Finley Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is a funny thriller, which is a combination of genres that doesn’t always work for authors. I really enjoyed this one – it centers around a frazzled mom in the midst of a messy divorce. When a mistaken encounter leads her with a contract for hire, the story takes off. This read is fast, funny at the right parts, romantic in other parts, and all through keeps the mystery going. Every mom can relate to a part of Finley. The book wraps up well with a great twist. A fun binge read. I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own

4.5 stars! I absolutely loved this book! It was so unique, like a genre of its own. A fun thriller / contemporary fiction / romance?! I’m not sure but it worked. I loved it and could not put it down. I loved the characters and the unique storyline. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star read was because I sometimes felt like there was too much going on and some aspects were pretty far fetched but the author did a great job tying everything together. I was so excited to learn that there’s going to be a sequel! I can’t wait to read more about Finlay’s crazy adventures. I highly recommend checking out this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book, this book! What a fun, silly crime series start. Finlay is a walking mess of a person. Her husband cheated on her and left her only to decide he's going to take her kids from her too. She's behind on her book deadline and dealing with a stack of unpaid bills. One day, Finlay is having a meeting in Panera with her agent stalling for time, and she's mistaken for a hitwoman. Most women would immediately clear this up with the help of their police officer sister Georgia, but that advance payment is really looking like a tempting solution to all her money problems. I won’t spoil what Finlay decides to do, but she is immediately going from one screwup to the next, cleaning up one mess only to find herself with three new ones. I love a capable mess of a woman.
I love women supporting women, and Finlay and her nanny Vero are my favorite kind of partnership. They really just genuinely root for each other, and it's always great to see female partnerships that work. Finlay's cast of characters includes her sister Georgia, detective Nick, and a good listener/hot bartender. I am so excited to spend more time with Finlay and the crew and get to learn more about Georgia and their family in later books.
The writing here really reminded me of Charlaine Harris-meaning I have to make sure my mom adds this to her library book hold list. The humor and the light, quick pacing has me telling all of my book reading friends to scoop this one up. They always call me out on reading dark twisty mysteries, but I like a fun read from time to time too. This is a book that can be finished in a pleasant day, which is my favorite kind of book. I did not want to stop until it was finished. I look forward to checking back in with Finlay next year (hint, hint). I am so excited that I. Marlene King the Pretty Little Liars icon is developing this because it feels like the perfect book series to tv series. I am going to feel so smug when everyone is obsessed with the show and I get to remind them how I already told them they should read the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. I loved this book! I was glued to it and couldn’t put it down! I finished it in two days. There was always something happening in this book that caught my attention. I sincerely hope there is another book about Finlay and her adventures in the very near future.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is the first book of a new series that promises to be one you will want to follow. This is my first time reading Ms Cosimano's work, and I can certainly understand the appeal of this unique take on a tale of crime for hire, and could fully appreciate that it was unlike anything that I have previously read.

Finlay Donovan is a struggling novelist whose life is coming apart at the seams. When she is overheard discussing a new novel with her agent over lunch at Panera, she is suddenly being hired to dispose of a problem husband, and soon finds herself immersed in the world of criminal activity, territory that she has previously ventured into only in her mind as a creative writer.

While I did connect with the immensely likeable Finlay, and enjoy her banter with nanny Vero, I found the premise to be a little too farcical for my taste, though it is a fun romp. That being said, I would be pleased to read more from this author in the future. 3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this title.

This book caught me by surprise and I loved every second of it. The strong female characters of Finlay and Vero are a dynamite team and I also loved the relationships that Finlay makes with people as she tries to sort out a big giant mess that she fell into, all while trying to finish her novel with her editor barking at her heels. Such a great plot line and hilarious moments in this book. One of my top reads of the year, for sure!

If you need a laugh out loud mystery, this is the book for you. I'm a scared cat and some of these murder heavy books are too much for me. This was perfect. Finlay and Vero are the most perfectly in perfect partners in crime. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recommend for fans of the Stephanie Plum series that are looking for something new.

I really, really liked this book. Finlay, who started out kind of a train wreck and was very hard to like, turned into a very interesting lead fairly quick.

Some parts of this unfolded a little too neat, and the climax was a bit rushed, but ultimately I enjoyed the story and was interested until the end.

I’m happy to see that there is more to come from Finlay; the end of this one sets up Book 2 perfectly.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

I read a previous Elle Cosminao book before so I was curious how this type of humor-ish thriller would work for her. While not all the twists or jokes will land with every reader, it is a story that those who enjoy mystery series can easily enjoy.

I loved this book! Like, read it almost in one sitting (if I didn't have to go to sleep), so upset it was left on a cliffhanger (albeit a great one!), bring on the sequels: LOVED. THIS. BOOK!

Possible mini spoilers ahead, sorry!

Finlay Donovan is a recently divorced, mother of two who is not only extremely behind on the deadline for her latest novel and but also most of her bills. During a meeting at Panera with her agent, Finlay is overhead discussing the plot of her latest murder romance novel and is mistakenly thought to be a hitwoman. After a potential client offers a substantial amount of money asking for her "problem husband to be taken care of," FInlay unwittingly accepts the assignment and realizes murder is a lot harder in the real world then fiction makes it seem.

This book was so entertaining and engaging. Author Elle Cosimano is such a great writer, and not only was the voice of her main character very strong throughout the book, but her authorial voice as well. I thought this book was full of action, mystery, romance and it made me laugh out loud several times (which is really hard to do sometimes in books, so kudos!) This book flowed well and was structured for easy reading. It almost felt like one of your girlfriends was just gossiping about her crazy life over brunch. Finlay felt like she could be your friend in real life. I enjoyed all of the characters, and especially loved the friendship and dynamic between Finlay and her nanny/accomplice, Vero. I also really liked the seeds of a love triangle that were planted between Detective Nick, Hot Bartender Julian, and Finlay herself.

I think this is an amazing start to a new franchise, and I for one can't wait for the follow up book. I mean that cliffhanger! I need more!!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Net Galley for giving me an advanced copy!

I loved this book right from the opening sentences, which will resonate with any mother of young children - or anyone who has ever spent time around young children. I laughed out loud at many points in the story about a struggling author of suspense novels who is a single mom (divorced). The setup: Finlay has a meeting with her agent at a local Panera, after a disastrous start to her day due to the above-mentioned children. A woman overhears their conversation, sees bloody items in Finlay’s diaper bag and completely misreads the situation, thinking she’s a “hit woman.” She slips her a note saying she’s willing to pay her a lot of money to get rid of her husband. Craziness ensues. I loved Finlay and her babysitter/sidekick Vero. In some ways, the book reminded me of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, but this one seems a bit less ridiculous than the situations Stephanie always seems to find herself in. Looks like a great start to a series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Actually, she’s barely holding on: her book's three months overdue, her ex wants the kids, and the electricity's been cut off. Mistaken for a hitman following a tense, overheard meeting with her agent, Finn’s intrigued. But the target turns up dead, and Finn has to juggle deadlines, a hot detective, and the Russian mob. A twisty delight.

This was such a funny, twisty ride of a book. I liked reading the antics of Finlay. I hope we get to read more of Finlay in the future.


I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity.

4 stars
Hairbrained, funny, smart writing is not something easy to do. So many traps and cliches to fall in. Finlay Donovan Is Killing it by Elle Cosimaro seems to skate by all of them. An overheard conversation, a misunderstanding, and the need for cash to hire an excellent divorce lawyer starts us off on this unique journey.

I loved this book. This was exactly the wickedly wild page turner I need to get me out of the pandemic.

This gem is about a recently divorced Finaly Donovan whose ex is trying to get full custody of their kids. Finlay is a mystery and romance author, but her income isn’t enough to pay her rent and other bills. Therefore, there is no way she can pay for a good lawyer. But as the fates would have it, Finlay is mistaken for a hit woman while being incognito at the Panera (they banned her recently, but let's not talk about that!). A mysterious woman seated at the next booth offers Finlay enough money to turn her life around and fight to keep her kids. The catch is she has to kill a man. That’s enough details. This novel is best read with only a little knowledge of the rollercoaster of events within.

This is a crime novel that screams Netflix series. I got Good Girls, Claws, Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce and a young Frankie and Grace vibes. Mainly I loved the main characters, especially Finlay and her nanny, Vero. Their relationship grows throughout this novel, and they simply work as friends, co-workers, and a makeshift family. I ship them in a platonic or in a romance way. I just want to read about all their adventures (good thing this is only book #1). Finlay and Vero are so likeable, I couldn’t help but root for them, even when they were doing bad things or getting into not-so-smart situations.

I am a sucker for bad moms and their girl friends living life to the fullest. I can’t wait for book two. In the meantime, I am checking out Elle Cosimano’s back list.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano has all the thrills of domestic drama and the fun of a cozy mystery. Get this book now if you are in the mood for a criminally good time.

My feelings changed about this book as I progressed through it. It started out kind of funny but then just got stupid and I thought that it just wasn’t for me, but stuck with it. But then it gelled a bit and was a little less stupid. It is a quick read, amusing, and if you don’t mind a bit of absurdity, an OK read.

I absolutely loved the main character, Finlay! She was very relatable and this story was original and entertaining. If you enjoy a fast paced mystery without any gory details, this is the book for you. I REALLY hope the author writes a second book with these characters!

Finlay Donovan is struggling. Between a messy divorce and potential custody battle, being a single mom to two young kids, and her agent pestering her for the book she's under contract to write, she's not exactly killing it. But when a misunderstanding leads to a job as a hitwoman, and entanglements with the real-life version of her own mystery novels, how can she say no?

This book was a twisty, funny, sharp-as-tacks thrill ride of a story, and I loved every page of it. Witty, clever, and well-paced, it zooms along from one hole Finlay's dug herself into to another, as the stakes just keep getting higher and higher for Finlay and her nanny/accountant/accomplice, Vero. Definitely not one to miss!

Content warnings: Drugging and off-page sexual assault, murder.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advance review copy!

A new genre arises... the screwball comedy mystery. Mix into the pot a heaping amount of misunderstanding and misadventure, a humungous amount of humor , a tinge of romance , a burgeoning friendship , and an "accidental". murder, and you've got an amazing propulsive fun read. The perfect vaccine for Covid.
Finlay Donovan is a struggling B-list writer of romantic mysteries. She is the mother of adorable 4 year-old Delia and perpetually sticky 2 year-old toddler Zach. Recently divorced from her husband Steve, who carried on a lengthy affair with their curvy , blond realtor. They're engaged to marry and threatening to sue for full custody.
She's broke with the bills piling up and her electricity about to be turned off. On top of the everyday turmoil, she has writer's block and fears she may have to return the modest two thousand advance for her next book. She rushes to meet with her agent at Panera. An eavesdropping customer overhears their book and plot conversation and hilariously mistakes Findlay for a contract killer. Findlay is solicited to "off" her philandering husband for 50 thousand. Desperate for cash, she decides to at least to delve into his character and dresses in disguise and searches him out at his usual bar. What follows is his "accidental" murder and the need to dispose of the body.
Which leads to the burgeoning friendship and partnership with the amazing and delightful nanny and college student Vero .... who agrees to help dispose of the body for a 4o percent cut of the take. Taking on the almost slapstick-like happenings as the ever evolving complications arise the two partners-in-crime must improvise to avoid detection. Their plight is further complicated by not only ongoing police investigation, but the involvement of the Russian mob.
Elle Cosimano spins a twisted and hilarious tale that is well plotted ,suspenseful and is marvelously outfitted with multiple characters that are flawed and believable. This propulsive page turner is a welcome antidote to everyones angst. I certainly hope this is not the end to the life and adventures of Findlay Donovan. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press / Minotaur Books for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved how outrageous and hilarious this book was. It was a quick, action packed read. I felt so engaged in each character’s life and story. Finlay seems to have the world against her, but the writing makes it such a light hearted feel that it’s okay to laugh at her luck and the misfortunes she has to deal with like the duct taped hair, the mistaken hitman, the husband leaving her for their realtor. So much happening and I’m so excited for the next book in the series.