, snappy dialogue and sense of fun. As the first book in a series, it’s a very promising start indeed.”
Track of Words

“The single best Legend of the Five Rings novel… Poison River was an excellent read. The protagonist is interesting, the conspiracy he investigates is coherent, and his adventure riveting.”
Strange Assembly

“Everything you would hope for from a Rokugan novel.”
Fistful of Meeples

“Reynolds is the perfect writer for the world of Rokugan, creating an instantly compelling and multi-faceted protagonist to effortlessly draw us into a fast-paced and complex political thriller that entertains with every page.”
SciFi and Fantasy Reviewer

“An intriguing and overwhelmingly enjoyable novel.”
Under the Radar

“I was delighted to see the author didn’t fall into easy tropes but instead peeked behind the curtain and considered how the world actually worked and not the surface illusion. This book [Poison River] was an absolute delight.”
Imperial Advisor

“A solid showing by Josh Reynolds and, perhaps, the sort of mystery I was looking for last time I visited the genre… Daidoji Shin is a stand out in a book full of well done characters.”
Lauren’s Bookshelf

“A multi layered mystery… Cleverly written, replete with acerbic and descriptive language.”
Eyes to See

“Classic pulp adventure story, fast paced and engrossing. He effortlessly captures the feel of the period in his prose.”
– The British Fantasy Society

“An effortless read and will do very nicely for anyone looking for high quality pulp fantasy action.”
Starburst magazine

“An effortless read and will do very nicely for anyone looking for high quality pulp fantasy action.”
Starburst magazine

Global Ebook On Sale: December 1, 2020
US Paperback On Sale: December 1, 2020
UK Paperback On Sale: February 18, 2021
Global Audiobook On Sale: December 7, 2021

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