If you’re in the mood for a lighter humorous read with a detective story woven throughout this one is for you. Though I usually prefer historical fiction I was needing a story that was more entertaining than weighty. Though i did not read the first book in the series, the quick recap in the beginning allowed me to jump right in to the new storyline.

Though not totally believable the plot flowed perfectly and held my interest. The main character, Finlay, was a woman I rooted for even amongst the criminal shenanigans.

Angela Dawe was a great narrator keeping both the humor and pace moving along.

I wish Elle Cosimano much success with this newest book in her series. Thankyou Netgalley and Minotaur books for the ARC.

This was a great 2nd book in the series. Although I wish some details would have been more neatly wrapped up, I can tell there will probably be a third book in the works, which I hope to read. I feel like there is more to some of the pieces that we are still missing.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series. Finlay is a struggling writer and newly single mom. In the first book, Finlay was mistaken as a hit woman and wild high jinx ensued.. In this second book, she and her nanny/sidekick Vero are trying to figure out who is wants to kill Finlay’s ex-husband Elle Cosimano is a talented, fun writer. Her books are a joy ride and keep you interested with the fast pace.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

I’m so happy to get more Finlay back in my life! Listening to the audio for this installment really elevated the whole reading experience. I read the first on kindle, but had heard amazing things about the audiobook. I was thrilled to listen to Angela Dawe narrate. She blew me away! She had pitch perfect tone, pacing, and inflections for everything this story threw at us–hijinks, comedy, suspense, drama, romance–she nailed all of it!

I’m like an OG Stephanie Plum stan, so I’m equally as obsessed with the wild and craziness that is Finlay Donovan. Elle Cosimano does the best job of balancing the “just enough” of a series. We get plenty of details that satisfy us but also keep us craving more!

Is she flawed? Yes. Is she relatable? Hell yes. Is it fantastic that she uses her real-life (well, fictional real-life) skills as a mom to get stuff done in all areas of her life? A million times yes. I feel like it adds extra layers to her character to be able to tap into caretaker/empathy mode in some situations and superhuman strength/determination in others. It was also especially interesting to me that Elle really took a deep-dive into motherhood from a few additional angles for this story (but I won’t spoil those storylines!)

Overall this was a quick, fun, and entertaining listen that I’d recommend to almost anyone! Thanks to MacMillan Audio for an ALC via NetGalley Shelf.

This light mystery is lots of fun, and perfect for those who enjoy humorous not quite cozies. Think Stephanie Plum wiping noses and changing diapers. While no Lula--the best sidekick ever--Finlay has her nanny, Vero, only at the top of a small cast of terrific continuing characters. This is the 2nd episode in what promises to be a very entertaining mystery series. Fast paced, lots of action, rapid fire dialog, and mostly unpredictable plotting. To be honest, part of the fun is insight into what might trip up Finlay next, and then anticipating how she can possibly extricate herself. Angela Dawe delivers a fine audio performance--listen to her and you will be instantly caught up in Finlay's story.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, knocked it out of the park! (Yeah, that was a horrible pun). I enjoyed this even more than book one. I love the relationship between Finlay and Vero. They are “friend goals” as my daughter says. I love the trouble they hysterically manage to get into and out off. I’m not sure if they are the luckiest or UN-luckiest ladies in the world. I really like where Finlay & Nick’s relationship is going and after that ending, I CANNOT wait for book three!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating; 3.75/5

So…this was quite the wild ride. There was never a dull moment while reading this; the audiobook was super entertaining. Suspenseful at its finest.

However, this wasn’t as good as the first one. I had a few issues I couldn’t not notice.
For example, I couldn’t get past the fact that Finlay made A LOT of stupid decisions that she didn’t even have to make. It made everything so much worse, which frustrated me more than anything else. Plus, Vero’s character just annoyed me; like I know she meant well, but she came across as being insensitive when it wasn’t appropriate.

Despite my issues, I couldn’t stop listening to this. And if there’s another book in this series coming out, I’m gonna read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Very cute sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. I loved seeing where the characters went next. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the chance to listen to the book. Also to Goodreads for the physical copy I won on a giveaway ☺️

This book is so much fun! I dare say that this book is better than the first. The book is funny and a wild ride (no pun intended). This series is unique because it shows how you don't need many people in your life, but if you have that one special friend that has your back, you can take on almost anything. This book has wigs, fast cars, but most of all, strong women. Also, the narrator was fantastic. I highly recommend it!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and although I did like this, I didn’t like it as much. I’m really not a fan of series and at some point it just gets to the point where- ok this is just flat out ridiculous now. I did listen to this on audio and I feel like it was worse for me than if I read it because of all the characters and details I had to pay attention to that I struggle with so that’s my fault. Also I could really do without all the romance subplots because well…I hate romance. So that’s just a me thing as well. Overall I enjoyed it though just nothing spectacular to me and I really cannot imagine another book in this series. Also I must protect Vero at all costs.

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

What’s better than a Finlay Donovan book? A Finlay Donovan audible book, that’s what. So good! I’m so excited to read/listen to more in this series. Elle Cosimano does a great job!

Watch my Elle interview here: https://amazon.com/live/broadcast/4911c521-8de5-4037-bf80-3f96b19127fc?ref=social&tag=erinmbransco-20&linkCode=ilv

In the second book following Finlay, her life gets a lot more complicated. A bounty set on her ex-husband, a love triangle between a hot cop and law student, and an upcoming manuscript due are just the beginning for Finlay's problems.

Finlay Donovan and her partner-in-crime/babysitter Vero seem to run into problems at every turn while trying to find out who wants Finlay's ex-husband dead. I found Finlay's character to be much more enjoyable in this book and even though she has her sea of problems, she manages to fight her way through each one. Vero is once again hilarious and lovable and I am so glad we got so much of her. I truly hope we get more of Vero in the next book because I cannot get enough!

I did not expect to like this one more than the first but I loved it! All the unrealistic and almost cheesy bits are what made this such a fun listen and impossible to put down! Elle Cosimano manages to write the perfect cross between humor and mystery. I was entertained at every turn and I am excited to see what is next for Finlay Donovan.

Fans of Finlay Donovan will be thrilled with the follow-up to the first book in this series. It picks up right where the last book left off and is perfectly consistent in its characters and its hijinks.

5 stars! Thank you Netgalley for the audio arc. I absolutely devoured the first book - Finlay Donovan is Killing It and this one did not disappoint! Did I read this book in one sitting? YEP! It had all the cozy mystery vibes that the first one did and dare I say was even better. It was so funny and silly and delightful! I couldn't recommend any higher! I can't wait for book 3!

Will not lie—I mostly kept reading on for Vero. I think I enjoyed the first book more. I think that Vero should get her own book imo, like a spinoff or something bc i just KNOW her inner thoughts would be so funny. She’s like the bestest side character ever

"Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead" by Elle Cosimano is Book 2 in this series I have anxiously been anticipating!

I enjoyed the first book so much. Finlay's misfortune of being mistaken as a contract killer was funny and quirky. Book two has her cheating ex-husband, Steven in a pickle as someone wants him dead and they are willing to pay someone to do it. I didn't like it AS much as book one but it was still great. There is a lot of crossover between books so I would recommend reading them close together.

Pub: February 1, 2022

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Finlay Donovan is back and giving me ANXIETY. Finlay is working on her next novel and struggling with being a single mom of two. Luckily, she has her literal partner in crime/nanny Vero to help her. Unfortunately, someone still wants her ex-husband dead, and saving him will mean Finlay has to get her hands dirty...again.


Finlay Donovan Knocks 'em Dead is a fantastic follow up for Elle Cosimano. I'm obsessed with Finlay. Though you need to suspend your disbelief with the constant problems she finds herself in, Finlay feels like a real character you can root for. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud listening to this book. There was also a lot of cringing on behalf of Finlay, and a lot of mentally asking her to please stop doing what she is doing.


Angela Dawe gives such a great performance reading this book. The way she brings Finlay to life helps me connect to this series. There are moments where the way she reads Finlay's lines had me snort laughing on my commute.


Thirty somethings everywhere, rejoice, we have a role model. Okay, maybe don't get involved with the mob or accidentally become a hit woman, whatever. If you're looking for a thrilling series that doesn't take itself too seriously, check out the Finlay Donovan books. You won't regret it. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my review copy.

I finished Book #1 of the Finlay Donovan series earlier this week. I enjoyed it so much so once this new book came out this week, I had to read it - well listen to it since it was an audio book.

Book #2 of this series was amazing! I absolutely loved it! I passed on supper (and chores shhhh!) at home and finished the book in ONE DAY. I hardly ever do this....life gets so busy I don't usually have time for it but last night I stayed up late (until midnight) to finish it. It was epic. So so good! I loved all the twists and turns in the story and how it all makes sense at the end.

I cannot wait until Book #3 (of course the 2nd book left an opening for the next one....) Elle Cosimano is my new favourite author. GO BUY THIS SERIES AND READ THEM - you won't be disappointed!

Thanks @NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As soon as I saw this pop up on Netgalley, I had to grab it, and I was glad to get the audiobook again. I enjoyed the first book a lot and was really looking forward to the sequel. I didn’t realize going into the first book that this was going to be a series, but I’m not mad at it. The Finlay Donovan series continues to be a lot of fun! I wouldn’t normally care about reading this type of story, but I love Finlay and Vero and the author is great at keeping the reader guessing. It’s a pretty light read and the concept of a mystery author being mistaken for a hitman is such a fun idea. I can’t wait for the next book!

2.5 stars

This book is hard to rate for me since I did not read book one of the series. Typically I feel like I can hop into any series and feel like I haven't missed much, but this book felt like a duology and lacked the character development piece or a reason for me to get attached to the characters. Thus I was not vested in the characters to enjoy their day to day life, which fell kind of flat for me.

I did read reviews for the first book and it sounded like this would be a humourous murder book, which I love, but this second book of the series lacked the humor I was hoping for. There were a couple parts that were comical-ish, but it just wasn't what I was anticipating.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!