"There was once a castle shaped like a writhing serpent and reputed to be haunted. According to the villagers, the daughter of a former lord of the region had thrown herself into the castle moat and changed into a monstrous white serpent. From that time on, the White Serpent emerged from its resting place whenever a crisis threatened. Set against the background of sixteenth-century Japan, this exciting mystery follows the adventures of Zenta and Matsuzo, two unemployed samurai warriors, or ronin, who arrive at the castle just as a missing heir has suddenly shown up to clam lordship away from his nine-year-old brother. The ronin find themselves involved in a web of intrigue, jealousy, and murder. Mrs. Namioka offers a fascinating portrayal of the lifestyle and honor code of the samurai tradition in this expertly crafted puzzler that leaves no loose ends.".