Finished Reading

Pre-Read notes

KNOCKS 'EM DEAD is the second book in Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series. I decided to read the whole series when NetGalley offered downloads of all 5 published books if I read and reviewed the new one coming out March 4th. I also meant to read these! So I didn't pass up the opportunity! I liked the first one, so feeling pretty good going in!

Final Review

...I'm not the luckiest person in the world, and I know better than to assume the dead don't come back to life. (0:08:52)

Review summary and recommendations

I really really love when I give a series a chance (a rare thing for me) and I end up loving the second book more than the first. It makes me excited for the rest of the series!

Never go back to the scene of a crime. It's simple common sense if you want to get away with murder. Right up there with "Don't wrap a corpse in your shower curtain", "Don't buy four gallons of bleach and a shovel with your credit card", and "Don't keep a chest freezer in your garage". (1:56:10)

Reading Notes

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. I actually like the plot of this one much better than the first! It's funny, mysterious, suspenseful-- everything I want from my fun Friday night read.

2. The three capable women rallying around the incapable philandering guy to keep themselves out of prison formula is really working in this book!

3. "I've got it all in my head, I just haven't typed it up yet! I'll do it right now, I swear. I can have something to you before you meet with her at nine." I didnt know what that something would be, but it would buy me an hour to figure it out. (1:16:51) The writer fmc thing is growing on me because it's at least realistic!


Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. OMG it's the same addicted-to-inflection audiobook narrator as the first book in the series. I did *not* enjoy her read. And I am *not* enjoying this one. I think Casimano used her for every book 🤦‍♀️

Rating: 📚📚📚📚 /5 book series
Recommend? yes!
Finished: Feb 16 '25
Format: digital arc, NetGalley; accessible (audiobook) copy, Libby
Read this book if you like:
👮‍♀️ crime capers
🤥 unreliable narrator
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family drama
🎭 mistaken identity

Thank you to the author Elle Cosimano, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of Finley Donovan Knocks Them Dead. I found an accessible (audiobook) copy on Libby. All views are mine.
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Book 2 of 6

The sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is just as wild and chaotic, but it didn’t quite hit the same high notes as the first book. Let’s start with the love triangle: I wasn’t sure who to root for, but not in the fun "I-can’t-choose" kind of way—more like, "Can we add some better options to the mix?" Neither Nick nor Julian really won me over, though Nick playing with Delia was a small "aww" moment that gave him a slight edge. But honestly? I’m way more invested in the Finlay-Veronica dynamic, which continues to shine. Their friendship is the true heart of this series, and I’d happily read a book that’s just the two of them solving crimes and roasting each other.

Steven, on the other hand, is officially on my "ugh, please" list. His spiral into crazy-town toward Finlay felt like overkill. Yes, he had his reasons, but I already disliked the guy—I didn’t need more reasons to roll my eyes at him. Here’s hoping he either redeems himself by the end of the series or just quietly fades into the background.

While this installment didn’t quite capture the magic of the first book, it was still a fun, fast-paced ride that left me wanting more. Finlay and Veronica are too good to quit, so I’m sticking around for the next one. Let’s hope things get even wilder (and maybe we get a romance I can actually care about).

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is a fast-paced mystery/thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Picking up not long after the events of the first book, Finlay and Vero are desperate to find out who wants Finlay’s ex husband Stephen dead, and is willing to pay big time for someone to do it. Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, and At. Martin’s Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m very quickly falling in love with the Finlay Donovan series. I’m only two books in, but I’m hooked already. Knocks ‘Em Dead had even more mystery and intrigue than the first book. I can’t decide if my favorite part of this book was Finlay’s bumbling, most of the time goofy way of getting herself into some truly crazy predicaments, her back and forth romances with Julian and Nick, Vero’s mysterious secret she is keeping for most of the book, or Stephen’s total and complete lack of self-preservation.

All I know is I will immediately be starting Finlay Donovan book #3 because I HAVE to know where this story is going!

I really don’t get the hype..

I’ve tried reading this one but I got bored and quit about 20% into the book.

This is a continuation of Finlay Donovan is Killing it. The story continues as Finlay finds out someone has a hit out on her ex-husband, and she is trying to find out who it is before they can accomplish the kill of her children's father. The situations Finlay gets into is just hilarious. She tries so hard to stay out of trouble, stay out of the way of the police, but it seems no matter what she does, she still ends up in hot water. This was a great continuation on the first book and I look forward to the rest of the series.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕚𝕤𝕥:
Finlay Donovan is once again struggling to complete her next novel while managing the chaos of being a single mother of two, relying on her live-in nanny and confidant, Vero. However, trouble brews when someone targets her ex-husband, Steven, with deadly intentions, despite him being a good father. To save him, Finlay finds herself entangled in a web of hit-women posing as soccer moms and unwittingly involved with the Russian mob. Meanwhile, Vero is hiding secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony, a handsome cop, is eager to rekindle their relationship. With a looming book deadline and the urgent need to protect her family, Finlay must navigate this dangerous situation, even if it means bending a few laws, all while hoping her efforts don’t lead to disastrous consequences.

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
😂 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵-𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘳
🔎 𝘊𝘰𝘻𝘺 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺
💞 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮
📚 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳

𝕊𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕣 𝕍𝕚𝕓𝕖𝕤:
📚 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗴'𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀 ʙʏ ᴊᴇssᴇ ǫ sᴜᴛᴀɴᴏ
🎥 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗼 𝗠𝗲

𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 '𝗘𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 had me laughing out-loud again right from the start. I found nook two to be a little bit more predictable than the first book, but it was still super entertaining. Finlay brings so much chaotic energy to the page and I always have so much fun in her world.

The stakes were a little higher in book two- causing Finlay to have to clean up even bigger messes and finding her in more nail-biting scenarios. I was skeptical about how Cosimano would be able to create a series based on these characters without it being to repetitive, but this book was a great continuation of book one!

Fans of 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗼 𝗠𝗲 will love this series. I can’t wait to read more of Finlay’s adventures!

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (𝟺/𝟻)

Book #2 in the Finlay Donovan series. I love the Finlay Donovan character, single mom of two, and an author. This book reminds me so much of a Janet Evanovich novel. Be warned this one ends in a cliffhanger, so be prepared with the next book because you will not be able to help yourself.

Another fun book in the serious. Easy to read and Finlay’s antics are humorous. Her friendship with Vero is the backbone of the book. Definitely recommend to cozy mystery readers. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this e-galley!

Finlay Donovan needs inspiration for her next novel. So when she uncovers an online plot to murder her ex-husband Steven, Finlay jumps into the fray. Unfotunately, her attempts to rescue him are nearly thwarted, and he pushes back. Toss in side characters (Vero, the nanny who keeps secrets; Nick, the hot cop; Julian, a boyfriend with secrets; and the Russian mob), and this story becomes even more dramatic, exciting and spicy.
I like the relationship between Finlay and Vero. It's friendly and protective with boundaries.
At points, I found myself thinking, "This can't get any worse for Finlay!" And then it got worse!
I did laugh out loud a few times. I wasn't a fan of the sexual innuendo or occasional profanity.
While I did read the first book in this series a few years ago, I don't remember it. Thankfully, the author includes enough backstory to help readers catch up with Finlay's life.

What a fun read! Elle Cosimano has done it again! I absolutely loved the newest adventure of Finlay Donovan and Vero her nanny/accountant. This second book does not disappoint it has all the suspense and humor of the first book and all the great characters we have come to love and a few new ones! I couldn’t put this one down as Finlay and Vero seek out the person offering a reward on the dark web to kill her ex-husband Steven. All while juggling 2 kids under 5 and writing her new novel. Will they save Steven and protect her kids? Read and find out you will not be disappointed.

I really enjoyed our FMC character development in this follow-up to our favorite cozy murder mystery! Finlay is so endearing but yet so unpredictable, which makes for a great story and allows us to feel like she is still relatable. As with the first book in the series, this book was the perfect mix of humor and mystery!

This book was an absolute riot! Finlay Donovan is back, and her life is just as hilariously messy and action-packed as ever. The mix of mystery, humor, and unexpected twists kept me hooked from start to finish. The banter is top-notch, the stakes are high, and the chaos is pure entertainment. If you love fast-paced thrillers with a side of laugh-out-loud moments and great characters, this one is a must-read!

I am in love with Finlay Donovan. Everything about this series makes me happy. I laugh, I empathize, I can't wait to find out what happens next.
I will be reading every book in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley for introducing me to this series and for allowing me to read this ARC.

I have to say that I enjoyed this one more than I did the first one in the series. She's on a book deadline and trying to keep her ex husband alive. She's got spunk.

Finlay is at it again in this refreshing suspense. Just the right amount of humor to break up the suspense as well. This book was much needed after finishing the first in the series. Cannot wait to dive into more adventures with Finlay

Oh Finlay.. what are we going to do with you?!?

Finlay and Vero are up to even more ridiculous shenanigans in this installment! Finlay finds herself trying to save her ex-husband Steven from a contract killer. Throw in the mob and Nick the hot cop and you're in for a funny adventure! I didn't love this one as much as the first but I am excited for the next book to see where this mystery goes!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, Minotaur Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Book #2 is just as great as the first. Just when I thought Finlay and vero couldn’t get into any more trouble, they do. Such a fun, witty series that I blew through in a few days.

This was a good follow up to the first book, but I just didn't feel the humor that the first one brought to the table. Also, the characters did lose a bit of their way by the end of this book, so I'm hoping that gets resolved in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead. Finlay Donovan is back at full throttle, delivering another wild ride of high-stakes action and irreverent humor. In this installment, Donovan plunges into a chaotic world where every decision packs a punch and the twists hit hard. The narrative is fast-paced and laced with snappy dialogue that perfectly captures his unpredictable nature. While the relentless momentum sometimes leaves little room for deeper character moments, the dark humor and fearless attitude more than make up for it. Overall, Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead is an exhilarating, no-holds-barred adventure that will thrill fans of high-octane thrillers.

I am loving this series.
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is a fun sequel, just as entertaining as the first (no sophmore slump here). Finlay and Vero's bond gets a boost and some not so savory characters earn a few liability points. And the humor is still going strong.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an ebook!