The Swifts
A humorous mystery adventure for young readers
Beth Lincoln author Claire Powell illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Random House Children's UK
Published:4th Jan '24
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This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£12.99(9780241613009)
In The Swifts, Shenanigan defies her family's expectations while solving a murder mystery. Can she redefine herself amidst chaos and uncover the truth?
In The Swifts, readers are introduced to a unique family dynamic where each member is given a name and a definition at birth, shaping their expected identity. Shenanigan Swift, however, is determined to defy the expectations tied to her name. While her relatives anticipate her to be a troublemaker, Shenanigan envisions herself as an adventurer, ready to explore the world as a pirate, detective, or explorer. Her journey of self-discovery becomes even more urgent when a murder attempt on Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude disrupts the family’s seemingly ordinary life.
As Shenanigan embraces her role as an amateur sleuth, she recruits her sisters and cousin to help unravel the mystery surrounding the attempted murder. The plot thickens with multiple suspects, hidden treasures, and more murders, making it clear that Shenanigan's task is far from simple. The stakes are high as the clock ticks, and Shenanigan must navigate through family secrets and unexpected twists to catch the killer before it's too late.
The Swifts combines humor, adventure, and mystery, appealing to fans of both Robin Stevens and Lemony Snicket. With a blend of laughter and suspense, the story challenges the notion of identity and the importance of self-definition in a world where names carry significant weight. As Shenanigan fights to prove her worth, readers are taken on a delightful ride filled with unexpected surprises and heartwarming moments.
A stunning debut . . . This is an exquisitely written book about identity and wordplay that's as warm, masterful and up-to-date as it is laugh-out-loud funny. -- Kitty Empire * Observer *
Deliciously, quirkily Gothic -- Robin Stevens * New York Times Book Review *
Murder most splendid in this ghoulish debut -- Emily Bearn * The Telegraph *
Gothic mystery brimming with bonkers characters and boundless energy * Daily Mail *
A fun read with diverse characters and an enticing setting. -- Alice Clifford * The Sun *
A mystery that is as clever and impish as its heroine * Publisher's Weekly Starred Review *
An absolutely delightful debut * Kirkus Reviews Starred Review *
A witty confection of highly colourful characters * The Horn Book *
A delightful pick for sharp readers enamoured of gothic sensibilities and clever prose * Shelf Awareness Starred Review *
This witty, imaginative entry deserves a prominent space on the MG shelf. * PaperBound *
ISBN: 9780241536452
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 30mm
Weight: 370g
464 pages