Leonie Swann’s debut novel is cozy, clever, and unconventional. If you’ve ever wondered what a murder mystery would look like if solved by a flock of sheep, Three Bags Full should be your next read. Yes, sheep. It sounds silly, I know, but somehow, it works. When their beloved shepherd is found dead, the flock takes it upon themselves to investigate.
Each sheep has a unique personality—Miss Maple, the thinker, Othello, a former circus sheep with a past, and Mopple, who remembers everything, are just a few of the quirky sleuths you’ll come to love. The story is whimsical and philosophical, and, at times, poignant as the sheep try to make sense of human behavior with their limited, but sweetly sheepish, perspective.
If you enjoy this offbeat cozy, there is good news–there is a follow up novel available as well. While I feel like I stumbled on a little gem, it turns out I’m not the only one. Three Bags Full is soon to be a major motion picture with a star-studded cast including Emma Stone, Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Bryan Cranston. Check out the details on IMBD.
There are more copies available via the original 2006 publication. There is also an audiodisc version as well as an e-audiobook version available on Libby.
This may be a fun choice for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, stories set in the Irish countryside, books featuring talking animals, or bits of wisdom hidden in humor.
