The Tanabata Magpie -- IJ Parker

Got my latest Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and it has a story by IJ Parker, who writes about 11th century Japan. Read it. Loved it. The story stars her series character Akitada (does it mean "Little Akita" in ancient Japanese?) a Japanese court official. I solved the puzzle in my usual method -- that is, I suspected every named character and most of the unnamed characters like gardeners and maids. In fact, I suspected everyone but Akitada and the victim. No wait. There was a point when I suspected the victim.

In any event, a very good story, an interesting mystery and a splendid introduction to the series.

One small dissappointment--- I would have loved to have known more about the Tanabata Festival which is part of the title of the story. This doesn't affect the understanding of the story, but I would have enjoyed the added value.

I have searched through my old Alfred Hitchcock's and found a story called The Kamo Horse. Will report when I'm done.