This book was such a fun read with a bit of whodunit meets Strangers on a Train. A string of unfortunate situations strung together have leading lady Finlay just trying to stay in control of her life. While it’s a lot of coincidences and at no point does it seem super likely to happen, the characters are so likeable and the pace of the book is so quick that I didn’t even care.

I think the premise of this novel is very fun and quirky, it would be a great crossover to the mystery genre from a chick-lit fan. I found the characters likeable and the storyline was interesting and moved quickly. I think the that pieces fell into place a little too easily, and the book seemed poised to be a series. I did enjoy reading it though and would recommend for a light read.

I adored this book! I cannot wait to read more from Elle Cosimano. I couldn't put this book down and have recommended it to several friends!

Fun fact: the idea for this book came to @ellecosimano at a Panera, as she was having a meeting discussing plot points in a book she was working on, and overheard by fellow diners. Panera is mentioned A LOT in this book, and I was totally craving it by the time I was done.

This one has been everywhere and for good reasons! So I’ll keep this brief. This wasn’t on my radar, I’m generally not drawn to cartoony covers, but I’m so glad I gave this a shot! I didn’t realize I needed a fun thriller, but I totally did.

I love how this one takes place about 30 miles away from me in Northern Virginia. It’s always fun to recognize places in a book, especially when it’s a book you are loving. This one reminded me of Dead to Her so if you liked that show I’m sure you will like this one. I thought the ending was perfection, and can not wait for a sequel. I would love to see this made into a @netflix show.

Thanks so much @minotaur_books this one is available now!

I have seen so many five star reviews of this book, but it just wasn’t for me. I like my thrillers grittier and this was more like a dark comedy. Finlay was not relatable to me at all but I did feel sorry for her, although I’m still not sure why she would let her ex-husband treat her as he did and still be nice to him. Also, most of the plot points were super unrealistic and while I know you have to suspend some disbelief with fiction, I tended to just roll my eyes every chapter. The book did end up growing on me towards the end and I loved the “twist,” which is obviously a lead-in to the second book. I don’t generally read series and thought this was a standalone so I doubt I will continue on when it is released.

This book was so much fun. Fast paced and unpredictable, just like the title character. I loved this writing style for a weekend easy-read, a great mixture of affable and sincere. The story grips you and keeps hold through the middle, and when you don't think it's possible, pulls you even further in towards the end. I've seen other reviewers mention that they would not make the same choices as Finlay, but that is what makes this book work. While they are not choices I think I would make, I can also see where a normal writer with a curiosity streak could get pulled into this mess. There are no huge leaps of faith, only laughter and head shaking at the brilliant, craziness of it all.

Finlay is relatable for anyone who has had to run through their day dressing themselves and the tiny people invading their home. She is funny, vindictive, lovable, and I would NOT want her life.

This book was a joy to read. The main character reminded me of Stephanie Plum in that regular gal finding herself in crazy situations surrounded by a terrific cast of supporting characters kind of way. There was even a hot cop! I will recommend this book to many of my patrons who enjoyed My Lovely Wife by Downing.

I had a really fun time with this one! As a thriller reader, my policy is usually ‘the darker the better’ but every now and then it’s nice to read a lighter, more fun mystery like this one. That’s not to say it doesn’t have its dark parts though!

I really liked the character of Finlay, a mystery writer who is overheard discussing the plot of her new book, and is mistaken for a hitman. She is hired to murder the woman’s husband in exchange for a large chunk of cash, so Finlay thinks why not give it a try! However, this all happens within the first 80 or so pages of the book and the rest of the story focuses on Finlay’s involvement in the murder case and watching the people close to her become suspects. She links up with a literal partner in crime, her kids’ babysitter Vero, who ended up being my favorite character in the book.

I’m not much of a series reader but I’m looking forward to continuing with Finlay.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It begins with one of those mornings, Finlay is in a frenzied rush trying to make an appointment while her nanny is late and her kids are not cooperating, to say the least. She is in extremis, behind on her book deadlines, broke with unpaid bills piling up, and her ex-husband threatening to file for custody of the kids. She finally makes it to her appointment where she discusses her upcoming mystery with her agent. Their conversation is overheard and she finds a note with a phone number and an offer of $50,000. The woman who listened to their conversation thinks she is a contract killer.

Well, it is tempting…

Finlay decides to check it out, not that she seriously intends to kill someone, but events conspire against her. And by conspire, she meets a man who appeals to her six ways to Sunday while she is in disguise and, it seems, the key suspect in the disappearance of that man on the slip of paper.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a fun thriller with a dash of romance, though I would argue that the more important relationship is Finlay’s friendship with Vero, her nanny. Vero becomes her “partner in crime,” so to speak. The story hangs together despite its unlikely premise. Even though Finlay and Vero are doing things most people would not do, they are appealing characters a reader can’t help but root for. I like them, I look forward to more stories with them and if this does not become a series, someone is missing out on a great opportunity.

I received an e-galley of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It from the publishers through NetGalley

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan
Elle Cosimano author site

What would you do if you were a frazzled mom of two young children, low on cash? Your philandering ex-husband is now married to the real estate agent. He is stingy on the money. You are afraid he is trying to take your children. You are very late on your book deadline. You meet to discuss your murder mystery with your agent at Panera's. How are you to know that the woman sitting next to you, eating her delicious warm Panera bread (I haven't had it in ages!), is mistaking your storyline for your own life? How was she to know you were not a hit woman? So again, what would you do?

Finlay is a wonderful character. She finds herself in some weird situations and somehow survives. With the help of her babysitter, she will take down and take on quite a few characters. You will root for her. You will enjoy yourself immensely. This is a fun read with a fast pace.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is the 1st book in the Finlay Donovan series, and it was great. I loved this book! Finlay is an author who is propositioned by a lady to kill her husband, when she is overheard plotting her next book with her manager. This book made me laugh out loud, and the writing is so clever. I strongly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh, Finlay, Finlay, Finlay. This book is such a comedy of errors, and not going to lie, I didn't love it at the start, but I absolutely loved where this story went. I have no clue if I read a book or streamed the first season of a hit Netflix show — total Dead to Me vibes!

Finlay Donovan is in a bit of a crisis. The crime thriller author is going through a divorce (he left her for the realtor) and is absolutely broke (totally indebted to the ex-husband). Her two kids, as messy and wild as they can be, are her life and her situation is threatening her custody rights. Until she is presented with a solution — one that quite possibly will get her killed or imprisoned, but would it be worth it?

I usually stay away with books labeled funny or mad-caper type because I rarely seem to find them humorous; but I decided to give this one a chance. Boy am I glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing is witty and well paced, the characters are believable, and the story is ridiculous - but seems to work somehow! I saw a lot of the twists coming but that didn't hurt my enjoyment at all. Through the whole book, I was either laughing or mentally saying 'no, Finlay, don't do it!' with the clap to the forehead emoji.

The best part? The last page makes it obvious there will be a sequel. Sign me up!!

Finally Donovan is Killing it was extremely funny, smart, and entertaining!

From the intro of this book until the very end, it was so much fun. The characters are engaging, and the plot was really creative.
Can’t wait to include this title in one of our book club subscription boxes!

Nothing is going right for Finlay Donovan. Her literary agent is on her back about finishing her novel--it's already past deadline--her ex-husband fired the nanny without a word to her, not to mention he is threatening to seek custody of their two young children, and she has a stack of bills she cannot pay.

While out for lunch with her literary agent, Finlay is mistaken for a contract killer when she is overheard by another customer sitting at a nearby table. The woman slips Finlay a note with a request that Finlay take care of the woman's no good husband for a price that would solve a lot of Finlay's problems. Only, Finlay is not a killer. She only writes about them.

Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Is Killing It had me laughing right from the start. She is relatable and funny and I couldn't help but feel for her every step of the way. Even as she made questionable decision after questionable decision and things just seemed to snowball from there. Yes, this novel is out there and unbelievable, but it was still such fun to read. It reminded me the fun I had reading the early Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. Just as Stephanie was out of her league as a bounty hunter, so is Finlay as a hired killer. Of course, the difference being Finlay never set out to be any sort of killer.

Seeing how Finlay would get out of each mess she found herself in was part of the fun, and I could not read this book fast enough. The characters are well-developed and interesting, from the nanny, Vero, who is not only smart but sassy as well, the bartender, Julian, and the police officer Nick, to Finlay's sister and kids. I was not a fan of the ex or the new wife, but then, I imagine I wasn't supposed to be.

Adventure, mystery and comedy, with a hint of possible romance, make up Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I am so glad I took a chance on it.

This book was not at all what I expected. With so many mystery and suspense novels feeling like the same story over and over this book is so refreshing! Elle Cosimano did such a great job with her characters. I wanted to know more and had a hard time putting this book down.

The ending isn't necessarily a cliff hanger, but I would love if there were more books to make this a series. This would make such a great read for a vacation or flight.

3.5 stars for Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

This was a fun (yet over-the-top) mystery which follows newly divorced Finlay, a struggling mystery novelist and mom of two.

When Finlay is overheard discussing her newest novel with her publisher, she’s inadvertently mistaken as a contract killer. The “client” won’t take no for an answer and Finlay soon gets herself (and her children’s nanny, Vero) mixed up in a crazy mystery of their own.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. Finlay is a funny, likeable character and I enjoyed the friendship and banter between her and Vero. The plot was a bit scattered with tons of side characters, yet I liked how everything fell into place at the end (I especially loved the cliffhanger in the epilogue). You do need to suspend belief while reading this because the plot is so improbable, but that’s what made this book so entertaining. I’ll definitely be picking up the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I LOVED this book! Finlay Donovan Is Killing It was the perfect blend of humor and smarts, with a unique plot and an incredibly lovable main character.

Before reading this I was envisioning it as some combination of a cozy mystery and perhaps an overly sentimental version of a Stephanie Plum type of novel. Was I ever pleasantly surprised. The story certainly has some elements of a cozy mystery (light tone, some moral limit to included criminal activity, colorful cast of locals/suspects).

And there’s a bit of that signature Janet Evanovich style as well (more subtle humor and less absurdity than a Stephanie Plum novel, and seemingly paradoxically, both less gauche and having a higher body count). I’m not sure I’d say they’re truly similar at all, but I’d wager they’ll attract largely the same audience.

I expected some pretty good humor, a likable protagonist, and a reasonably sanitized crime. I got all of those, and the story exceeded my expectations with its sense of humor and wonderful characters. What I didn’t expect was how complex, smart, and well-executed plot wise this book was.

Cosimanp—whose work I’ve not had the pleasure of reading before—wrote an exceptional story. The plot was sharp, intriguing, and ought to allow for multiple follow-up books as the series grows.

She also wrote a wonderful heroine in Finlay, who comes off as aspirational in the most relatable way despite the fact that her life is a mess. We feel for Finlay, but we don’t pity her. We cringe at some of her hilariously questionable choices, but we don’t condemn her for them. Finlay’s life is in shambles, yet never comes off as pathetic. We sympathize with her, root like hell for her to succeed, but we never end up feeling sorry for her in that unappealing way that many protagonists in women’s fiction inspire.

Finlay is relatable, lovable, worthy of our empathy. But she’s also just a little nuts, which is really what makes both her character and the story.

Absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series.

3.75
I'm kind of in love with this book but not.
Loved the writing style- fast, easy, relatable crazy chaos. Excellent description of motherhood- absolutely yes that's what it is like as a single mom of small children. Yes Dad always does everything better. Yes single moms think about all kinds of exotic jobs to pay bills - even murder for hire.
The deaths were so crazy - a little too corny for me.
Very enjoyable. That ending - little predictable but gasp out loud.