I don’t get my father. I really don’t get him. He rarely said two words to me growing up, which was hard for an only child like me.
But I still looked forward to him coming home, driving up in our narrow driveway in his beat-up gardening truck. It was green, but not a forest green. More like a green that emerges in something that so rusted over that there’s no help for it.
We are all living together in his house right now. Yup, a forty-something year old woman back in my childhood home. But rent here in L.A. is as high – well, maybe not as high as New York City where my husband, son and I used to live.
My dad, whose been a widower most of my adult life, is seeing someone right now. Close to eighty and it seems like he has more of a sex life than I do. I know that sounds gross. But now I’m the one who is waiting up for him.
I actually like his girlfriend. Genessee Howard. She’s black and Okinawan. You heard me right. She’s a good decade younger than him. A musicology professor specializing in Okinawan culture. What she sees in him, I’m not sure. I don’t think he knows himself.
I have to admit that I’ve been noticing a change in him. Maybe it started when he came to New York City to help me when we were having some problems. I catch him looking at me. Like really looking, as if he’s seeing me for the first time.
Trouble seems to follow my father, no matter, where he goes. My husband was promoted head greenskeeper at Dodger Stadium and a man dies in front of my father, right there on the field. And now he’s teamed up with this young Japanese journalist to find out what happened.
Who does my father think he is? A detective or something?
So here I am, up at midnight with a glass of wine. Waiting.
Sayonara Slam is the sixth book in the Mas Arai mystery series, now published by Prospect Park Books, April 2016.
At Dodger Stadium it’s Japan vs. Korea in the World Baseball Classic, but before the first pitch is thrown, Mas Arai finds himself in the middle of a murder. Mysteries layer atop mysteries in this sixth in the award-winning series featuring the most unlikely of sleuths, an aging, widowed, not-exactly-communicative gardener from Altadena, California.
Who is that unusual woman throwing knuckleball pitches to warm up the Japanese team? Who sent thugs to threaten Mas and accuse him of treason? And what were in the deleted files on the murdered sportswriter’s computer—and did they hold secrets that led to his death?
The more mysteries Mas uncovers, the deeper he gets drawn into a situation that soon grows dangerous—including the danger of losing the affection of the woman he might someday admit he loves.
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About the author
Naomi Hirahara won an Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original for her third Mas Arai mystery, Snakeskin Shamisen. She also writes the Officer Ellie Rush bicycle cop series, published by Prospect Park Books. Her free monthly mystery serial, Death of an Origamist, is currently up at Discover Nikkei. It will end with the twelfth installment. For more information about Naomi, go to her website, www.naomihirahara.com.
About the author
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Sayonara Slam. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end June 2, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
I would love to win a print copy! Thanks for this chance!
This sounds really good…and the synopsis was intriguing…please enter me. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Sounds interesting. Thanks for a chance to win.
A most intriguing synopsis. Interesting post. so appreciate a heads up about a new author. And just Love the baseball theme. such a game to really happen? Wow!! Would very much like to read this book. Thank you for the chance to do so
Enjoyed this review. Thanks for the chance to win.
Fascinating! I will have to read this after that introduction! Thanks Dru for bringing a new series and author to my attention. 🙂 Thank you Naomi for your generous chance to win a copy!
This novel sounds captivating and unique. What a wonderful giveaway. Thanks.
This is a new series for me. But sounds very interesting. Love mysteries that get more complicated before they unravel. Baseball stories are wonderful!
I am new to this series. It sounds like one I would enjoy.
I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway!
Another new-to-me author to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Naomi, you are such a talented writer. I enjoy everything that you write. Your # 1 Fan, Paul McDonnell
Sounds great!
How have I never heard of this series before, it’s totally right up my alley. Thanks for the intro and the chance to win. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com
It’s so nice to get refreshingly brand new take on a mystery. Definitely on my TBR pile.
This sounds like an entertaining read. I would really enjoy reading. Thanks for the giveaway.
This sounds like a very fun book! I would love to win this one!
I would love to win a copy of Sayonara Slam. I love baseball any books that take place in Southern California (I live in Orange County). I have added this series to my TRB list. Thanks, Dru for introducing me to a new author, a new series and a very interesting sleuth. I have to get the first five books in the series.
Sounds like a GrandSlam to me!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!!
I think I’d better check this series out—baseball and mysteries—perfect!
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sounds like a great new read.
This is a different sounding book, so I would be happy to win to read. Thanks.
Thanks for the intro to this book, I’d love the chance to win it! Thanks!