Autumn Leaves

There has been a series of fires plaguing Edo, the city of paper and wood, and the firechief Kiru Jindo has been unable to solve the crimes. Prince Juzo is becoming impatient. When a ronin named Iga-no-Nikki arrives in the city looking for work he soon finds himself charged with arson. His only hope is to find the real criminal before he is forced to commit seppuku. At the same time two women in Kiru's life are moving in opposite directions and it is tearing him apart. Akashi, the beautiful geisha Kiru wants to marry, has set her sights on the stage. She loves him but cannot marry him yet. At the same time he is tasked by his wealthy but powerless father to find a husband for his daydreaming sister, Osan. She is in love with love and soon finds herself falling for Nikki. Romance, adventure, mystery and pastoral, this story takes the reader through medieval Japan, showing the humor, honor, science, beauty, horror and love that has captured the imagination of the world for centuries.