What could possibly be mysterious about …
Photo by Roger Green via Wikimedia Commons
sheep?
This is a question best asked of German writer Leonnie Swan, who seems to sense something a bit more …
sharp? savvy? shrewd?
about these curly critters than the average pasture passerby might surmise.
Swan is the author of Three Bags Full, an unlikely suspense novel surrounding—in fact, starring—sheep.
Cover of the latest edition of Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann; Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Warm up your funny bones, girls, ’cause this sleuth spoof is worth a read.
Picture an idyllic hillside meadow in Ireland …
Photo by Eric Jones via Wikimedia Commons
But don’t be fooled.
(No, we’ll have no wool pulled over our eyes.)
This is the scene of a crime.
A beloved shepherd has fallen victim to a garden spade,
duh, duh, DUH!
-
- Photo by Steve F CC-BY-SA-2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
and his faithful flock is determined to catch the culprit.
Led by Miss Maple, the smartest sheep on the farm (think Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple),
Photo by John Haslam via Wikimedia Commons
a gang of grazing gumshoes gather for clandestine conferences and embark on reconnaissance missions into the village, where they encounter a slew of likely suspects.
Photo by Túrelio via Wikimedia Commons
Whodunit?
Was it Ham, the beastly butcher?
Rebecca, a village newcomer with a secret and a scheme?
Gabriel, the shady shepherd of a very odd flock?
Rest assured, the sheep will not rest until they have sniffed out the truth, even as they wrestle with their own decidedly human tendencies toward guilt, misdeeds, and unrequited love.
And you thought sheep were mere muttonheads!
Photo by Mutante via Wikimedia Commons
I’m going to find this book & red it for sure!
Looks like a movie waiting to happen!
I picked up this book at the library a few years ago, and I must say it is one of the best and most unique books I’ve read. Definitely recommended.
I live in a very small town. Just a few stories and restaurant and Pizza/Bar place. Anyway, it is a sheep oasis. We even have Sheep daze, where there is a parade, goodies both to eat and buy. This reminds me of here.
I read Agatha Christies New series she started then it was taken over by another author. It stars “Agatha Raison”. It is set in England country side. They are a mystery but also just plain fun to read. I will get this book as well. Thanks for the tip MJ.
Kay
I have a copy of this book which evidently was a huge bestseller in Europe. It has been on my ” summer reading list”. I am now moving it to the top of the list for sure adn reading it next. I love sheep but have not had the privilege of actually raising them. I look forward to this mystery.
I looked, and this is available on my Nook, so I’m getting it ASAP! Thanks for posting this Megan! I already sent the info to my Mom because this will be so much fun for her as well…