Books with title White Serpent Castle

This young adult mystery novel is set in feudal Japan where a fascinating plot unfolds along with a wealth of information about classical Japanese history and culture.When Zenta and Matsuzo two sixteenth century Japanese samurai arrive at the White Serpent castle they find anything but a warm welcome. Immediately surrounded by a courtyard full of sword-wielding samurai, the two learn that not only is Lord Okudaira dead, but the missing heir to the castle has just arrived to claim lordship over his nine-year-old brother. But who is the legitimate successor?As Zenta and Matsuzo investigate the maze-like castle, they find more than the haunting cries of the White Serpent ghost a monstrous white creature said to emerge whenever a crisis threatens the castle they also discover jealousy, murder, and a battle for power that neither side is willing to lose. Zenta and Matsuzo are wandering ronin (masterless samurai) with a skill and code of honor unlike the ordinary citizens of Japan. Together the stoic Zenta and carefree Matsuzo fall in and out of extraordinary adventures solving mysteries that leave others baffled.Set in sixteenth century Japan, the books in the Zenta and Matsuzo Mystery series present unique plots for young readers.

There was once a castle shaped like a writhing serpent and reputed to be haunted. According to legend, the daughter of a former lord of the region had thrown herself into the castle moat and changed into a monstrous serpent. This exciting mystery follows Zenta and Matsuzo, two unemployed samurai warriors, or ronin, who arrive at the castle to uncover a web of intrigue, jealousy, and murder. This expertly crafted puzzler is as thrilling and sharp as a samurai sword.

[Cover proof only] New York: Dell [1979]. Cover proof for the Dell softcover edition. Artist: Huens, Jean-Leon. 7 5/8" x 10 5/8". Near Fine condition; slightly irregular top edge from separation cutting, else flawless. A nice full-wrap (front, spine, and back) cover proof for the Dell rendition of Lensey Namioka's juvenile/young adult mystery-adventure thriller. This cover proof was for the First Mass Market Paperback edition, that of Dell in 1979. The hardcover first edition, by David McKay Company, was in 1976; Tuttle followed much later than both of these with a 2004 paperback edition. Cover art by the well-regarded Jean-Leon Huens. An interesting collectible. Leph2