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Jail probably would have been a better place to spend a Thursday afternoon, but when a preternatural expert is needed, there's no one else who can fill Marnie Baranuik's Keds. Beset by a rampaging stone monster and a furious quarry owner, trapped between a rock and a hard-ass, Marnie faces her biggest challenge yet, and discovers once and for all if size really does matter.

55 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2013

39 people are currently reading
301 people want to read

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A.J. Aalto

16 books517 followers

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5 stars
351 (53%)
4 stars
196 (29%)
3 stars
90 (13%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for ᴥ Irena ᴥ.
1,654 reviews241 followers
August 1, 2019
3.5

This is what I expected from this series when I started it.
It's funny and entertaining and Marnie isn't obnoxious even though she isn't any different from the previous stories.
I liked the previous short because it didn't have Mark Batten in it and I didn't have to see her obsessing and being depressed.
I loved this one because it does have Mark Batten and Marnie is commenting on their issues every now and then, but it never becomes depressing. It's fast and wonderful.
It seems that I dislike when both Harry and Mark are in the story. Maybe the third book has them both, but I like it more.
Profile Image for AH.
2,005 reviews386 followers
October 22, 2013
Check out Badass Book Reviews for a chance to win 1 of 6 ebooks of this book.

This series is awesome! Marnie always seems to find herself in the scariest and most hilarious situations.

Dirt Nap is a fairly short novella set in the Marnie Baranuik world. The story takes place after Death Rejoices and before Last Impressions. It features Marnie doing what she does best – monster wrangling and this monster is huge! I love the originality of this series – how many books have you read include a giant rock monster and his/her baby pebble? There’s also a nice touch of sexual tension between Marnie and her sort of love interest – Mark Batten. Sadly, the story takes place during daylight so Harry and Wes are not around.

Thank you to the publisher for a review copy of this book.

This review and giveaway appears in Badass Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Meigan.
1,377 reviews77 followers
January 11, 2014
Marnie and her motley crew are back and battling a monster, a boggle/stonecoat. It was nice to see Snickerdoodle and Hunkypants-Jerkface-Kill Notch-Batten working together again. In true Marnie fashion, she manages to be lewd and perverted (not to mention hilarious!) in the face of danger. The only one I missed was Lord Guy Harrick Dreppenstedt. The monster battle takes place during the day, so of course he couldn't be in attendance. :)

Anxiously awaiting the new book in the series, I definitely need my next Marnie/Batten/Harry fix. I can't recommend this series enough!
Profile Image for Angela Verdenius.
Author 66 books677 followers
June 25, 2017
Hilarious novella featuring the snarky heroine with no shame, the hunky Sheriff Hood, the FBI Batten (her nemesis/unrequited love), a cranky mining owner and a rampaging rock monster. What's not to love?!
Profile Image for Marianne.
1,315 reviews152 followers
May 4, 2014
Three hours of jail. Bumps, bruises, a near-admission of affection, credit for a job well done, and a possible lawsuit. In other words, an average Thursday for Marnie, but a short, entertaining Sunday read for me. Marnie's lewd thoughts and humor in the face of danger, or a Stonecoat, is ever present. Even Jerkface/hot bod/Kill-Notch Batten is here. The only "thing" (as Batten would say) missing, is Harry. I clearly read this one out of order, but no matter, I didn't spoil myself too badly.
Profile Image for Britney.
131 reviews
October 23, 2013
Well, there’s really not much to say about DIRT NAP other than, AJ and Marnie freakin’ rock! No really, Marnie literally “rocks” in this story. And you know who else rocks... Kill-Notch! His body rocks of course, but he’s right alongside of Marnie getting his rocks off. (I know that one was pretty cheesy. But in the Marnie spirit, it’s pretty on course.)

I really didn’t expect anything less between the virtual covers of DIRT NAP than crazy humor and wit punctuated with Marnie’s trademark colorful vocabulary. And boy do I love her vocabulary. So many words that will never find their way into a dictionary. Not to mention the fact that Marnie is absolutely kick-ass! As usual, she has a plan to tackle this rock monster. (The actual rock monster, not Kill-Notch. Still no plan on that one although I might make some suggestions to AJ.) Ahem, moving on.

If you haven’t read any of The Marnie Baranuik Files books yet, you could certainly start with this little gem of a story. There are no serious spoilers and you don’t really have to know Marnie’s background to enjoy it. Although, I always recommend the entire series, because Marnie is, as I said before, kick-ass! You will never be bored with a Marnie book. More info on those below. But for now, you grab DIRT NAP for just 99 little rocks (pennies for those literal people) on Amazon & B&N. Links below. And if my little rant above doesn’t sell you on this one, just shoot me an email and we’ll talk some more. I love me some AJ and Marnie, and I have to say I was so very excited that Kill-Notch was along for the ride this time. (I have a serious soft spot for the hard-edged man.) Ok, I’ll wrap up here...

That was your cue to start clicking below people! Go, go, go!

*ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
**Review first published on http://living-fictitiously.blogspot.com
9 reviews
September 13, 2018
If you're in the mood for something light and easy to read these books are a must have.The storylines are cleverly written and although dark and scary at times they also offer what I would call "Carers Humour " . The relationships between the characters are both fascinating and hilarious. I'm talking about a side splitting harsh, shocking,not quite right sense of humour which I totally understand!! They are brilliant,saucy, clever addition to my library. I highly recommend this series. You won't regret it.

You won't regret this addictive, scary and hilarious series of books. At times whilst reading this series I'm sure the author has overheard my thoughts as my mother and I are Carers and as a defensive measure against the bad times you do tend to develop
a somewhat dark sense of humour which which can offend people at times . I can't recommend these books enough.
Profile Image for Claire.
209 reviews16 followers
January 16, 2014
This was just a lot of fun. I love anything to do with Marnie & Co and that goes double for Marnie and Batten. Even though her totally immature behavior is something I'd never engage in myself, it never stops being funny to watch her needle Batten. But what I love more is seeing the rare moments where Marnie drops her ridiculous facade and let's everyone see the brain power that got her a PhD. I feel almost triumphant at the astonished reactions other characters have when they realize how much they've underestimated her. And then Marnie goes right back to being bonkers. Dirt Nap is a great example of this, where Marnie flexes her intellectual muscles for a minute and then sprints away from a giant rock monster in her undies the next.
Profile Image for Dr susan.
3,061 reviews51 followers
January 6, 2016
Dirt Nap is unique in Marnie's Files, since no one dies. They suffer a bit, but there are no horrible, keep-you-awake-at-night ghouls, zombies or revenants. In Dirt Nap, we meet some of Marnie's Gang that were not in Cold Company, which makes both stories a good introduction to the series. However, I would advise reading them again after Touched and Death Rejoices, because the humor is even better with knowledge of the back story. I cannot wait until Marnie #3 is published.
66 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2015
This series must be read in order. This is the second short story between Death Rejoices and Last Impressions, Cold Company must be read first.

This short story finds Marnie locked up in the town jail for tormenting yet another set of armored truck drivers. Special Agent Mark Batten bails her out of jail only to drag her off to a dig site plauged by a giant preternatural creature.

This book is suitable for adult readers only.
Profile Image for Genny Moore.
158 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2013
Love her writing and can't wait until she comes out with a full length story with Wesley and Harry involved once again. The boggle or dirt monster was great. (Being a child of the 80's I kept visualizing "Neverending Story" rock monsters but go figure.) And her witty sense of humor kept me rolling in my chair and chuckling throughout the book.
Profile Image for Tracy.
787 reviews11 followers
November 21, 2013
What can I say I am an avid Marnie fan !!!!

Never a disappointment another really unique, laugh out loud funny novella.

I seriously don't know how A.J Aalto comes up with the quirky funny total ADD thoughts & actions that make up the much loved Marnie!

I seriously never know what to expect which is why I LOVE this series!
Profile Image for Trillian Anderson.
Author 3 books62 followers
January 13, 2016
Really funny short story!

This is my first time introduction to Marnie and I really liked her. Her sense of humor is great, and she has a lot of snarky things to say and think, which made this story a hoot.

I'm looking forward to reading the actual series. Looks like it'll be a hoot.
Profile Image for Valerie.
437 reviews21 followers
January 13, 2014
Another great book by this author!! Loved every minute of it!! Had me laughing through the whole thing!! One thing just wished would happen would be Marnie and Batten!! So ready for that to come to a permanent hook up, lol!! Totally recommend this book and all in this series!!
Profile Image for Kelsey Jordan.
Author 10 books58 followers
June 17, 2014
What can I say, I love Marnie. I do, I do, I dooo! For the most part this was a quick, but great read. I wish I had more time to hang out the everyone. By the end of Dirt Nap I was ready (grabby hands) for the next book. So glad it's out and I can devour that one too!
Profile Image for LiLi.
116 reviews2 followers
June 27, 2014
Absolutely hilarious. How could running around pantless and flailing giant prophylactic balloons NOT be hilarious?!?! The best part: it's still serious. Just a great character. If you want a short story preview of Marnie Baranuik, I'd read this.
25 reviews
October 29, 2015
This author should write more short stories! I have enjoyed the full length books but they are not near as enjoyable as the short stories so far.
I will be starting book 3 shortly and hope it is as enjoyable as this
Profile Image for Judi.
298 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2018
At first there was a great deal of description of people, places and things, including everything everyone wore! It was starting to put me off, but I'm glad I didn't let it. I got past the first couple chapters knowing this was a Marnie book so it had to get better. And get better it did!

If you ever wanted to know about Boggles and what they do, you need to read this. Between Marnie and Batten the Boggle doesn't stand a chance. Or does it? This book was such typical Marnie that I spent most of the time laughing my butt off! Debra Dunbar has such a quirky, goofy, fun sense of humor that it's impossible to read one of her books and not laugh the whole time.

So, although the beginning could have been less talk and more action, the rest of it made up for it in spades.

As usual, Very Well Done, Debra Dunbar!
868 reviews14 followers
November 12, 2016
Seriously this book should be prescribed as an anti depressant because this just took all the best features of Marnie and her world and rolled them into one short story. Marnie on fine seat of her pants form (or rather no pants ;-)) and mix in a dose of super hot Kill-Notch Batten and you've got yourself the best medicine ever. Stir in a weird hermaphrodite monster and it's baby and you've got yourself a winner. Completely and utterly awesomely brilliant writing as always.
Profile Image for Lorie Barnes.
29 reviews
August 23, 2019
In another short story, Marnie and Mark, with Sheriff Rob, are called in to identify an unknown creature. What follows is Marnie's plan to relocate the creature, which has already injured seven people when it's laid was exposed by their mining. I call this a romp because it has some great scenes and lines, without gore and little cussing. It was fun and I enjoyed it. This takes place after Cold Company and before Last Impressions.
710 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2018
Another short filler novel. This one was kind of fun. Harry wasn't in it at all but Batten and Hood featured prominently. Marnie got to be Marnie and showcase her awsome skills and knowledge. She got to tell someone off and pull off a crazy resolution to the problem. Even thought it was short and I get tired of the fillers, I really enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Donne.
1,548 reviews97 followers
February 16, 2019
Marnie is back and as hilarious as ever. I would have given this a 4star rating if there had been a lot less of the annoying and irritating Mark Batten and much more of the adorable and quirky Harry. However, because there was waaayyy too much Kill-Notch and absolutely no Scrumptious Harry, I can only drudge up 3stars.
Profile Image for Epicbookaddict.
711 reviews12 followers
August 5, 2018
So far this has been the only Marnie adventure I haven't fell in love with. She was her funny self deprecating self and Batten Jerkface along with Sheriff are along for the ride. It was short and sweet and funny but not what I was hoping for.
Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Tami Garcia.
251 reviews2 followers
January 23, 2018
Fun read

The things Marnie does...this story is a fun read. It shows her protective side, Marnie style of course. I really enjoy these short stories between the novels.
322 reviews
February 16, 2018
Funny story

I’ve enjoyed these between the files stories. Marnie and the gang just crack me up. Always wonder what she will get into next.
Profile Image for Lady.
1,185 reviews11 followers
July 29, 2024
Boggle Basics


This series must be read in order. The first book is Touched. The second book is Death Rejoices. The third book is Cold Company. This is the fourth book.

Marnie is Chaos. Her bad habit of harassing armored car attendants has landed her in jail. Too bad for Batten he needs her to help deal with a situation at a mine right now. Will they be able to work together without killing each other? Without getting anyone killed?

***This series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy unlikely crime fighting teams in their urban supernatural action adventures along with a dash or two of unconventional romance :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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