…according to Her BFF, Nay Pram
Okay, Ellie’s the one who should be writing this, but she’s apparently way too busy at work, so I told her, “Don’t stress out, girl. I have your back.” She’s my BFF, after all, ever since we met at a class at Pan Pacific West College, just a little south of downtown L.A.
Downtown is actually where Ellie works – as an LAPD cop, like her aunt, Deputy Chief Cheryl Toma. Yah, that Cheryl Toma, the highest-ranking Asian American officer in the department. Pretty big shoes to fill. Ellie patrols on a bicycle; she’s one of those bike cops who gives out jaywalking tickets (damn her). Actually, I shouldn’t diss my girl, because she does a lot more than that. Counsels kids at risk who are truant. Makes sure homeless women are safe. And right now, well, it’s actually pretty intense and sad. One of our former classmates was found dead in an alley, Bamboo Lane, in Chinatown.
Ellie’s ex, Benjamin, doesn’t trust the cops. Neither does the other person in our Fearsome Foursome, Rickie, Mr. Primadonna. I’m actually a little worried, too, but I’d never let Ellie know. She’s got enough pressure. Her mom doesn’t get what she does and her younger brother, Noah, in high school is probably a few steps from being in jail himself.
I’m waiting for Ellie now at our regular hangout, Osaka’s ramen shop in Little Tokyo. It’s right here on First Street, a few blocks east of City Hall. Hey, if you have the time, why don’t you sit down and wait with me? We can order you some miso ramen and an iced coffee. When Ellie shows up, we can find out the latest about the murder. You might be able to see things clearer than we can. And at the very least, you’ll have chowed down on some mighty good ramen. Oh, and I wish I could pay, but I’m a little tapped out now. Sorry.
You can read more about Character in Murder on Bamboo Lane, the first book in the new “Officer Ellie Rush” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The second installment of the Officer Ellie Rush series will be published in April 2015.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on August 28 for the chance to win a copy of MURDER ON BAMBOO LANE. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Naomi Hirahara, born and raised in Southern California, is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Mas Arai mystery 
series, which features a Japanese American gardener and atomic-bomb survivor who solves crimes (SUMMER OF THE BIG BACHI, GASA-GASA GIRL, SNAKESKIN SHAMISEN, BLOOD HINA, and STRAWBERRY YELLOW). She also has penned a middle-grade novel, 1001 CRANES, which was chosen as an Honor Book for the Youth Literature of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in 2009.
A former editor of the largest Japanese American newspaper in the U.S., she also has released a number of nonfiction works. A number of her short stories have been included in various anthologies, including LOS ANGELES NOIR.
This book sounds so good, would Love to win/read it 🙂
This one sounds good and I’m going to look for the other books by this author.
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
looks great, thank you for the chance to win
Sounds like my type of book.
It’s 6:30 a.m. PST, and already this many comments! Thanks for your interest and fingers crossed for all of you.
What an interesting story line. Sounds like a mystery that would hold you from page to page. Thanks for introducing me to it and the chance to win a copy.
Sounds so interesting. Thank you for the giveaway.
Sounds like a good read that I’ll have to check into. thanks for the chance to get started now.
Konichiwa Dru Samma…. I think I’d like to win this book… Toss my hat into the contest ring please Dru… Domo, domo arigato!
Nora — You know some Japanese, wonderful. Dru, “sama” is the ultimate honorific, so you are much honored by Nora. If you’re into things Japanese, pick up my Mas Arai series — chockfull of it and Japanese American history.
Naomi, many years ago I worked for a small firm called Toshiba… the camera flash and lens filter division. It was based in the Chicago area and my boss’s name was Yasuhiro Fikuda. You either knew polite phrases or you wouldn’t get the good sales territory. LOL
I would love to read this! Thank you!
This new series sounds like one I would really enjoy. Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
I had no idea that ramen was anything other than that horrible stuff we ate in college. Also, I’d love to read the book—maybe I’d learn some more good tidbits of knowledge and have fun doing it.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Nora — You know some Japanese, wonderful. Dru, “sama” is the ultimate honorific, so you are much honored by Nora. If you’re into things Japanese, pick up my Mas Arai series — chockfull of it and Japanese American history.
Sue — Sorry I accidentally replied to Nora by responding to you! Anyway, yes, we’re not talking about the horrible unhealthy instant ramen, but fresh noodles. It’s a big deal in large cities on the West Coast and NYC. LA just had a big ramen festival. http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-yokocho-ramen-festival-little-tokyo-20140806-story.html
Thanks for the intro to a new series! Would love the chance to win and I’ll keep an eye out for the next one next spring!
Thank you! The second, GRAVE ON GRAND AVENUE, comes out on April 7, 2015.
Another new series huh Dru? You introduced it nicely! Sounds like one I’d surely like to read. Thanks so much for the chance to win it!
Looks like an interesting new series.
What a great voice and premise! Definitely need to keep an eye out for this one.
looking forward to reading this series!
Just wanted to say that I’ve read this book and enjoyed it so much I posted a review for it. I read it in one sitting because I just NEEDED to know how it would end. Ellie Rush is a very likable character. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Thank you, Linda, for your kind words. Hope you enjoy Ellie’s next travails!
Very interesting and diverse characters I want to meet.
They are certainly diverse! But still very familiar. We all remember when we were 23, right? Plus, this series is also about her family ties — so intergenerational!
I love stories set in Los Angeles.
Sounds good. I am eager to read it.
This series sounds great. One more to look up while I am out book shopping 🙂
I love tough female detectives.
Ellie’s not too tough . . . yet. Learning her way.
I love the name of the book, and it sounds like a great story. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Sounds interesting and different, especially with the bike cop angle.
Thanks Naomi for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.