The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues

Your reviewer enjoyed reading and reviewing the first Swifts book so much, that efforts were made to obtain this, the sequel, for more entertainment. This time Beth Lincoln has fun with French words as well as English words, as sisters Shenanigan Swift (no longer so chaotic) and budding scientist Phenomena, accompanied by piratical Uncle Maelstrom, are despatched to France to join their older sister, the elegant Felicity, on the trail of a valuable painting dramatically stolen from Swift House (the thieves leaving behind an exploding inflatable bird).

At the Hôtel Martinet (French for Swift) they meet the Martinet family, with whom the Swifts have had a love/hate, but mostly hate, relationship across the centuries. Aunt Inheritance is also there, with her grandchild, Erf, Shenanigan’s cousin and best friend, who is non-binary and wears interesting jumpers.  Further robberies of artworks are committed by the group we now know as Ouvolpo, always leaving strange tableaux behind, but when a body is found, it all gets a bit more personal.

Shenanigan’s detective work involves her cousin Souris, employed as bellboy and lift operator, who proves very useful – but can he be trusted?  Pomme, the sister of Pamplemousse who was murdered in the first book, flits in and out of the investigation, and the chef, Gourmet, proves to be an ally against the ineffective manager, Soufflé. See how well the names work? Triplets Elan, Esprit and Ennui also live up to their names, as does Contraire, who always disagrees. All the French words are explained as we go, because Shenanigan and Erf have split a dictionary between them, so they can either look up words in their own half or ask the other.

Families can be difficult, and both groups have their issues: e.g. Shenanigan’s dependence on Uncle Maelstrom is tested. There are twists and turns and much mayhem and excitement before all the mysteries are linked and resolved, and there is hope for improved relationships between the families.  This was tremendous fun, with laugh-out-loud moments, and although the book looks chunky, the typeface is large on thick pages, and the reader just has to find out what happens next!

The first Swifts book was very popular, a New York Times bestseller, and winner of the Nero Book Award and the Barnes & Noble Book Award.  Claire Powell is an established illustrator with a very distinctive style, and her illustrations are perfect for the Swifts in all their lovable eccentricity. Highly recommended!