<DIV><p>The fourth installment of the Mas Arai mystery series and the precursor to <I>Strawberry Yellow</I>, <I>Blood Hina</I> is now in paperback for the first time.</p><p>Mas Arai's best friend Haruo is getting married, and he has grudgingly agreed to serve as best man. But when the ancient Japanese doll display that belongs to Haruo's fiancée goes missing, the wedding is called off with fingers pointed at Haruo. To save his friend's life, Mas must untangle a web of secrecy, heartbreaking memories, and murder dating all the way back to the Japanese American detention centers of World War II and drug-running of the 1980s.</p><p><B>Naomi Hirahara</B> is the Edgar Award?winning author of the Mas Arai mystery series, including <I>Strawberry Yellow</I>, <I>Snakeskin Shamisen</I>, <I>Gasa-Gasa Girl</I>, and <I>Summer of the Big Bachi</I>. Her books have earned such honors as the <I>Chicago Tribune</I>'s Ten Best Mysteries and Thrillers and <I>Publishers Weekly</I> Best Book of the Year.</p><br></DIV>