Far from the Shoguns court at edo, most honorable investigators sano Ichiro Begins the most challenging case of his career. Upon the insistence of his strong-willed and beautiful wife reiko, Sano arrives with her at the Emperor's Palace to unmask the murderer, who possesses The Secret of Kiai, the spirit cry a powerful scream that can kill instantly. A high kyoto official is the victim. Treading carefully through a web of spies, political entry, forbidden passion, and intricate plots, Sano and Reiko must struggle to stay ahead of the palace storms, and outwit a cunning killer. But as they soon discover, solving the case means more then their survival. For if they fail, Japan could be consumed in the bloodiest war has ever seen. A legendary Land comes alive in this compelling murder mystery set in the 17th century Japan.