Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon

bought back memories of angel delight, but apart from that didnt do much for me.

I enjoyed this, really set the scene well and characters you rooted for.

When Mrs. Creasey disappears, 10 year old Grace and her slightly younger friend Tilly decide to investigate. After learning from the vicar that God is everywhere they decide that while they are looking that they will also look for God.

A heat wave, a cul-de-sac, a man who doesn't fit in, God in a drainpipe and secrets many, many secrets and two very entertaining young protagonists. The girls find out many things, not necessarily things that will solve the case, because in truth they do not have the ability to understand everything they hear nor able to put it in the proper context. They also do not have all the pieces, but individual people do. The dangers of judgment and banding together to deliver their own justice. Throughout the novel we hear a great deal about shame, because though everyone talks about everyone else here, their are those who are keeping something back, things they don't want known because it will shame them.

This is a marvelous novel, written in a lighter toe but dealing with some very important and weighty subjects. The part when the girls are in church and the vicar is talking about sheep and goats was laugh out loud funny. I read some of that to my husband. Ultimately this is a novel about friendship and a heat laden summer when two young girls learn a far more valuable lesson than they ever expected.

Tedious. Struggled to finish it and was glad when I had.

I've been reading this on my kindle and its fantastic! The story is great and the plot is keeping me reading. p.s. what a great title!

I was recommended this and reserved it at the library. I didn't find it that good. All the nostalgic placing of yesteryears items felt a little over the top, and I found that a little annoying. I wouldn't recommend it.

I am halfway through this book and am enjoying it although I must admit I sometimes have to keep reminding myself of who the the different characters are, so the page with the diagram of the street layout and who lives in which house is very useful as I keep referring to it! I was a young child like Grace & Tilly in 1976 and remember the heatwave. I like that parts of the story are written from their perspective, and keep wondering how I would have felt if I was one of them. The book is interesting as it shows us how different attitudes were then, even though it isn't that long ago! I am intrigued as to what has happened to Mrs. Creasy, and am looking forward to reading the rest of the book. Thanks for my copy.

Really looking forward to reading this!!

It's a really good read, I've recommended it to my friends as I think the plot is brilliant

I found this quite difficult to read and ultimately gave up. I kept thinking there was something I was missing and restarted it twice but gave up when I realised I hadn't missed anything it was just a bit confusing.

I liked it because I remember the 70s and the nostalgic look at that era was great to read about. I found it to be well written and could relate to Grace's view as a ten year old in that period. And those reminders of popular products back then. I could remember what Angel Delight tastes like. Most enjoyable read.

The characterisation of the two main girls was really engaging. The writing certainly makes you feel like you are part of yester-year, even if it wasn't that long ago. It's funny in places and rammed with nostalgic references

A really great read.

I bought the hardback and the pale blue cover without a paper sleeve just made it feel even more like a book from the 70s.

I remember the long hot summer of 76 and this book captures it quite well. Reading this book transported me back to 76.

I liked the way the story was told from the perspective of a 10 year old. Things that would seem mundane to an adult are full of wonder.

This book shows that a great mystery does not need to be packed full of death, violence and sex.

i would love to read this! x

I've read this. It was ok but I did feel I was ploughing my way through it rather than enjoying it. I also got all the characters muddled up! I liked the bit where the image of Jesus appeared!!

I thought it was quite boring and didn't manage to finish it. I had great hopes for this one. Liked the title the most.

A fascinating book that combined a story of its time with many nostalgic memories

This is an enjoyable novel which effectively explores both the misunderstandings of childhood and the prejudices of adults...nothing really new about the subject matter but the use of a child narrrator makes it different and forces the reader to look at events from a different perspective. There is a mystery which is found to have a satisfyingly logical and credible explanation by the end of the book and the motives and fears of the characters are sensitively and convincingly portrayed. I also liked the clear sense of place and the description of an East Midlands housing estate is good, but best of all, and what lifts this book out of the ordinary, is the way in which Joanna Cannon can keep the reader's interest by revealing only tiny pieces of information at a time through the filter of the narrator, often humourously, and leaving much to the imagination. Clever, and impressive for a first novel.

This takes me back - I remember the heatwave in 1976 and hadn't thought about it in ages.

my child hasn't read this one just yet

I have been looking for a book like this for a long time. It reminded me of ten years ago when I was spoilt for choice as good new books seemed to be everywhere. These days so much are thrillers which I don't enjoy. But the title of this book intrigued me so I gave it a go. I wasn't sent it just noticed this thread as I've read the book.
It's really well written which is always a bonus for me. I also liked the large cast of characters and all the plots weaved through. My favourite part is the "we're not racist but" scene, I laughed out loud at this, just seeing it through the eyes of a child was genius. There's so much innocence in this book but also real human emotions and you can feel emphatic towards to the characters too. I think it shows that in every street there's a huge range of people and the different lives they have lived.
Most of all this is a book about us, about people, it's human life in all its fascinating form and I just really enjoyed it.

got to say one the best books I have read in a while with a good story line and range of characters I could see myself at the girls ages thinking the same kind things about my own neighbours and finding god like I did at Sunday school

Thank you for this book! I loved it and I couldn't put it down towards the end.
I felt each character had a story to be unraveled and it was written in a clever way. I loved the girls innocent thoughts on God and the sence of community that was on the street. I have recommended this to read to others since finishing it.

Thank you so much for my free copy. I'm just about to start and being a child from the seventies, am really looking forward to it!

I loved it! Very evocative of my own childhood and cleverly constructed. Thought the dialogue was excellent