Member Reviews

I want Finlay to be my BFF! This third installment on the serious did not disappoint. It was fast paced and kept me on my toes. Looking forward to the next one! Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

What I love about the third book in this series is that the characters have been fairly consistent so far and the antics they have seem to be multiplying on each other. This one was my least favourite so far mainly because the setting of a sleepover police camp for civilians is such an unbelievable concept for me, even more impossible than the series concept of a single mom accidentally becoming a hit man for hire.
Other than that, it was still funny and full or action and definitely well suited for a tv show one day!

Was this review helpful?

Sadly, for me, each book in this series gets a little less interesting. This book felt more far-fetched than the first two, however Finlay & Vero are still a fun duo and continue to get themselves in the craziest of situations. As with the first two books, it ends with a cliffhanger and I’m pretty disappointed it didn’t wrap up with this book and the series is continuing. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the last book, it seems like a lot of the same.

Was this review helpful?

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third installment of this zany mystery series. Finlay, and author and mother of two, has accidentally gotten herself into the business of contract killing. With her trusty sidekick/ nanny/ accountant, Vero, the two are in hot water with a mob boss, a loan shark, and several romantic entanglements too.

I recommend reading these books in order to get the full story and the wide cast of characters. If you liked Dial A for Aunites or Arsenic and Adobo, you will enjoy the hi-jinks that Finlay gets into.

If you don't enjoy books that have many dead bodies in trunks, freezers, and other domestic incidents, then skip this series.

I will remain a reader for as long as Finlay is in the killing game!

Was this review helpful?

Well dang, this series is one that I truly think gets better with each book, and the third installment by far my favorite I think. Narrated by the fabulous Angela Dawe, the audiobook is not to be missed as we tag along with Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vera, and this time they have joined a week long citizen’s police academy for reasons I will let you read to figure out, and goodness knows the shenanigans they get themselves into while trying to lay low, as if that is possible for these two. I just love these two and am always curious how they are going to get themselves out of their predicaments they get themselves into, and they never disappoint! I highly recommend this book and this series if you have not read it yet!

Thank you to NetGalley / MacMillan Audio for the ALC and to NetGalley / Minotaur Books for the digital galley to review.

Was this review helpful?

Just when you don't think things could get any crazier Findlay has to fight off mobsters, possible dirty cops, and a myriad of secrets all while attending a civilian police academy.

So much happens and the audiobooks are so good! I definitely recommend this series!

Was this review helpful?

Finlay and Vero continue their raucous, hilarious, and haphazard investigative shenanigans in the 3rd installment of the series. I continue to enjoy the overarching series plot, however the plot of this specific book was a bit more complex than the others and felt a bit unfinished.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

“𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕.”

Finlay, Vero and Nick are back! Elle Cosimano has created such fun characters that I couldn’t wait to dive back into this world!

I split my time between physically reading and listening to the audiobook. Angela Dawe is SO good; the voices she uses to distinguish characters are fantastic (especially Vero); her voice for Sylvia (Finlay’s agent) reminds me so much of Joey’s agent Estelle from Friends! The narrative in this third book is still as entertaining and funny as ever; I laughed each time poor Javi was injured by Vero and the one liners are strong: “𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝐷𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑒-𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝐼 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡.” I loved the set up with Finlay and Vero joining the Citizen’s Police Academy; not only did it give an excuse to see more of Nick & Georgia’s coworkers, it also offered a great excuse for brining back previous characters (like Officer Roddy, Julian and Parker). It felt a bit like a “locked room mystery” where the number of suspects was limited and they couldn’t really leave the campus. The towel scene with Nick and the locker room was both hot and funny, and the romantic tension finally felt like it was being released. My hope for Book #4 is that we get to learn more about Vero’s past and that Julian can reappear as both Finlay’s friend and someone else they can lean on as they fight Feliks.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a story of love, coverups, mystery, expectations and learning to not second guess yourself. It makes for a fun addition to this series, where joining their adventures feels like rejoining old friends (even Steven!). Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARCs!

Was this review helpful?

Finlay and Vero are back at it again, with another mystery to solve! This time, mob boss Feliks wants them to identify who Easyclean is….the person who wants Finlay’s ex husband dead.

I really enjoyed this book, it was maybe a little more out there than the first two, but that is what I like about fiction, it doesn’t always have to be realistic. Finlay and Vero are at a camp for civilians to learn what it takes to be a cop, so they are literally surrounded by loads of cops while they are investigating. Shit hits the fan and they save the day, like the first two installments in the series.

I would recommend reading books one and two before diving into this one, so you have some background knowledge about who is who, and what the ladies have already gone through

Was this review helpful?

Another delightful romp from Cosimano. I think this one was everything I expected from the series, if not a little fuller than the first two. I think these books are great little palette cleansers.

Was this review helpful?

I do feel like this book started a little slower than the others and was a bit more serious than the other two books, but I love the relationship between Finlay and Vero. They are quirky and lovable all at the same time.

While I think you could read these books as stand-alones, it definitely benefits you having the back story as a series, especially with the side characters and inside jokes.

While this book isn’t my favorite out of the series, I still enjoyed the book and would continue to recommend it to others.

Was this review helpful?

What could go wrong at a police academy? Plenty, if your name is Finlay Donovan! Another fast-paced, comedic, murder mystery with a touch of romance. Some language and innuendo.

Was this review helpful?

Binged it all in one sitting!!
I freaking love this series so much!!

With that being said, I found the first 2 books more thrilling and both had more interesting plots.

Jumps the Gun fell a tad short compared to the first 2, but I still really enjoyed it. 4 stars!!

Highly recommended this series, definitely hoping for more Finlay Donovan!!!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!!

Was this review helpful?

I don't think you will find many readers not in love with this series, Finlay's adventures just get funnier and funnier as she finds herself in even more ridiculous situations, she is still trying to avoid and begin a relationship with Nick while covering up all the crimes she accidently finds herself caught up in. An absolutely hilarious must read series

Was this review helpful?

This is the third book in one of the most entertaining series.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano is a witty and suspenseful novel that will leave readers both laughing out loud and on the edge of their seats. Cosimano has a true talent for blending humor and suspense, and this book is a perfect example of her skill.

Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she's a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had "borrowed" in the process of saving the life of Finlay's ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.

What I loved most about this book was the humor. Cosimano has a sharp wit and a gift for creating hilarious dialogue, and the result is a book that is both thrilling and laugh-out-loud funny. The banter between Finlay and her quirky sidekick Vero is especially entertaining.
Another strength of this book is the character development. From the first book to this one the characters have been fleshed out further. Finlay is a relatable and likeable protagonist, and her struggles as a single mother and a writer are all too real. The supporting characters are also well-drawn, and each one adds something unique to the story.

Elle Cosimano has created a truly memorable protagonist in Finlay Donovan, and I can't wait to see where her adventures take her and Vero next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Not my favorite of the series but I enjoyed this once I got about 30% in. It starts off very slow, but picks up. I don’t recommend reading this as a stand alone, this is best read as book 3 as intended. I’m anxious to see if we’ll see more of Finlay!

On a side note, I appreciated that there was very little mention of the kids in this book. Zach specifically was always described in such a gross way, so I’m happy that there was minimal mention of sour milk breath or dirty diapers.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy. Thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely love these books! If Cosimano can just continue with this series forever I will be the happiest person on earth. Finlay Donovan does it again. She is funny, relatable, and the perfect character. This book picks up right where the last one ended. I love that Cosimano is able to bring us right back in to the story and keep you engaged the entire time.

Was this review helpful?

My third and final Finlay...

I absolutely loved Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I enjoyed Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead. Unfortunately though, I did not enjoy Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun.

I don't know if this one was missing the same magic, if I just wasn't in the right mood for their silly (now ridiculous hijinks) or if there were just too many unbelievable and loose strands from the previous two books that I just couldn't tell myself to just go with it and have fun (like I had for the first two books).

Summary
Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob's clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero's past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.

Have you read any of the Finlay books?

Thank you @netgalley for this free review copy!

Was this review helpful?

Finlay and Vero are back at it again and they get into more sticky situations but somehow come out safe every time. You definitely need to reach book in the series for this one to make sense but it had all the right ingredients: humor, mystery and romance. I can’t wait to see how they get out of the next situation and how Finlay and Nick’s romance develops.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Was this review helpful?

These will never get old! I LOVE FINLAY!! This series is one of the only series I can read and laugh at. I like the romance that is in it and the fact that it’s not front and center for the book. I’m so hoping we have another one coming soon!!!

Was this review helpful?