Author speaking and signing engagements at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, SCIBA, LitFest Pasadena, and key mystery-writer conferences. Author is a frequently requested speaker at libraries, conferences, panels, and Japanese-American organizations. Author promotion via the various mystery and crime organizations she is part of (i.e., Sisters in Crime). Cross-promotion tied to author's other LA-based mystery series published by Penguin. Published to coincide with baseball season; promotional opportunities involving Dodger Stadium Outreach for interviews/features in large regional publications, especially Los Angeles Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Arroyo Monthly, and more, as well as in the mystery-review world. Further outreach to publications in other towns where she will be visiting and/or has a following, including Phoenix, Hawaii, and the Bay Area. Targeted advertising with SCIBA, the mystery press, and Facebook. Author has extensive social-media outreach, as well as the site www.naomihirahara.com.

“Hirahara has a keen eye for the telling detail and an assured sense of character.”
—Los Angeles Times

At Dodger Stadium it’s Japan vs. Korea in the World Baseball Classic, but before the first pitch is thrown, Mas Arai finds himself in the middle of a murder. Mysteries layer atop mysteries in this sixth in the award-winning series featuring the most unlikely of sleuths, an aging, widowed, not-exactly-communicative gardener from Altadena, California.

Who is that unusual woman throwing knuckleball pitches to warm up the Japanese team? Who sent thugs to threaten Mas and accuse him of treason? And what were in the deleted files on the murdered sportswriter’s computer—and did they hold secrets that led to his death?

The more mysteries Mas uncovers, the deeper he gets drawn into a situation that soon grows dangerous—including the danger of losing the affection of the woman he might someday admit he loves.

“What makes this series unique is its flawed and honorable protagonist. . . . A fascinating insight into a complex and admirable man.”
—Booklist (starred review)