Couple to Launch New Mystery at Diesel Tonight

Todd and LJC Shimoda, a husband and wife author/artist team, will host a launch party at Diesel, A Bookstore tonight at 7 p.m. for their latest novel Subduction.

The book, the Shimodas' fourth, is a literary mystery which Todd Shimoda wrote and featuring artwork by LJC (Linda) Shimoda. The story looks at a Japanese island community haunted by its past thanks to a series of mysterious earthquakes.

"We lived in Japan in the '80s," Todd Shimoda said about the book's inspiration.

His grandfather was born in Japan, and his father was born in the U.S., making Shimoda sansei, or third-generation Japanese.

"When I got there [Japan], I found out I wasn't very Japanese at all," Shimoda said.

But during that time, both he and his wife became very interested in Japanese culture and literature.

"That's why I set my novels in Japan," Shimoda said.

He said that they decided to host the party at Diesel, a Bookstore, because the couple loves independent bookstores, and he had been to one of the other Diesel branches.

"I've been to the Oakland branch and I really liked that store," he said.

Japanese snacks and sake will be served. The party will also feature the couple speaking about the book and the artwork.

Diesel, A Bookstore, is located in the Brentwood Country Mart at 225 26th Street Suite 33, Santa Moncia. For more information, call 310-576-9960.