THE PINCHERS AND THE DIAMOND HEIST

This first of a new series, translated from Swedish, follows the trials and tribulations of a black sheep in a family of thieves.

Meet the Pinchers: parents Rob and Nic (get it?), little Criminellen (Ellen for short), Grandma Stola, and dog Sherlock. Ellen and Sherlock’s thievery is food motivated; Nic and Stola go for what glitters; Rob targets safes. The family oddity is young Theo. Not only does he eschew theft, but he secretly aspires to be a police officer like Paul Eessman, the kindly, well-intentioned, but gullible cop who lives next door, the family’s foil. The Pincher clan keeps in practice by swiping Theo’s socks each day and by diligently lying (with fingers crossed behind their backs). To his parents’ dismay, Theo can’t help but tell the truth. The Pinchers’ thievery quickly escalates from lifting Paul’s morning newspaper to breaking out of jail, drugging guards, and attempting to steal a famed diamond—to Theo’s dismay. Luckily, the boy finds a way to put things right…and earn his family’s admiration. Droll line drawings dominated by shades of blue and gray enhance the farcical fun; the Pinchers are conveniently decked out in horizontal stripes, and everyone, even the dog (who resembles a pit bull), wears eye masks. Most characters are light-skinned. There are a few easter eggs for adult readers, who will recognize that Ellen’s favorite bedtime story is Crime and Punishment.

Sure to resonate with anyone who’s felt like the odd one out.