This was funny, dark, and delightful, if not bordering on slightly outlandish at times. Finley was a ln entertaining lead character, and although I enjoyed her, I questioned her sense at times. Overall I enjoyed this despite having to suspend my disbelief at some of the plot points. A read that kept my engaged and entertained, but I'm not sure I feel compelled to continue on in the series.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a wildly entertaining blend of comedy, crime, and chaos. Finlay, a struggling novelist and single mom, stumbles into a contract killer mix-up, leading to a whirlwind of misadventures, accidental crimes, and laugh-out-loud moments. The novel’s sharp humor, engaging mystery, and relatable depiction of motherhood make it a refreshing take on the thriller genre. Finlay’s partnership with Vero, her sharp-witted nanny-turned-accomplice, adds an extra layer of charm and unpredictability.

While the plot requires some suspension of disbelief, the book’s witty writing and fast-paced storytelling keep it engaging. Some twists feel over-the-top, but they contribute to the novel’s fun, almost screwball-comedy energy. The balance of suspense, humor, and heart makes it a compelling read, perfect for fans of lighthearted mysteries with strong, flawed, and lovable heroines. Four stars!

Finlay Donovan is a mess. Her husband left her and is engaged to a real estate agent. Finlay is a writer of thrillers with writer's block who can't pay her bills or handle her children. I mean who puts duct tape on their kids head. At this point I wouldn't have put her in charge of a goldfish. While having lunch with her agent in a Panera discussing the plot of her new book in Panera she is overheard and is mistaken for a killer for hire and given her first assignment.

I thought the book was amusing. The characters weren't very well developed and the whole thing was a bit madcap but the plot came together and kept me guessing to end. The ending isn't exactly a cliffhanger but does leave an opening for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

I had seen the Finlay Donovan books come out over the years and for some reason I can't fathom, I never managed to pick one up until now. I don't typically love hot mess characters, but Finlay was one mostly by trying to do too much without the right resources and ax ex-husband butting in to sabotage her. Finlay was someone I could root for! Mash that up with an "I can't believe how that happened" storyline, and I was hooked. This was a fun escape from reality for me, and I can't wait to get on with reading the rest of Elle's books!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this gifted copy to discover and get up to speed on this wonderful series!

Really enjoyed this new series and the characters. Some of the situations are unbelievable, but that’s what makes these books so fun. It’s an easy to read book. The characters spark your interest and keep you wanting more.

I am absolutely obsessed with this series, and I’m flying through them. The characters, the plots…it’s all so fun and refreshing.

Finlay is spunky, relatable and fighting tooth and nail to stay afloat for her kids in the midst of an ugly divorce. Her ex and his new fiancée are making life difficult for her, but she is refusing to give up. After a small misunderstanding, she finds herself as a newly minted hitman…which leads us down the path of a hilarious and twisted story.

If you like thrillers with a little bit of self depreciating comedy mixed in, I highly recommend this read!

So this is one of those books. It’s been on my TBR list for so so so long. But, with the second one coming out, I knew I needed to read this first one. And now I’m SO MAD that I waited so long to read this. It’s kind of amazing. Move over Morelli and Ranger, I’m now trying to find out if I’m Team Nick or Team Julian. Hot cop, or hot bartender soon to be lawyer? If you enjoy the Stephanie Plum series, you’re going to love Finlay and Vero.

I initially thought this was a romance. However it turned into more of a whodunnit with a splash of romance and a dash of chick lit. I loved the subtle suspense mixed with the quick wit that kept me laughing. It was a quick read, I finished it in a day, and now I’m sad it’s over.

SideNote: I would like Finlay to be my new friend, and if she were, I would introduce her to yoga dress pants. Yes they’re a thing.

This was a great read. Perfect combination of funny, suspense with a bit of romance. And the cliffhanger? yes, I will definitely read the next one.

Honestly, who HASN'T thought of killing their significant other at some point in time? The insane setup of an author being overheard at a working lunch at a Panera and being mistaken for a contract killer doesn't seem that crazy at all. This book pulls you right in,

3/18/2025-This was a re-read which obviously means that I like this book. It is delightfully ridiculous and I mean that in the best way. The hijinks of Finlay and Vero and their dynamic is entertaining. I appreciate where the plot goes and even though the premise is bizarre (suburban mom hired to kill someone) it seems plausible in this particular world. It gives cozy mystery energy and as a lover of cozy mysteries, this is totally the book for me.

I don't think everyone will enjoy this, but if you want a fun time and need to just be entertained by a story then I recommend this.

I may age myself but Finlay Donovan is the answer to every girl in the aughts who read Aly Carter. I was extremely grateful to recieve the full series and couldn't finish them all fast enough.

I thought I would like this book a bit more than I did, but by the end of it I was way more into it than I was at the beginning.
Finlay was infuriating and kept making the wrong decision everytime! Good thing this is fiction and not real life because she would have been caught in the first 20 pages of the book :D

However, I ended up having fun so I will keep reading this series! Three stars!

Love this series. I think this first in the series really sets us up for what’s to come. Really cozy read

This book was an absolute blast! Finlay Donovan, a struggling writer and single mom, accidentally gets mistaken for a contract killer—and before she knows it, she’s tangled in a real-life murder mystery. With sharp humor, fast-paced twists, and a dynamic duo in Finlay and her nanny-turned-partner-in-crime, Vero, this book kept me hooked from start to finish.

The audiobook made it even better, bringing out the humor and suspense perfectly. Elle Cosimano delivers a fun, clever, and wildly entertaining ride. I couldn’t get enough and couldn’t wait to dive into the sequel!

I read this when it first came out and had issues with it. The main character Finlay Donovan was grating and emotionally immature. I still feel that way but this time around I guess I was more in the mood for it and was also prepared for Finlay's shenanigans. It was a much better read the second time around and I look forward with only slight trepidation to the rest of the series.

I could not fall in love with this book. The premise was basically horrifying, and not at all believable, so that spoiled it for me. And I couldn’t feel a lot of sympathy for someone who created so many of her own problems. I enjoy dark humor, but an ordinary housewife and mother carrying out some of these maneuvers was not realistic or funny. The characters would probably have been fun in a different setting, so I may try another in the series. I am sure many will enjoy this book, but it just fell short for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, my goodness! What an amusing comedy of errors. This book had me in stitches throughout the entire read.

Finlay Donovan is a recently divorced single mom and struggling suspenseful romance writer. She meets up with her agent at the local Panera to discuss her book's progress. A woman at a nearby table eavesdrops on the conversation and assumes that Finlay is a contract killer. She slips a note into Finlay's diaper bag cum purse offering a sizable sum to carry out a kill. Of course Finlay is no killer but she is curious about the person targeted and starts a bit of an investigation on her own. Perhaps it will provide inspiration for her book and get her writing juices flowing. What she hadn't planned on was an accidental death and need for body disposal. Oh what a mess she's gotten herself into.

I had been looking for a palate cleanser after some heavy history reading and this book (along with its entire series) really hit it out of the park. Author Elle Cosimano is brilliant in her writing of this series. The characters are hilarious in their dialogue and cutting remarks. The women are strong and clever while many of the men are rather morally challenged. Finlay Donavan and her nanny, Vero, make for a dubious duo in this series and their antics keep the reader chuckling. It's a wild ride for sure and nowhere near believable, yet oh so fun!

I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
Number of pages: 368
ISBN: 978-1250241702

This book was just OK for me. I absolutely love the cover art. I thought the premise sounded interesting. However, I had a hard time spending my disbelief over Finlay’s outrageous choices. I just couldn’t seem to buy into her motivations or logic. Vero, on the other hand, was my favorite part of this book. The interaction and friendship between her and Finlay was so funny, and that’s what kept me reading.

*Finlay Donovan Is Killing It* by Elle Cosimano was my first introduction to the series, and I absolutely loved it. This fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mystery brilliantly blends crime, chaos, and comedy. Struggling novelist and single mom Finlay accidentally gets mistaken for a contract killer, launching her into a whirlwind of absurd yet suspenseful misadventures. With sharp wit, unexpected twists, and a charmingly messy protagonist, this book had me hooked from the start. It was the perfect mix of humor and suspense, and I can't wait to read more in the series!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

Disaster, disappointment, and desperate.

I want to thank NetGalley for offering me THE WHOLE SERIES, including the new one!! 🤩
This is the first , and I have to tell you that I laughed out loud several times during the book. Finlay is a hot mess, trying to navigate raising toddlers, and desperately needing money (because of her no good cheating husband). I will not quote from the book because I don’t want to take a minute of your laughter from this story. The phrases that the author uses are absolutely hilarious. I downloaded it from NetGalley and then listened to it while driving (with a huge smile on my face trying not to forget to turn on my signals).
If you are needing a disastrous murder mystery, this one is for you. I can’t wait to continue this series!! This character is one I didn’t realize I needed in my life.