Fond farewell to Mas Arai. And many thanks to Naomi Hirarara for this fondly written, endearing series. ( )

Really enjoyed this light mystery centering around 86 year old Mas Aria, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1946. Born in the US, his family returned to Hiroshima when he was very young, but he returned to the US as a young adult and made a good life in Southern California. He returns with the ashes of his friend Harold as his sister demand’s them. Aria immediately falls into a mystery - discovering a boys body in the sea. His Hiroshima memories follow him, and he not only helps discover the murderer, but also finds more about himself through his past and other’s perception of him. Good character development, interesting details about Japan. My only thought is he is a little too spry for 86. Highly recommended. ( )