Three Bags Full

What could possibly be mysterious about …

glitterati_literati-three_bags_full1

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.

glitterati_literati-three_bags_full2

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 …

glitterati_literati-three_bags_full3

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!

glitterati_literati-three_bags_full4
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),

glitterati_literati-three_bags_full5

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.

glitterati_literati-three_bags_full6

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!

glitterati_literati-three_bags_full7

Photo by Mutante via Wikimedia Commons

 

  1. Terry Steinmetz says:

    I’m going to find this book & red it for sure!

  2. karlyne says:

    Looks like a movie waiting to happen!

  3. Melissa says:

    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.

  4. Kay (Old Cowgirl) Montoya says:

    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

  5. 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.

  6. 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…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *