Publisher: Dutton Books
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 338 pages
Published: August 20th, 2024
Source: Purchased
Opening Line: "In Morbidity Swift's Definitive Ranking of Painful Deaths, drowning is quite far down on the list, sitting squarely in the merrily unpleasant tier."
Shenanigan Swift has resumed her quest for Grand-Uncle Vile's long-lost treasure by scouring the lake. Meanwhile, Felicity is in Paris and Phenomena is engrossed in a secret project. Suddenly, news arrives that Felicity has been invited to stay with the Martinet's (the French branch of the Swift family tree) at their hotel, prompting Aunt Schadenfreude to exclaim that "she's all but dead!" You see the Martinets and Swifts have been engaged in a heated war for over a century, disputing which of their families came first. Concerned for Felicity's safety, Shenanigan, Phenomena and Uncle Maelstrom head off to France and while there become entangled in a mystery involving a series of elaborate art museum heists. Could this be the infamous Ouvolpo, the world's most famous art thief?
A Gallery of Rogues was one of my most anticipated sequels for this year. I so adored the first book for its use of language, wordplay and dictionaries and I loved that the second book continued with this theme. This time examining the roots of French, English and Spanish words and how there are links between some words in other languages. How words in one language influence the words of another culture and often get adopted into that language (like how chauffer, and deja vu have become common place in the English language). And how French words like "Pharmacie" and "Framboise" are spelled similarly in English and Spanish. I've always been a fan of languages and words, and Gallery of Rogues is filled with such wonderful words, like "Haughty" and "Ostentatious" that make ya feel all decadent reading them aloud. Just absolutely love it!
Shenanigan Swift has resumed her quest for Grand-Uncle Vile's long-lost treasure by scouring the lake. Meanwhile, Felicity is in Paris and Phenomena is engrossed in a secret project. Suddenly, news arrives that Felicity has been invited to stay with the Martinet's (the French branch of the Swift family tree) at their hotel, prompting Aunt Schadenfreude to exclaim that "she's all but dead!" You see the Martinets and Swifts have been engaged in a heated war for over a century, disputing which of their families came first. Concerned for Felicity's safety, Shenanigan, Phenomena and Uncle Maelstrom head off to France and while there become entangled in a mystery involving a series of elaborate art museum heists. Could this be the infamous Ouvolpo, the world's most famous art thief?
A Gallery of Rogues was one of my most anticipated sequels for this year. I so adored the first book for its use of language, wordplay and dictionaries and I loved that the second book continued with this theme. This time examining the roots of French, English and Spanish words and how there are links between some words in other languages. How words in one language influence the words of another culture and often get adopted into that language (like how chauffer, and deja vu have become common place in the English language). And how French words like "Pharmacie" and "Framboise" are spelled similarly in English and Spanish. I've always been a fan of languages and words, and Gallery of Rogues is filled with such wonderful words, like "Haughty" and "Ostentatious" that make ya feel all decadent reading them aloud. Just absolutely love it!
The art heist investigation was entertaining, reminiscent of the movie Ocean Eleven, and I enjoyed the addition of all of Swifts French cousins. There's the chaos of navigating a luxury hotel in disrepair, compounded by the confusion over the room numbering, which adds some intrigue. If you've read the first book, the sequel will resonate with you even more. I really recommend it to readers who delight in mysteries, or clever wordplay and languages. I know I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE
This sounds like a series I would enjoy. The family focus and setting have me hooked. Thanks for featuring your review on this week's MMGM!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting about this series. I will look for it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything in this series- but it sounds fun. Loved your review!
ReplyDeleteAdded to my TBR, now I am going to have to prioritise my TBR accordingly. Story sounds great, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI haven't started this series, but it must be a good one if you've been so excited to read it. I'm glad you're enjoying it so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with this book but your review intrigued me. It's nice to have art info thrown in also.
ReplyDeleteWow. That opening line sure captured my interest. I'll have to check this out. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Rosi. Hope you'll enjoy it.
DeleteThe names remind me of Skullduggery Pleasant, and it sounds like the humour is similar--right up my alley! What's the first book of the series called?
ReplyDeleteThe Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels - I hadn't thought of the Skullduggery connection but now I'm curious about reading it.
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