A review by serendipitysbooks
The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 The Swifts is a delightful romp of a story. We’ve got an eccentric family, a big family reunion, and a large if dilapidated house - complete with a hedge maze and secret passages - that may, or may not, be hiding valuable treasure which our delightful and unforgettable heroine, the irrepressible Shenanigan Swift, is determined to find. Until first one dead body and then another shift her focus to solving the murders instead. Wonderful wordplay - the Swifts are all named from the family dictionary and it is assumed their names reflect who they truly are. But in amongst all the fun there are some serious messages about identity, acceptance, and self-determination. I loved the seamlessly integrated queer diversity and the way Shenanigan and her sisters had very differing personalities, skills and interests which were, by story’s end, all recognised as worthy and equally valuable. 
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