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

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For the first book giveaway of the year, we'd like to introduce you to debut author Joanna Cannon and her first novel The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. You can also read her top tips for aspiring authors.

Mrs Creasy is missing and The Avenue is alive with whispers. The neighbours blame the disappearance on the heatwave, but ten-year-olds Grace and Tilly aren't so sure.

As the summer shimmers endlessly on, the girls decide to take matters into their own hands. And as the cul-de-sac starts giving up its secrets, the amateur detectives find much more than they imagined.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion - anyone who has read The Trouble with Goats and Sheep can post their thoughts on this thread.

Everyone who posts detailed feedback on the book by the end of Thursday 23 February will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by HarperCollins

Thanks for the copy of this book. I am enjoying it so far.

What a delightful first novel, so unusual and evocative of that long hot summer.

A book to evoke memories of the seventies, Woolworth's, Artic Roll, Angel delight and the overpowering heat of a British Summer, for a change!
This book is a delight to read from the start. It's great at evoking memories of the times as Grace and Jilly go Secret 5 to try and find their missing neighbour and at the same time God!
The characterisations are brilliant throughout bringing enough depth to the page for you to wonder about each person you meet on the journey. All of the residents tend to focus on one supposed evil resident but is this their way of covering their own misdeeds?
This is a tender, sometimes funny, mysterious and enthralling book which could easily be made into a Tv drama or film if handled correctly.

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

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!

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.

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

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.

my child hasn't read this one just yet

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

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.

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

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.

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 would love to read this! x

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Really looking forward to reading this!!

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.

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'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!

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