I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Henery Press for free in exchange for an honest review.
The Ninja's Illusion is the fifth installment of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunter series. In this volume, Jaya goes to Kyoto both to support Sanjay's performance at a highly publicized magic show and to work with a colleague on an intriguing historical find. Jaya barely has time to get her bearings before she is thrust into a murder mystery and a hunt for treasure.
The Ninja's Illusion is my first experience with Jaya Jones, but it definitely won't be my last. I had a ball reading this fast-paced, entertaining story.

Jaya Jones is back and this time she's headed to Japan for another adventure and an unexpected treasure. When Jaya's best friend Sanjay invites her to Kyoto to see an impossible magic trick: The Indian Rope Trick, she can't help but tag along. But as soon as she arrives she finds out that there's something afoot. A ninja has been following Sanjay and a world-famous magician is murdered. While Jaya is dodging ninja's and trying to help Sanjay put his best performance forward, she's also on the trail of a missing Dutch ship. Pandian's effortless weaving of historical fact in with the narrative has always been her strong suit. This mystery takes a lot of turns and will keep reader's guessing until the end.

I love the characters the Pandian creates, as well as the mysteries that they solve. They usually involve hidden secrets and long lost treasures. This particular one fell a bit short though because it focuses too much on the main characters best friend and his magic act, rather than Jaya and the mystery of the lost treasure.
That being said, it was still a great story full of historical intrigue and delightful historical facts. Being a history major I always love a good bit of historical intrigue in my mysteries. Pandian writes exceptionally well and weaves beautiful scenery and cultural facts into the story with ease. Although this book wasn’t my favorite I’m sure others will love it and I look forward to reading the next installment in the series!

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Jaya is going to Japan to support her friend who does a magic act. She's also going to see if she can find some information about a dutch ship that sunk with cargo. She has no idea both of those goals are putting her in danger.

Henery Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published October 3rd.

This story is complex with lots of characters, lots of different agendas and people who will kill to get what they want.

Jaya is torn between two men. She loves them both and she's good friends with both of them but does she want to share her life with one of them?

When the main magician is killed, they find the diary he used for this rope trick is missing. Was that the motive?

Pay close attention to all the spider webs moving from one character to another. Only Jaya and her close friends are telling the whole truth.

I have to admit I didn't suspect the real criminal. He seemed benign to me but not when he has a samurai sword!

The mystery is solved and Jaya finds out who her heart loves most...

The Ninja’s Illusion: A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery
By Gigi Pandian
Henery Press
October 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

Academic historian Jaya Jones had been looking forward to a free trip to Kyoto, Japan, courtesy of her best friend Sanjay Rai’s opening performance for a famous Japanese stage magician. Sanjay is known for being dramatic, but Jaya is alarmed when he calls her to disinvite and warn her away. A follow-up call does little to clarify the situation, and with a research request tied to Dutch and Japanese trade it’s not long before Jaya is indeed on a plane to Japan. Thus begins an adventure that will involve ninjas, a fox spirit, historical diaries, and seriously, ninjas!

The secret behind illusions are heavily guarded by magicians, as much from one another as from their general audience. The Indian Rope Trick has baffled magicians for centuries, but Akira Kimura claims to have found the secret and plans to replicate the gruesome performance. The former popstar’s cult-like following places him at odds with Sanjay’s friend and mentor, Hiro Matsumoto, who has dedicated his life to exposing frauds. When Akira is found dead at what was to be the site of his performance, Hiro is seen as a suspect by both the police and a heart-broken Sanjay. Misdirection is the name of the game for historians as well as illusionists, leaving much to interpretation for the curiosity-driven Jaya. With Sanjay driven to complete the performance despite the risks, Jaya, her librarian friend Tamarind Ortega, and an adorable ninety year-old Frenchman track a mysterious diary, dodge shinobi, and explore the complicated history of Japanese isolationists and trade restrictions.

This continues to be one of the most interesting and exciting mystery series written today. History is woven throughout Jaya’s treasure-hunting adventures, which often start out academically but seem to result with death-defying escapades. Part-Indian and raised in Berkeley, California, Jaya provides a unique perspective on culture and not always fitting in. Similarly fascinating is her love of history, and how the personal dramas written in documents come alive when they connect the past to the present. As intriguing as the Japanese myths and intricate trade regulations may be, Jaya puts them aside as she confronts life-changing decisions. She ended her relationship with Lane Peters when she discovered that she was actually enjoying her death defying adventures, and she’s taking a break to assess her future. A kiss she shared with Sanjay further complicates matters, but first she must ensure that the Hindi Houdini’s greatest illusion doesn’t become his last. Jaya is a delightful heroine, full of spunky humor, intelligence, and loyalty to her friends. Modern-age magic, the study of Eastern history, and the romantic lure of treasure hunting all combine into a thoroughly entertaining romp of a mystery.

I love escaping into this series. The settings, the characters, the dialog and, of course, the mystery - all in perfect balance. Jaya Jones is all ready to hop on a plane to go to Japan to see Sanjay perform in a magic show. The day before she is to leave, he contacts her, asking her not to come but the conversation is suddenly cut off. Of course she goes to Japan. Honestly, I was ready to read this one just for the lure of magic. Add Japan, oh, yes, please. If you are new to this series, please do yourself a favor and start at the beginning. This one can be read out of order but you will get so much more out of the characters if you read them in order.

Although #5 in the Jaya Jones series it is possible to read this excellent mystery as a standalone story. Not having read the other titles in the series but a fan of the author's 'The Accidental Alchemist' series, when I saw it on Netgalley I had to request it.

Nor was I disappointed, this fast paced, well written, engaging mystery had plenty of puzzles to ponder plus scintillating magical tricks to dazzle the imagination. Jaya and her friends are likeable and well developed characters.

Basically I loved it and will now be devouring the rest of the titles in the series, the same way that I did this novel, although perhaps not always in one sitting.

With many thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Gigi Pandian has gifted us with another great Jaya Jones Mystery in 'The Ninja's Illusion'. This time the action takes place in Japan and there is the perfect mix of wonderful characters, intriguing mystery, relationship growth and magic! I learn so much from each of the books in the series. I can't recommend them highly enough!

The latest Jaya Jones mystery is still strong on Nancy Drew vibes, though short on real thrills.
I found this entry in the series to be less compelling than the previous books, with a setting and payoff that never quite pulled me in. Jaya travels to Japan to see a special magic show in which her best friend Sanjay plays a major role. The show is supposed to feature the legendary but impossible Indian Rope Trick. But before the show can go on, Jaya and friends are confronted by possible sabotage, an unusual theft, and a masked mystery man. As usual, Jaya's skills as a historian come into play, and seemingly unrelated pursuits tie together for a tidy denouement.

The author's skill at weaving real history into her novel is always excellent. The solid historical facts that underpin her plot set her books apart from other mystery novels. While this book didn't intrigue me as much as the previous ones, I think it'll be enjoyed by fans, and future endeavors by author Gigi Pandian will be most welcome!

Thanks to Henery Press for providing me an advance copy of this through NetGalley.

murder, mystery, myths/legends, Japanese lore, fakir-lore, illusionists, history and culture, historical places/events

Meet Jaya Jones, history professor extraordinaire and several of her friends. Tamarind is a very brilliant and colorful college librarian, Sanjay is a wacky magician who failed law school only to become an accomplished magician with roots in India, now working with an egomaniac magician in Japan. Murder, a mysterious fakir magic trick no one can seem to replicate, and interpersonal issues make for a riveting read. There are lots of plot twists, and the misdirection is not only on the stage. Of course, there is the suspense, humor, snarkiness, action, and history insights that we love and expect. The publisher's blurb give clues, but can't begin to prepare you for the addictive nature of the book that seems to demand that it be read in one sitting!
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to receive this gift from the publisher!

As I have come to expect since Book 1, this story had an interesting mystery with just the right amount of historical details to add flavor. I also appreciate the beautiful countries that the author gives us insight into with each new book. I am really invested in the core characters in this series so it was wonderful revisiting many of the beloved characters from previous books as well as
meeting new ones.

I have loved Jaya and Lane from the moment they met in Book 1 because they make an incredible couple and team. This was evident when Lane was able to help Jaya see the answers she had but hadn't yet pieced together.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series because I have so many questions that I am hoping will get answered. I am also looking forward to both Lane's and Jaya's reaction to the reappearance of the expected guest at Jaya'a home.

For now, I will just be counting down the days until the audio-book for The Ninja's Illusion is available because the only thing better than reading the stories is to enjoy them in the audio-book format.

I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

The Ninja's Illusion is the latest book in the Jaya Jones series and this is a series that I truly love to read since I love reading adventures mystery books in exotic settings. This time Jaya travels to Japan where here best friend Sanjay a.k.a. The Hindi Houdini is working with the controversial magician, Akira who is said to be able to do magic for real. However, something is wrong, Sanjay seems to want Jaya to stay home, but that just makes her more eager to travel to Japan. And, when she gets there doesn't it take long for Jaya to realize that something is definitely wrong when Sanjay and she discovers a man dressed as a Ninja in a Buddhist temple watching them..z

The Ninja's Illusion is an entertaining book to read, just as the previous I have read has been. It can without any problems be read as stand-alone. The story is intriguing, and I love the easy-going banter between Jaya, Sanjay and Tamarind. However, to be honest, was there a moment around half the book when I felt that the story just didn't have the same thrilling feeling as the previous did like the pacing was a bit off and I wanted something to happen to get the book back on track. It could be all the Jaya, Sanjay and Lane (Jaya's ex) drama. I have never liked the whole triangle drama thing and as much as I like Sanjay wasn't I that interested in this new development. Thankfully it was resolved in a good way. Also, Tamarind showing up around the time of the BIG drama thing helped put the book back on track. Man, it's hard sometimes to write about things in books without spoiling it...

The Jaya Jones series is fabulous, and I recommend it warmly!