I enjoyed parts of this book, it is very similar to Finlay Donovan is Killing It, but for me, is just wasn't quite as funny, quite as cute, or quite as good. Too much of the same just couldn't hold my interest and by the end I was having a hard time picking it up and getting through.
Things that I did enjoy include the never waivering friendship between Finlay and Vero, the hot younger guy romance, and the Mr. Perfect Cop relationship Finlay just mighty not be ready for, but I have faith she will be ready one day soon.
If you loved book 1, you should definitely give this one a read, for me though it was a step down from a book that was just Ok for me to begin with.
I also want to comment on the authors not at the end of the book, talking about the difficulties of writing a novel during the height of a pandemic, and I can certainly appreciate that. However, in my opinion, those struggles show in this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the follow up novel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I really enjoyed Finlay Donovan is Killing It, but I liked the follow up even better.

In FD Knocks Em Dead, Finlay learns that someone is trying to hire a hit on her ex-husband. She has gotten in way too deep with the Russian mafia, struggling to write her next book, and is doing everything in her power to protect her children from the danger that her husband is in. With a likable cast of characters - Nicholas, a hot cop, Julian, a law student, Vero the nanny/accountant - there's a little something for everyone.

This book is fun and funny. As a Virginia girl, I'm partial to the Northern VA setting. I would describe this as a mystery crossed with a rom-com. I think that it appeals to those who like both genres. It's an easy read, rather implausible, but it doesn't make it any less likable.

Book 2 of the Finlay Donovan series picks up exactly where "Finaly Donovan is Killing It" left off. In fact, the first half of the book felt more like a rehash of the first book. The action picks up toward the end and while Book 2 felt like more of the same schtick, it was still an entertaining and fun read at a time when I needed it.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead picks up right where Finlay Donovan is Killing It leaves off. There were enough callbacks to the first book that it wasn't confusing, but I wouldn't recommend reading this as a standalone.

Finlay finds out someone wants to kill her ex-husband, and she and Vero work to find out who it is before they get to Steven.

I can't pinpoint why this one didn't give me the same feelings as Finlay Donovan is Killing It. It was so fun being back in the same world with Finlay, Vero, Nick, and Julian. I felt like the writing was pretty similar but I think this one was a little too preposterous. The situations they get themselves into are even more unbelievable than the first. I also wanted to know Vero's story since there was so much allusion to it, but maybe that's the set up for the next installment in this series.

What a fun sequel! Honestly the first book surprised me with how much fun it was--I definitely was not expecting to laugh as much as I did when reading a thriller, but this one definitely followed suit. I loved the pacing--it felt absolutely perfect. These books are different from others because they mix the thriller and humor aspects so well; those aren't two genres I'd normally put together, but it works for this series. I would 100% watch these in movie form, too.

Finlay is back with her sidekick Vero in this new mystery! I love how fun these books are and how they keep me guessing the whole way through. They aren't super suspenseful, and Elle makes them light even if the subject matter is dark.
Finlay finds out that someone has taken a hit out on her ex-husband and while she wants to take him out some of the time, she can't do that to her children. She needs to find out who this person is and stop them before they make good with their threat.
We see the same hot grad student and the same hot cop in this book, and the struggle is real. In one breath you are rooting for Julian and the next Nick seems like the right choice. This is only compounded by her ex-husband sniffing around. The Russian's mob is still ever present and she needs to find out if they are the ones who want her ex eliminated or if there is something deeper that he is into.
There were so many people that I suspected but the ending was truly a shock for me, and I loved that. These books are so fun and I can't wait for the next one.
Thanks to Elle Cosimano, Netgalley and Minotaur books for an early copy!

Love this series. Finlay finds out that someone has been hired to kill her ex husband. In the middle of trying to write her next novel and raising two small children, she is trying to solve this mystery.
💛
Finlay is a bit of a mess, but you have to love her. She always finds herself in the most outlandish situations. Even though she was hurt by her ex she does not want him to die. Between her and her accountant/nanny they try to uncover this mystery.
💛
This novel is just as witty, fun as Finlay Donovan’s Killing It. Loved the ending and look forward to to another Finlay Donovan novel. This series would make a great movie or tv show. Count me in to find out what’s next for Finlay. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is the continuation of Elle Cosimano’s comedy crime series about an author who accidentally becomes a for-hire hitwoman. I think it is a must to read the first book, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It before reading this second book. If you loved the zaniness of the first one, then you will also love this one, which is just as action-packed.

Finlay and her nanny/accountant, Vero, are up to their usual antics while trying to discover who posted a request for a hit on Finlay’s unfaithful ex-husband, Steven. The request was made in a Mom’s chat forum, which is really a front for the same Russian mob that Finlay had to trick in the first book. To make matters worse, someone accepts the hit job so Finlay needs to figure out who requested the hit and who accepted the job in order to keep Steven alive. And while this craziness is going on, Finlay tries to navigate dating both a cop and a law student, along with a looming deadline for her new novel.

Finlay realizes that she really doesn’t know her new partner, Vero, as well as she thought she did. The book ends with a cliff-hanger involving the hit-person who accepted the job against Steven, as well as curious things about Vero’s past.

4-Stars for this fun series. This novel will be released on February 1, 2022. Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

Finlay and Vero are at it again. This time they are trying to figure out who wants Steven dead. Online mom groups, russian mob bosses, angry ex's, oh and let's not forget that love triangle with Julian and Nick. I absolutely laughed so much anytime Finlay's agent would saything about what the readers wanted aka "the hot cop" because I was like yessss the readers do want that! I wish we got to see her work on her novel more this time around. Finlay wasn't as into all the hijinks as far as causing them. I do think she got into a lot more serious situations. I really enjoy how this story continues and leaves you both with things finally coming to light, but also more questions. Who is the bad cop? Will Finlay find love? What is Vero's story? Who is EasyClean? I look forward to continuing this journey and finding out more in Elle's next book!

Oh my goodness. My weekend was all Finlay Donovan and I! Loved! It!
This is the second book in the "Finlay Donovan..." series, so I would highly recommend reading the first book "Finlay Donovan is Killing It" in order to understand how Finlay got to the point of being a "contracted killer." The central plot with this book is Finlay learns someone has put on a website that they want her ex-husband dead and they are offering a six figure amount to do so. Finlay spends the book wondering who might want her husband dead, after he begins to have his luck get the best of him (fires, blown tires, and the such.)
This was just as enticing as the first book! I loved the character dynamics between Finlay and Vero (her nanny, turned accountant, turned partner in crime) and I thought the writing was so so funny. If I could ask for anything to be changed in this book is that I wanted more Nick! I love Nick, he's such a cinnamon roll love interest, and him and Finlay would be couple goals.
Can't wait to dive into the next book because that cliffhanger truly got me.

Finlay Donovan is BACK! This book picks up right where book 1 left off (so I’m not going to give you a synopsis). I’ll just say I highly recommend

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was one of my top 10 books of 2021 so I was so excited for book 2. This book was just as fun as the first. It had all the twists and turns and crazy antics I would expect from Finlay and her trusty nanny, Vero, and I loved it. The mystery, the laugh out loud moments, and the ridiculous antics these characters get themselves into make for the most fun read.

I can’t gush about this series enough. I love it, I want everyone to read it, and I want to reread it already. Also, let’s talk about that ending….PLEASE tell me that means book 3 is coming!

I flipped between audiobook and ebook and you can’t go wrong with either! The narration was great and no matter the format this book is so much fun. (I know I know I keep saying that).

Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Minotaur books for the advanced copies.

Rating: 3.75

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead picks up right after the events from the first book where Finlay tries to discover who put out a hit on her ex-husband.

This murder mystery book was so entertaining and well developed. The comedic element throughout the story was amazing and just on point as well. Again, this is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series so definitely read the first book to better understand the story and characters.

The overall storyline was a bit predictable and slow-paced. There were also a few wordy and redundant expressions but it was still an enjoyable and funny read. I will say though that the plot twist at the end on who actually put the hit out definitely caught me by surprise.

The heroine, Finlay Donovan was just okay in this book. She did get a bit annoying with some of her actions, but her journey in solving the mystery was still well developed and filled with some hilarious moments.

The romantic subplot is very minimal but there is still a bit of a love triangle. Finlay’s relationship with both Julian (the lawyer) and Nick (the cop) is very different and one definitely plays a more significant role in her life, which I did like.

Finlay’s partner/best-friend, Vero had quite an interesting storyline as well. While, it was fairly obvious what her hidden secret was, I am curious to see that explored more in the next book.

The epilogue has a twist that I’m fairly certain I can answer as it seems quite obvious but I am hoping that I’m wrong. So I’m definitely excited to continue this series and see how everything plays out. Overall, just a witty and enjoyable murder mystery story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.

In the first Finlay Donovan book we are left in a cliffhanger (which I loved!) and the second book picks up right away and as the title says "Knocks 'Em Dead". I felt this book was way more fast paced than the second one and I absolutely adored it. It had my attention from the start and kept it all way till the end. It was very witty, and I loved the characters even more this time around. Big fan of Detective Nick! Even loved the character development for Steven. So far this is my favorite in the series, and of course we are left off in a another bit of a cliffhanger for another book. This book/series are such fun mysteries.

I loved the 2nd book in this series! So happy to see all of Finlay’s love interests make an appearance and happy who she ended up with. Wishing I had a friend like Vero. Thank you for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

When last we left Finlay, she had taken on the unexpected role of hit woman. Well, not really, but when someone overheard her in a coffee shop hashing out storylines with her editor, it was assumed she was a hit woman. And the someone that overheard had a problem husband to do away with.

Finlay had recently split from her cheating husband and acquired a live-in nanny, Vero. Vero happened to come in very handy when these unwanted husbands started turning up dead around Finlay. So did Finlay’s ex-husband’s sod farm. Turns out the ex’s fiancé was busy creating trouble of her own with a mobster named Feliks.

Round two finds Finlay and Vero with a website that caters to the fringe element of mobsters, gun dealers, drug dealers, and hit people. An ad pops up for someone to take care of Finlay’s ex Steven. At least that’s what it appears to be to Finlay and Vero. Somehow Finlay and Vero need to keep Steven alive.

Am so excited to see Finlay’s and Vero’s adventures continue! This awesome duo is so much fun to follow through their miscommunications and mishaps. Finlay somehow keeps finding herself mixed up in these crimes. Vero is right beside her to help clean up the messes and keep the comedy coming. Just want Cosimano to keep Finlay around for a while. Love these books and will continue to read them as long as she continues to write them.

Elle Cosimano brings us back to our favorite author/hired hit-woman who's life is in a constant state of chaos. This book centers around Finlay and her quest to keep her husband, Steven, from getting offed by her competition in the contract killer field, finding out her sidekick Vero's secret and bouncing between a hot cop and almost-there lawyer. All while trying not to piss off the Russian mob. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The one-liners and constant action kept me chuckling while I couldn't put the book down. I highly suggest this series for anyone who loves a good mystery, sexy love triangle and some solids laughs! Solid 3.5 stars for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing the arc of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano in exchange for my honest review.

Knocks ‘Em Dead picks up shortly after the conclusion of the first book, Finlay Donovan is Killing It. Finlay has managed to bury a man, publish a bestselling novel, send her cheating husband’s fiancée to jail, and shake the Russian mob off her back. Book two picks up all the pieces left behind at the end of book one and adds in a contract out on her ex’s life. Finlay and her partner in crime, Vero, are on the hunt to find out who hates Steven enough to want the father of her children dead and in the process chaos, just complete chaos.

I’ll be honest, I enjoyed the chaos more this time around than I did the 1st time around. Can’t explain it. I just really enjoyed this one. I love that learning who Vero is, is a slow burn and although we see more into her life in this story, we still don’t know much about Vero outside of her love for Finlay’s kids and possibly for Finlay herself. The relationship between Finlay and Vero is explored more in this one. I like that we see Finlay notice how much Vero is ingrained in her life, yet she knows nothing about Vero’s life. And yet Finlay, and myself for that matter, never question Vero’s devotion to keeping the kids safe and keeping their lives moving forward.

Knocks ‘Em Dead is face-paced with a lot of returning characters we all loved and a couple of new ones to shake things up a bit. You will find witty banter, action-packed plot lines, and genuine character development. More cliffhangers, but I don’t care because I can’t wait for the next one. I recommend the first one a few times, and now I will share that the second one was even more fun!

After being mistaken as a contract killer in Finlay Donovan is Killin' It, we meet up with Finlay and Vero a month after the end of the last book. Finlay uncovers a posting for a hit on a website fronting as a women's forum for side jobs. The contract is on her ex-husband, Steven. And while Finlay is dealing with custody and financial issues, she does not want harm to come to Steven.

Finlay is working on another novel while trying to have a relationship with the young lawyer student as she works to find out who is trying to off her ex-husband. As Finlay tries to keep her kids safe, her cop-sister in the dark, and her "friend" Detective Nick Anthony at bay, she accidentally gets herself further entwined with the Russian mob.

Another comedy of errors, I am already looking forward to book 3. While some of Finlay and Vero's antics are completely outrageous, I thoroughly enjoy the meta-fictive components of the book that Finlay faces while writing her next best-seller.

Thank you to St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The last book left us with a huge cliffhanger. Who wants to kill Finlay's ex-husband Steven and why? All of our favorite supporting characters are back, Vero the account/babysitter, hot cop Nick, young lawyer Julian, Theresa the ex fiancee who got mixed up with the mob. Finlay and Vero are stalking the forum and finally someone responds to the hit. Our dynamic duo have to get involved and try to solve the case before the killer strikes while balancing the kids and Steven, who is adamant nothing is actually going on. You will never believe who is behind this hit and will Steven finally believe Finlay and stop the killer?

This isn't a book you can read out of order so make sure you read book 1 first! I could not put this one down! I stayed up til 1am to finish it in one sitting. The story has a great balance of twists and turns while still revealing pieces that drive the story along. I loved the perfect pairing of mystery and comedy with a whisper of romance. And the ending definitely made room for a 3rd book!

A real who-dunnit!

I'm loving getting to know Finlay and Vero, they're such amazing characters that have only grown from the first book (and I'm sure will continue onto the next book!!), thoroughly entertaining the reader with their antics and their investigations to discover mysteries while also trying their best not to get into trouble!

I love mystery books that are easy on the reader and are enjoyable at the same time! It's perfect for those who want the mystery while not being stressed about the story. This book makes mystery fun and enjoyable for a nice read to relax and unwind.

Considering I haven't read a mystery book in a very long time, this book tempted be to fall back into the genre!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the earc in return for an honest review.