Trouble Up Finny's Nose

Finny's Nose #1

by Dana Mentink

But the final kicker comes when her hairdresser goes on vacation to Fiji, leaving Ruth to look like Dickens' Miss Havisham. A crazy kaleidoscope of characters such as the uptight gallery owner, Napoleon Prinn; half-baked Dimple Dent, writer of fortune cookie wisdom; Alva Hernandez, octogenarian newspaper boy, and the amorous town caterer, Monk, add to the chaos in the shadow of Finny's nose until Ruth finds herself in the ultimate do-or-die situation.

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Christian

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2008

About the author

USA TODAY bestseller Dana Mentink enjoys writing in many different capacities. She currently writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press.

Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, two ACFW Carol Awards as well as a Holt Medallion.

Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website at www.danamentink.com. and be sure to follow her on Bookbub!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dana-...

Reviews

[Leeanne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was told this was going to be a good mystery by the person who gave it to me, and I'm glad to say they were right! It was a very good mystery, with lots of twists and turns and secrets. It wasn't easy to solve. Just saying, this isn't really a review, this is mostly just notes of what I liked and didn't. I didn't make note of any pages I wanted to come back to that would help me write an actual review so I’m not even really going to try.

The story takes place in Finny's Nose, Northern California where apparently it isn't all warm and sandy beaches. The foggy atmosphere of the town really added to the mysteriousness of the story and all the characters.

I thought that the story within the story was cool. Ruth Budge finds out her husband (who has been dead for two years) was writing a fictional story instead of the memoir he said he was writing. The story he was writing kind of confused me and I’m not entirely sure why we needed that story, but I just liked the idea of having a story within a story.

I liked the characters even with all their weird faults. I just realized, Dimple Dent remarkably reminds me of Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. She's not nearly as bright as Luna, but that's not her fault. They both have that airy, distant way of talking, almost like they're not really there in the conversation, and they both spout off bits of wisdom in that matter-of-fact, airy manner that no one takes very seriously. They are both a little "odd", and I love them for it. It was very difficult for me when it’s revealed how Dimple was taken advantage of, because I’d gotten quite fond of her.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the eccentrics of Finny's Nose and Ruth is a breath of fresh air to read about. The mystery was complicated and there are many townspeople to remember. I only wish the author had stuck to Ruth's point of view and left Jack the detectives out. Ruth was more interesting and would have left out some unnecessary sadness and lull.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruth is still grieving for her dead husband, and seems to have lost her relationship with God as well--yes, this is an inspirational mystery, but it is also extremely well-written and interesting. When Ruth and the local loafer find a dead body in the city park, she finds more things to worry about than her own feelings. The small coastal town of Finny's Nose has a population of eccentrics, it seems, but the home-town folks are nothing to the visitors who have come for the opening of the renovated art gallery.

[Vee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Budge is in a rut. She's still mourning the death of her husband and can't seem to move on. She needs a nudge to get her out of this cycle and she gets it in this murder mystery, Trouble Up Finny's Nose.

Finny is a very small and very foggy town off the coast of California. Ruth lives there with her memories of her veterinarian husband and the injured terns and seagulls he'd rescued. While walking the birds that cannot fly due to their injuries, Ruth stumbles upon a dead body. In striving to solve the murder, Ruth is able to also find out how to move on in her life.

If you like cozy mysteries with quirky characters, this book is for you. It took me a while to keep track of all the town's characters, but once I did, I really enjoyed the story.

Side note: this book has the ubiquitous trope in stories about widows in that the late spouse is always depicted as without flaws. The widows always had a storybook marriage. Authors: It's possible to have a good marriage, but still have a couple things that aren't perfect in the marriage. Really.

Family corner: nothing objectionable.

[Patricia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful cozy mystery

This was a really good cozy mystery written by a very good author. Just when Ruth thinks she's all alone in life things start happening around her town, that in the end bring her closer to God than she thought she was This really is a wonderful who did it murder mystery and I think everyone needs to read it.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because of the title, mistakenly thinking that it was a cozy mystery about a dog. Once I began to read it I discovered that 'Finny' was a town. I was immediately drawn into the story because of the characters and Dana Mentink's writing style. The fact that she wrote a very good 'mystery' was a bonus, to my thinking.

[Marion Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing until the last minute. I love books that renew a Faith in God and people caring and praying for others. I am looking forward to the other books in the series. Anytime an author can combine smuggling, damaged birds and people needing and caring for others it is a wonderful read

[David Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun book. Quirk, funny and full of mystery and suspense. I definitely recommend Trouble Up Finny’s Nose.

[Pianosue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Quite a bit of intrigue and mystery. This book is written differently and it took me a while to catch on to all the characters but I enjoyed the story.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great short mystery to read.

[Lis K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Finny’s Nose cozy mystery series. I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Ruth is a widow, still stuck in the grief of her husband’s death. A series of shocking events in her life and in the small community of Finny’s Nose finally lift Ruth out of her emotional and spiritual quagmire. This was a really funny novel, filled with quirky characters and humorous situations. It may not appeal to everyone’s sense of humor but I loved it. I enjoyed the mystery aspect and that it’s wasn’t so easy to figure out who-dun-it. I look forward to reading this series.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious, thrilling, adventure. I loved following this story. I loved walking with Ruth Budge throughout this whole story. One event led to other adventures. Just being a busy body brought Ruth to put her own life at risk but she didn't give up. She was also dealing with grief over losing her husband. Dana has a way to draw you into the book like you are living the experience and you just cannot quit looking for those clues yourself. It will amaze you who done it.
Dana covered life in a rural area very well too.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening chapter or two of this book are entertaining and funny. A body is found upside down in a fountain in the town square. Some of the characters have rather odd names (ie. Dimple).

A fire in a greenhouse. Another murder. At least three people have a motive for murdering at least one of the victims. We wonder if the two deaths are connected. A fight between two women, at a funeral no less. An eighty something year old man casually pulls up a chair to watch the action.

Good. Surprised by the guilty.

[joyce lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great one! i just LOVED the main characters!! this is SO much more like real life in a smaller town!!!

and, unfortunately (?), i could also REALLY relate to the main character more than i'd have anticipated

i WILL be looking for more books and novels by THIS author. in fact, i'm headed to my library's website right now!

quick, easy, lite summer read, w/ LOTS of laughs, too, despite the murders!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, what a super story. I felt bad for Ruth in her struggles to come to terms with her widowhood. Her handling of the murder in her town begins to open her eyes to moving on with her grieving. The ups and downs of life in Finny's Nose make a fun and enjoyable read. Will Ruth be able to solve the murder? Read and find out. Highly recommend.

[Suzan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was gifted this audiobook with the understanding that I would give an unbiased review. I had a really hard time keeping everyone straight. There is a lot of side characters and none of them kept my interest. There are two more books in this series and I will try them in hopes of getting into this story line.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have rated this book more highly except for the fact that it was so hard to "get into" it, and sort out the characters. It seemed to take forever to actually get into the story and explore the mystery. It is a good Christian mystery, with a little bit of romance thrown in also.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Kept my attention well.

[Pam]

09/06/08 rec via heartsong bookclub

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery well enough, yet there were some problems. Too many loose ends and too many indistinguishable characters. I plan to read the next one and hope things resolve.

[ChrisGA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zany characters..cozy mystery

[Deedra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audible:I don't remember signing up for a 'Christian' book series.Besides the prayer going on, there was terrible narration by Maddison Thyme.It is SO SLOW and monotone.I'm going to try the next one...wish me luck!I was provided this book by the author, narrator or publisher.