First published 2014
Mas Arai tends gardens in Los Angeles, but life keeps pulling him into situations that demand more than pruning and planting. The aging Japanese American gardener finds himself drawn into events that test his quiet resolve and force him to confront pieces of his past. As Mas navigates the complexities of family relationships and community ties, he must use his practical wisdom and stubborn determination to untangle problems that go deeper than surface appearances suggest. The story follows this unlikely detective as he applies the same careful attention he gives to his plants to understanding the people around him. At its heart, this is a tale about belonging and identity, about finding your place in a world that doesn't always make room for who you are.
Genres: literary-fiction, mystery, asian-american, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Los Angeles
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
142 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform