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.