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Farnsy, A Novel
A mystery of Damariscotta, Maine and Policeman, William Phineas Farnsworth.
356 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
10 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 1, 2022
This scenic tour of Damariscotta, Maine is a charming mystery that will delight Mainers everywhere.
April 27, 2024
5 stars because This book hit all of my soft spots…cozy mystery, love, good friends, a little grief, and my favorite town in Maine with the BEST shopping around…Reny’s for the win!
July 26, 2022
Having lived in Maine for many years and then moved away, reading Farnsy reminded me of all the things I love and miss about Maine. The author humorously and poignantly paints a picture of small town coastal life through the eyes of a local policeman. The story telling is superb! Highly recommend! I hope this will be the first of many novels William Anthony writes.
June 17, 2022
Farnsy is a perfect summer read. It appeals to both residents of Maine and those "from away" who are familiar with the state's reputation as an attractive vacation destination. Written with obvious affection for its locale and the distinctive, sometimes eccentric personalities of the inhabitants of Damariscotta the reader immediately finds themself part of this colorful community and immersed in its local mystery.
May 29, 2022
Characters who feel like friends! A setting that enlivens the senses! Whether you're a Mainer or just want to dip your toe in a lake, cabin, police cruiser and donut shop, you're in for a treat. Come for the writing, stay for the story. Bravo, Bill Anthony!
June 17, 2022
Summer reading at its best! Or spring/fall/winter reading! You will like it ...
September 11, 2022
A delightful work, William Anthony takes us deep into the world of one small town in mid-coast Maine, and, more importantly, into the mind of its protagonist, Farnsy, a young detective finding his way in the world, while in pursuit of criminals in his hometown. The criminals are described as "pros" but they are slapstick in the clues left behind. Farnsy is hot in pursuit. Dry humor abounds.
Anthony is a deft storyteller, conjuring characters like Doc, the Professor, Nedde, Eddie, Luce and the Chief, all of whom help unspool the tale, with nuance and grace, of an unfolding crime. With humor and pathos, the reader becomes engaged in the lives lived there, in Damariscotta, Maine, during one year.
If you live away from Maine, then this is a vacation via your easy chair. If you are local, then you will certainly want to visit Waltz's Soda Fountain, or the Pumpkinfest, or just to walk the Main Street in Damariscotta, Maine. This is a charming tale, well told.
Anthony is a deft storyteller, conjuring characters like Doc, the Professor, Nedde, Eddie, Luce and the Chief, all of whom help unspool the tale, with nuance and grace, of an unfolding crime. With humor and pathos, the reader becomes engaged in the lives lived there, in Damariscotta, Maine, during one year.
If you live away from Maine, then this is a vacation via your easy chair. If you are local, then you will certainly want to visit Waltz's Soda Fountain, or the Pumpkinfest, or just to walk the Main Street in Damariscotta, Maine. This is a charming tale, well told.
June 16, 2022
When Farnsy arrived, I happened to be reading another book - a Booker prize winner. I decided I'd put aside that book just for a few minutes - just to read the first few pages of Farnsy. I never finished the Booker prize winner. I couldn't go back to it after starting Farnsy.
Farnsy is completely engaging. The plot is terrific. And somehow Bill Anthony accomplishes something many other writers don't: He makes the day to day ordinary details of Farnsy's life so very interesting. One wants to know what happens the next day and the next - how he interacts with his friends at the soda fountain, with the tourists, with his police chief, and especially with girlfriend Lucy - and yes - with Henry the cat too.
The Maine setting is perfect - and I believe the Maine dialog and habits are quite accurately portrayed.
Farnsy is completely engaging. The plot is terrific. And somehow Bill Anthony accomplishes something many other writers don't: He makes the day to day ordinary details of Farnsy's life so very interesting. One wants to know what happens the next day and the next - how he interacts with his friends at the soda fountain, with the tourists, with his police chief, and especially with girlfriend Lucy - and yes - with Henry the cat too.
The Maine setting is perfect - and I believe the Maine dialog and habits are quite accurately portrayed.
April 27, 2024
Fun story set in charming Damariscotta, Maine. Anthony's love for the town and its quirky people comes shining through. Loved the descriptions of wildlife for each section keyed to seasons.
The author has a distinct voice and a dry sense of humor.
The author has a distinct voice and a dry sense of humor.
February 14, 2023
A charming window into small town life in Maine. If you are from or have summered here this book will bring you right back. The author has a way of hitting the Nostalgia bone just right.
January 9, 2025
A sweet cozy maine story. Comforting read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews