Finlay Donovan: Single mother. Broke, semi-successful author. Hit woman?

Finlay is having a terrible day when her children’s nanny, Vero, doesn’t show up and she’s running late to a fancy brunch meeting with her agent...to discuss a book that is way behind schedule. One thing leads to another, and they end up meeting at Panera instead. Finlay wears her blonde wig scarf, dark red lipstick, and huge sunglasses to disguise herself after being banned from that particular Panera (it’s a long story).

Due to the nature of the discussion (discussing book plots), Finlay is mistaken for a hit woman and offered $50,000 to kill someone. Obviously, this is crazy and Finlay isn’t going to do it...Right?! Every decision she makes at this point may put her life in grave danger.

This is a fun, comedic mystery! I laughed throughout, and also had major anxiety throughout as Finlay got herself into deeper waters from one ridiculous situation to the next. The story isn’t completely realistic, but it’s always entertaining. If you enjoy likable and well-developed leads, a bit of murder, a little romantic tension, and some laughs...then I recommend this book. The ending has a major OMG moment, and I will be (im)patiently waiting for a sequel.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, author Elle Cosimano, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining, fast read. Finley reminds me of a single mom version of Stephanie Plum. It’s one kind of slapstick-y thing after another as she and her sidekick, Vero, kind of inadvertently become paid assassins and find themselves too close for comfort to the Russian mob. Their ill-advised antics lead them into suspenseful, uncomfortable situations. While I was often thinking, “No. Really??”, I read on. It was a fast-paced crazy ride. The ending leaves the door wide open for a second book. I’ll be looking for it.

Finlay Donovan is having a rough time. Her husband Stephen has run off with their real estate agent, Theresa. She has two children under the age of five and Stephen has fired Vero, the nanny. She had already spent the advance she got from her agent for a book that was supposed to have been finished already -- but ideas are hard to come by amidst all the chaos of her daily life. Unable to avoid the questions from her agent any longer, she agrees to meet up for coffee at a busy coffee shop (Finlay was banned from the shop after a previous incident, but she's going to wear her "author disguise" and hope for the best).

Sitting with her agent at a table, Finlay begins to discuss possible plot points for her latest mystery novel. Sylvia, her agent, can't understand why Finlay is having problems delivering the story, since it should follow a predictable pattern: a woman in distress is rescued from a bad man (who is "taken care of"). When that happens (and the book is delivered) Finlay will get the rest of her money.

Because they are having a discussion in a public place, Finlay doesn't realize someone at a neighboring table has been listening to the conversation. The eavesdropper puts a note in Finlay's bag offering to hire her as a hitwoman to get rid of her troublesome husband in exchange for a large sum of money. Finlay is equal parts horrified and intrigued. Taking on this job would solve all of her money woes, but she won't really do it . . . will she?

This book is a humorous murder mystery with some slight romantic elements thrown in. Finlay and her side-kick, super nanny Vero (who keeps the house spotless, entertains the kids, prepares gourmet meals, and studies for a degree, all without breaking a sweat) get into lots of scrapes and have to think of their feet to stay one step ahead of the police and the bad guys. I sometimes had a little trouble following the logic when Finlay was discussing possible explanations for who was doing what in the story. Overall, however, I enjoyed the resolution and cliffhanger that ended the book. I hope this will be the start of more adventures in the life of Finlay Donovan.

One of my rare 5-star reviews for 2020!
This novel is so much fun. It’s a solid mystery that keeps you on edge and guessing. It’s a story of growth. And most important... it will keep you laughing for over 300 pages. I think we all could use a lot of that!

This fun, nail-biter of a book by Elle Cosimano was an interesting read. I enjoyed it from start to finish and found Finlay to be so relatable. Finlay is a struggling single mom, trying to get her act together, and find the motivation to finish her book and start making money again after divorce. Due to a misunderstanding, she finds herself way too close to dealings with the Russian Mafia. How she navigates events with her nanny, Vero, is entertaining and sometimes a little uncomfortable. I could definitely read more about them and hope there will be a sequel.

5 stars for this amazing murder mystery! I loved every minute of this over the top and hilarious crime novel. I hope there's a sequel, give me all the Finlay Donovan books!

Finlay Donovan is a divorced mom of two who writes crime novels for a living. She's struggling financially and in a custody battle with her ex. But when she's mistaken for a hit woman for hire at a Panera she gets pulled into the world of crime and is in over her head before she knows it. Together with her babysitter Finlay needs to solve this crime before the wrong person is accused. I loved that the plot got interesting right from the first chapter, immediately I was drawn in and couldn't put the book down. The twists and turns were surprising and I kept guessing who the murderer was.

This book was just the right amount murder mystery and romance, while being funny. The two love interests were a nice side plot and Finlay kept me on my toes throughout the whole book. She was an engaging character and I loved all the antics she got up to, she was always in a ridiculous situation and had to get herself out of it. I was always left guessing and there was just enough suspense. I loved how things kept escalating and Finlay was drawn into the murder investigation. The ending was perfect but left more to the imagination and I hope there will be a second book. This is the best book I've read in awhile and hope to get more.

Overall I adored Finlay Donovan is Killing It and you should get a copy of it! Anyone who enjoys mysteries will love this and even if you don't like mysteries you'll probably enjoy this.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.

This is one of the best books I read this year. So delightful and enjoyable in a way I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it.

I loved Elle Cosimano's YA mysteries, and her adult debut is no exception. This book is hilarious and fast-paced and will appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich. There are a dearth of single mothers in crime fiction, and Cosimano deftly portrays domestic disasters alongside murder and conspiracy. The ending is rife for a sequel and I can't wait to read more of Finlay's adventures.

A light murder mystery with likeable characters and a fun plot. This book really reminded me of the Netflix series “Dead To Me” (which i love). The way the author tied everything together was clever and different! Really enjoyed this one.

Once I started I spent the afternoon and evening devouring this book. Dishes still in the sink, dogs weren’t walked, tv stayed off until I finished. And what a fun ride!
Finlay Donovan is months behind on her new book with the meager advance spent. There’s no money to pay bills, her cheating louse of an ex-husband loves to throw her failures in her face and threatens to sue for full custody of their children, he’s fired the babysitter behind her back but balks at watching the children. Her life is a mess of a train wreck. Meeting her editor at Panera’s to discuss her murder mystery she sets her open diaper bag on the floor which for odd reasons has a roll of duct and a knife in full view of the woman at the next table. Finlay finds a strange note under her cup from the woman that gives her husbands name, where he’ll be that night, and a $50,000 figure. Finlay realizes this woman is asking her to kill her husband. A preposterous idea, yes, but then there’s the $50,000 which would go a long way to easing her burden. It wouldn’t hurt Finlay to stake out where he’s going to be that night so she can see what he looks like, would it?
Great premise, great writing that maintains a level of fun the whole way through. Elle Cosimano reminds me of the wonderful writer Susan Isaacs. A fun read you really shouldn’t miss. #Netgalley #St.MartinsPress

Thanks to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early. Findlay is an author who’s books aren’t exactly on the best seller list. Crazy events lead her to being asked to kill a man. Finn is going through a messy divorce, her nanny has quit, and she can’t get over her writer’s block. Now that she is a reluctant hit woman, things get even crazier in her life. This is a fast read. The ending was great and I hope to see more of Finn and her great sidekick, Vero.

For someone who reads alot of mysteries, it is often hard to find something that feels really original, but Finlay Donovan does that and more! With a lovable, sarcastic protagonist, and an offbeat, fearless babysitter/accountant sidekick, this is one thoroughly enjoyable read. And one of the best epilogues I've read lately. I only hope this is the start of a series as I want to spend more time with Finlay and Vero.

Voicey, fun, and fast-paced. A recommended purchase for collections where female-driven mysteries are popular.

From the first sentence of Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, I could tell this book was witty and wry. Finlay is a recently divorced single mom with a book contract hanging in the balance. She's struggling to write her next romantic suspense novel when she gets mistaken for a hitman and seriously considers the job and the $50,000 that goes with it.

This is Cosimano's first book for adults, which is a departure from her previous young adult novels. I think this is why the book comes across so youthful and light in places. It definitely doesn't have that dark sinisterness of other thrillers and mysteries, which is a nice break. However, the plausibility of the plot is a little questionable. What starts out as a funny mistake turns into something much more involved and I wonder how realistic the story seems. That being said, it is very entertaining.

The characters are well developed and I felt invested in what happens to them, but the plot was a bit slow at points, especially towards the middle. It also seemed like the romantic element could have been more detailed. I think it would have been better if there was one love interest instead of two, or really three. We had Nick, the cop, Julian, the bartender, and Steven, the ex-husband. I liked the romantic element, but didn't really like that there were multiple guys Finlay vacillated between.

I did really enjoy that the main character is a strong female and not one that needed rescuing. Often in thrillers, the main character is trapped or kidnapped and needs rescuing by a man in the story. In this one, it turned that trope on its head as we followed a fully capable female character. I'm assuming that this may be the first in a series, although I can't be sure, but it seemed like there were loose threads at the end that could easily translate into another book. All in all, I enjoyed this book for the suspense, strong female characters, and romantic element.

What when you accidentally agree to murder someone? Finlay Donovan is Killing It was a funny, easy mystery. If you like the Stephanie Plum series by Evanovich, you'll love this one. I liked the strong female friendship and the high-jinx throughout the story. Definitely recommended.

“Edgar-nominated author Elle Cosimano’s adult debut has everything I love—a plucky protagonist, perfect plot twists and Panera! Finlay Donovan is not only killing it—she just may be my new favorite character. You won’t be disappointed.”

Completely unexpected! I loved the different take on the story of a struggling writer turned "hit woman." All through a simple misunderstanding. It was funny and relatable! I'll definitely recommend to the library!

This was so much fun. It was dark and thrilling but also very funny. I thought this book was extremely clever. I can't wait for it to come out and for everyone to read it!

I stayed up WAY too late to finish this book. I just had to find out what happened and what better time than when everyone else in my house is asleep. I loved this! The mystery is so good and I found myself laughing and on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out how Finlay and Vero were going to get out of their spiraling “situation” And the ending! The second book needs to come out in Feb too!

This book was such a fun mystery/thriller that was very unlike others I have read. It was laugh-out-loud funny and featured a cast of characters you would never expect to be involved in a murder investigation. Finlay was such a fun character. She was quirky, funny, and smart and, overall, extremely relatable. It was admirable how much she was juggling and working to keep her kids happy. Vero was Finlay's former nanny that turned out to be her right-hand-woman. There relationship was really fun and it was cool to see how much they were able to help each other. You should read this if you love thrillers, but do not want a dark and scary book. This is light-hearted, but keeps you guessing throughout. This book is also the first in a series and wow the ending made me so excited for the second book!

Finlay Donovan is a not-so-successful writer that is juggling her wild children and recovering from a recent divorce that left her without much money. When a woman in a local restaurant overhears a conversation between Finlay and her publisher about an upcoming novel, she thinks Finlay is plotting a murder and does not realize it is fictional. When this woman offers Finlay money to take care of her husband, it becomes very hard to pass up since she is so desperate for money to keep herself afloat and to keep her husband from getting custody of her kids.

I did not care for the romance aspects in the book, but I am very interested to see if/how they are pursued in the next book.