The Swifts

This was a surprisingly fun book to read. The association of each characters name with dictionary words was what piqued my interest. And it definitely doesn't disappoint. All the characters names are very thoughtful and creative. To start the book with a funeral scene was very effective in getting me hooked.

"The Swifts" is a delightful and hilarious mystery adventure that will captivate fans of Robin Stevens and Lemony Snicket. This whimsical tale takes readers on a journey with Shenanigan Swift, a determined young girl who refuses to let her name define her.From the day of her birth, each member of the Swift family is bestowed with a name and definition from the sacred Family Dictionary. However, Shenanigan is not content to conform to her presumed destiny as a troublemaker. Fueled by her imagination and ambition, she dreams of becoming a pirate, an explorer, or even a detective.When chaos strikes and Arch-Aunt Schadenfreude is nearly murdered, Shenanigan reluctantly embraces the opportunity to unravel the mystery. Assisted by her sisters and cousin, she dives headfirst into the investigation, only to discover that the situation is far more complicated than she ever imagined. With additional murders, a hidden treasure, and an abundance of suspects, the young sleuth finds herself facing numerous challenges.The strength of this book lies in its endearing and well-developed characters. Shenanigan Swift is a lovable and spirited protagonist who defies expectations and showcases the power of individuality. As she navigates the treacherous waters of her family's mansion, readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way. Her indomitable spirit and her audacity to call a spade a spade will entice the readers, for she will resonate with every other human being who finds themselves trapped within intangible and invisible boundaries.The author's witty writing style adds an extra layer of charm to the story. The narrative is infused with clever wordplay and puns that will elicit laughter from readers of all ages. Furthermore, the pacing is well-executed, with the plot twisting and turning, keeping readers engaged and guessing until the very end."The Swifts" also delves into deeper themes of self-discovery and the importance of defining oneself. As Shenanigan explores her identity amidst the chaos of the murder mystery, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own journey of self-definition.Overall, this book is a delightful blend of humour, mystery, and adventure. It seamlessly weaves an entertaining plot with memorable characters and meaningful themes. Whether you're a fan of Robin Stevens, or Lemony Snicket, or simply in search of a rollicking good time, "The Swifts" is a must-read.

A bit of a mystery, a fun and interesting story, and fun characters. It manages to have murder and suspense without being creepy or very dark. There is a non-binary child which is dealt with in a very gentle way, and I felt the main character's reaction to it was quite sweet and realistic. (Something to the effect of, oh, I didn't realize that was an option, and then moves on with life.) Probably best for middle school+ or advanced late elementary kids. Also, adults like me that enjoy a good "kid's" book.

My 8yr old and her 2 friends setup a book club for themselves after school 1 night a week and this was their chosen book. At first they all struggled with some extensive articulation and what they all felt was a slow burner. They came across their first non binary character and all characters have names that are picked from a dictionary (Phenomena, Shenanigan, Malstrom) which gave them a topic of discussion and an avenue to research and gain knowledge on word definitions and how English is amazingly simple having 3 words of the exact sound but different meanings (Peak, peek, Pique) they haven't quite finished it but are loving the mystery, intrigue and who dunit. As a shared book it's expanding their comprehension together and giving them several avenues for discussion on what is a quirky, engaging murder mystery withing .somewhat crazy family.

This is a great book for young people. The story is engaging and funny.

A quirky, funny mystery. Think kids would love this.Even as an adult, I enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Swifts - from page one I felt I was welcomed into the home of this kooky family and I was absolutely hooked. With twists, turns and a few red herrings, it’ll keep you guessing until the end.Read this if you love clever word play and utterly marvellous, lovable characters.I hope the wait for the next instalment goes fast!