Seikei, the son of a tea merchant, wants more than anything to become a samurai in 18th century Japan. One night, while staying at an inn with his father, he witnesses a ghostly figure stealing a great jewel at the Tokaido Inn. When Seikei tells one of Japan's greatest detectives, Judge Ooka, what he saw during the night, Judge Ooka takes him under his wing. Together they attempt to solve the mystery of, not only who stole the enormous ruby, but what the thief's true intentions are. While tracking the thief, Seikei begins to learn the ways of the Samurai, eventually joining a kabuki acting troop, and experienceing many adventures. Book one in The Samurai Mysery series.

Similar books: Blue Fingers by Cheryl Aylward Whitesel; Samurai Spirit: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life by Burt Konzak

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0142405418

ISBN-13: 9780142405413

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Twelve-year-old Ben, son of the town sheriff, is walking around with a curse on his head. In fact, his entire family is cursed. When murderer Jake Burnett was sentenced to hang, he warned the judge, the foreman of the jury, the deputy and the sheriff that he would come back and get them, and their families too. Now, a gypsy's prediction seems to be coming true- the coffins in the graveyard, including Jake's, are rising up out of the ground due to days of torrential rain. When the jury foreman turns up dead, everyone is convinced that Jake has returned to fulfill his curse. But, what can Ben do against a dead man?

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 10/10/2009

ISBN-10: 0761450157

ISBN-13: 9780761450153

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On a living-history farm, Nancy, her friend Bess, and her cousin George are anxious to work with the other workers who dress in colonial period clothing. They will be working at a special festival and will be assigned particular stations. Strange things are happening at the farm and Nancy reminds Bess, George, and friends Amy and Cory that they are there to gather information and investigate why someone is trying to close down the farm. Guests have seen the lantern lady ghost on one or more hayrides. The atmosphere of the living-history museum lends itself to understanding what living was like in 1830. The mystery, suspense and spooky scenes keep the reader interested and trying to guess who wants the farm shut down and why.

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 8/2/2010

ISBN-10: 0671026631

ISBN-13: 9780671026639

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Twelve-year-old Slate Stephens and his friend Daphne McSweeney are enjoying their summer in Montana, riding their bikes, stopping for milkshakes and just generally having a good time when they read the news that the beloved governor's dog, a border collie named Cat, is missing. Is this part of a conspiracy? Is it a move by the governor's opponent to level the playing field for the next election? Has Cat been kidnapped? What about all the grizzlies roaming the National Park near them? Slate and Daphne take it upon themselves to find Cat, but can they do it before it's too late?

Reviewed by: ewl

Date read: 10/18/2011

ISBN-10: 098444601X

ISBN-13: 9780984446018

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Young Precious Ramotswe lives in the African country of Botswana. She solves her first case when pieces of cake disappear from the school. Is one of the students the thief, or is there someone else who can't resist cake? Read this whimsical story to learn how Precious becomes a young detective.

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 8/7/2012

ISBN-10: 0307949451

ISBN-13: 9780307949455

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