In Darkness, Death

By Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler

Rating: 3 3/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

The Hoobler team continues their mystery series set in 18th century Japan about Seikei and Judge Ooka. This time, Judge Ooka is called upon to find the murderer of Lord Inaba. The scene of the crime instantly suggests a ninja was the one responsible. Judge Ooka finds a ninja he trusts, named Tatsuno, and sends him with Seikei on a journey to see if they could discover enemies of the old Lord Inaba, for a ninja assasin is usually a hired hand. While on their travels, Tatsuno teaches Seikei (and us) some of the ninja lore. Seikei's innocence and belief in doing what is right is shaken when he sees the reality of how some samurai lords rule over their lands, and he finds his life in danger from the new Lord Inaba. But nothing stops Seikei from following the path his father set for him, even though he will have to finally face the murderer on his own. Can Seikei discover the true killer? Or will he fall prey to the magic of the ninja? Another very interesting story in the series.

The Demon in the Teahouse

By Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is second book in the Japanese mystery series about Seikei and Judge Ooka, following The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (see review). This time, fires and murders are happening in the city of Edo and on the pleasure island of Yoshiwara where geishas ply their trade of entertaining men with song, stories and dance. The dead are all geishas, and there appears to be a link to the most famous geisha of all, Umae. Judge Ooka assigns Seikei to get a job in the teahouse where Umae entertains to see if he can turn up any clues or connections in the crimes. But Seikei's role causes him to come under suspicion himself, and to even get arrested! But as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the Judge and Seikei figure out who the next likely victim will be, and Seikei becomes the only thing standing between her and certain death. Another exciting and extremely interesting story from the Hoobler team! More sequels to follow!

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn

By Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

Rating: 4 1/4 stars

Finalist for Edgar Allan Poe Award

Reviewed by Noelle

This is a great new take on the mystery genre. Historians Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler set their mystery in Japan. Seikei is a merchant's son living in 18th century Japan, traveling with his father to the city of Edo. Seikei wishes he could become a samurai, but you are born into your role in life, and he is set to be a merchant. At an inn on the journey, Seikei witnesses what he thinks is a ghost stealing a samurai lord's jewel. When the local samurai judge, Judge Ooka, arrives to investigate, he is impressed by Seikei's alertness and quickly deputizes him. When a lead points at kabuki actors, the judge sends Seikei undercover to try and discover both the thief and his motive. Throughout his mission, Seikei does his best to act like a true samurai warrior would, even when he is full of doubt, and the reader learns a great deal about the samurai as well as about 18th century Japan. The mystery is involving and readers will absorb this story and all its history with pleasure. Fans of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy the logical deductions that Seikei and the judge make to solve the crime. Happily for us, it is also a series! Readers can continue with Seikei's adventures in The Demon in the Teahouse.