CINCINNATI LEE, CURSE BREAKER

Katharine Chin skillfully narrates this middle-grade adventure, capturing all the characters' voices. Natalie "Cincinnati" Lee has stolen her 135-year-old grandfather's diary, which contains details of all the treasures he has taken. In an effort to break the family curse, Cincinnati is determined to repatriate the relics mentioned in the diary. As she grapples with the first one, she is swept up into the mystery of another, the Spear of Destiny. The intrigue puts Cincinnati and her two friends in danger as they embark on their quest to Paris. Chin excels with accents and pitch changes that reflect the different ages, genders, and ethnicities of the characters. Her tone and pacing are also expertly adjusted as the suspense intensifies. S.K.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2025]