This cozy mystery was a fun read. Parts of it were over the top but I eagerly went along for the ride and enjoyed it from start to finish.

Finlay was someone I could relate to at times and root for, and shake my head at during other crazy moments. Things really took off once Vero joined in. Julian’s entrance into the story made me immediately want to see more of him, and the chemistry with Nick was fire. I liked the complexity of the romances and watching Finlay rediscover herself.

The only thing I didn’t like was how Finlay and her ex used the kids at times for their battles. And yes, I see the irony of enjoying a contract killing story and yet objecting to the parenting missteps.

I look forward to the next book in series. The epilogue provided a great hook!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the gifted backlog ARC to allow me to catch up in series before the newest release, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave.

This is my first Elle Cosimano book and I regret not getting into it the first time it published because now I am hooked! I love how funny and determined Finlay is as a character. Love the suspense and the plot twists for this book. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Overall fun book that was a light enjoyable read . If you need a palette cleanser between other books
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a delightful whirlwind of humor, suspense, and unexpected twists. The novel brilliantly merges the charm of a domestic mystery with the chaos of an accidental crime caper, making it a standout in the mystery genre.

The story follows Finlay Donovan, a struggling single mom and mystery writer whose life is spiraling out of control. Between juggling childcare, battling writer’s block, and dealing with an ex-husband who is as infuriating as he is unhelpful, Finlay’s plate is already full. When a casual lunch conversation about her latest novel is overheard and misconstrued, Finlay finds herself mistakenly hired as a hitwoman—a job she’s certainly not qualified for but can’t easily escape.

Cosimano’s writing shines with wit and razor-sharp humor, delivering laugh-out-loud moments while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Finlay is an endearing and relatable protagonist, and her misadventures as she navigates motherhood, murder-for-hire, and a budding romantic subplot make for an irresistible combination. The supporting characters, including Finlay’s no-nonsense nanny, Vero, add depth and comedic relief to the narrative.

The novel masterfully balances its comedic elements with genuine suspense. Cosimano keeps the stakes high with a cleverly plotted mystery, ensuring that each twist feels fresh and unexpected. The pacing is brisk, making it difficult to put the book down once you’ve started.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a wildly entertaining read that blends sharp humor with an engaging mystery. It’s perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich or readers looking for a lighthearted yet thrilling escape. Cosimano’s ability to infuse relatability into an outlandish premise makes this book an absolute gem.

Rating: 5/5

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a quirky, fast-paced mystery with a heart. Finlay Donovan’s chaotic, lovable charm ensures you’ll be eagerly reaching for the next installment.

It is so much fun to read the first book in an established series and realize that there are so many more books already published with these characters! I really enjoyed this romp and was rooting for Finlay. What would you do if someone thought you were a murderer for hire and offers to hire you and pay you enough money to make most of your problems disappear? I loved the characters in this story and it was a great quick read! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

This book had me cracking up right from the get-go! It’s a chaotic mix of comedic disasters and laugh-out-loud miscommunications, all wrapped up in a murder mystery that kept me entertained the whole way through. I found myself genuinely connecting with the main character from the very first scene—they’re so relatable and endearing. This was the perfect break from the heavier stories I usually gravitate toward, and I was thrilled to discover it’s part of a series. I already know these books will be my go-to palate cleanser between other reads to keep things fresh and fun!

"Finlay Donovan Is Killing It" by Elle Cosimano is a witty, fast-paced, and darkly humorous thriller that combines elements of mystery and crime with sharp humor. The story follows Finlay Donovan, a struggling writer and single mother who, through a bizarre chain of events, is mistaken for a hitwoman while discussing her next book in a coffee shop. This misunderstanding leads her to inadvertently accept a contract to kill someone, all while trying to manage her personal life, career, and a growing body count.

"Finlay Donovan Is Killing It" is an engaging and highly entertaining read, perfect for fans of quirky, character-driven thrillers with a generous dose of humor. The book strikes a wonderful balance of suspense, wit, and features an unconventional protagonist, making it an enjoyable choice for anyone seeking a fun, fast-paced mystery.

I've had a few friends who have raved about this series and loved it. Took me quite a while to finally pull the trigger. Now I am invested in the characters and the stories that I'm sure will be tackled in the series. What happens when an author is overheard talking with her agent and the conversation is completely taken out of context and misheard? You get a wild series of events that can't even be comprehended in the real world. Yes, this story is quirky as heck and wildly exaggerated but that's what ended up being the fun part of the story. If you are looking for some laugh out loud moments and crazy over the top situations and relationships, this book is perfect for you. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

From the very first line of Elle Cosimano's FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT, I was hooked by the vibrant voice, the descriptions of everyday mayhem with small children and ex-husbands, the twists and turns and the excellent pace. I laughed out loud, gasped, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride of a lifetime with the incomparable Finn, by turns brave and cowardly, energized and exhausted, all the things I can relate to or imagine myself into being. Loved, loved, loved the entire novel! I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Loved these characters and this book! Can't wait to read even more. I'm so glad I got to read this! Really great writing.

Thank you NetGalley and Elle Cosimano!

New to me author and I am hooked! I was able to get these books on NetGalley before the newer book releases so I am binging reading through the series.

What a quirky, fun and fantastic story. Some of the mom things/stresses are totally relatable…others are not which makes a great story.

The characters, adventures and suspense aspect will keep you engaged. Many laugh out loud moments along with some self discovery.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the complimentary copy.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a fresh, witty, and utterly hilarious debut that blends mystery, dark comedy, and the chaotic realities of motherhood into one irresistibly entertaining package. Finlay Donovan, a stressed-out single mother and struggling novelist, is far from "killing it" in any conventional sense—her life is a mess. Between dealing with her chaotic family life, a stalled writing career, and a series of parenting disasters, Finlay is barely keeping her head above water. But when a lunch with her literary agent goes awry and she’s mistaken for a hitwoman, her world takes an unexpected and thrilling turn.

The novel takes off when Finlay, unintentionally embroiled in a murder-for-hire plot, agrees to dispose of a problem husband as a way to make ends meet. What starts as a misunderstanding soon spirals into a hilarious and dangerous adventure, with Finlay finding herself in way over her head, tangled up in a real-life crime she never imagined she’d be involved in. The tension, humor, and suspense are perfectly balanced as Finlay navigates her newfound "career" and tries to stay one step ahead of the law.

Cosimano’s writing is sharp, fast-paced, and filled with delightful moments of absurdity, but it also captures the emotional complexity of Finlay’s life as a mother. The novel doesn’t shy away from portraying the messiness and frustrations of motherhood, all while exploring themes of self-discovery, personal strength, and the unexpected ways we find ourselves. Finlay’s character is both relatable and endearing—her flaws and struggles make her incredibly human, and readers will quickly root for her to succeed (even when she’s deep in the throes of a murder mystery).

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is an absolute page-turner—full of humor, twists, and heart. The book’s perfect blend of suspense and comedy makes it a delightful read, and the unique premise ensures that it stands out in the cozy mystery genre. As the first installment in a new series, this book sets the stage for more thrilling, laugh-out-loud adventures with Finlay. For fans of witty, fast-paced thrillers with a relatable protagonist, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is an absolute must-read.

I cannot believe it took me so long to start this series! It is so funny & kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading.

I don't know why it took me so long to read this one, but I'm sure glad that I did. You just can't help but laugh at all the craziness that unfolds. This is fast-paced and laugh out loud funny... I loved it! Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

I know. I know. I’m late to the party, but dang this book was good! At first I was super infuriated by Finlay and her irresponsibility, but then I was totally enamored with her AND vero. What an excellent twisty-turny lol-inducing book. Starting the next immediately.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Narrated by Angela Dawe

Single mom of two little ones and a struggling book writer is having a bad day! While in the cafe with her agent she is overheard talking about the plot of her next book and is mistaken as a contract killer. All too soon she is caught up in a real life investigation.

I really enjoyed this book! There were many laugh out loud moments. The mystery and going through Finlay’s thought process to finding out who really did it, I really didn’t see it coming. The characters were great and I can’t wait to read more about them. The narration was great

Honestly this is not my typical genre to read, but I did enjoy this and will be reading the rest of series.

3.5 Rounded Up ✨ I went into this book completely blind - all I knew was that it is part of a series. During the slow beginning, I wasn’t sure about it but as I read, I found myself enjoying it more. Finlay Donovan is Killing It has one of the most interesting and funny plots I’ve read in a while. There were many moments where I was cracking up while reading. It’s over the top and not super believable, but that’s what makes it a fun read. Finlay Donovan is an unsuspecting and refreshing amateur sleuth and killer all wrapped into one takeout-pizza-grease-stained, cold-beer-drinking single mom. I enjoyed this fresh take on a mystery and am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

Cheating husband living with his new friend while already likely cheating on her, vying for custody when he can't handle a few hours, and shirking support, well what else can you do but consider getting rid of yet another sleaze, or not - or maybe everything gets out of control! Entertaining domestic cozy series starter!

Rating: 3.75
Mode of Reading: Kindle
How did I pick this up: @NetGalley Read Now Promotion by Elle Cosimano and her publisher (Minotaur Books) in preparation for the latest Finlay Donovan book (releasing March 18 2025)
Short Yet Sweet Review: I've had this series on my TBR for probably 2+ years now but always found a reason to not pick it up. However, when I saw that these were all available for immediate read, I didn't have a reason to not pick it up anymore! I am SO GLAD I did because this book made me laugh and enjoy reading it every page. From Finlay's circumstances to her moments of internal panic to her 'mess' of her personal life, I found myself enjoying spending time with the story. Finlay and Vero's relationship is comical and perfect and she makes a great 'bossy' friend when Finlay needed her. As a bonus, the nosy neighbor trope makes me laugh and can't wait to see how she plays into the next book. I will say, I liked the uniqueness to how the story unfolds and since I don't want to spoil anything, I loved the 'oops' that keep happening to Finlay. The ex-husband was under my skin in every scene but I'm intrigued by what happens next considering how this book ended!

Wow! Elle Cosinano wrote a good, fun, and easy to read mystery book. She makes you want to keep reading about Finley Donovan’s life where she just can’t catch a break with her life or writing. There were a lot of twists and turns that made you want to keep turning the page. I really was not expecting the ending at all. This was my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.