Gasa-Gasa Girl (Mas Arai) Mass Market Paperback – May 20, 2008

Mas Arai, Hiroshima survivor and hard-working California gardener, has never been a warm and fuzzy father. His daughter Mari harbors lots of resentments towards him. She doesn't understand his Japanese reserve. But now she's asked him to visit her in Manhattan. She needs his help with a garden her husband is working on.In Manhattan Mas meets his infant grandson for the first time, and Lloyd, his tall blonde American son-in-law. He also finds a dead body soon after his arrival, in the garden where he's helping out his gardener son-in-law.Mas ends up investigating this murder, because the police suspect either Mari or Lloyd of being the killer. In helping his family defend themselves from a murder charge, Mas has a chance to bond with them as never before.The plot is rather complicated. The writing style is not particularly subtle or sophisticated. But the story is entertaining, and Mas is an interesting character, so I will probably continue off and on with the series.This is a good book for readers who enjoy feel-good detective stories, and novels about the lives of Asian Americans.

After reading this second mystery in the Mas Arai series I am hooked. My wife and I lived in Japan for several years and this trip into the Japanese culture exciting. I found this series when searching for a new mystery series and the "Washington Post" editor said any top 10 series list would be incomplete without Mas Arai and I agree 100%. This was a true mystery in format and Mas surfaced as a true detective

This is the 2nd Mas Arai mystery but I read them out of order. I actually read her third mystery first and her first mystery second and this one last.As far as I can tell they are all about the same. The mysteries are complex and difficult to solve although the books are quite short. Except for the daughter, the so-called "gasa-gasa girl" the characters are interesting and unique. I read a review that her use of Japanese words and phrases was frustrating because she gave no definitions so I paid careful attention when reading this book and I did not find that to be the case here. Perhaps that was a problem with the first book. I think most people would find this enjoyable.

I love this entire series, as a sansei this series really takes me back to my childhood with the common Japanese words I grew up with. The main character reminds me very much my dad with the same attitude and prejudices common to his age group and their shared experiences :)

Mas Arai - one of my favorite “detectives”. Naomi Hirahara has created a great world in which to lose oneself. This is my 2nd time through her series and as enjoyable as the first.

I like the fact that Mas experiences the world through inquisitive eyes. You don't have to be a paid detective to solve mysteries. It's great to finally get to meet his family.

I liked the story and the twisting plot. Mas visits his daughter, son-in-law and new grandson in New York. Although, I think the writer struggled with having our hero, Mas Arai, outside of his familiar comfort zone, Los Angeles. It was funny reading about Mas' perspective about life in New York by comparing it to his life in L.A. I think the reader was left with some loose-ends at the end, though. Good light reading and enjoyable too.

2nd in Mas Arai's series. Enjoyed Hirahara's novels. Look forward to the next one.