ONCE THERE WAS

At the start of this fantasy/mystery narrated by Nikki Massoud, teenager Marjan's father, a veterinarian, has recently been murdered. Marjan soon discovers that she is now the only remaining member of an ancient family with a gift for working with mythological creatures. As she investigates her father's murder and provides veterinary services for magical animals, she is forced to contend with harsh realizations about herself and the world around her. Massoud has an engaging storytelling timbre, which is particularly evident in the chapters that share the mythical stories Marjan's father told her when she was growing up. Many characters have regional or international accents, including Marjan's Iranian father. Massoud performs them accurately. S.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2024]