Pleasantly surprised by this one. Finlay is a hot mess and it's refreshing to read about someone that doesn't have everything (if anything at all) together. The mystery kept my intrigued and it played out in a clever way. Really enjoyed the side character Veronica too, and her witty banter. The book was quite funny. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this copy of Finlay Donovan is Killing It!

I will admit that I read this book before, but requested as a read now so I could have the complete set. This book made me fall in love with both Finlay Donovan and Elle Cosimano's writing! The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorite I have read! So fun and so good! I am really excited to see what adventures Finlay goes on next.

Have already gotten all my friends hooked on this series too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. This delightful, laugh-out-loud mystery is a perfect blend of humor, suspense, and chaos. Finlay, a struggling author and single mom, finds herself accidentally entangled in a crime she didn’t commit—or did she? What follows is a hilarious and twisty journey that keeps you entertained from start to finish.

Cosimano’s writing is sharp and witty, and Finlay is a relatable, lovable mess of a protagonist. The balance between her personal struggles and the escalating absurdity of her situation makes the story both engaging and endearing. The supporting characters, particularly Finlay’s no-nonsense nanny, add depth and fun to the narrative.

The twists are clever without taking themselves too seriously, and the book’s lighthearted tone makes it a breezy yet satisfying read. If you’re a fan of quirky mysteries with a strong dash of humor, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a must-read. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling and eager for the next installment.

This is a silly, over the top cozy mystery with an endearing main character and an exciting plot. The story is always moving forward, and I was glad there wasn’t a ton of backstory, it’s more of a you figure everyone out as you go type of book. A fast, pleasant read that doesn’t require too much brainpower (that is a compliment). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! It reminded me a lot of what I love so much about Sue Grafton’s alphabet series, but more modern and with a little something else that I can’t quite put my figure on. 🤷‍♀️ Finlay is my favorite kind of FMC. Her combination of hot mess and badass-ness makes her character hilarious and endearing. This woman is just trying to survive the day and she finds herself caught up in a serious, but very amusing misunderstanding. I’m obsessed with her sassy, go-get em’ babysitter, Vero, and her kids are a hoot. The dynamics between Finlay and her sister, Georgia, are just fantastic and I love when Finlay channels her when she’s in trouble- “What would Georgia do?” The sort-of-but-not-really love triangle between Finlay, the detective, and the law student kept me on my toes because really, who am I supposed to fall for!? And then there’s the cliffhanger… normally I hate these, but in this book it is perfect!

This is such a cute book. I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital copy of this book.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a clever and highly entertaining read that’s perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, rom-coms, and light thrillers. It’s a story about a woman finding empowerment and confidence amid chaos, making it as heartfelt as it is hilarious. With sharp dialogue and unexpected twists, it’s no surprise that this book has earned a loyal following. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin Press for this ARC.

What a fun, interesting read. Finlay Donovan is an absolute mess who is just trying to keep her head above water and not lose custody of her kids. Really kept me interested and looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. Especially since Finlay Donovan is Killing It left you on such a cliffhanger!

This is a deliciously funny book. There's plenty of laugh out loud moments, and the mystery is sticky but fun.

Relatable content! Who hasn’t struggled with mounting bills and spiraling responsibilities and hoped for an easy fix? Is contract killer the easy fix Finley Donovan hoped for? Maybe not, but it certainly brings adventure, a romantic surprise or two, a new best friend, not to mention a little help with the bills. What a fun read.

What great fun. Finlay is a mystery writer whose life is chaos; she can't meet her deadline, pay her bills and her husband is suing for custody and just fired her nanny. But when she is overheard discussing murder methods with her agent, a woman misunderstands and leaves her a note offering a whole lotta $$$ to kill her husband. And then the mayhem really begins. With the help of the fired nanny/new live-in housekeeper, a dashing detective and the added bonus of a very attractive bartender, Finlay navigates the hazards of crime, coincidence and total confusion and somehow manages to stay alive and collect her reward (not telling if she kills anyone!). Cosimano is a master of the coincidence, pulling them out of the hat at the most hilarious moment. The humor is amusing and sometimes laugh-out-loud, but never descends to slapstick. Finlay is determined and intelligent but with a knack for maybe not always the best decisions. Logical, but not best. Absolutely delightful.

I absolutely loved this. A unique premise. Had the feeling of a cozy mystery but definitely had more serious tones. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, and Minotaur Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Coming out of a book about murder feeling like, Wow, that was SO much fun! might sound odd, but that’s exactly how I felt after finishing Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. Elle Cosimano has crafted a brilliantly absurd romp that blends the chaos of motherhood with a darkly comedic twist on crime fiction.

Finlay Donovan is a mess—in the most entertaining way possible. She’s a single mom trying to juggle her two kids, a struggling writing career, and an ex-husband who’s an absolute headache. Just when she thinks things can’t get worse, a chance misunderstanding at lunch leads to her being mistaken for a hitwoman. From there, the plot takes a hilariously absurd turn as Finlay stumbles her way into a real-life murder investigation, balancing PTA drama with cleaning up (literal) crime scenes.

Cosimano’s writing shines with razor-sharp wit and laugh-out-loud moments. Finlay is delightfully flawed, and while you might find yourself groaning at her questionable decisions, it’s impossible not to root for her. The story escalates in the most wonderfully ridiculous ways, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how perfectly the author nailed the “rom-com without the romance but with murder” vibe.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves a lighthearted yet clever mystery, and it captures the chaos of parenting with a mix of hilarity and authenticity. If you’re a fan of unpredictable plots, quirky characters, and a touch of murder (but make it funny), Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a must-read.

I read the novels out of order by chance with an audiobook, but these novels can be read independently, even if they are part of a series. Best of both worlds, as you get enough at the beginning of the novels to know the previous storyline (without giving it all away).

We meet Finlay, Vero, Nick and Stephen along with a whole cast list of “bad guys” as these two (Finlay and Vero) race against the clock to protect the innocent and figure out who the real bad guy is. This is a great, fast-paced mystery that has a tiny dose of romance. It is definitely going ot be a fun series!

Thank you @stmartinspress for my gifted copy of this series!

4 stars

This was a fun read! Finlay Donavan is a newly single mom and a semi-successful writer who keeps falling into all sorts of dangerous situations. Her babysitter/accountant/sidekick Vero adds to the fun! My only issue with this book is the reference to her ex-husband "babysitting" his kids. Dads don't babysit!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to enjoy not only this book but the whole series!

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was an extremely interesting book. I had not read one like it before. Murder for Hire but unintentionally leads to intrigue suspense and what really happened. I was on the edge of my seat. Not scared but curious as to how it would all play out. I can't wait to read more of the series!

Finlay Donovan is an author who is behind on her deadlines, behind on her bills, an overworked single mom, who has just been offered a lot of money to kill someone’s husband. Killing this man could take a lot of Finlay’s troubles away, but how would she do this? Fortunately, her former nanny Vero has lots of ideas. This is a great start to a series. Funny, down-to-earth characters with a shot of zaniness, I loved this book.

This book is hysterical! I immediately downloaded the second and then the third in the series! I love Finlay! The characters are so relatable and the writing style is full of humor and wit. I can see why the series is so popular! It is kind of ironic the novel is about a writer struggling to write her next novel.

I'll be honest, when I first started reading this book it took me a few chapters to get into it.. then the incident happened and I couldn't put it down! Highly enjoyed the rest of the story and cannot wait to start the next in the series!

This one wasn’t really for me. It’s an easy, original read, but I didn’t connect with Finlay as a character. She’s annoying, constantly making irresponsible and reckless decisions that frustrate me. I didn’t respect her as a mother or a woman, and the whole series feels like it could have been avoided if she had taken a moment to think critically instead of relying on luck and the kindness or generosity of others. I tend not to enjoy stories where everything spirals into chaos, only to resolve in a "cute" way conveniently. Finlay’s lack of agency irritated me more than it drew me in, and instead of rooting for her, I just found myself wishing she’d take control for once. If this kind of light, chaotic narrative appeals to you, try it. It was a frustrating experience, and I can’t recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley & Minotaur Books for this eBook.