I just love Elle Cosimano's combination of mystery and humor, and in her second Finlay Donovan book, she does it again. I read the first half and listened to the second half and both are great experiences when enjoying this read. I thought Finlay was a fun character to follow once again, and I enjoyed the mystery/twists at the end. It is definitely open for book number three which I am hoping for. If you are looking for a quick read series, please go check out these books!

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead more like Finlay Donovan does it again!

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was one of my favorite 2021 reads and this follow up book delivered on all my favorite things from the first one.

WHAT I LOVED:
- a heroine you root for
- charming wit that makes you LOL
- murder mystery vibes
- loveable side characters (Vero and Finlay make quite the explosive pair)
- romance ( a love triangle, Team Nick)

I will say although I enjoyed the romance element, Finlay didn't seem to be overly attracted or emotionally attached to either guy which made the romance seem redundant. That woman has much larger fish to fry. I also would have loved just slightly more action and angst but it's a comedy so we get what we get and we don't throw a fit!

READ IF YOU LIKE
- Hulu's Only Murder in the Building

SONG: No Good - KALEO

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. Out 2/1. A must-read series!!

Love, love, loved this delightful, clever, action-packed sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It! Like the first in the series, Knocks 'Em Dead is a hilarious romp full of twists and turns, as Finlay - single mom and novelist turned accidental hitwoman - deals with the discovery that someone has put a hit out on her ex-husband, along with struggling to keep her family, career, and romantic prospects in balance. Oh, yeah, not to mention the occasional corpse in the back seat of her car. Suspenseful, funny, and absolutely entertaining from start to finish - I can't wait for the next one!

WOW ELLE COSIMANO DOES IT AGAIN!
I’m gonna be honest, I had pretty high expectations going into FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS ‘EM DEAD and I was thoroughly pleased!

My favorite thing was probably how the story picks up exactly where the last one finished. There was no need for any backstory, it was nice to just jump right back into the thick of it. Finlay and Vero’s antics continue to crack me up and make the story so much more endearing. Their relationship as partners in crime is the core of this story and I love it so much.

Just go in knowing that Finlay, of course, gets mixed up in some pretty unbelievable situations but continues to be hilarious and so relatable. The perfect mix of murder, mystery, romance, and humor all rolled into the perfect book!

Also, I am now absolutely on TEAM NICK! I love that man so freaking much. I seriously hope we see more of him because wow, I’m in love! But no one can top my love for Vero - that’s still my main gal.

Thank you so much to @minotaur_books for this gifted ARC copy in exchange for an honest review! Pub day is 2/1/2022

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series, and it definitely did not disappoint! I loved it almost as much as the first one. The first one I absolutely adored and it was one of my favorite books of all time... and this one is close!!
This book gives me Charlies Angels vibes? But instead of Charlies Angels its a badass mom and her nanny doing everything. This book is hilarious but intense, and I found myself needing to continue to read to find out what happens next. I am hopeful for a third book!!

This picks up super fast and I loved it. No backstory, just straight back in the story. Back to the antics of Finlay and Vero. Back to the love-triangle of hot cop or handsome lawyer. Back to Finlay juggling her life as a mom, a writer and an assassin for hire.

I thought this was a an excellent second book. From my experience, the follow up book typically aren’t as good as the first but that is so not true for this one. Dare I say it’s even better? I think I will. This book was better.

This series is unlike any other. It’s a romcom and mystery rolled into one. A rom-com-ery? Whatever it is, it’s awesome.

This second installment in the Finlay Donovan series really showed that there is still a lot to come from Finlay, and I’m going to be reading all of it!
This second book stressed me out (in a good way) so much because Finlay (as with the first book) couldn’t help getting involved in shady situations. Even when she was doing nothing wrong, there was no way it could appear that she wasn’t involved in darker things. And it built so much tension in the story!
If you enjoy a good mystery but with a very relatable main character, this is the series for you. Finlay, her children, love interest(s) and partner-in-crime make you want to keep reading.
I can’t wait to see what Finlay gets up to next.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
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Finlay is back again with her ride or die, Vero.
First of all, THANK YOU, for Minotaur books and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
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In the second book of this series, someone wants Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, killed. But Finlay is determined to save him.
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This book had me laughing out loud and blushing at the awkwardness that only Finlay can manage.
I did forget a lot of details from the first book, but the first few chapters helped to summarize!
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I did feel like the first half of the book was a little slow, but the second half made up for this! Once I hit the half way mark, this book was impossible to put down!
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I HIGHLY recommend this series. It’s a perfect combination of mystery and humor!
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This book releases on 2/1/22! So trust me, and pre-order now!
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Finlay Donovan Knocks ’Em Dead is the hilarious sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It. Finlay is one of my favorite characters, because she is both relatable and incapable of staying out of the worst trouble she can find. At the end of book one, Finlay learns that someone took out a hit on her ex-husband on a sketchy website. She is thrown into a panic trying to figure out how to keep her kids safe and determine who could be behind it. As Finlay digs deeper, it becomes clear that her ex is in serious danger. Luckily, she has the help of her steadfast partner Vero. Together they race to uncover the identity of the killer before they can complete their gruesome task.

In this sequel, Finlay has attracted attention from more dangerous and shadowy figures. The plot was fast-paced and slightly unbelievable (in a good way!) as in the previous book. Even as Vero and Finlay’s antics made me laugh, the stakes remained sky-high and always created an undercurrent of tension. The dialogue and witty banter is excellent. While Finlay’s adventures take her into danger, she still manages to have outrageously funny and relatable moments.

My favorite part of this series by far is the relationship between Finlay and Vero. Watching these two strong and creative women relentlessly have each other's backs is such a vital part of these books. While Finlay and Vero are equally capable of getting into trouble, they will always be there for each other no matter how bad it gets. I loved how Finlay and Vero worked together to uncover the mystery and keep the family safe in this amusing installment. This is the perfect book for fans of the show Good Girls! The ending left me very hopeful for book three, because I absolutely need to know what happens next!! I hope we see more from Nick in the next book.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ’Em Dead releases February 1, 2022. Thank you so much to Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

This is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series and I liked it better than the first! I recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one. A lot of the story carries over from the first.

If you are looking for a serious book with murder and mystery, this is not it! This is a book that features Finlay Donovan, a writer by day and hired hitwoman by night. In this book Finlay makes bigger messes that she needs to clean up than in the first book. I will admit, a lot of the things that happen in this book are coincidental, but that makes it all the more fun to read.

Not only does this book feature Finlay, but it has her sidekick Vero, who we learn about more. There are also Julian and Nick, who I am struggling to decide which team I am on for her to end up with!

This series reminds me of the early days of Stephanie Plum books, which I loved. There are the two love interests and the silly antics. I will continue to pick up books in the Finlay Donovan series and only hope that Elle Cosimano can write them quickly so I can read them!

If you enjoyed Finlay Donovan is Killing it, then you will enjoy this one too! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Finlay and Vero are back at it again in Elle Cosimano’s sequel Finlay Knocks ‘Em Dead picking up right where the last book ended. This time, Finlay has a new wig as she and Vero find themselves in dangerous, yet comical situations as they are racing to track down who ordered a hit on Finlay’s ex-husband. The pacing is excellent, the comedy is on point, and this book is self-aware in the best way. Overall this is a book I gladly recommend to anyone looking for a fun read.

FInlay Donovan is back again!
This book was just as good as the first. Finlay and Vero get themselves wrapped up in another mess, and have to dig their way out.
After finishing the first book, and being left on a cliffhanger, I could not wait to dive into book two.
I enjoyed reading about the antics of Finlay and Vero, and all the side characters. I love the author's writing style, this book kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I also enjoyed that the love triangle between Finlay, Julian, and Nick continued on into the second book.
This book ends on another cliffhanger, and you bet I will be anxiously awaiting reading the third book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this book before it was published in exchange for an honest review,

Last year’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It was such an absurd, escapist read that I included it in my best books of 2021–it was so much fun! I was excited to read the second in this series about a divorced author who gets mistaken for a hit-woman. In this follow-up, Finlay learns that her ex-husband may be the target of a hit, and she has to stop it.

This one doesn’t disappoint, though it’s not quite as hilarious as the first–the author actually addresses the difficulty of writing comedy during the pandemic in her author’s note. Finlay and her sidekick, Vero, remain charming and bumbling, and the romances and even the crimes don’t feel too serious (a feat, considering some of the gruesome crimes in these books). I continue to think of this series as a fresh alternative to the Stephanie Plum series (my previous escapist go-to) and I hope there are more books to come.

I got to read an advanced copy of this, and honestly I was really nervous because Finlay Donovan is Killing It was one of my favorite books of 2021.

I’m so happy to say that this sequel did not disappoint. 🥳

I thought Elle did an excellent job in recapping the first story so you’re not lost.
I missed Finlay, Nick, and Vero. I think Vero is my favorite, sassy sidekick. She needs her own book. I love her.

Finlay is overheard discussing her new crime book, and a disgruntled wife believes she’s a hit woman for hire. Finlay gets involved in a MESS while she struggles to balance kids, work, and murder?!

Guys, I LOVE these books. I actually pre-ordered Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead because I want to support Elle. And I hope a third book is coming. Can I have it now? 🙏🏼

I highly recommend reading (and buying) BOTH of these gems.

Definitely a favorite for 2022

Xoxo hil

The second installment in the Finlay Donovan series is just as madcap as the first. Finlay has discovered that someone wants her ex-husband, Steven, dead. This leads to a series of adventures with Findlay’s friend, Vero, as they try to determine who is trying to hire a contract killer to kill Steven. Each situation is outlandish and hilarious.
You will find yourself rooting for Finlay at every turn. She has a good heart, and is a faithful friend. Finlay Donovan is the perfect heroine!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #ElleCosimano #FinlayDonovanKnocksEmDead

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

This upcoming sequel begins mere hours after the first book, with Finlay discovering an anonymous ad looking for a hit man to take care of her ex-husband Stephen. Hot mess antics, capers and sticky situations arise!

If you enjoyed Finlay Donovan is Killing It, you will enjoy this too! (Definitely read in order!). While the plot wasn’t all that twisty, Finlay certainly ends up in some outrageous situations that had me flipping pages and cringing. I didn’t find it as unputdownable or tension filled as the first book, but it’s a really quick and action-packed read. I thought the friendship between Finlay and Vero was a high point of the book, and I’m hoping we get to learn more of Vero’s story in book 3! I also appreciated that the humour was more subdued, which makes sense given the author’s note at the end about the difficulty of writing comedic mystery during the pandemic.

Overall, a really fun series, especially if you enjoy mystery/thriller but want something with levity & humour. I’ll definitely read a book 3 if that’s in the works. Pure escapist read. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a free e-arc. All opinions are my own. It is available Feb 1, 2022!

"From Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead - the hilarious and heart-pounding follow-up to Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

Finlay Donovan is - once again - struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish.

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like.

Meanwhile, Vero's keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay's first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes... and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.

With her next book's deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn't a noose at the end of it..."

For everyone who read Finlay Donovan is Killing It and instantly wanted more.

I fell in love with the charm and humor of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and this follow up continued the antics and quick paced drama that filled book one, leaving me hoping this series doesn’t see an end anytime soon.

Cosimano takes a divorcee, mistaken for an assassin, and twists in the Russian mafia, a love triangle, dead bodies, and murder attempts in a story that will keep you reading (and laughing) wondering just how Finlay and Vero will wiggle their way out of these obscene situations. While everything that happens helps drive the story to become a nonstop read, there’s definitely moments that verge on unbelievable, but that’s truly part of why I love this story; plus the fact it happens all around the area where I live (Northern Virginia).

I didn’t really see the tie up at the end coming and almost wanted to dislike how Cosimano choose to end it, but then I thought about it and it makes sense for the characters and gives us the chance to look forward to more crazy shenanigans in the next book.

It was a fun and a light distraction. Finlay with the help of her unapologetic sidekick Vero is on a wild adventure of trying to solve a crime, save her babies’ daddy, write a novel, and sort out her love life.

Finlay finds through an online forum that somebody is trying to hire a hitman/woman to kill her ex-husband. She is desperately trying to stop it from happening and in the process breaks a few laws, finds herself in disguise, caught in a web of lies, and once again charmed by Nick the hot detective. And for those that like to sniff out the steam in a book, don’t bother sniffing, this one is pretty PG and only reeks of dismembered body parts.

❗️You do need to read the first book to understand this once since it starts where the first story left off.

In conclusion,
If you are ok with suspending reality for a bit and just going with the flow, fully surrendering to a crazy plot line, give this series a go! If you loved the last one good chances are you will love this one.

Finlay Donovan's hot mess express is back at the station or the chat room in this comical mystery. "Knocks 'Em Dead" picks up right after the completion on "Killing It" with a hired hit on someone's life. This was an exciting and funny story of who did it and who's next. It never slows down in Finlay's life.

Liked the first Finlay Donovan (Killing It), loved the second (Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead) and can't wait for a third. I feel like the characters really found their footing and confidence in this book. Laughed out loud a couple times. I really recommend reading the first Finlay Donovan first before falling into Knocks 'Em Dead.

**Like Die Hard, I could argue this is a holiday or Christmas read**