Lincoln, Beth: The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues (2024) YA for the murder plot
A direct sequel to the first book, A Dictionary of Scoundrels, this can be read as a standalone. It is slightly less wacky than the first book, I think, because the story is somewhat darker. The Swifts have been invited to visit their French relatives, the Martinets, at the family Hotel in Paris. Martinet, or martlet, is the French name for the bird the English call a swift. There are family tensions, like the history of France and the UK over several hundred years but in one family.
The mystery is complicated and so is the history. I kind of lost track of all the double crossings. It was still good fun. Lord Vetinari would not approve of the mimes, but they are a major part of the story. Art is involved, and cooking. There is a slight pedagogical tone with most of the French words being defined, but the meanings matter and they aren't always obvious. The end resolves well and connects to the first book.
Recommended
A direct sequel to the first book, A Dictionary of Scoundrels, this can be read as a standalone. It is slightly less wacky than the first book, I think, because the story is somewhat darker. The Swifts have been invited to visit their French relatives, the Martinets, at the family Hotel in Paris. Martinet, or martlet, is the French name for the bird the English call a swift. There are family tensions, like the history of France and the UK over several hundred years but in one family.
The mystery is complicated and so is the history. I kind of lost track of all the double crossings. It was still good fun. Lord Vetinari would not approve of the mimes, but they are a major part of the story. Art is involved, and cooking. There is a slight pedagogical tone with most of the French words being defined, but the meanings matter and they aren't always obvious. The end resolves well and connects to the first book.
Recommended