Fun, funny, goofy, a little ridiculous.



Review copy provided by publisher.



(I write short reviews)

Totally enjoyable, laugh out loud mystery that is EXACTLY perfect for right now.

Elle Cosimano is absolutely one to watch and I want to cocktail with her!

Thank you to St. Martin's press for giving me an ARC. It was my pleasure to write an honest review.

This Novel Is Absolutely Killing It. So funny, quirky and different - one of my favorite reads this year!

Finlay Donovan is excatly the type of character I want to read more of in book. She is realtable, swamped with problems, and yet her uniqueness shines through and you end up rooting for her from the beginning.

Speking of beginnings, I was immediately pulled into the plot with this situation. Finlay, a suspense novelist, is at Panera Break, speaking with her agent Sylvia about her upcoming book, which she is very late with. As suspense novels go, the two women casually speak about getting rid of someone.... But the lady at the next table doesn't know theri conversation is merely about a BOOK... So she makes Finlay an offer for getting rid of her husband. Just imagine!

Better yet, Finlay goes for it in the name of research, of course! (And her poor financial situation could use some help,)

From then on, this book is full of humor, thoughts about friendship, money, an a-hole ex, writing... And it's just so freshly different! I devoured this light-hearted book in no time, just when I needed something like this to brighten my days.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a fun read. Finlay is an author, a single mom with two children, broke, and heading for bankruptcy. Her husband is trying to get custody of the children. Finlay is a mystery writer, but not making much money per book and currently has writer's block and she has a deadline. Then an unusual. dangerous offer comes up that could solve her financial problems.

Totally enjoyed reading about Finlay's misadventures. I loved the character and enjoyed the humor in the book. The plot was intriguing and was well-paced, keeping my attention throughout. I'm hoping for a follow-up with this character in the future.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

What a fun, wonderful book! A few parts were a little unbelievable but I was very interested in how it all tied up in the end. All in all it was just fun and entertaining and I highly recommend it. I just heard it's going to be a series and I say YAY!

Free Copy received from NetGalley for my honest review. 3.5 stars rounded up

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was a fast paced, funny, semi-thriller/semi-woman's fiction read. Finlay is a struggling author, she's got two kids, a cheating husband/ divorce, a custody battle, bills piling up, and no progress on her latest murder mystery book. In a series of misunderstandings, she finds herself in the midst of a real-life murder investigation. The material is perfect for her book, but a big mess when it becomes a part of her life. I had fun reading this book, I laughed out loud at many scenes, and I was invested in the outcome. Parts of this were very unbelievable, but it was a fun ride overall.

Glad this will be a series, because I need to know what happens next!

Fun, quirky mystery...I really enjoyed it! Finlay and Vero were great! This was an escape read that kept me guessing and smiling.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

This series debut is a fun read and a clever one, but ultimately not quite satisfying. Struggling author Finlay Donovan is dealing with the effects of a devastating divorce from her cheating husband. In debt and suffering from writer's block, she meets with her agent in a Panera where discussion of her book plot leads an eavesdropper to try to hire Finlay to murder her horrific husband.

From there, as they say, hijinks ensue, from multiple cases of mistaken identity, mafia hit men, potential love interests, and a rather blood thirsty live in nanny who revels in the role of would be assassin.

The pace is breakneck and Finlay is a sympathetic character. However, author Cosimano's young adult roots are evident here as plot lines are tied up a little too nearly and easily, including the addition of an incredibly understanding and younger law school boyfriend for Finlay, a character frequently referred to as the "underwear model."

I enjoyed spending time with Finlay, but like a fast food high, the experience wears off quickly.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

The conversational style is easy to speed through - I read this book in two days.

Finlay is a young, recently divorced mom of two. Life sicks right now. Her ex-husband's infidelity, writer's block and Bill's piling up on the front porch is just too daunting to overcome.

That changes quickly - all because of an overheard conversation being taken at face value.

Finlay is trying to do the right thing, she's not an assassin but things just keep going wrong!

The mystery of who did or didn't kill a despicable predator takes twists and turns you don't expect.

Finlay rediscovers who she is as a person and an author

I cannot wait for a follow up book.

I actually give this book 3.5 starts. Maybe 3.75. It’s a very creative book - it’s a book about a book about a murder. The lead character, Findlay, is half sweet and savvy and the other half complete buffoon. She’s mistakenly thrust into a homicide situation and the plot unravels from there.

Think of it as a cross between a James Patterson novel and Bridgette Jones Diary.

Definitely entertaining and hard to put down.

#Netgalley #FinlayDonovanIsKillingIt

Treat yourself to a murder! FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT is @ellecosimano’s adult debut mystery, and I could not put it down. Thanks @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the e-ARC. Out 2/2/21 in the U.S.

Let’s set the stage: Finlay Donovan, struggling author and single mother, is late on her upcoming next book. Her advance has run dry, her bills are racking up, and now she has to meet with her agent over lunch to discuss her very overdue manuscript. But her conversation is overheard and misunderstood, and suddenly Finlay receives a job offer to “dispose” of a terrible man, as a contract killer. This offer would alleviate some of her financial woes, but she won’t actually go through with it… or will she? And then shit happens.

!!!

This book is Santa Clarita Diet (one of my favorite TV shows) meets murder mystery. There is less gore and no zombies, but the bodies are piling up left and right with humor galore. It feels fresher and more feminist than other mystery series that I could compare it to (such as the Stephanie Plum books).

Get your popcorn ready for this twisty, well-paced mystery. It’s the kind of romp I love. The only problem now is waiting for book 2 to be announced 😩

Received an ARC from NetGalley!

This was a fun read. I actually was guessing up until the end of the book of how it would end and all plots tied up together.

This poor woman just had all odds against her. It wasn't her day or week in the beginning of the book. But with random chances, miscommunications, lots of adventure, and two hot guys - her luck turns around.

First of all, thank you so much to St Martin's, Elle Cosimano, and NetGalley for this earc.

This book had a very entertaining premise, however it was a DNF for me.

This isn't really the books fault, it just wasn't my cup of tea and I do believe many will enjoy it. I was unable to find myself connecting with the character of Finlay, and the mystery aspect of the plot just wasn't there for me.

I will say that I am extremely hit or miss when it comes to murder mystery/thriller books, so this DNF should certainly be taken with a grain of salt. Again, while this wasn't for me, I feel like a lot of people will throughly enjoy it.

Star Rating - N/A (DNF)

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano was a fun read about a novelist who is a single mother. She is completely down on her luck and gets an opportunity to investigate a real crime. It all starts when she runs into a Panera to meet her agent and someone overhears the conversation and gets the wrong idea. Fast forward to Finlay accepting an offer that is unconventional and unexpected. Someone wants to pay her a large amount of money to kill someone. Suddenly Finlay is a hitwoman. And one thing leads to another…

This book was fun and humorous, just what I like in between heavier and more intense reads. I am already looking forward to more from this author.

Coming out in February! Get it here.

*Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Elle Cosimano for an ARC of this book!*

Madcap murder mystery mayhem with just a twist of sass!

It hasn't been novelist Finlay Donovan's day, month,....or even her year. Fresh off of her divorce with two kids in tow and finances running dry, Finlay has yet another dilemma: progress on her newest book has come to a screeching halt. However, her agent has come calling and wants to meet Finlay at the most perfect of places for self-reflection, business dealings, and fabulous bread alike: the local Panera. Finlay nervously heads to the meeting, not sure how she can fend off her agent much longer. An unlikely eavesdropper, Patricia, mistakes the mention of the large cash advance during the discussion as a bounty...and pegs Finlay as the expert killer in question. Post meeting, Patricia sidles up to Finlay with a proposition and a 'simple' task: dispense of the evil man in question and receive $50,000.00 cash. Finlay is stunned, but as the woman whisks away, she begins to consider her options. I mean, would it really be so crazy? She wouldn't have to actually HURT anyone, right? When Finlay tracks down her target, however, the situation quickly escalates, and Vero, Finlay's former nanny, might be the only one who can keep her out of trouble...or will she let the cat out of the bag and put both women in the crosshairs? And will truth be stranger than fiction as Finlay suddenly finds all the inspiration for her novel she could ever need...and more importantly, will she live long enough to write the Epilogue?

Finlay Donovan is such a unique and fantastic departure from the norm in this genre from former YA writer Elle Cosimano, and it is sorely needed! I knew from the first chapter this book would have the perfect blend of silliness, mystery, romance, action, and excitement, honestly unlike any mystery/thriller I have ever read before and I was enchanted by every minute spent with Finlay. The Abbott and Costello-esque relationship between Finlay and Vero is so expertly executed and fun and was the perfect blend of slapstick and solid female friendship; I always looked forward to their scenes together! Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this book is that it both seems over the top and implausible and completely believable at the same time, which is quite a feat. All of the secondary characters were a joy to read, and Finlay's kids definitely helped provide extra comic relief at different points as well. As funny as this book was, it also managed to be a clever mystery without ever feeling overwrought and also kept me guessing throughout, although the beauty of this book is the thrill of the ride. The ending is absolutely fitting and certainly opens the door for a full series, and I would love to see more from our scrappy heroine!

This is dark humor done right, and the title says it besl: Finlay Donovan IS Killing It! 4 stars

I adored this book! I’ve loved Elle Cosimano’s YA novels and was excited to begin this. I was sucked in right away and could not get enough of the serious mishaps happening in Findlay’s life and how it just kept escalating and escalating. Highly recommend!

“It’s a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight thirty A.M. on any given morning.”

I just LOVE a good first sentence. And if this one doesn’t set the tone for how fun this book is, both with its honesty and accuracy 🤪, I’m not sure what would.

Finlay Donovan is a broke, recently divorced author and mother of two. She is behind on her deadlines, her newly engaged ex husband fired their babysitter, and she’s having severe writers block. But a chance run in at Panera and a proposition to be a murder for hire just may give her the material she needs for her next novel.

This book was so fun! It is laugh out loud funny and you just can’t help rooting for poor Finlay and the crazy situations she keeps finding herself in. With the help of her rehired babysitter Vero, Finlay becomes the amateur detective in her own story. But when her unfinished manuscript gets some media attention, will Finlay’s life imitate art a little too closely? What an enjoyable ride finding out!

Thank you to @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication date February 2, 2021.

As soon as I heard that I wasn’t the only woman BANNED from Panera Bread, I knew I had to read this book!

Ok, I am not REALLY banned, but I got your attention-as should this book!

Finlay Donovan is killing it, is the FIRST in a new comedy-mystery series, about a Single Mom and struggling Suspense Novelist, whose Fiction MAY air MAY NOT BE, inspired by events in her own life.

This one begins when a conversation is overheard in Panera Bread, by a woman at a nearby table, who mistakes Finlay for an Assassin, when she overhears a conversation between a woman in a wig-scarf and her companion, who happens to be the woman’s book agent, Sylvia, discussing the book plot for her very LATE, next novel.

This eavesdropping lady just happens to have a husband she would like to get rid of, so she slides a note under Finlay’s plate as she bids goodbye to Sylvia, making her an offer she is tempted to consider because the novel isn’t the only thing that is late-all her bills are overdue too!

$50,000
Harris Mickler

It couldn’t hurt to investigate a bit, could it?
In the name of RESEARCH for her book...

So, begins this comedy of errors for Finlay, and her unlikely accomplice-her former nanny Vero.

If you have been searching for something lighthearted to read, which isn’t a Rom-Com, (though a little bit of romance may be in the cards for Finlay too) look no further! This will be released on Feb. 2, 2021.

The idea for THIS novel was also born in a Panera Bread restaurant! 🥖

I received a gifted copy and it was my pleasure to provide a candid review! 🥐

I chose this book 100% for the cover, and if I had actually read about it, I might have skipped it because of my own anxiety issues related to accidental crimes (I have not committed any, but in various forms of media they make me super nervous). Finlay, the main character, is totally broke, trying to keep custody of her kids in the midst of a pretty nasty divorce from her husband, who has already moved on and gotten engaged to a real estate agent. Finlay is a romantic suspense novelist and she's super behind on her contracted book. She meets her agent at a Panera bread and talks through the next steps and they're overheard by a random woman who misunderstands their conversation (and the duct tape and knife she sees in Finlay's diaper bag) and thinks that Finlay is a contract killer. She leaves Finlay a note that she will pay 50k for Finlay to kill her husband. Too curious to leave it, Finlay follows the husband and sees him try to dose his extramarital date with rohypnol. She switches the drinks, drugging him and planning to take him home. She stops at her own house first, and somehow the passed out dude gets carbon monoxide poisoning and dies. Instead of going to the police (which is what I always want people to do in these fictional situations), she and her babysitter bury the body, collect the 50k, and end up getting involved unwittingly with the Russian mafia. All the while, Finlay is writing a new book (with a plot super similar to her own life) that gets a ton of attention and a huge advance for a new book series. It's very overcomplicated but ended up being a pretty fun read (despite my anxiety about how fictional characters deal with manslaughter crimes) and I would definitely read more Finlay Donovan books or other similar mysteries by Elle Cosimano.

This is a cute story, the characters are fun and I couldn't stop reading. Will highly recommend this to others!