The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn

I enjoyed Ghost in the Tokaido Inn as well as the sequel The Demon in the Teahouse. The two books make a great set for any mystery/Japanese history buff (regardless of age). I would rate Ghost in the Tokaido Inn as the better of the two since it is more cohesive, but they are both well-written and entertaining. The Hobblers have managed to catch the flavor of their place and time period: 18th century Japan. The reader is not watching from the outside but experiencing an unique time and culture from the inside. The Hobblers have also managed to avoid "teaching" their knowledge. Their main character, Seikei, is learning about samurai culture at the same time as the reader. This is an excellent technique for imparting necessary information which could otherwise impede the story's movement.

The Ghost In The Tokaido Inn is a wonderful story that combines elements of mystery and Japanese history for an enthralling reading experience. Seikei, a merchant's son, wants to be a samurai but can't because of cultural rules. When he encounters a mystery of a stolen ruby in the Tokaido Inn, he is taken on a journey by the judge for the case, and given opportunities to practice being a samurai. The twists and turns of the story show clearly 18th century Japan, picturing all the richness and detail of a complex society. The surprise ending leaves the reader in suspense all the way through. Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler do a superb job in creating a story that catches the reader's attention and gives historical information in a fun way.

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?

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.

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.