Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun was, for me, a refreshing and much-needed course correction for the series. While I’ve seen some readers express disappointment with this installment, I found it to be a return to form that brought the narrative back into sharper focus. The humor, chaos, and fast-paced plotting that define the series are still present, but this book adds a sense of direction and cohesion that had occasionally wavered before. What stood out most was the concentrated energy of the story—rather than meandering, it felt purposeful, tightening its grip on both character dynamics and the central mystery. Finlay herself remains as endearingly resourceful and exasperated as ever, and her relationship with Vero continues to be a highlight. Overall, this installment reminded me why I enjoy the series so much, proving that Cosimano still knows how to balance absurdity with sharp, engaging storytelling.

Only Finlay could make the Russian mob seem funny.
A strong series from page 1, book 1. Strong(ish) , mature(ish) female characters, Findlay, her nanny turned accomplice, the agent, the new wife…. Who will make it to the next installment? I read it and I’m sure what’s next.
Well written, beaten down character we can assimilate with until things go wrong, very wrong, then we say I’d never do that! As we watch and laugh at our penniless heroine.

These are fun mysteries - kind of silly, definitely funny, and the friendship between Finlay and Vero makes me keep on reading and laughing. I sometimes roll my eyes at their decisions, but the chaos that results is great!

I've liked this series a lot so far - the plot is fast paced, the characters progress, and although the ending was satisfying, it made me want to read the next book soon.

I love Finlay Donovan! This series is just the absolute best cozy mysteries! Finlay is quirky, lovable, and a little strange. This series is a must read!

I love this lighthearted, funny murder series! It gets more and more ridiculous as the series goes on. Like, why did that happen? Huh, how? But I can't help it, I'm here for this light read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in the Finlay Donovan series and picks up right after the second book. We follow Finlay and Vero as they are tasked with identifying a contract killer that is bribing a mob boss. I really enjoyed the citizen police academy setting. I liked all of the new characters that were introduced. You definitely have to suspend believe to enjoy these books, but they are fast paced light reads. 4.5 stars

Another hilarious, twisty, and wildly entertaining installment in the Finlay Donovan series! Elle Cosimano perfectly blends laugh-out-loud chaos with sharp mystery, and Finlay’s messy charm makes her impossible not to love. Fast-paced, witty, and full of surprises—this series just keeps getting better.

Loving this series! Cannot wait to read about Finlay’s next adventure! These books are my favorite for a quick, fun, entertaining read.

Great lighthearted read.

This series was recommended by someone who thought I would like it and I did!

Highly recommend.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan books are an irresistible mix of sharp humor, quirky crime capers, and genuine heart. Following the chaos-prone single mom and novelist as she stumbles into one outrageous predicament after another is pure fun—equal parts suspenseful and laugh-out-loud funny. Witty banter, unexpected twists, and a cast of lovable misfits make this series a binge-worthy delight from start to finish.

Thank You Net Galley and Publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

I don't know how she keeps finding herself in these unbelievable and crazy situations but I'm here for it. I'm glad she finally gave in to the hot detective even if it's only for a little while. I liked the lawyer guy but she needs something more stable. I wonder if Nick will ever learn the truth of what Finlay and Vero have gotten up to these last couple of books. I hate that it ends on a cliff hanger, but am glad I can just dive into the next story straight away. Steven needs to get the hint that Finlay is done with him. He just needs to focus on being a better father and just move on from her. I can't wait to see what crazy adventures they all get up to in the next book.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in the Finlay Donovan series. In this book, Finlay is caught between writing deadlines, parenting duties, and attending an FBI training camp. She’s hoping to uncover the identity of a mysterious contract killer known as EasyClean.

While it’s always fun to see what Finlay and Vero are up to, this book doesn’t quite live up to the previous books in the series. Their friendship remains a highlight and their relationship dynamic continues to be the best part of the story, despite the lackluster mystery elements. It was also interesting to get a glimpse into Finlay’s blooming love life.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a fun, fast-paced mystery where Finlay ends up in a police academy trying to catch a killer. She’s juggling mom life, mob threats, and romantic tension, all with her usual chaotic charm. It’s witty, wild, and keeps you guessing.

Jumps the Gun may have been my favorite installment in the Finlay Donovan series (so far at least)! I loved Finlay and Vero being stuck at the police academy and getting to sneak around & investigate there. Just when you begin to think these two can't possibly find more trouble, they prove you wrong. I love Elle Cosimano's writing and I never want this series to end!

This is the third installment of the Finlay Donovan series and picks up where the first book left off. For those who don’t know the series Finlay is a newish single mom of two young kids and at some point a woman mistakes her for a hired killer rather than the mystery writer she is. Her sidekick is her nanny who has secrets of her own and the two of them solve crimes and run from the Russian mafia.

I thought this one was enjoyable, still heading towards the silliness level I don’t enjoy but it made it just under the wire. This installment made me want to keep reading (whereas the last book made me wonder). I wish I had read these in order since I started with book 4 and then read the first three. I like all the character dynamics and the humor of these books which is what I think keeps me reading them.

Here’s to Finlay and Vero getting themselves into more than they can handle (or not) as usual. I love that each one has picked up right where the book before left off.

The romance in this one was a bit cringey, but I still kind of enjoyed it. I have to say I do enjoy it going through all the books though, it’s a romance that keeps me guessing. I’m definitely more into the situations Finlay is getting herself into.

As of reading this one I will for sure be moving on with the series, I’m loving reading them back to back now. I really think that’s the way to go. On to the next!

Again this one just didn’t quite hit the mark like book one did. I can’t complain, it was good but I still found it pretty easy to put down when I needed to. It took longer to finish because of this. I wasn’t dying to get back to it. It was good enough that I’m still going to continue the series though. The characters are something else and I love them. I think I’d read something about them no matter what honestly.

After the events of the previous novel in the series, Finlay and Vero are indebted to Russian mob boss, Feliks, who insists that they find and eliminate a contract killer. They suspect the killer is a cop, so they enroll in a citizen's police academy to investigate. Finlay becomes closer to Detective Nick Anthony and Vero reveals a big secret. This is the third installment of this fun series. Fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum will enjoy this one, too.

The Finlay Donovan series was cute and fun. I enjoyed the main character and everything she got into. I will continue this series.

This is not my typical go-to content but it was a "Read Now" on NetGalley and I'm kinda a sucker for free shit, so I grabbed it. Honestly gotta say this took me by surprise and I really enjoyed it! I can't say too much without giving things away, but I will say that it was unexpected in a great way, and I will be reading more of this series.