By Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrated by Anna Aparicio Catala
Ages: 7 to 10
Fantasy
Peachtree Publishers
March 2025
9781682637661
Hardcover Trade, $17.99
A princess, a librarian’s apprentice, a stable boy, a kobold, and a baby griffin come together to solve a mystery. Valuable and powerful magical creatures are disappearing from the king’s menagerie. Princess Lyss is determined to find the culprit…but she can’t help suspecting that friends new and old may play some part in what is happening. This quick-paced adventure is set in a world full of unicorns, dragons, manticores, naiads, and many more legendary creatures.
Awards and Accolades
“A fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The fast-paced, amiable narration makes this instantly appealing for mythological creature buffs looking for a breezy mystery.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Thomson’s whodunit is well plotted, escalating to a climax that is both logical and appropriately scary. The world building is also well handled, and readers will enjoy the wide variety of magical beasts (including amphisbaena, dragons, manticores, naiads, vegetable lambs, and a phoenix, to name just a few) who play a role in the story.”
—Booklist
Sarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly