Le Neuvième Netsuke

HER BODY WAS FOUND IN THE SWEET HARMONY ROOM... — Rooms by the hour are the specialty of the Fantasia Hotel, and the Sweet Harmony Room is a favorite, with its emerald-and-gold tiled bathroom, mirrored ceiling, and videotape recorder. It was here that Cleo Ventura, a "hostess" from Manila, met her last client -- and her brutal end....

Investigating the scene of the crime (accompanied by his embarrassed wife, Hanae, so as not to arouse suspicion), Superintendent Tetsuo Otani is surprised by a small ivory figure -- a netsuke -- hidden in the love suite. As it is clearly very old and possibly quite valuable, Otani pockets the netsuke as evidence...and sets in motion a national scandal.

For the netsuke was originally part of a set of nine -- each representing one of the Greek muses. Seven are already National Treasures. The eighth, in Otani's possession until Hanae insists on a safer hiding place, becomes the motive for dark suspicion and a kidnapping. But where is the ninth netsuke? And what could it have to do with Cleo Ventura's death?