The Demon in the Teahouse

The Demon in the Teahoouse (2001) by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. 181 pages
ISBN: 0-399-23499-3

Formerly a merchant's son, and now adopted by Judge Ooka, fourteen year old Seiki is learning archery and training to be a samurai.

Fires are burning in 18th century Edo and Judge Ooka, assigned to preventing fires in the city, must find out who's starting them. He calls on Seiki and Bunzo, Seiki's teacher to assist him in his search. Arriving at Edo, Bunzo and Seiki push their way through crowds of people fleeing the city, and join an army of people dousing flames. Among the crowd, Seiki glimpses a suspicious face, one with triumph.

After some investigation, Judge Ooka decides they need to go to Yoshiwara to find out more. People usually go to this "the floating world" for entertainment and find relief from their lives; here is where geisha's entertained in teahouses. Discovering that a death of a young teahouse girl may be linked to who's setting the fires, the Judge decides that Seiki should work as a teahouse boy to try and uncover more information. Danger and suspense builds through the book; Seiki is wrongly accused, clues are revealed and Seiki finds himself captive in a burning house. Seiki reflects on his samurai training to help him through difficult situations.

Captivatating, page-turning mystery. The reader will not want to put it down. This book is a sequel to The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, but it stands on its own. Very good read for 10 to 12 year olds.
The Samurai Mysteries









Curriculum Connection: History-Social Science. Grade 7
7.5 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Medieval Japan.

Information on Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler and more of their books.

For another mystery novel taking place in contemporary Japan, read Hannah's Winter (2009)by Kierin Meehan.

More information about Japan: Kids Web Japan