Fog Over Finny's Nose

Finny's Nose #2

by Dana Mentink

The worm business is thriving for vermiculturist Ruth Budge. . .until a disembodied toe turns up on the golf course, and members of a strange cult begin to infiltrate the quiet seaside town of Finny, California.  Life is already crazy for forty-seven year old Ruth, juggling the needs of her worm farm, her new spouse, and a platoon of crippled seabirds bequeathed to her by her dead husband. Then there’s the insanity swirling around the first-ever Finny Fog Festival and the discovery of a bizarre diary from one of the town’s seediest ancestors. Things go from misty to murderous as a man plummets to his death from an exploding hot air balloon. Is the craziness a byproduct of the festival or a decades old curse unearthed in the antique diary? Ruth had better find out fast or her worms won’t be the only things six feet under.    

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Christian Fiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 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

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widowed and remarried, Ruth has regained her zest for life. Her new husband Monk runs his coffee and catering store, Ruth raises and sells worms, and she rejoices in her relationship with her friend Dimple and Dimple's baby Cootchie. Yes, the denizens of Finny's Nose, a northern California beach town, are eccentric, there's no denying that. Several of the women who like to boss the residents hit on the idea of a hot air balloon ascension to attract tourists. Unfortunately, the balloon also attracts a shooter, though it's unclear who the target was--the person scheduled to pilot the balloon, the replacement pilot, or just the brightly colored object itself. There is some spiritual element in this, as in the previous book about Ruth and Finny's Nose.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my beginning of the Finny Nose experience. I could not imagine living where there was fog everyday until afternoon. I love adventure and I'm enjoying Love Inspired new Mystery series. I became acquainted with Finny's Nose and felt like I could walk through the town.
You cringe when you hear about the hot air balloon accident that cost a life. Dana has a way to weave things into story that keep you guessing to the end. When you read one of her books, you will have a hard time putting it down.

[Vee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the mystery series about Ruth Budge, a widow in her 40s, who lives in an small town called Finny on the coast of California that is filled with eccentric residents.

In this latest novel, Ruth has happily remarried. She is helping with the first annual Finny Fog Festival when disaster strikes and someone is killed. Read along to follow Ruth and her quirky band of friends as they solve the mystery and make Finny safe again.

Although this book is advertised as a mystery, it's more a story about a group of lovable town residents as they go through the little dramas of everyday life. I enjoyed spending time with Ruth and her friends. It's a cozy mystery in the best sense of the term if you're looking for an escape.

Family Corner: Nothing objectionable.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery and fun a Chick-Lit book wrapped up all in one. This is the second book in the series and I find that I am really drawn into the stories because of the great character development. I can't wait to read the next installment.

[Patricia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by a great author

This was a really good story, I mean who would have thought you could have a festival, with the kind of problems the residents of Finny had. I really enjoyed this story as will anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery.

[Becky Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a humorously preposterous book! It's full of quirky characters & names like: The Stinky Limpet, The Sassie Sisters, Cootchie, Monk, Slats, Rocky Bippo, Mary Dirisi, Soapy Dan, the Muffin Man the Truffle Man, Yolo, Pistol Bang Mushroom Farm, Pickles Peckenpaugh, Dimple Dent, Dr. Ing, Cliffy, Ed Honeysill, the towering librarian Ellen Foots, Coastal Comet Acrobats, Tookie Newman, Comet Hale-Bopp, Royland & Hugh Lemmon, Noodles, Mr. BooBoo, Louella, Plymouth Frock Dress Shop, Ruth Duluth, Ruth Budge, Buns Up Bakery, Meg Sooner, Phillip's Worm Emporium, Bing Mitchell, Phieas Phogg Hot Air Adventures, Lou Fennerman, FLOP (Finny's Ladies Organization for Preparedness), Puzan, Cloudy Cashew Chewies,... I laughed throughout it, especially phrases she used like "leaping lentils"; "mummified in duct tape"; "looked like Superman, only slightly less inflated"; and "staring at her IV, wondering if she could request a chocolate flavor." But there is a mystery to solve & a serious side to it also: "In the trials of today are written the fruits of tomorrow"; and "There is Someone Who can help you..." It's unlike any book I've ever read, and sometimes hard to keep the characters straight, but I enjoyed all of its twists & turns.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruth finds herself in the role of sleuth yet again. A toe is found, but no body to go with it. A terrifying accident involving a hot air balloon leaves a man dead. Families will be strained to the breaking point in this quirky mystery set on the coast of California.

This book actually took me over three years to read. I started it (after finishing book 1 -- Trouble up Finny's Nose), but was having a hard time really getting into it. I restarted it a few days ago and went through it fairly quickly. The town and characters are fun, in a quirky, silly way. The story is interesting. A mystery with a hint of romance and a touch of religion. But I just wasn't able to connect to the characters and the story the way I like to. I will read book 3 (Treasure Under Finny's Nose), but I'm reading it more to see if I can connect to it, rather than interest in the characters or story line.

[Rosemary W · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm difficult about certain things - I like to like the characters in a book, and I expect the authors I read to respect their characters. These characters were less than cardboard cut-outs, and were ridiculous ones to boot. If you don't like seniors who rescue birds, don't put them into your books; don't make fun of them.

[Sarah A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery based in central California in a foggy coastal town. Interesting characters, reasonable plot and some nice "just enough" explanations for the technical skills in worm rearing! Some little random story changes caught me off guard so 3 * instead of 4. I will look out for more books by this author though.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than the first book of the series. The old, familiar characters are still around and a few new ones thrown into the mix to stir things up a bit.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up liking the story overall, I am just still bothered by the inconsistencies so I will not rate it any higher.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, a light read. Good to pass an afternoon.

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth much more relate-able.info on growing mushrooms.

[Lis K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Finny's Nose series. It can be read as a standalone but I'd recommend reading book 1 first to get a better understanding of the cast of characters in this quirky coastal town. I really enjoyed this second story now that I was familiar with this cozy community. I liked getting to know the characters more now that Ruth is married and police officer Jack has a potential love interest. The events in this book take place about 2 years after book 1 ended. Ruth's character really grounds all the craziness that happens. I also liked little Cootchie, such a cutie. The mystery kept me on my toes--I was really surprised by the villain. The humor, spiritual content, and familiar characters made this an enjoyable read. I recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.