History and mystery...

I liked this book for so many reasons that I'm not sure where to start! The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler takes place in 18th-century Japan. Seikei is a tea merchant's son, but he dreams of becoming a samurai. When a priceless ruby is stolen, Seikei is the only person to have seen the thief, and the famous samurai magistrate Judge Ooka asks for Seikei's help in solving the mystery. The description of the Japanese culture of the times is outstanding; the contrast between Judge Ooka's slow, methodical approach to the crime and Seikei's urge to just nab the criminal (you'll have a good idea who it is) was fun to follow; and the ending was both exciting and unexpected. Fans of both adventure and mystery will enjoy the action in this story of a boy who shows the courage and honor of a samurai.