I loved this book. The plot, the characters, the laughs.
It was a well written, just right paced book to enjoy.

OK, I get it now. This was very entertaining and I had a few laughs thanks to Finlay and Vero. I am looking forward to continuing the rest of the series.

This is literally just such a fun first book in a series. This is absolutely insane, but in the best way possible. I love when a book doesn’t take itself too seriously and can have fun along with the reader.

A lot of books in the mystery genre blur together, so Finlay Donovan is Killing It is a breath of fresh air in the genre.

I was so captivated by this story from the very first page. Elle Cosimano has a hilarious writing style that manages to capture both the happiness and the horror of being the primary parent of two young children. I'm not a mother myself, but I imagine a lot of readers will take comfort in Finlay's honestness about the love, discomfort, and stress in each and every day.

The characters are fleshed out and well described. It took me a while to understand what the main point of this story is because there's a lot of background information that needs to be relayed before the main story can begin. But that's fine because the backstory is so darn entertaining. I could not stop laughing at the opening scene of Finlay trying to get her kids ready before she headed to her morning meeting.

I'm going to be honest. If you're the kind of person who wants your mysteries to seem realistic, this is not the book for you. A lot of this story is very farfetched, but I think that's what makes it so entertaining. Add in some awesome side characters like Finlay's old sister, her kids nanny Vero, and an attractive lawyer-to-be who seems fascinated by Finlay? Well, that makes for a very interesting story indeed.

If you like mysteries that have a lot of twists and turns (as well as a lot of humor), I think you'll want to check this book out. There are more books in the series which is great, because I can't wait to find out what's in store for these characters next.

I am late to the game on the Finlay Donovan series but I am so glad I discovered it! What a fun read with great characters! Elle Cosimano has written a relatable tale of Finlay a newly divorced mom of 2 kids under 5 who is struggling with money and her ex husband and his new fiance. It seems poor Finlay just cant catch a break until an opportunity falls in her lap at a Panera. She is mistaken for a killer for hire while discussing her new book idea with her editor. This opportunity could solve all her money worries and more, will Finlay do it?
This is a must read that will keep you engaged until the very end and up way past your bedtime because you simply cant put it down!

This was unexpectedly so much fun! Why isn't everyone talking about this series??? It’s somehow lighthearted and funny while being about the mob and death. It follows Finlay who is writer that is recently divorced and has 2 young children. She is struggling to pay the bills and with the help of her babysitter she unwittingly becomes a contract killer. Finlay has to be one of my fav FMCs now.
I’m excited to see where the romance from this book leads to as well. I can’t wait to read book two!!

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is a witty, fast-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable mystery with a touch of humor and heart. The story follows Finlay Donovan, a struggling writer and single mom, who finds herself mistakenly caught up in a murder-for-hire scheme after a chance encounter. What starts as a case of mistaken identity quickly escalates into a wild adventure filled with quirky characters, unexpected twists, and hilarious situations.

Cosimano’s writing is sharp and engaging, with a perfect blend of suspense and comedy. Finlay is a relatable and flawed protagonist, juggling the pressures of her personal and professional life, while also navigating the bizarre situation she’s been thrust into. The plot moves at a steady pace, keeping readers on their toes as Finlay balances crime-solving with the chaos of motherhood.

The book’s humor adds a refreshing lightness to the darker elements of the plot, and the strong character development, especially of Finlay, makes the story even more engaging. It’s an entertaining read that has just the right amount of tension and laughs to keep you hooked until the very end.

Overall, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is an engaging, fun mystery that mixes suspense with humor in a unique way. Fans of cozy mysteries with strong, relatable leads will love this one. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of Finlay's adventures!

Such a fun book! It has the feel of a 2000s rom-com action movie (the killers, Mr & Mrs Smith etc) and was just such a fun read! Definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

This was so fun! I’m late to the party on this one and had no idea what I was missing. It was crazy and unbelievable and I loved every second. On to read the rest of the series and make sure everyone I know is grabbing this one!

This book was cute! Definitely not anything groundbreaking here, but I'm always a fan of quirky women stumbling into situations they weren't anticipating. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

4.5- this was so much fun! Plucky single mom heroine who stumbles her way into a variety of insane situations that get progressively more and more insane as the novel goes on. I loved the tone of this novel, the right combination of funny, witty, and mysterious! I loved the pacing of this novel, it kept me engaged and guessing the whole time. I loved the development of the relationship between Finley and Vero and how it demonstrates that support and community are really what help you heal and move on from major life changes. And that cliffhanger??? HELLO???? So excited to get to the next one!

Thank you to St. Martin’s press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

This book was witty, chaotic and a ton of fun! From one misunderstanding to the next, it is a comedy of errors.

While I never thought of Panera as a perfect place to order a hit, one woman realized otherwise. While the beginning of the book had a few obvious steps, by the time it got to the middle I was no longer sure I knew where everyone was going to end up. I think if you’re looking for a funny murder mystery, this definitely fit the bill for me.

Finley Donovan is a character to love, laugh with, get aggravated at, and enjoy the ride with! The impossible happened and she somehow fights to make a way out of what seems impossible. She’s a great character to root for!

I went into this book completely blind, so I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. This book combined a murder mystery with some humor. Finlay Donovan is a great main character. This being the first of a series, of course landed on a cliff hanger. I’m excited to continue this series.

Finaly gets herself in so much trouble! She gets swept up in a murder pot accidentally and the hilarity ensues. Finlay is an author and is overheard in Panera talking to her agent. Finlay is sure her writing career is on its way out and her conversation is misheard. She is hired to off a husband. Finlay doesn't want to get caught up in the mess, but the husband ends up dead, in her car, in her garage. She knows she didn't do it, but who did?

I'm hooked. As soon as I finished this book I began the second! I can't see what Finlay gets into next.

I was given the opportunity to download this journal from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of my favorite reads of 2025. It was so good! Great comedic timing, mystery, romance, and a main character you'll love.
I will definitely be reading this entire series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

I kept hearing about this book and I think there was hyped up. Personally, I don't understand the hype. I found this book just ok. Not really something I would hype up and not something I would read again in the future. I will try and continue reading the other books but if it weren't for the fact I got them for review I probably wouldn't even bother reading them.

Oh my god, I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I’m sure you’ve seen a million reviews by now, but if you haven’t had a chance to pick it up or you’ve been putting it off (like I was), consider this a sign. ESPECIALLY if you’re in a slump, cause I guarantee Finlay’s series of unfortunate events will have you turning pages fast enough for paper cuts. I finished this in a single sitting.

Finlay, a recently divorced mother of two, is a struggling novelist who meets with her agent in a desperate attempt to extend her deadline. When another customer at the restaurant overhears them discussing the plot for her work in progress, she mistakes Finlay for a contract killer and…shit gets hilariously messy.

It’s murder mystery meets dark comedy with a splash of contemporary romance, and somehow it just WORKS. In a ridiculous series of events that lead our main character Finlay down a dark and dangerous path, it’s over the top in the best way and entertaining from start to finish.

I loved these characters, I loved the chaos & the drama, and I loved the ending. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment. Alsoooo, word on the street is Finlay is getting a TV adaptation!! 😍🙌🏼

This was a fun, quick read. It was a bit of a crazy premise, but I liked both Finlay and her nanny and found the book very enjoyable.

This book is so fun! I love how quirky and silly it is while also dealing with heavier topics. Finlay is such a realistic character and her everyday struggles mixed with such crazy plot points makes for a truly fun story. I think some of it was so outlandish that it was hard to latch onto certain parts believably but it was extremely enjoyable nonetheless.