The Swifts: A gallery of rogues by Beth Lincoln

A Gallery of Rogues, sequel to The Dictionary of Scoundrels, by Beth Lincoln is a humorous and lively adventure that is quirky and unique.  Filled with frivolity, escapade and intrigue, this novel will immerse you in the family’s twisted life and put some clever detective skills to the test to decipher fact from fiction in this ‘whodunnit’ mystery.

Shenanigan Swift is no ordinary protagonist, and her family is anything but conventional. Each member of the Swift clan has unusual gifts or eccentricities, making for an amusingly chaotic household. So, when the family’s heirloom painting is stolen, the mystery soon grows more tangled when they must join forces with their long-standing rivals, the Martinet family of Paris. Together they must overcome simmering rivalry to outwit OUVOLPO - the elusive art-thieving organisation who famously return stolen pieces to their rightful owners.

At the heart of this novel is not only a mystery of stolen Pierrot art pieces, but also a layered exploration of trust, loyalty and murder! The narrative takes its time to build momentum, with an opening that carefully sets the scene and reintroduces readers to the Swifts’ peculiar world and characters. However, as the chase deepens through Parisian galleries and hidden passageways, the pace quickens, and the book becomes a rich, page-turning puzzle of betrayals and revelations.

What sets this story apart is its clever weaving of language and etymology. English and French words are playfully unpacked, with meanings and histories revealed at just the right moments to echo the action. This adds both intellectual intrigue and a sense of linguistic playfulness, giving readers something extra to savour beyond the plot.

By the closing chapters, readers are fully immersed; questioning motives and second-guessing alliances. Who stole what? Who killed who? And above all - who can truly be trusted? This book is perfect for fans of clever mysteries, richly created characters and a touch of etymological flair. Readers who love adventure, eccentricity and some mystery will thoroughly enjoy this twisted tale of treachery!

Themes: Family, Mystery, Humour, Art, Detectives, Crime solving, Linguistics, Teamwork.

Michelle O'Connell