Blade of the Samurai Monday, January 1, 0001 | Sacramento, CA Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin. Susan Spann writes the Shinobi Mysteries, featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori and his Portuguese Jesuit sidekick, Father Mateo. The second of the series, Blade of the Samurai, releases tomorrow and portrays 16th century Japan when real ninjas worked as undercover agents and spies. Susan will appear in a number of book events in Eldorado Hills, Petaluma, and Citrus Heights where she will share her enthusiasm for Japanese history and culture.