Three Bags Full a sheep detective story by Leonie Swann

The Abingdon Book Group read Leonie Swann's first novel, Three Bags Full, and had mixed reactions. Many thought this story, which features a whole assortment of characters, some sheep, some human, to be rather confusing. Yet others liked it even so. I initially read the book last year and enjoyed it more when I reread it before the discussion. There are 19 sheep in the story, but Ms. Swann does make things easier for the reader by providing a list of the names and their temperaments on the back cover of her book, as well as on an inside page prior to the story. Some parts of the book are a little slow, and there are frequent literary allusions that readers may or may not understand. Despite all of these things, however, this is a delightful and charming book. The main thread of the story deals with the shepherd, George, whom the sheep discover lying dead in the meadow with a spade stuck though him. The sheep determine that justice must be served and it is up to them to discover the murderer and expose him or her. The sheep give some wonderful insights into the behavior of the local humans and this is where some of the comedy arises as they mistake things that they hear and do not completely understand. One of the characters blames Satan for the murder, but to the sheep, Satan is an old donkey in the next field & they cannot understand why he would be the murderer. There is a sub-plot concerning an event from several years back, and more puzzlement when a mystery woman arrives in the village. Set in a small Irish community, Leonie Swann has captured the essence of the location and has some lovely descriptions of the countryside. All in all this is an enjoyable book, but not one you can rush through.
As Ian Sansom wrote in his article of July 22, 2006 in the Guardian newspaper (UK), Three Bags Full "is without a doubt the best sheep detective novel you're going to read this year."

From Booklist
*Starred Review* A completely original, sparklingly inventive, cleverly written story, first published in Germany, about a flock of Irish sheep who vow to solve the murder of their shepherd, George. George has always treated the flock like humans, reading to them, feeding them the best fodder, protecting them from the local butcher, acknowledging their individual personalities, and even promising to take them to Europe. Imagine the flock's shock when George is found dead in their meadow with a spade stuck in his chest! Led by Miss Maple, the smartest of them all, the sheep decide they must find out who killed George (depriving them of the best--and only--shepherd they've ever had). How they finally achieve this ambitious goal makes for a quirky, humorous, lively, weird, surprisingly dark yet joyous tale that shows how a disparate set of sheepy personalities can work together for the greater good. Although the plot meanders a bit, readers willing to accept the premise will find themselves engaged--rooting for the sheep, marveling at the ingenuity of the author, or simply enjoying the madcap story. Good fun and a fine first novel from a promising new writer. Emily Melton
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