Could you help me remember a book?

[smearyllama]

When I was younger, my dad would read books to me that were beyond my reading level.
One was a series about a young boy, who I believe lived in late feudal Japan, who was taken on as an apprentice to an investigator.
We were on the third book, and since I can read them myself now, I'd like to finish the series.
I remember he was a merchant's son, and that one of the cases involved the arson of an inn.
I think that was the second book.

Anyone got a clue?

Edit: Oh yeah!
The third book had a sweet picture of a fox on it, too.

 

[smearyllama]

Anyone? I'd really like to know.

 

[Tallim]

Sounds like the Samurai Detective series by Dorothy Hoobler. The first book is called The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn. Young boy, check, son of a tea merchant, check, investigations check......

Hope I'm right.

Anyone? I'd really like to know.

Quote to draw your attention.

 

[smearyllama]

Sounds like the Samurai Detective series by Dorothy Hoobler. The first book is called The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn. Young boy, check, son of a tea merchant, check, investigations check......

Hope I'm right.

Anyone? I'd really like to know.

Quote to draw your attention.

I think that's it!
Thank you so much.

 

[standokan]

I got ninja'd, ah well, the mystery is solved, that's all that matters I guess.