The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues

The Swifts #2

by Beth Lincoln, Claire Powell (Illustrator)

The second book in the New York Times-bestselling series - a gleeful gothic mystery perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Robin Stevens.

Having solved the mystery of Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude's non-murder and uncovered the location of Grand Uncle Vile's long-lost treasure, Shenanigan Swift might just be in the running for junior detective of the year. But when robbers target Swift House, her sleuthing skills are tested like never before.

The trail leads Shenanigan and her sisters to Paris and the Hotel Martinet, home of the estranged French branch of the Swift family. From there, the girls must track down Ouvolpo, a gang of daring thieves who design each of their crimes as audacious pieces of art.

What links Ouvolpo and the Swifts? Where will they strike next? And why has Uncle Maelstrom taken to wearing an earring again . . . ? All will be revealed in this second hilarious and mysterious adventure for Shenanigan and Co.

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Fiction, Family, Childrens, Humor, Audiobook

502 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2024

Reviews

[Shaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s just say this: God bless the publisher who was crazy or bold enough to say yes to a witty murder mystery series for kids who can appreciate a good pun or play on words. It sounds so weird, but this is one of the best MG books we’ve read this year. And surprisingly, it’s even better than the first in the series, which we loved last year. It’s like Beth Lincoln is a really good mystery writer who thought the world probably didn’t need another adult mystery series, so she is bringing that same quality to introduce the genre to a new generation. We are here for it!

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so worried about if this book was going to live up to the first Swifts. Clearly I had nothing to be worried about because Beth Lincoln has done it again! Everything about this book was wonderful. It’s so unique and fun and interesting and I absolutely adore it with all of my heart. The plot is intriguing and the characters are ridiculous but also just great. It’s middle grade, but it doesn’t feel like it’s condescending or treating the reader like a baby. Honestly, everyone should be reading the Swifts no matter your age. It’s perfect for the whole family!

[matty! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both "The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels" and "The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues" manage to capture the narrative of childhood with delightful accuracy and wit. I would love to write a literary analysis on the exact reasons Beth Lincoln is able to accomplish these things, but until I do that I will just leave fun quotes below! (Please note all quotes are from the ARC and thus not final.)

I do want to touch on how flawlessly the author integrates queer/bipoc details into both books. Characters are referred to with nonbinary pronouns without question; characters of color aren't just the Token Diverse Characters, but actually have autonomy and personality. It is refreshing to read this in a series where children are the target demographic of readers. Kids are awesome! Kids have so many emotions and thoughts that adults are too disillusioned to conceptualize! These books are very, very good and very, very smart.

******************

"Escapology was a very useful skill to have, like juggling, and could be helpful in all sorts of situations." (5)

"'So Felicity is staying in the Family murder hotel?' demanded Shenanigan, who felt that an important injustice was being overlooked. 'How come I don't get to stay in the Family murder hotel?'" (16)

"Since it lacked a jungle, a mountain, or dangerous local wildlife, Paris had never been high on Shenanigan's list of places to visit. [...] She would even get to experience streets. Plural! The local village only had the one. Paris must have at least ten." (22)

"Shenanigan, who was no more than a second away from throwing things most of the time anyway, hurled the balloon at the wall as hard as she could." (108)

[Skye Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very intriguing book.
Also very enjoyable and had me trying to figure so many mysteries.
I love it!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think it was possible for me to like this one more than the first one, but WOW! This book is so, so worth reading. This whole series is delightful, and it’s one of my favorite things I’ve read in a long time (overall, not just of children’s and middle grade lit). Do yourself a favor and read them both, posthaste. And then, sign my informal petition to Beth Lincoln begging for a third book.

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still just as clever and funny as the first book, and with some nice gender diversity. The Parisian setting was fun, and we all laughed out loud a few times as we listened. But we also all agreed the plot dragged a tad more than book 1; and it probably should’ve been a little shorter.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meeting new family members (Martinets), crimes are happening, things are stolen, we go to Paris, stay in a hotel that is even stranger than the Swifts normal house (but also a lot tamer which is nice... well unless of course you get lost, oops. I loved finding out more what happened to Pierrot and why Ouvolpo (or whatever it was called) was targeting Pierrot while it didn't seem to fit in their MO. Also lots of fancy words, tons of shenanigans, is that a romance between Uncle Maelstrom and that police dude (because I am seriously in for that), also a ton of great illustrations!

Long review in Nov or Dec.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so, so good. Clever, funny, and sweet, I genuinely think they deserve a place on everyone’s “Must Read” list. They’re the perfect amount of quirky and whimsical, and every character is unique and brings something important to the story.
I think both books are equally entertaining and well-plotted, the sequel definitely living up to the precedent that A Dictionary of Scoundrels set. If you want a middle grade novel to read that is enjoyable regardless of how old you are, please please read these books.

[Linda 😊 Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing! Several passages of writing that stopped me in my tracks and just made me feel joy. Plus, for a tween/YA book, this has the most smolderingist, hottest unrealized sexual tension between two adults that I have ever had the pleasure to read! I have never formally studied French, so I’m sure I didn’t get all of the cross-language wordplay, but I did appreciate that the Parisian setting is located on the “Rue Regrette”… I am assuming that “regrette” is French for the English “rue.”

[Barb reads......it ALL! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always engaging, always imaginative, always fun!
Bring on more Swifts!

[Stephanie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequels can be disappointing and this one did not disappoint ! It was delightful and allowed you to fall in love with the characters quirky traits. Creative and educational and fun.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

heel toevallig las ik dit boek over kunstroof tijdens louvreroof. in deze boeken voel je gewoon het schrijfplezier van de auteur, genieten

[BookstrovertReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gallery of Rogues is the perfect sequel to A Dictionary of Scoundrels!

I am always down for a murder mystery, or any mystery really, and this one did not disappoint. This book was a fun and page-turning read with a very satisfying resolution to the gripping puzzle.

In the first book, one of my favorite things were the characters and all of their fun, quirky personalities. The new characters in a Gallery of Rogues did not let me down! I especially loved how every member of the Ouvolpo were each so unique. I also loved the Martinets and seeing how different, yet similar, they are to the Swifts. Even though there is definitely an big ensemble cast of both new and old characters, Beth Lincoln is so good at creating characters that each stands out in their own way!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed diving back into to Shenanigan's shenanigans (lol) and I can't wait to read what comes next!

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gallery of Rogues is a delightful second tale in the Swift series. It's just as funny with a fair number of puns and a story that incorporates clowns in a way that does not feel creepy or odd.

Beth Lincoln provides a good (and welcome) escape from the daft political news here in the United States (halfway through February 2025).

Recommended!

[Victor The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The follow-up to their first story now sees Shenanigan Swift and her family traveling to France when they become the victims of an art heist by a famous group of underground thieves. It won’t be long until they get entangled in a long family feud with Parisian relatives, pose as hotel workers, and discover that it’s all connected closer than they’ll believe.

Right away, there’s definitely plenty more of that exhilarating storytelling found with a French twist added and even more dangerous situations. The more deeper it gets, the more it also sees our characters uncovering more secrets that make it so enticing. Another Swift adventure that delivers, oui? A (95%/Outstanding)

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aspettavo il seguito delle avventure degli Swift e sono felice di scrivere che sono stata ripagata dell'attesa.
In questo secondo capitolo Marachella e famiglia si trasferiscono a Parigi dove devono risolvere un mistero riguardante alcune opere d'arte trafugate. Qui ritrovano i Martinet, loro parenti francesi, e ne vedremo delle belle.
È un sequel pieno di avventura, mistero e divertimento e come il precedente appassiona dalla prima all'ultima pagina.
Ringrazio Sarah Allen per il suggerimento.
È stata una piacevole scoperta.
Lettura consigliata. "Marachelloso".

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel as full of heart, family, mystery, and wordplay as the first. Tres magnifique!

The cleverness of both the characters and the wordplay between French and English had me chortling, while the way Shenanigan described big feelings had me utterly charmed and in my feels.

Highly recommend!

[Brittany Gillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing sequel, but it was a bit slow. It has an excellent ending, but unfortunately the change in setting, introduction of a second complicated residence, and the new large cast of characters means that the book felt more like a new book than a sequel. It started with a bang but then took too long to get the main ball rolling.

[Melissa Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Art, birds, mystery, etymology, amazing & diverse characters -- all things I love in one book. A great way to end 2024 (unless I finish one more...).

Like in the first book about the Swifts, there's murder, but the murdering happens off page while the dead bodies make it on to the page.

[Lily Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book when I was younger so I had to pick up the second one. This one was not much of a page turner but i do like the plot and overall essence of the book. With that said, the first book is still my favorite.

[Tim Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nowhere near as good as the first one. The novelty has worn off and the action is too slow.

[Crystal Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this book. It was thought provoking and fun. I appreciated how the murder wasn’t as gruesome as some of the ones in the first. This book in my opinion was more middle grade worthy. I laughed out loud at shenanigan and cried when she did. I can only hope that more adventures of the Swifts will be written and given to us. Thank you Beth Lincoln

[Hannah | Reading Under Covers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure featuring the Swifts!

[David Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, dry humour at times that I really appreciated and very well written, hope we get more of these.

[Supermomochan (PeachyFishyBooks)]

I love these books! I love the art too. They match perfectly

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as entertaining and funny as the first. A murder mystery for kids 🤩 I read this with my daughter and she loved it so much. I really hope there will be more swifts mysteries to come


⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Hannah Gazdziak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of boring

[IslaBob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to a book I really loved! This was a thrilling story, with so many genres: crime, mystery, scandal, rivalry, comedy - I absorbing something new and exciting from each page. I found this book a wonderful (if extremely long) read!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and funny and highly entertaining with great twists! I love Shenanigan and her kooky family. Added bonus that this book took place mostly in France.

[Kathy Giese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first one! This book is filled with adventure, word play and all-around fun. It's written for mid-grade readers but I'd recommend this series to everyone.