Who doesn't love a good Sheep Detective story?? Big Bad Wool by Leonie Swann is an entertaining mystery told through the eyes of a flock of sheep. This is the second book in the Sheep Detective series. It continues from where Three Bags Full ends but stands perfectly well on its own. I haven’t read the first one, but I’ve enjoyed a few of Swann’s books, so I knew I was in for a good time—and boy, was I right.

Rebecca inherits her father George’s Irish flock and, per his will, continues reading to them and takes them to Europe. The flock now arrives in France with their new shepherdess and settles near a haunted French chateau. Rebecca lives in a shepherd’s wagon with her card-reading mom and sheepdog, Tess.

The flock is full of unique characters: Miss Maple – the smartest sheep; Sir Richfield – the old leader ram; Lane – the fastest; Othello – the new ram; Maude – the best nose; Zora – obsessed with abysses; Mopple the Whale – the memory sheep; and a young, nameless Winter Lamb who insists on getting a name. They’re joined by an “unsheared” sheep and a little black goat with wild ideas.

And beyond the fence? Goats. Herds of sheep and goats don’t get along very well. The sheep think the goats are smelly and reckless. The goats don’t understand the sheep. And of course, there are also people, dogs, and the Garou – a wolf-turned-human (or a human-turned-wolf).

Life in rural France becomes strange and frightening when deer, rabbits, and finally a human are found dead in a meadow and the nearby forest. It turns out this is not the first time—and the “Garou” is believed to be responsible for all of it. The flock of sheep embarks on a mission to expose the “Garou” and protect their shepherdess.

The sheep try to make sense of the human world using sheep logic, courage, and lots of grass-licking. The plot thickens with quirky humans, animal and goat characters, and even a mysterious wardrobe standing in the middle of the meadow. Woolpower will save the day!

I enjoyed the book very much—the humor, the atmosphere, the unique perspective. The storytelling is a bit slow-paced, fitting the rhythm of the sheep. I loved their sense of community, the simple way they interpret things just as they are, and that they are always together. I loved the way the mystery unfolded and how everything becomes clear in its own time.

Time spent with Miss Maple and her flock is time worth spending. I hope there is another book coming. The way they attempted to change their fortunes by eating tarot cards or took everything literally was hilarious. Fans of books written from animals’ POV will do well to read this book. Recommended, of course!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

Wonderous! Returning to the world of Three Bags Full felt like reuniting with oddly wise old friends who just happen to chew cud and solve crimes. This time, Miss Maple and her friends are wintering in France, surrounded by eerie forests, mysterious goats, and the possibility of a werewolf.... somehow, it works.

The idea of anything terrible happening to these sheep is awful. They are so charming, so oddly noble in their fluffy fuzzy world. But Leonie Swann is at it again—dragging these adorable sleuths into yet another mystery that veers wildly from ridiculous to folklore to full-on thriller!

Swann balances humor, slapstick, folklore, and real tenderness seamlessly. The mystery is also compelling. Sheep noir if yoyu will!

Highly recommended for anyone who likes their murder mysteries seasoned with moss, mischief, and a animal sensibilities.

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