The Trouble with Goats and Sheep

We're in the midst of a pretty obnoxious, stubborn heatwave. In it's honor, I decided to review a book about a heatwave. The Trouble with Goats and Sheep takes place during the memorable 1976 heatwave that baked England dry. And in case you forget for a moment how hot it was that summer, this book will remind you, again and again. It's a debut novel that's generated a ton of buzz, and, while I didn't like it as much as some other reviewers, I recommend it. However, I do laugh a little in the direction of the Britt's definition of hot, hot, hot! weather. I don't even blink if it's 86 degrees (30 degrees to the rest of the world). That's just summer. Call me when it gets to triple digits and full humidity.

Author: Joanna Cannon
Publisher: Scribner
Release Date: 7/12/16
Version Reviewed: digital ARC courtesy of NetGalley
Rating: ★★★

Mrs. Creasy has disappeared. Enter 10-year-old Grace and her best friend Tilly. They are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery in the most logical fashion possible: by finding God. After all, God protects all his sheep and brings them home. Of course, the job of finding both God and missing neighbor becomes very complicated when all the adults are around you are keeping secrets...

This book is beautifully written, although perhaps a bit overdone at times. It did seem like 10 is too old for a child to think there is a physical manifestation of the Lord Almighty hiding out in one of the neighbors' houses. However, Grace and Tilly are lovable characters that leave you with a smile. None of the adult characters left me with a similarly positive impression, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding a neighborhood fire grew tiresome. The book both started and ended strong, but the middle sagged.