Finlay Donovan is an author who has spent her advance and is having a hard time writing her book. How can you blame her- her ex-husband left her for a realtor, owns the house she lives in, is threatening to kick her out. and just fired the nanny. Her kids are little- and little kids are a lot of work!

She’s at Panera with her agent talking about her suspenseful book’s plot and wondering if can she get more of an advance for the book she hasn’t started yet? Someone sitting nearby mistakes her for a contract killer and solicits her for a job. This is where things go from messy, single mom life to messy, single mom life accidentally embroiled in activities she has no interest in (even if the money is really good). Everything that can go wrong does and Finlay does her best. Thinking about the book puts a smile on my face because of how relatable and funny Finlay is! I was very excited to learn this is a book one of a series because I want to hang out with Finlay and her people again!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to St Martin's Press/Minotaur books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Finlay Donovan is Killing It was so much fun to read! I giggled aloud at times at the choices the main character was making and the author's witty lines, and I had trouble putting the book down to go to sleep!
I especially loved the setting - having spent 2 years living in Loudoun County and driving by South Riding almost daily, I could easily picture the suburban landscape (and the drive west closer to 81). A fun mystery, thriller that was very engaging, I recommend this to anyone looking to relax and enjoy one mom's wacky choices.

Do you ever hear about a book and get it and then put it aside for a while because you have so many to read? I do all of the time. I want to read so many books! So I requested this one a while back and waited to read it for a bit. I opened it the other night, completely forgetting the description. At first I thought, "I've read this book." Then I thought, "I don't want to read this again." Another book about a woman falling apart and making a scene when her husband cheats and leaves her for another woman....really? I've lived it. Managed to never get banned from a Panera or hauled into court. But then I went, "Wait a minute. This could get good."

And it did. Finlay is another woman who is left by a cheating husband who leaves her with little money, threatens to take her home and kids, and flaunts his new girlfriend in front of his ex pretending it is ridiculous on her part to NOT want to be friends with the vile couple. Sure, I can be civil. We don't need to be friends. My friends don't treat me like that. Finlay is also another character who writes but has limited success so no one takes her writing seriously. Get past those cliches. Because when Finlay walks into a Panera to meet her agent she is wearing a disguise (she's not allowed in here) and talking about murders. The neighboring table overhears and so the real story begins.

Finlay is soon inside real murder mysteries and suddenly not so alone. She finds out that murder is not exactly like she has seen it in her books and that, well, it can actually bring people together. My favorite part of the entire book is her relationship with Vero, her former nanny and future everything. Way better than her relationships with any of the men in the book. It starts out really awkward, to say the least, but the more you learn about it the more you see that the only person Finlay can be honest with is Vero. I really hope their relationship isn't over. I'd read about them again and again. It's that relationship that allows Finlay to let herself move on in her life and become an actual author.

Please more Finlay and Vero!

Finlay Donovan is Killing It
By Elle Cosimano
Minotaur Books
February 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

It was all a big misunderstanding. Finlay Donovan never meant to be mistaken as a killer-for-hire, and she certainly never intended to actually complete the hit. But it is somewhat understandable that anyone overhearing the suspense author and her agent discuss contracts and murder methods might get confused. What is less logical is that a person would then discretely hand over a note offering $10,000, an address, and the name Harris Mickler. Finlay only decided to meet with Patricia Mickler in order to clarify Finlay’s actual identify as a deadline-missing struggling writer, but the hoping-to-be-a-widow begs Finlay at least meet her target first. Normally Finlay wouldn’t even have been tempted to satisfy her curiosity, but her cheating jerk ex-husband Steven was threatening to file for custody, she was behind on rent payments on the house they had bought together, and her bills were piling up while she was completed blocked as a writer. Watching Harris drug another woman’s drink at a club somehow leads to Finlay switching glasses and then stuffing an unconscious Harris into the trunk of her car. When a panicked Finlay calls Patricia to pick up her spouse and is summarily rejected, Finlay returns to her garage only to find the door closed, the engine still running, and Harris very dead.

Writing about how to dispose of a body is one thing, actually doing it is another. Knowing that a missing shower curtain is all police need to see to determine that you’ve wrapped up a body in it explains why Finlay has Harris bundled up in silk table linens. What’s less easy to explain – especially to the babysitter whom Steven fired and just returned at an inopportune time – is why Finlay is standing over said body in the first place. Through a lot of quick talking, bonding sisterhood, and a 40% cut for the hit fee, Finlay and Vero are soon underway on a mission to bury the body and hopefully not get arrested by the police. Finlay discovering that she may not actually be a hitwoman doesn’t really matter when everyone thinks she is, especially when it leads to yet another client, Russian mobsters wanting revenge, and police getting a little too cozy for her physical and mental health.

As one might guess, this novel by the award-winning eclectic author is an absolute delight. Readers will be giggling out loud throughout Finlay’s adventures, which never venture too far outside of reality into absurdity. She is an entirely relatable single mom, struggling with two young children, a condescending ex-husband, and feeling like a failure in her career. Not until she and Vero team up for Thelma-and-Louise insanity does Finlay find not just financial success, but confidence in her abilities as a writer and as a capable woman. Her police officer sister protectively offers occasional advice, but it’s her referral to another handsome detective who really throws a spanner in the works and dangerously threatens both her freedom and her heart. It will take more than her wig-scarf disguise to protect her from real killers and possible arrest, especially as unravels a maze of sexual assaults, blackmail, and real estate shenanigans. From start to finish this novel is a hoot of an adventure, yet underlying it all is a thread of true sentiment that will have readers cheering every triumphant moment. Finlay seeing just how strong and capable of a woman she can be, along with finding someone who sees this in her as well, makes this the heart-warming and eminently satisfying read everyone needs.

This book was a page turner! I absolutely loved it from the first page. It's hard not to like Finlay and feel for her due to the situation she's in because of her philandering husband. The suspense and the twists kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved that this crime novel included humor and the main character is an author. I pictured this as a movie or a TV show similar to Dead To Me. The characters were well developed. The plot flowed. It's brilliant, clever, and action packed. Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced reader copy for an honest review.

On some levels, I think all moms are just like Finlay Donovan LOL. Her chaotic life clearly gets the better of her sometimes. However, I don't think all moms are confused with killer-for-hire. What a great, funny, can't-wait-for-book-two novel! Thankful to NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel.

Good - SO Freaking Good! I was so glad to receive this eGalley a few months ago and am now ecstatic that I get the good fortune of telling everyone to READ THIS BOOK.

Such a unique idea based on ordinary, frustrating, everyday circumstances. Elle Cosimano killed it with this book in so many ways - however to remain spoiler free all I will say is clear out an entire day on your calendar to binge read this book as soon as it hits the shelves! This book had so many crazy nail-biting scenes and had a wonderfully satisfying ending - all I can ask for in a cozy-thriller.

Broke, behind on bills, and in a custody battle with her ex, will Finlay commit murder to make it all go away? A cute little twist on a murder mystery with a romance thrown in. I enjoyed this quick read and hope this is the first in a series.

Ever wonder if discussing the plot of a book in a public place like Panera could give a customer at a neighboring table the wrong idea? After meeting with her agent at the local Panera, Finlay finds a note in her person offering $50,000 for a contract killing. Could she use that money to pay all those bills that are piling up? Yep. Is she a killer? Nope. Why does she find herself with a body that needs to be buried later that night? Who will stick with her in this sticky situation? I found this book to be surprisingly entertaining, humorous, and touching. We see Finlay struggling. She is vulnerable, but not without support. There will definitely be another book about Finlay and I am looking forward to reading it. This is the perfect book for fans of the Stephanie Plum series.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun, fresh, and smart start to a brand new mystery series! Finlay Donovan, a divorced suspense novelist and mom to two young kids, may be a hot mess but she is truly rocking it. Her chaotic life is incredibly relatable, while her self-deprecating humor and wit make her laugh-out-loud likable. On top of excellent characterization, the plot is unique, suspenseful, and darkly comedic. I was thrilled when I learned this is the first book of a planned series. I can’t wait to see how Finlay’s story progresses. A million thank yous to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review!! I will definitely be adding a copy of this one-of-a-kind book to my collection when it releases.

This was a good book. It was part murder mystery with a bit of cozy in there.
I’m pleased to hear that this is the first of a new series.

I am not sure how to start this review because I don't think I have ever read a book like Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. I think it belongs in a genre of its own. Part thriller and part I'm not sure what, Finlay Donovan is about, you guessed it, Finlay Donovan, a mom with two young kids and author who is struggling to provide during a messy divorce. When a woman thinks she overhears that Finlay is a contract killer, things take an unexpected turn ...

This was a fun and quick read! I found the second half of the book picked up quickly and I stayed up late reading it. Finlay is quite a character, and although I can't say that I fully liked her, I was rooting for her success! The supporting characters add another dimension to the story, and that ending ....

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

I could not put this book down! I was immediately drawn into the story and the characters. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book like this—it was funny and had an element of mystery to it, but it wasn’t at all creepy or gory. The motherhood aspects were so relatable, and the plot was outlandish but so, so fun to read. I can hardly wait for the next book to release! I really enjoyed this one!

This book was a total joy and a romp-and-a-half. I have a strong feeling there will be a sequel, and I will definitely be aiming to get my hands on that book. As unbelievable as much of the storyline is, the characters are funny, smart, and just off-the-wall enough. Recommended if you're in the need for some fun.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy of this one.

This book had a great premise- an author, trying to write a murder book, is overheard talking about the plot with her agent. Thinking she’s some kind of hitman, she becomes solicited for a crime.

This was an entertaining read and I enjoyed the characters.

What a delightfully fun read! Finlay Donovan is a single mom drowning in unpaid bills, a looming custody battle with her ex-husband, and writer's block. All of these seem like small problems, however, after a meeting with her agent in a crowded Panera during which she is misconstrued for a hitman. Suddenly caught up in a scandal that goes far beyond a domestic dispute, Finlay Donovan has to use her knowledge from writing about crime to...commit one.

This book was creative, silly, and fun. I love the female friendship that runs throughout the story. Be prepared to suspend disbelief and go on a wild ride. If you like the show Good Girls, I think you'll really enjoy this book!

I just loved Finlay, what a fun character! I'm a big fan of thrillers and I love a good rom-com kind of book and this one managed to effortlessly blend both. I couldn't put it down and I'm SO excited to see what Finlay gets up to next.

So brilliant and fast-paced and quite an original story! Finlay Donovan is a mother who's horrible ex decided to leave her and her children for their real-estate agent. She is also a wrier and is having a hard time coming up with a new story. And she's having a hard time paying her bills. When a strange job opportunity falls in her lap, Finlay has a new idea for a story. She just has to manage to stay out of jail and keep custody of her kids!


*Thanks to NeGalley for the e-book galley! Enjoyed this book immensely. So glad it's going to be a series!*

“It’s a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight thirty A.M. on any given morning....let me spell it out for you. I was ready to kill someone. I didn’t really care who.”

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books and Elle Cosimano for the [gifted] e-ARC of Finlay Donovan is Killing It! And thank you to @lovearctually for hosting this buddy read and author chat with Elle!

Finlay is a struggling single mom who is just trying to raise her two young children, write her next contracted novel and pay off all her outstanding bills. Her jerk of an ex-husband just fired their nanny and is threatening to sue for full-custody. Basically, Finlay is ready to kill someone… figuratively.

After misunderstanding a conversation Finlay has with her book editor at a Panera, a woman assuming Finlay is a contract killer and offers her $50k to get rid of her husband. Finlay needs the money, but she’s no killer. But then again, $50k would solve ALL of her problems. It can’t hurt to check out this guy and see whether or not he’s actually bad… right???

I absolutely loved this book. It’s darkly funny and smart. If you’ve ever had a day where things just can’t seem to get worse but then do, well then you’ll relate to Finlay. I couldn’t wait to see what misadventures would happen next to Finlay and Vero and whether or not she would actually kill for money.

The best part about this book… It’s the first of a series!! I cannot wait for book 2 to come out after that OMG of a cliffhanger!

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Pub day post will be posted on 2/2/21.

This book has good writing but once I got to the kidnapping part it just lost my interest. I was expecting a totally different novel and did not finish. Thanks for the copy.