Review: Three Bags Full

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three Bags Full is the first book in the Sheep Detective Story series by Leonie Swann.  They did just make it into a movie (which I haven't watched).  You can read this as a standalone.

When their shepherd is murdered, his flock takes it upon themselves to solve the mystery because they feel they owe it to him for being good to them.  Also, they are a little afraid of ending up on the butcher's block if they don't.  They can tell that not everyone has their best interests at heart.  The sheep are fun and interesting characters.  We get to delve into their inner lives and back stories.  They all bring something to the table to help solve the mystery.  While it is mostly funny, it was also sad.  Whether people believe it or not, animals do grieve.  There were some very touching moments.

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Review: Letters from an Imaginary Country

Letters from an Imaginary Country by Theodora Goss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Letters from an Imaginary Country is a collection of short stories by Theodora Goss.  I was already a fan of Goss, but this is also a great introduction to her work for those that might not be familiar.  She tends to look at "monsters" through a different lens.  I also like that she explores language, especially Hungarian which is so unique.  If you like the L. Frank Baum books, vampires, Mary Shelley, or sometimes feel like an alien in your own culture/country, I highly recommend reading this book.  

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Review: The Rabbit Back Literature Society

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen is possibly the first book I've read by a Finnish writer.  It was translated into English by Lola Rogers.  I was drawn into this mysterious secret society of famous Finnish writers who all come from this small town of Rabbit Back.  How is it possible for one place to generate nine incredible authors across a variety of genres?  That they are cultivated by a mysterious woman who may or may not be real or a witch or something from a C.S. Lewis story makes it even crazier.  There are several mysteries going on and the answers are revealed as the various authors spill their stories or some story.  Maybe not a story?  Maybe the truth?  You'll have to decide whether you believe them.  While there are fairy-tale elements, this is an adult novel.  There are graphic discussions of people's bodies and sex.  It was very frank which you don't see frequently.  

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Review: The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel is worth reading for the illustrations alone.  Just kidding although they are fantastic.  I've always known I would be a crone.  Even when I was younger, I liked to wear a caftan, preferred the company of animals over people, and read lots of books on witchcraft.  When I saw this book, I knew it was for me.  I am in my crone era!  I live woods-adjacent with my animal familiars.  I discovered that Ross has a caftan section.  A whole section!  I bought two...for now.  So while The Crone Zone didn't have a lot of revelations for me, it was enjoyable to read the insights of a fellow crone and know I am in good company.  It is also nice to embrace the positive aspects of aging.  Be yourself, unapologetically.  I also liked that there is not just one way to crone.  You can mix it up!  This is perfect for the aspiring crone, somebody looking for a mid-life pick-me-up, or the seasoned crone who wants a laugh.

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Review: Penny: A Graphic Memoir

Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you like cats in the least bit, you will want to read Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens.  The illustrations are great, but Stevens really gets at the inner life of Penny.  If you have or have had a cat, you have probably wondered what they were thinking.  Cats are often enigmatic.  This is a fun exploration of the cat mind.  

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Review: The Devil's Bible: A Cotton Malone Novel

The Devil's Bible: A Cotton Malone Novel by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Devil's Bible is the 20th book in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry.  I wouldn't start here unless you want some serious spoilers.  Fans of the series will recognize flashbacks to previous books. 

The Devil's Bible or the Codex Gigas is an actual manuscript from Bohemia that has quite an interesting story of its own.  While it is the title of this book, I didn't find it played as much of a role as I anticipated.  Or at least, it wasn't as prominent in the story.  There was much more about the Swedish royal family or this fictional version of it and spycraft.  Without giving anything away, this book also changes the course of the series whether you were ready for it or not.  It was a gut punch for me, but I respect Steve Berry and trust he has a plan!  

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Review: The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery

The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery by Vikki VanSickle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery by Vikki VanSickle from Minotaur Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around September 8, 2026.

The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery by Vikki VanSickle is sort of cozy mystery adjacent.  When Drew moves back to her home town to take over the shop her aunt left her, she gets involved in solving a cold case that her aunt had also tried to solve using her mystical gifts.  I share Drew's love of whipped cream-topped beverages and tarot cards.  I enjoyed the witchy elements of the story and the shop.  It seemed like a cool place. Fun characters and perfect small-town drama. There are some hot guys, but this isn't really a romance-type of book.  I felt it had the potential for a sequel or a series.  

Bonus points for having a shop cat!

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