There’s something bittersweet about finishing the last book in a beloved series. Like savoring that final sip of rosé as the sun dips below the horizon on your favorite beach, you want to make it last forever. With “Swan Song,” Elin Hilderbrand gives readers one last intoxicating taste of Nantucket Summer—a potent cocktail of mystery, romance, and small-town drama that goes down oh-so-smooth.
As someone who’s devoured every Nantucket novel Hilderbrand has served up over the years, I approached this finale with equal parts excitement and trepidation. Would it live up to the high bar set by instant classics like “A Summer Affair,” “The Castaways,” and “The Perfect Couple“? Could Hilderbrand really stick the landing after nearly two decades of island intrigue?
Well, pour yourself a French 75 and settle into your favorite Adirondack chair, because “Swan Song” doesn’t just meet expectations—it sails past them with the effortless grace of a yacht gliding into Nantucket Harbor at golden hour. This book is Hilderbrand at the absolute top of her game, delivering everything her devoted readers have come to crave while still managing to surprise us right up until the very last page.
Plot Overview: New Money Meets Old Nantucket
At the heart of “Swan Song” are Bull and Leslee Richardson, a flashy nouveau riche couple who blow into Nantucket like a category 5 hurricane, upending the island’s delicate social ecosystem. They’ve just dropped $22 million on a waterfront mansion (nevermind that it’s slowly sinking into the rising harbor) and seem determined to buy their way into Nantucket’s upper echelons by throwing increasingly lavish parties.
But all that glitters isn’t gold, and the Richardsons’ carefully curated image starts to crack when their personal assistant, Coco, mysteriously vanishes during a sunset sail—on the same night the Richardsons’ new home goes up in flames. Enter Ed Kapenash, Nantucket’s soon-to-retire police chief, who finds himself pulled into one last case that hits painfully close to home. His daughter Kacy, it turns out, has become fast friends with the missing Coco.
As Chief Kapenash races to unravel the twin mysteries of the fire and Coco’s disappearance, we’re treated to a kaleidoscopic view of Nantucket society. There’s “Fast Eddie” Pancik, a real estate agent with dollar signs in his eyes, and “Blond Sharon,” the island’s resident gossip who’s channeling her nosiness into a creative writing class. We meet the old-money families clinging to tradition at the Field & Oar Club and the year-rounders struggling to make ends meet in an increasingly expensive paradise.
Themes: The Price of Paradise
While “Swan Song” delivers plenty of beachy escapism, Hilderbrand doesn’t shy away from weightier themes. At its core, this is a book about belonging—the lengths people will go to fit in, and the toll that takes on both individuals and communities. The Richardsons’ desperate social climbing serves as a funhouse mirror, reflecting and distorting Nantucket’s own anxieties about change, class, and authenticity.
Hilderbrand also tackles timely issues like climate change (that sinking mansion is no accident) and the struggles of Nantucket’s working class. Through characters like Coco and Lamont Oakley (the Richardsons’ boat captain), we see the very real human cost of maintaining the island’s picture-perfect facade.
Character Deep Dive: Complexity in Paradise
One of Hilderbrand’s greatest strengths has always been her ability to craft nuanced, relatable characters, and “Swan Song” is no exception. Even seemingly frivolous characters like Leslee Richardson reveal hidden depths as the story unfolds. By the end, it’s hard not to feel at least a twinge of sympathy for this social-climbing tornado of a woman.
But the real standout is Chief Ed Kapenash. As he grapples with retirement, health concerns, and this final perplexing case, we see a man wrestling with his own mortality and legacy. His investigation becomes as much about understanding himself and his beloved island as it is about solving a crime.
Setting: Nantucket as Character
Of course, the true star of any Hilderbrand novel is Nantucket itself. In “Swan Song,” the island feels more alive than ever. From the cobblestone streets of downtown to the wind-swept dunes of Great Point, Hilderbrand paints a vivid portrait of a place teetering between tradition and change. You can practically smell the salt air and feel the sand between your toes.
Writing Style: Effortless Elegance
If you’ve read Hilderbrand before, you know what to expect: prose as crisp and refreshing as a perfectly chilled glass of Sancerre. Her writing has a deceptive simplicity that belies its emotional depth.
In just a few sentences, Hilderbrand captures both the physical reality of the island and the emotional state of her character. It’s this blend of evocative description and psychological insight that makes her books so compulsively readable.
Pacing and Structure: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (with a Body Count)
“Swan Song” unfolds over the course of a single tumultuous summer, with each chapter ratcheting up the tension. Hilderbrand expertly juggles multiple storylines, weaving them together into a tapestry as intricate as one of Nantucket’s famous lightship baskets.
The structure is reminiscent of a classic farce, with characters constantly missing each other, misunderstanding motivations, and generally creating delicious chaos. But underneath the comedy of manners lurks genuine suspense. The central mystery—what really happened to Coco?—will keep you guessing until the very end.
Notable Scenes: Parties, Pickleball, and Peril
While the whole book is a joy, a few scenes stand out:
- The Richardsons’ “Pink and White Party” is a masterclass in event description. You’ll feel like you’re right there on the dance floor, pink wig on your head and champagne in hand.
- A tense pickleball match becomes an unexpected catalyst for drama, proving Hilderbrand can mine suspense from even the most unlikely sources.
- The climactic scene on the beach… well, I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say it had me gasping out loud.
How It Compares: The Nantucket Series
For longtime fans, “Swan Song” serves as a loving farewell to characters we’ve grown to know over multiple books. Chief Kapenash, in particular, has been a steady presence since “A Summer Affair” back in 2008. Seeing his arc come full circle is deeply satisfying.
While each Nantucket novel stands alone, “Swan Song” feels like a true culmination. Hilderbrand weaves in subtle callbacks and easter eggs for devoted readers, but never at the expense of the current story. It’s a delicate balance, and she pulls it off beautifully.
If You Liked This, Try…
- “28 Summers” by Elin Hilderbrand (for more Nantucket magic)
- “Big Summer” by Jennifer Weiner (for another beach read with substance)
- “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley (for island mystery vibes)
Final Verdict: A Triumph
“Swan Song” isn’t just a great beach read—it’s a great book, period. Hilderbrand has crafted a story that’s as thoughtful as it is entertaining, as poignant as it is funny. It’s a love letter to Nantucket, a meditation on community, and a ripping good mystery all rolled into one irresistible package.
If this truly is Hilderbrand’s last dance with Nantucket (say it ain’t so!), she’s going out on the highest of high notes. “Swan Song” is the literary equivalent of that perfect beach day—the one where the sun is warm, the breeze is cool, and you never want it to end.
Pour one out for the end of an era, but raise a glass to Elin Hilderbrand. With “Swan Song,” she proves once again why she’s the undisputed queen of the beach read. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to book a ferry to Nantucket…
