The Concubine's Tattoo

Twenty months as the shogun's sosakan-sama has left Sano Ichiro weary, and he looks forward to the comforts of his arranged marriage: a private life with a sweet, submissive wife and a month-long honeymoon. However, the death of the shogun's favorite concubine interrupts their wedding ceremony, shattering Sano's hopes for peace. As he investigates Lady Harume's death, traced to a self-inflicted tattoo, he must navigate the cloistered world of the shogun's women to unravel a web of lovers, rivals, and secrets. Complicating matters, his new bride, Reiko, proves to be a headstrong and intelligent aspiring detective, eager to assist Sano in the case. Her unladylike behavior horrifies him, but it also ignites sparks between them, making their budding romance as thrilling as the mystery itself. Amid the political tensions of feudal Japan, Sano faces a complex investigation filled with murder, jealousy, and intrigue. The story unfolds with the subtlety of a lacquered screen and the intensity of a sword's slash, weaving a captivating tale that holds readers in suspense until the final, shocking conclusion.