bibliofeel's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pinecone_mushroom's review against another edition
3.0
I'll admit it: I read this just to get the "animal as the protagonist" square on my summer reading bingo card. I didn't think I'd like it but ended up sucked in. I like the setup and how unusual it is. It got slow in places and maybe could be about 20% shorter, but it's still interesting and funny. I didn't solve the mystery but wasn't trying to -- I was just there to enjoy the ride. I question the mechanics of the death but eh, no biggie.
izzy_obert's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
superdrea's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
leokennis's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jackesq's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
A murder mystery from the perspective of a flock of sheep. A bit too clever.
ablotial's review against another edition
4.0
This was a super cute book! It's told from the point of view of some sheep who find their shepherd dead in the pasture with. They are trying to solve the mystery of what happened to him. It's definitely not your typical murder mystery!
My favorite part is, because they are sheep, they do not always understand English. And being a linguist, their misunderstandings are hilarious to me! It's a lot of fun, and I think the ending would surprise anyone.
My favorite part is, because they are sheep, they do not always understand English. And being a linguist, their misunderstandings are hilarious to me! It's a lot of fun, and I think the ending would surprise anyone.
kbhenrickson's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
silquesoleil's review against another edition
3.0
read for the 2015 reading challenge: a book recommended by a friend
This is a crime novel with sheep. Not a crime novel about sheep, mind you: it is a crime novel about humans, investigated by and told from the perspective of sheep. The concept is utterly original and has the potential for cult status - there are crime novels investigated by cats which might be more popular, simply because cats are more popular, but, well.
Still, I can't say it did that much for me? It certainly was original and the writing, at times, could be beautiful (thanks to a certain sheep, whose name will not be revealed right now because spoilers) but wa often more matter-of-factly. The style matched the genre pretty nicely. But at the end of the day, it's not the kind of book I would have chosen for myself and I had little desire to pick it up in my spare time - it was for the most part read in trains, during lunch breaks and in my doctor's waiting room. So, I'm sorry, Martine, that it was a nice time killer and nothing more.
I was surprised to find out two things: first, the identity of the murderer. Second, that this book was written by a German author who is using an English pseudonym. Matching the Irish setting. I'm not going to criticize that. I also really liked the note at the end of the book which pointed out that the book sheep were at times consuming food that is harmful to actual sheep, thus preventing the spreading of misinformation.
One last remark for anyone who got curious when I mentioned the cat crime novels - whatever you do, don't read the ones written by Akif Pirincci. This might only be relevant for German readers, but this dude is a misogynist homophobe and asshole in general who only cares about fucking and he should not be financially supported in any way.
This is a crime novel with sheep. Not a crime novel about sheep, mind you: it is a crime novel about humans, investigated by and told from the perspective of sheep. The concept is utterly original and has the potential for cult status - there are crime novels investigated by cats which might be more popular, simply because cats are more popular, but, well.
Still, I can't say it did that much for me? It certainly was original and the writing, at times, could be beautiful (thanks to a certain sheep, whose name will not be revealed right now because spoilers) but wa often more matter-of-factly. The style matched the genre pretty nicely. But at the end of the day, it's not the kind of book I would have chosen for myself and I had little desire to pick it up in my spare time - it was for the most part read in trains, during lunch breaks and in my doctor's waiting room. So, I'm sorry, Martine, that it was a nice time killer and nothing more.
I was surprised to find out two things: first, the identity of the murderer. Second, that this book was written by a German author who is using an English pseudonym. Matching the Irish setting. I'm not going to criticize that. I also really liked the note at the end of the book which pointed out that the book sheep were at times consuming food that is harmful to actual sheep, thus preventing the spreading of misinformation.
One last remark for anyone who got curious when I mentioned the cat crime novels - whatever you do, don't read the ones written by Akif Pirincci. This might only be relevant for German readers, but this dude is a misogynist homophobe and asshole in general who only cares about fucking and he should not be financially supported in any way.