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. ( )

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...

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!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

Meh. This one took a long time to catch my interest, but that was probably equal parts slow start and my complete disinterest in the character of Jaya's best friend Sanjay, the Hindi Houdini. I love watching magic, but turn apathetic when faced with reading about it, and Sanjay has always stuck me as an immature egoist. Jaya's sudden angst about a possible romantic entanglement with him was another strike against the story's tart; the amount of eye-rolling going on severely impacted my reading progress.

But the story does get better once, frankly, someone dies, and further improves soon thereafter when Jaya gets over the silly romantic I-have-to-find-myself nonsense. This is about the time she starts paying more attention the history involved in the mystery and makes the connection that was insanely obvious to the reader from the start.

So the story improves and by the end definitely doesn't suck, but it's definitely not one of the series' better books. ( )

Any book that includes qutoes from these guys

and Arthur C. Clarke is probably going to get at least 3 stars from me, but this book pushes it even further by setting Jaya's latest adventure in Japan. This book out this week is just too good to miss. Magic, treasure and murder, along with anime loving librarians. ( )

The Ninja Illusion by Gigi Pandian is a 2017 Henery Press publication.

I love this series a little bit more with each new chapter!

This fifth installment in the Jaya Jones series is set in Japan, where Jaya’s best friend, Sanjay is set to perform a controversial trick with the famed illusionist, Akira, which is rumored to involve real magic.

Jaya is planning on joining Sanjay, but he contacts her, frantically ordering her not to come. But, Jaya is not swayed by his pleas- she’s worried about him and nothing will stop her from flying to Japan… besides, she has her own agenda- an ancient mystery she’s dying to investigate!

This series is highly underestimated, in my opinion. This is one of the most multi-layered cozy series I have ever encountered. This installment was especially rich as Pandian manages to thread together multiple strings, which a several mind-bending twists that kept me on my toes and glued to the pages.

Japan was a great setting, the pacing, as usual, was very brisk, and there is plenty of action, adventure, and suspense- as well as some romance and personal drama, which is well-balanced within the story.

I’m looking forward to Jones’ next big adventure!!

5 stars ( )