The Ennin Mysteries: Collected Stories 1-5

Ennin - the 'Sherlock Holmes' of Japan's feudal era - investigates five full-length cases, assisted by his faithful servant (and narrator) Kukai...

1) The Cursed Temple

Two Buddhist monks at a remote temple have been found dead, the same horrific expression on both their faces. Ennin is summoned to investigate - which is when he then discovers a series of ancient 'riddles', hidden around the temple. But what secret do these riddles ultimately relate to - and is there any connection to the mysterious deaths of the two monks...?

2) The Man Who Was Scared of the Wind

A wealthy moneylender has made himself a virtual prisoner in his own home. Four ronin - master-less samurai - ceaselessly patrol outside, while every door and window is shuttered at night. And when a storm blows, the moneylender stays crouched in one room, stricken with terror.
Ennin is summoned to investigate by the moneylender's alleged servant. What Ennin then realizes causes him to embark on a mysterious mission, with Kukai remaining at the moneylender's home.
Soon, Kukai suspects that the moneylender has reason to fear assassination by one of the most feared and mysterious of Japan's warriors - the ninja.
Ennin, meanwhile, uncovers a dark and sordid tale. Of robbery, deception, betrayal, torture, imprisonment - and murder...

3) The Empress and the Monk

Sesshu - a shadowy monk of evil reputation - has become the Empress's favorite. When it becomes apparent that Sesshu intends to become Emperor, Ennin is asked to somehow try and stop the monk's insane quest for power.
But then Ennin is caught in a forbidden area of the Imperial Court. For this, there is but one punishment - death by ritual disembowelment. This time, there seems to be no way out for Ennin...

4) The Ninja

A corrupt daimyo ('great lord') has been found poisoned inside his locked bedchamber. Ennin is called in, to try and solve a seemingly impossible mystery - just how did the daimyo's assassin first enter and then leave this inaccessible room, located high up in a heavily-guarded castle?
It is soon suspected that one of the shadowy night-warriors known as 'ninja' was responsible for the assassination. But the questions remains - how, exactly, was this killing carried out...?

5) The Demon King

The whole of Japan is threatened by a vicious daimyo ('feudal lord') known as the 'Demon King'. Desperate to try and stop the daimyo's pursuit of power, Ennin takes part in the Demon King's annual martial arts' contest. But it soon becomes obvious that the Demon King desires Ennin's total destruction - however this may be obtained...