The Masao Masuto Mysteries Volume One: The Case of the Angry Actress, the Case of the One-Penny Orange, the Case of the Russian Diplomat, and the Case of the Poisoned Eclairs(Masao Masuto Mysteries)

A collection of thrilling murder mysteries featuring "an unusually interesting detective" from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Spartacus (The Washington Star). Japanese-American Beverly Hills homicide detective Masao Masuto is a karate expert, a devotee of roses, and a Zen Buddhist. He does his job with a cool, caustic wit--and with surprising force when necessary. He possesses a singular sense of justice, taking action on his own and occasionally pushing the boundaries of the law . . . The Case of the Angry Actress: When a Hollywood mogul drops dead at his own party, Detective Masuto must dig into the darkest secrets of the magnate's past. Now he must uncover a secret worth killing for before someone else dies. "A good fast-paced thriller." --Reader's Syndicate The Case of the One-Penny Orange: Masuto has a break-in and a murder to solve, both of which are baffling. But when he suspects a connection between the two crimes, he uncovers a bizarre conspiracy that reaches back to the darkest days of World War II. "A finely perceived mystery puzzle . . . an unusually interesting detective." --The Washington Star The Case of the Russian Diplomat: When a dead body is found in a pool at a high-class hotel notorious for its illicit activities, Matsuo finds himself hunting for a killer and tangled in a web of espionage and international intrigue. "An enjoyable, highly professional entertainment." --The New Yorker The Case of the Poisoned Eclairs: A pleasant lull in murder cases is broken when a series of unusual poisoning deaths puts Masuto on the hunt for someone whose terrifying vendetta has only just begun. "A consummate storyteller." --The Baltimore Sun

About the Author :
Howard Fast (1914-2003) was one of the most prolific American writers of the twentieth century. He was a bestselling author of more than eighty works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays. The son of immigrants, Fast grew up in New York City and published his first novel upon finishing high school in 1933. In 1950, his refusal to provide the United States Congress with a list of possible Communist associates earned him a three-month prison sentence. During his incarceration, Fast wrote one of his best-known novels, Spartacus (1951). Throughout his long career, Fast matched his commitment to championing social justice in his writing with a deft, lively storytelling style.

Review :
Praise for The Case of the Angry Actress "Investigation by modest, virtuous Zen Buddhist Japanese detective makes a beguiling madman's flytrap murder series unputdownable." --TheObserver "Like his creator, Masuto has an American maverick streak beneath his surface Zen serenity." --Andrew Macdonald, author of Howard Fast: A Critical Companion Praise for The Case of the One-Penny Orange "A likable--and highly scrutable--kickoff." --Kirkus Reviews "Should gain a wide audience." --The New York Times Book Review Praise for The Case of the Russian Diplomat "One of the 20th century's busiest writers . . . [Fast] won popular acclaim for authenticity and detail, creating stories that even his critics admired as page-turners." --The New York Times Praise for The Case of the Poisoned Eclairs "Successful . . . [Fast] sticks pretty close to the style and ambiance that has made his work so well received . . . but because the formulas are so good, nobody is going to complain." --The New York Times