In Darkness, Death (Puffin Sleuth Novels) [Hardcover]

Dorothy Hoobler (Author), Thomas Hoobler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Puffin Sleuth Novels

An intriguing mystery set in 18th-century Japan begins with the murder of Samurai Lord Inaba, right under the nose of the shogun. Judge Ooak and his assistant, 14-year-old Seiki, are entrusted with the case. They must track down the killer, and their only clue is a delicate origami butterfly, stained with blood. Seiki sets out on a perilous trip through the countryside, where he dodges extremely dangerous ninja, encounters angry, impoverished farmers, and is frustrated by an elusive assassin. This is the third electrifying book about Seiki, following THE GHOST IN THE TOKAIDO INN, and THE SWORD THAT CUT THE BURNING GRASS.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8--This fine mystery set in 18th-century Japan continues the adventures of Judge Ooka and his 14-year-old adopted son, Seikei. This time, they are asked to investigate the death of Lord Inaba, who was murdered under the watchful eye of the shogun. Their only clue is a bloodstained origami butterfly. The judge sends Seikei to a distant town in the care of the enigmatic ninja Tatsuno to find out who bought the paper from which the butterfly was made. This leads them to a remote monastery and, unwittingly, right into the killer's hiding place. The plot falters a bit when Seikei takes it upon himself to argue the case of starving peasants to the local lord, known to be ruthless, and is thrown in jail. He is much too smart to be so naive about the morals of the local ruler. However, this development illustrates his big heart, and readers will easily forgive this minor flaw considering the story's solid suspense, fast-paced action, and authentic setting. Overall, a satisfying mystery that's sure to please fans and likely to win a few converts.--Karen T. Bilton, Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. This is the third installment in the authors' series of intriguing mysteries set in eighteenth-century Japan, beginning with The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (1999). In this book, 14-year-old Seikei and his adopted father and mentor, Judge Ooka, set out to discover who murdered a powerful warlord. Signs point to a ninja, a hired assassin. But who procured the services of the ninja? Judge Ooka orders Seikei to travel to a northern town with the seemingly inept Tatsuno, who turns out to be a ninja himself. Eventually, Seikei's journey takes him to a sacred mountain, where he has brushes with the supernatural and a dangerous encounter with the murderer, who reveals the name of the man who hired him. Although the mystery plot itself is not as elaborate as those in the other novels in the series, this is a great adventure story, featuring lots of action, authentic period details, and an evocative, shadowy atmosphere. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 195 pages
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756954576
• ISBN-13: 978-0756954574
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,673,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Japanese Sherlock Holmes, his 14 year old adopted son Seikei and their ninja associate together seek the daiymo's assassin, June 8, 2009

By 

M. Lapus "@ Starting Fresh blog" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Darkness, Death (The Samurai Mysteries) (Paperback)

Synopsis:
Samurai Lord Inaba is murdered in his sleep while under the protection of the Shogun. Judge Ooka and his adoptive son, Seikei, attempt to investigate with a bloodstained origami butterfly as their sole clue. Judge Ooka enlists the aid of a "retired" ninja, Tatsuno, to accompany Seikei as he travels across Japan searching for the maker of the origami butterfly.

Their travels lead Seikei and Tatsuno to meet impoverished farmers, wary monks, and powerful daimyos. While Tatsuno attempts to warn Seikei to rein in his idealistic fervor, Seikei's code of honor win Tatsuno's respect. In the end, Seikei must flee from false imprisonment and face a dangerous and powerful ninja to find the truth behind the assassination.

Review:
In Darkness, Death introduces another interesting character in the series. Tatsuno, the "retired" ninja is cynical and resists having to accompany the young Seikei. Though Tatsuno could have abandoned Seikei numerous times, we find that Tatsuno follows a strict code of honor of his own. I enjoyed learning about Tatsuno and the lives of ninjas during the 1700s, their relationship to the monks and to the local farmers.
This adventure shared the wonderful balance of action and insight into Seikei's personality. His slow realization of the plight of the farmers, the power of the daiymo and the role of the Shogun and his officials was sad but very interesting. The dilemmas that he faced added further depth to fourteen year old Seikei's character.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best in the series, January 4, 2009

By 

pk - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Darkness, Death (The Samurai Mysteries) (Paperback)

This book is one best one in the series. Its filled with mysteries. This is one of their best work.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible mystery, May 17, 2004

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Darkness, Death (The Samurai Mysteries) (Hardcover)

It's the eighteenth century in Japan and Lord Inaba, the most powerful lord in the country, has just been killed. If that's not devastating enough, the murder happened right under the noses of two guards. They ask the famous Judge Ooka and his fourteen-year-old foster son and apprentice Seikei to figure out who did it. A paper origami butterfly stained with blood is their only lead.

Judge Ooka and Seikei begin to ask servants and villagers about the night of the murder. They all insist that they saw nothing and weren't involved. Then they ride to a guard's palace and capture Tinsuno, a ninja, and talk with him about the murder. The judge then asks Tinsuno to go with Seikei to see a papermaker named Bakkoro in Minnowa about the butterfly. Tinsuno agrees, and the journey begins.

When they get to Minnowa to see Bakkoro, they find out that the paper was made for the O-Miwa shrine at the base of Miwayama and that the shrine is forbidden; it has no shelter for the Kami to reside in because he lives on a sacred mountain. They next go to Etchu Providence to question Lord Inaba's enemies.

Upon their arrival, they find out that Lord Inaba had many foes. He murdered children and ordered farmers to pay full taxes on their crops, causing families to starve. Seikei decides to help the farmers get a petition of their complaints to the new Lord Inaba, Yotoro. But the petition is denied and Seikei is held as a prisoner. He escapes and goes to the governor's house alone.

While at the governor's house, Seikei and his father talk with the Kannushi about the murder. The Kannushi asks Seikei to perform one very dangerous task: to climb on Miwayama Mountain and confront the ninja who they believe committed the murder. Will the ninja confess to the crime, or will the mystery remain unsolved?

IN DARKNESS, DEATH is a must read for mystery fans because it will keep you guessing all the way to the end. When I discovered who the murderer was, I wasn't surprised. Can you guess who it is?

--- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub