This was a super follow-up to the first book. I loved that it truly picked up where the other one left off and I can't wait to read more in the series. I will tell readers to read the first one before this one, though.

Following the events of the previous book, this one started off great and stayed that was throughout. Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead was a fun, light hearted mystery that I wasn't able to put down. Elle Cosimano is able to write such relatable characters that you really can't help but to love. The relationships have been my favorite part since the first book, and they definitely continue to be. Usually when reading mysteries and thrillers I try to figure out the twists, but with these books I don't even bother because I'm enjoying the ride so much.

For me, the second novel in the Finlay Donovan series, in which Finlay creates bigger problems while attempting to clean up a mess, was even more enjoyable than the first. She's ready to go on with her life after committing murder, escaping the Russian mob, releasing her best-selling book, and sending her cheating husband's fiancée to jail.

Finlay receives a message at the end of Book 1 suggesting that she kills her ex-husband. Finlay Donovan does some amateur detective work in Book 2, which gives us all the comedy we crave. She's also being pursued by two dashing gentlemen. During action sequences, your heart rate soars, and you laugh so hard that you can't feel your face! It ensures a fantastic and exciting experience!

Finlay & Vero... my two fave partners-in-crime. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 '𝐄𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 picks up right where they left off in 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐭. This time they are trying to intercept a hit on her ex-husband, all while trying to navigate Finlay's two love interests (I'm 100% Team Hot Cop aka Nick), career as an author, and two kids. Life is never dull with Finlay.

What I loved most about this sequel was more of Vero's backstory is revealed to the readers, which really adds depth to their friendship and partnership. Even better, the ending is left perfectly set up for a third book in this series! With mystery, romance, and comedy all included, you can not fail with this series.

Thank you to @Netgalley, @minotaur_books, and @ElleCosimano for the ARC and laughs. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 '𝐄𝐦 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 is now available.

The illustrious romance author turned accidental contract killer and her brazen accountant turned nanny are back in their second comic caper.

“Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘em Dead,” and this time, it’s a personal.

“Finlay Donovan is Killin’ It” was one of my most recommended books of 2021, so I had very high expectations for this new release from Elle Cosimano.

After finishing the book this weekend, I can safely say it lives up to them. Mostly.

Using family values and motherly love to drive the plot of the sequel added a natural progression to Finlay’s continued involvement in her illicit activities.

Are there any limits to what a mother is willing to do to protect her children?

I did, however, miss the humour of the first novel, and I felt as if this second installment was occasionally too dark and too convoluted.

Still, it was an enjoyable read overall, and a perfect way to set up a third entry?

✨Book Review✨⁣
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If you happen to remember my review from Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, you already know I love this author! I anxiously waited a year for the next book in the series to come out and it did not disappoint at all! ⁣
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In the last book, Finlay lands a job as a hit woman when someone overhears her conversation on a novel she is writing. Now that all of that is behind her, she wants to just focus on working on her next novel and living a normal life. But things go a different direction when she learns that her ex husband is now wanted dead. ⁣
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As with the first book in the series, this is a fun, laugh out loud read. Finlay and her assistant, Vero , make the perfect team and their adventures are hilarious. If you are looking for a book that makes you smile, do not hesitate with this one. The only disappointment is having to wait another year for the next book in the series to come out! 4.5 💫’s

Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead (mystery)

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

After loving Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, I was excited to pick up where we left off, with Finlay and her messes.

Unfortunately, this one lacked the fun & humor of the first book for me, but a 4.22 rating on goodreads says I'm definitely in the minority here. While obviously meant to be far-fetched and outlandish, I felt like I was constantly having to catch up - "wait what just happened?" and wondering how characters made decisions and reached conclusions from the information shared. For me, these character reactions went past outlandish and fun and straight to "this kind of doesn't make sense". I ended the book with a few unanswered questions, but maybe there will be another book in the series!

Despite this, if you liked the first book (Finlay Donovan is Killing It), I'd say give this a read. I don't think this would work well as a standalone, so keep that in mind if you haven't started the first book.

This was a great follow up to the first book. I really enjoyed all the humorous elements and seeing what mayhem Finlay and Vero could get into next. Every bit as good as the first one and well worth your time.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Another great book in the Finlay Donovan series. It's nice to have a mystery with humorous elements. I've recommended this book to several people.

What an excellent follow up to the "Finlay Donovan is Killing It". I absolutely loved it and I'm sure every book club in America will be reading this as a follow up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review!

Finlay and Vero are back at it, getting themselves wrapped up in sticky situations and making all the wrong decisions together. I had so much fun reading this book! Finlay and Vero are still best friend goals and they constantly put a smile on my face as I was reading!

There was a fair bit more romance in this sequel than there was in the first book, but I didn't mind that, I liked reading about both of Finlay's love interests, and I definitely knew which one I was rooting for early on.

Overall this book was heaps of fun! If I had to sum it up in one word it would be chaotic. I am so glad I got to jump back into Finlay's world and I can't wait for the third book to release already!

I loved the first book in the series, I thought it was a breath of fresh air. It was fun and had me laughing out loud multiple times. So it made perfect sense for me to want to read Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead.

If you read book one, you know it ended with Finlay finding out about a hit set up on her ex-husband, Steve. Steve might not be a good husband, fiancee, or boyfriend material but Finlay doesn't want him dead. Well, maybe a little and if was up to Vero, she would have given ideas to the killer on how to cause the most pain before killing him.

Naturally, Finlay and Vero embarked on an investigation to try to find out who is trying to off him. Ramon, Vero's cousin is there to help a few times. A young IT millennial is there to help them with the clues (but not for free). A wig is needed for a certain dangerous visit. We get to see more of Susan, Finlay's mom. A nice car makes an unexpected appearance and of course the crazy situations Finlay and Vero get themselves in are abundant.

I can honestly say that I liked it and I laughed with poor Finlay's absurd and fantastical adventures she got herself tangled up with but I didn't love it like I did the first one. Yet, I was glad to see certain characters popping back in from the last book. I hope the trend continues.

What I did love was Finlay and Vero's friendship getting stronger despite certain secrets not being revealed. I want to know more about what happened to Vero before she met Finlay.

As for the love triangle, I like detective Nick Anthony but I still like the lawyer-to-be, Julian too. Decisions...decisions.

The next installment's path is set at the ending of this book. Can't wait for more Finlay and Vero shenanigans.

As for the narrator, Angela Dawe, Kudos!! She had me entertained all the way!

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series! I have a theory about Nick though that I am hoping won’t be true. Finlay and Vero are a great team and so fun together. This book was such a quick read for me. Stephen may be a horrid person but the author did a great job creating his character. I like Julian and Nick but I do think Julian is a character that won’t last due to the differences of where they are in life. Ramon and Javi are fun characters too. Finlay’s mom was savage in this book. I love her!!

Oh Finlay how I've missed you, you wonderful hot mess! I loved being back with both Finlay and Vero and all their shenanigans. This series is truly so much fun! Finlay's story picks up right where it left off in book one. It has just as many laugh out loud moments as the first and it did not let me down. I found myself flying through it because I need to know what was going to happen next. I'm already highly anticipating the third book! 2023 hurry up!!!

I loved this book as much as the first in the series! I really like the characters and the mix of comedy, mystery and a bit of romance in these novels. I will definitely continue to read this series as long as Elle Cosimano keeps writing it.

I'm also really looking forward to the tv series based on these books created by I. Marlene King (creator of the Pretty Little Liars tv series).

I highly recommend this book and this series if you like a mystery that isn't scary but keeps twisting and turning until the very end.

Even more hijinks than the first book! This was a fun wild ride with Finlay and Vero. I was hoping for a little more action with the guys but there was a whole lot going on with the plot, so I can see how that's asking for too much lol. I really love the authors style of writing and how relatable the characters are even though these scenarios are totally outlandish. These books are so fun and kind of remind of of the Stephanie Plum series which I also really enjoy. I can't wait for more books in this series, I really think it's only going to get better.

A strong follow-up to Finlay Donovan is Killing It, this novel was funny, smart and had more suspense than I initially anticipated there would be. Although it lacked a bit of “oomph” that was so present in the first book, it was extremely enjoyable and I quickly read it over the course of a day. Although I have lots of questions going into book 3, the biggest one is what happened to Finlay’s wig scarf??!!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

After reading the first Finlay book, I was skeptical with the second because I didn't want to be disappointed. Well, let me tell you, there was no disappointment happening at all! This book was even better than the first and I can't wait for the next one. Finlay and Vera are quite the team.

Very rarely do books ever make me laugh out loud and or leave me in stitches. The dialogue, to the diverse character range down to the plot was once again as good if not better than book one. Elle Cosimano is extremely talented and a pro at what she does and I'm just madly in love with Finlay and Vero. They are the dynamic duo and stars of the book. Their friendship is so admirable lol I can not wait for more from Finlay and what trouble she unintentionally gets herself into next!!! Well done EC!! I highly recommend FDKED!

Finlay Donovan is back, and this time she's trying to keep her husband from getting whacked, keep her mysterious nanny/partner out of trouble, finish a book without letting it parallel her own crazy life too closely, juggle her kids, stay off of the dark web, and figure out her romantic life. It's hectic! As with the first book, this is a light, fun, fast-paced read that anyone, but especially moms, can enjoy during their downtime. There are times when Finlay is a little too slow on the uptake but not enough that it detracts from the story. Recommended for anyone who enjoys their mysteries/thrillers without psychological damage.