The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (The Samurai Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Dorothy Hoobler (Author), Thomas Hoobler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Samurai fear nothing, not even death. They are loyal and brave. Fourteen-year-old Seikei has studied the way of the samurai, and would like nothing more than to be one. But a samurai is born, not made; Seikei was born the son of a tea merchant, so a merchant he must be. But when a priceless ruby intended for the shogun-the military governor of Japan-is stolen by a ghost, Seikei finds himself having to display all the courage of a samurai. Seikei is the only person to have seen the thief, and now the famous magistrate, Judge Ooka, needs the boy's help to solve this mystery. Can the son of a merchant prove himself worthy to the shogun himself? Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler have written a rich, satisfying thriller, set against the colorful backdrop of eighteenth-century Japan. Suspenseful, complex, and flat-out fun, this is a novel to savor.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8A Sherlock Holmes-style mystery set in 18th-century Japan. Fourteen-year-old Seikei, son of a tea merchant, longs to be a samurai, although he knows that this is an inherited honor he can never hope to attain. While on a business trip, Seikei and his stern father take shelter at the Tokaido Inn where a cruel and oafish samurai, Lord Hakuseki, is also staying. A precious jewel is stolen from the lord, and a young girl whom Seikei has just met is accused of the theft. He risks his life by speaking out to defend her and Judge Ooka, called in to solve the crime, is taken with the boys bravery and enlists his help to solve the mystery. This sets Seikei onto a dangerous path where he goes backstage at Kabuki theaters, meets an enigmatic actor, and more than once must act in the honorable way of a samurai. He remains resourceful and courageous, although he often fears he may be on the wrong path. Judge Ooka maintains a steady presence, urging Seikei to observe, be logical, and reason out the motives for the crime. The plot builds towards an exciting, dramatic climax. All of the action is placed solidly in the context of the Tokugawa period of a Japan ruled by an emperor and a shogun, and pervaded by the need to defend ones honor above all else. An unusual and satisfying mystery that will be enjoyed by a wide audience.Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

In eighteenth-century Japan, 14-year-old Seikei is a merchant's son with secret dreams of becoming a samurai. Although his status in society restricts him from doing anything more than following in his father's footsteps, Seikei has both the resolve and temperament of a wise, brave warrior. On a stopover at the Tokaido Inn, Seikei witnesses a legendary ghost stealing a jewel belonging to a samurai. His bravery in saving a falsely accused guest earns Seikei the respect of Judge Ooka, who hires Seikei to help him investigate the crime and solve the mystery. With a sharply authentic voice and an adeptly plotted story that progresses from the haunting ghost legend to the dark, volatile world of a traveling kabuki show, this mystery builds with stirring intrigue and plays out to a most satisfying conclusion. Rich with atmosphere and details that teach much of the Japanese culture, this is a fine selection for any YA collection. Roger Leslie

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (June 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039923330X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399233302
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book even your mother could love!!, July 16, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (St. Augustine,Florida,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (The Samurai Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn is a richly woven tapestry of fact and fiction set in 14th century Japan. It is not a King kind of scary for which I was grateful.

The plot and characters were believable. I learned some things I didn't know about Japanese culture of that era and liked the factual underpinnings. The morals of the story are just as true today as in that century.

I think this book has a broader appeal than the 9-12year old audience it targets. It's a quick read that even the busiest person should fit into their summer schedule. It's a book even mothers can love.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery, adventure, the samurai ethic and much more., July 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (The Samurai Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The book is aimed at the 9-12 age group but this 58-year-old enjoyed it enormously. I guarantee the target age group will enjoy it even more. Western culture seems bent on dumbing down. Here is a story about Asian culture that treats its intended readership with respect. And it's not just a gripping mystery story: tough, adult, concepts are introduced, but finely adjusted to maturing sensibilities. The samurai ethic is key to this story but the reader is left to make his or her own evaluation of that ethic. And then, there is the wealth of Japanese culture that is interwoven in the adventure story in a most alluring way: swords, the tea ceremony, the Edo era division of society into rigid social groupings, the Tokaido Road and its checkpoints, kabuki drama...and... who was it said "The play's the thing!"? A highly satisfying, thoroughly intelligent book for the young of all ages.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of mystery and sagas in............Japan!, May 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn (The Samurai Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The Ghost of the Tokaido Inn tells a fascinating tale of SamuriJapan. Seikei, a merchant's son, has always wished to be a Samuri.But one must be born a Samuri, not a tea merchant. While spending the night at the Tokaido inn, Seikei encounters what he thinks to be an evil spirit, but turns out to be a theif who is robbing a valuable ruby from a dishonorable samuri. Judge Ooka, a real historical figure who was known as the Sherlock Holmes of Japan,impressed by Seikei's courage and bravery when defending a wrongfully accused thief of the ruby, employs Sekei's help in catching the real thief. He joins a travelling Kabuki theatre group, which comes complete with Tomonio, a young man who appears to be an illegal Krishtian, or Christian. All the scheming and plotting of Tominio and Judge Ooka come down to one night, the night the Kabuki group will perform for the Shogun and the samuri from whom the ruby was stolen. All questions will be answered and secrets will be revealed-but who is the villian and who the samuri?