Member Reviews

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the second book in the series. The fans of the first book, are sure to enjoy this one as well. If you haven't read the first book yet, you should start there.

The Finlay Donovan books are full of humor, hijinks, mystery, comedy of errors, and intrigue. The second book continues where the first one left off, and continues in the same vein. I personally liked this book slightly less than the first one, but it was still a fun book to read and I'd recommend this series to fun mystery lovers.

Finlay Donovan is chaotic as always. I don't know why I thought (and maybe hoped) she would be a bit more together after the first book. that she would have learned a few lessons from what happened, but I was wrong. She still puts herself into impossible situations that she then needs to figure out how to get out of together with Vero. And she's still incredibly lucky in getting out of them.

Speaking of Vero, she is still a boss that I would love to have with me in any crazy situation. She's cool, she's caring, she's smart. We get to delve a bit more into her family life and her background in this book which I really enjoyed.

The romance feels like it gets a bit more settled in this one. I usually don't like love triangles, but I was rooting for both men in the first book, I couldn't make up my mind. In this one however, there isn't really a triangle, there is a clear winner. Who knows though, knowing Finlay, things might change again in the third book.

The mystery in this one seemed a bit less intriguing. There isn't really a murder to solve per se, which might be a reason why. I didn't feel the urgency and stakes as much as the first one. Not to say, it wasn't intriguing at all. There were still some twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, and edge of seat moments at the height of action.

All in all, this was a fun book to read. Especially if you like over the top mysteries with flawed characters, some romance, and heart.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the eARC and share my honest review.

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As much as I enjoyed the first book in the series, I was intrigued as to how Cosimano would continue the story. I was not disappointed!

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Elle Cosimano has outdone herself with this sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It. This book is completely ridiculous, implausible, outlandish, and oodles of fun. Not one thing in this book is realistic but it’s not supposed to be. Readers looking for realism should remove the stick upon which they are sitting and enjoy the rollicking ride. Finlay and Vero are one of the most fun crime-solving duos I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and may I just say I am 100% #teamNick. This book was just the delightful romp I needed while home sick with a cold. If laughter truly is the best medicine, I should be feeling better in no time.

Thank you to Minotaur and NetGalley for the gifted copy. This book is due out 2/1/22 so don’t chance the supply chain issues and preorder right now.

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May I have your attention, please?

Guess who’s back, back again

Finlay’s back, tell a friend...

If you’re here it is because you know who Finlay is… and am I glad she is back! The cliffhanger from the first book has been living rent free in my head since I finished the book. I will not ruin it for those that have not read it yet, but if you haven’t, why not?

Finlay and Vero are back like Batman and Robin, but way cooler and driving half beat up van, so same. Finlay is struggling to finish her next novel, trying to raise her two as a single mother trying to figure out who is trying to kill her ex-husband. She goes down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms and further involvement with the Russian mob.

Finlay has her hands, and it is getting a bit harder to stay afloat when Vero has secrets, the hottie detective Nick is just being super helpful when she’s been bending a few laws.

This is just an absolute gem of a series and I need more of Finlay!

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This is an entertaining light mystery about two friends and the trouble they get themselves into. I haven't read the first book yet, but there was enough of the backstory included that it wasn't a problem. If you suspend belief, it will be a lot more fun. Though the main character's lack of awareness about money, despite a big betrayal doesn't seem to even register on her, the way it would on most of us

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Elle Cosimano does it again. Finlay Donovan is our imperfect protagonist that keeps finding herself in pickle after pickle. There's a hit out on her ex husband Steven, the first conundrum. How do you tail your ex without being a complete creep? She still has her lawyer bartender boyfriend, but he's taken off on vacation, leaving Finlay open for courting from the cop that's been hanging around. The Finlay Donovan novels could draw comparison to the Stephanie Plum books, but I think Finlay isn't as perfectly flawed as Plum. Finlay seems realistic, she forgets her phone at inopportune times, sure, but it feels natural. The pacing works well. I really enjoyed Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead. I'd give it 3.8 out of 5. I can't wait for more misadventures of our accidental hitwoman.

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What an excellent follow up to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It! I loved both books, and am looking forward to hearing more from these wonderful female characters! I love that these books are full of intrigue, but at the same time are lighthearted and the series doesn't take itself too seriously. Definitely recommend!

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The first Finlay Donovan book was lots of fun, and I'm happy to say the second installment was even better. The characters are already established, which made it that much easier to jump into all kinds of twists and turns and, of course, madcap mishaps with Finlay and her friend/accountant/nanny Vero.

I'm impressed that Elle Cosimano was able to write with such humor during a pandemic, but she really pulled off a light and thoroughly enjoyable mystery with a romantic quadrangle, an entertaining friendship with the incorrigible Vero, and a setup for all kinds of zany adventures in book #3. I can't wait.

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Finley Donovan Knocks ‘me Dead did not disappoint. If you loved the first book in the series you will love this one. The author did an awesome job at keeping the same energy the first book had while going off into a different, but familiar plot line. This book will give you enough to be satisfied but leave enough untold to make you anxious for a possible third book? I definitely fell in love with Findlay and was rooting for her the whole time, even in her messy love triangle. This book is written exactly how the last one was so if you love a mystery that keeps twisting and turning without an obvious answer, I recommend you run to pick this one up once it comes out 4.5 stars!

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What can I say? The Finlay Donovan series is it for me. This second installment follows Finlay, accompanied as always with her trusty partner in crime and nanny Vero, as they try finish Finlay's next novel, keep the kids fed and happy, and figure out who put a hit on Finlay's ex-husband, Steven. All in a day's work, right?

Just like the first, this book is a delight. It's fun and funny and full of constant twists. I never knew what to expect next, but I knew I could rely on Finlay and Vero for a good time getting there. I found myself laughing out loud and holding my breath while I waited to see how in the world this dynamic duo would continue to get themselves out of every sticky situation. This book made me even more interested in Vero's character, and I hope we explore her back story even more in the next book!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Minotaur for the ARCs in exchange for an honest review!

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This was such an anticipated read for me, and boy did it deliver! Elle Cosimano has brought back our female main character Finlay Donovan and she is just as entertaining, smart, capable and flawed. I loved following another one of her twisty contract killer mishaps! I am a Finlay Donovan and Elle Cosimano fan for life.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Finlay and Vero, the dynamic duo, are back at it again! This sequel is a fun mystery with a lot of twists and turns and some added in romance. I love in this book that we got to get deeper into knowing the characters we met in the first book, particularly the mysterious Vero. I still have a lot of questions about her history though. I’m already looking forward to the 3rd book. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites! If you like enjoyable, witty, easy reads, the Finlay Donovan series is for you!

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Another incredibly enjoyable book following the antics of Finlay and Vero! I love the mix of mystery, hijinks, and humor in these books. I will say, this one didn't quite live up to my expectations from the first book and it fell a bit flat. I found that there was way too much going on in the end that I was left confused.

Regardless, this series is truly a treasure and I hope for more adventures!

3.5 stars

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Finlay Donovan is a novelist that writes mysteries with a bit of romance. Her chaotic life plays out like her books. When Finlay and her nanny/best friend Vero stumble across a women's forum with a post wanting her ex-husband Steven taken care of, they quickly take things into their own hands. Finlay and Vero try to figure out who the poster called FedUp is using ALL their resources, including breaking into places and stalking Steven. At the same time, Finlay is also juggling the men in her love life.

You definitely have to go into this book knowing it has some humor to it since you will be rolling your eyes at some of the dumb shit Finlay and Vero do, but that's what makes it a fun book to read. If you haven't read the first book in the series, I would definitely recommend starting with #1 since there are recurring characters in this book. It will also give you a better sense for who Finlay is and where she is coming from (hint - she takes real life craziness and puts it into her novels).

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Finlay Donovan is at it again - hilarious hiccups and all.

This is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series and it's as fun of a read as the first one. She discovers someone wants her ex-husband dead (surprisingly, not her, although would we really blame her?) and she's got to find the culprit before they find him first.

The only part of the book that makes my eyebrow raise is the babysitter/nanny/partner in crime. She's gotta be up to no good that even Finlay doesn't realize. However, her sketchy behavior certainly sets the scene for another Finlay book (which we really really want, Elle!)

Completely enjoyed this quick, easy, and hilarious read.

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A solid sequel. Though not quite as fun as the first one this was still an entertaining read worth you time.

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Newly divorced, single-mother, accidental hitman, Finlay Donovan is at it again! With her live-in nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, they stumble into the seedy world of black market women's forums masquerading sinister requests from drugs to new marks--and someone has requested a hit on Fin's husband. Now, Vero and Fin must stop whoever it is that wants Steven dead while balancing their own secrets.
The second novel written in 1st person from Fin's POV, this is a follow-up to the events in "Finlay Donovan is Killing It". Elle Cosimano writes a hilarious narrative wrought with accidental hijinks, costumes, and misunderstandings that send Fin in a downward spiral of accidental crimes. I like how the friendship between Vero and Fin develops and I can't wait to see if another book is in the works JUST so I could read more about secretive Vero. This is definitely an entertaining read that--for some of the situations--require some suspension of disbelief.

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The second book in the Findlay Donovan series was a twisty fun mystery that I enjoyed unraveling. All of the endearing characters I had fun learning about in the first book are back in a connected plot and embarking on more zany adventures. Lest this book be taken merely for fun, embedded between plot points are heartwarming examples of friendship, love, and loyalty which give this sneaky mystery extra depth and thoughtfulness. Findlay Donovan is Killing It was a perfect read for this between Thanksgiving and Christmas time of year as it mirrors those same holidays as its bookends. I’m curious to see what Findlay and friends are up to in their next adventure.

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The Finlay Donovan series is quickly becoming a fast favorite. While the first book was laugh out loud funny, this one was a little less so, but equally as over the top with the storyline. Finlay comes across a post online that indicates someone wants to have her ex-husband killed. This starts the crazy antics once again as Finlay tries to figure out who is behind the post while still trying to figure out the plot of her next novel. Lucky for her that her life serves as the inspiration for the new plot. There are new dead bodies, a mob boss behind bars, disguises, expensive cars, computer hacking, and some more of a love triangle between the law student and the hot cop. Finlay continues to find herself in unexpected situations, and always has a creative solution ready to keep herself out of trouble. The short chapters made for a quick read, and the author provided plenty of twists and turns, including a surprise at the end that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to see what's next for Finlay, and I hope it includes more of the hot cop too.

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This one was a smidge more far-fetched than the first, but it fit with the mood that I was in. Cosimano definitely set it up for a third book which I will definitely be picking up.

I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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