history and historical fiction

This third novel in the Judge Ooka mystery series is my fave cuz it involves a ninja, Tatsuna. The characterizations aren't deep or tremendous, but somehow that's OK in a mystery. The story has enough twists and turns that it held my interest over a day or 2 -- a quick read. The main character, Seikei, is a young boy who's been adopted by the samurai judge and wants badly to live up to being a samurai.

The other Judge Ooka mysteries are also worth reading. Also, I read In Darkness, Death along with a separate novel of samurai Japan called Blue Fingers: A Ninja's Tale. It has deeper characterizations, and more ninja action. The two books are interesting read together because In Darkness, Death shows ninjas from the outside, and Blue Fingers shows ninjas from the inside. [Guess what, I am into martial arts. :)]

It's the eighteenth century in Japan and Lord Inaba, the most powerful lord in the country, has just been killed. If that's not devastating enough, the murder happened right under the noses of two guards. They ask the famous Judge Ooka and his fourteen-year-old foster son and apprentice Seikei to figure out who did it. A paper origami butterfly stained with blood is their only lead.

Judge Ooka and Seikei begin to ask servants and villagers about the night of the murder. They all insist that they saw nothing and weren't involved. Then they ride to a guard's palace and capture Tinsuno, a ninja, and talk with him about the murder. The judge then asks Tinsuno to go with Seikei to see a papermaker named Bakkoro in Minnowa about the butterfly. Tinsuno agrees, and the journey begins.

When they get to Minnowa to see Bakkoro, they find out that the paper was made for the O-Miwa shrine at the base of Miwayama and that the shrine is forbidden; it has no shelter for the Kami to reside in because he lives on a sacred mountain. They next go to Etchu Providence to question Lord Inaba's enemies.

Upon their arrival, they find out that Lord Inaba had many foes. He murdered children and ordered farmers to pay full taxes on their crops, causing families to starve. Seikei decides to help the farmers get a petition of their complaints to the new Lord Inaba, Yotoro. But the petition is denied and Seikei is held as a prisoner. He escapes and goes to the governor's house alone.

While at the governor's house, Seikei and his father talk with the Kannushi about the murder. The Kannushi asks Seikei to perform one very dangerous task: to climb on Miwayama Mountain and confront the ninja who they believe committed the murder. Will the ninja confess to the crime, or will the mystery remain unsolved?

IN DARKNESS, DEATH is a must read for mystery fans because it will keep you guessing all the way to the end. When I discovered who the murderer was, I wasn't surprised. Can you guess who it is?

--- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub