Lensey Namioka was born in Beijing, China. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, who was raised in Himeji, Japan, and their two daughters. The history of her husband's family led her to write about feudal Japan. Zenta and Matsuzo, the wandering ronin in "The Inn of Lost Time," also appear in several historical mystery novels—The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils, Valley of the Cherry Trees, Village of the Vampire Cat, and Island of Ogres. Namioka has also written Phantom of Tiger Mountain, set in historical China, and several contemporary novels, including Who's Hu? and Wormholes. Namioka and her husband have traveled throughout the world.