Read this if you like: Cozy funny mysteries, single mom, contract killer stories

This is the third book of author and single mom Finlay Donovan and her antics. 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 bought the car for her and now she owes them. Finlay and Vero end up at a police academy for citizens to find a contract killer that may be a cop.

This was crazy and funny. The opening scene had me cackling. I do feel like it was less action packed than the last two. I just wanted more. I'm glad some things were finally wrapped up. I'm excited for the fourth one. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the gifted e-book ❤️

I loved this addition to the series! It was so thrilling and I loved that Finlay had a stable love interest. I couldn’t put this one down! I loved the setting since it is so unique from the other books. I can’t wait for the next book!

Gotta be honest- this is for fans of the series. Finlay and her pal Vero have been struggling with evil loan sharks, an assassin, and all sorts of other things while managing Finlay's kids and Vero's unrequited love. This time out they find themselves at a civilian police academy hoping that they'll be able to identify Easy Clean the assassin who they think might be a police officer. Everyone is suspect, including Finlay's love interest. This goes over and around the top more than once but I kept reading because of the moments I really like (love the opening with Finlay trying to persuade her son to leave a stall in a men's room). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's mad cap.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam Level: 🔥🔥 (one fade to black sex scene)
Trigger Warning: attempted murder, blackmail

Finlay is finally on better terms with her ex-husband and ready to find the identity of EasyClean- the dirty cop who is trying to blackmail Feliks Zhirov. But when Finlay and Vero end up being blackmailed themselves and tasked with taking out EasyClean, they decide to sign up for a citizen's police academy that will hopefully help them uncover the identity of the mysterious hitman. And as Finlay plays detective, she'll also be in close proximity with Detective Nick Anthony- the hot cop she's been trying not to fall for despite his tempting advances. Will Finlay and Vero be able to find EasyClean and also avoid getting themselves arrested for their past crimes?

This was by far my favorite book in the series! I loved every minute and would have binged this in a day if given the chance. I loved how this took place at the police academy. There was an obstacle course, a heated mock trial with an unexpected guest, a target practice that provided some valuable information, and much more. The mystery of EasyClean's identity kept me guessing until the very end, and I was so shocked when the big reveal came. I continue to enjoy the friendship between Finlay and Vero and how they bicker and fight but still love each other like family. And the hint of romance between Vero and Javi was a fun addition. Speaking of romance, Nick was particularly 🔥 in this one, and I am absolutely in love with him and Finlay together. The tension was just perfect, and I liked how Finlay was forced to confront her feelings for him. I'm so glad we get another installment in the series after this and can't wait to see how everything wraps up!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I started this series very skeptical of whether I would like it or not, but the more I read of the story, the more invested I become. In this book, Finlay is trying to figure out who EasyClean is while also figure out her love life. I absolutely loved the balance between the romance and the action parts of the book. I think the author did a really good job at not focusing too much on either the romance or the action too much. There were some really cute moments, and then there were also some very entertaining moments. Like usual, Vero was the comedic relief, but we also got to see more of her background and love life which was nice. I can’t wait to see more of Finlay and Nick in the next book too. Overall the book was really well written and entertaining to read.

This is one of my ultimate favorite series. That first paragraph in the first book gripped me and it didn't let go. Three books later and I still adore Finlay and Vero, maybe now more than ever.

The friendship between these two ladies is a literal example of "ride or die". I love that. Once again, Finally is left to clean up someone else's messes. Finlay and Vero now have to get money where there isn't any so that they can pay off the people that are after Vero. There is a heave feeling of persecution. The kids may be in danger. I'm a little upset they were not that involved in this book since one of Finlay's most amazing traits is how much she adores her kids.

Our hot FBI detective is back and things are looking up in the romance department for Finlay, or is it? She can't stop thinking about things should be feeling a whatnot. Comparing her real life to the one she projected on paper for her novels.

Steven is a stinks. We know this but now we know he is definitely hiding something. Finlay is completely clueless. Seriously, I want to shake her up a bit.

There is a beautiful cliffhanger and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.

Elle Cosimano, I love you.

Thank you Netgalley, Elle Cosimano and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the opportunity.

Hilarious!

My favorite, scarcely holding it together, burier of bodies, writer involved in criminal activities by accident, Finlay Donovan is once again sucked into a situation not of her making. Russian mob boss, Felix’s Zhirov is demanding her help to find Easyclean, a contract killer, and there’s little or no room for negotiation. It seems there’s also a mole in the police department. Sussing this out will take a keen eye and mind and absolute discretion—none of which Finlay cultivates. Neither does her account/nanny/ partner-in-crime, Vero.
To discover the perp will take infiltrating the police force and a course with the Citizens Police Academy supplies the cover needed.
Oh and Vero has some criminal types from a loan shark after her.
Her husband Steve is up to his old tricks. They all fall short but not without putting Finlay into embarrassing, if not outright dangerous situations
A hilarious romp. I snorted with laughter quite a few times. Oh and Nick, the police officer who sets Finlay all aglow? Well she just never seems to find quite the right time to do anything about it.
It doesn’t get much better than this.

A St Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Findlay Donovan is quickly becoming one of my favorite new series characters! Like the past two installments, the characters are fun, quirky, and worth rooting for. The plot keeps me turning pages and guessing at which character has a secret dark side. I don’ t guess until the end, but then that is the fun of these books.

4.5 ✨

I REALLY enjoyed being back in this world.

I freaking love Vero and Finlay’s antics even though they stress me out.

I will say-I think the writing on this book is just as good as the others, but the plot doesn’t advance that much.

Honestly, I didn’t mind. I will definitely keep reading this series and plan to buy them to keep on my shelves.

Thank you Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for my opinion.

Finlay and Vero are at it again! I'm pretty sure these two couldn't stay out of trouble if you put them in an empty padded cell. Finlay owes the Russian mob for helping her out before and now Vero has people out for her. You'd think hiding out at a secure site for a Police Academy would offer them some security and safety, but you'd be wrong...really wrong.

I really enjoy this series. Cosimano has thrown in danger, mystery, dead bodies (multiple in various conditions), family love, friendship and romance. Is there anything she hasn't included? Anyway, it's a whirlwind of things going on and they all come together to create a very entertaining read!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: 1/31

Finlay is back, and things are as crazy as ever! This time around, Finlay and Vero find themselves accidentally working for the mob, and if they don’t do exactly what they’re told, they could be the next victims.

These books are so much fun! Cosimano somehow manages to write suspenseful thrillers/mysteries that feel lighthearted while also keeping you on the edge of your seat. They’re a little silly and unbelievable, but you just have to suspend your disbelief and go along for the ride. I can’t say too much without giving a lot away, but it’s safe to say that I loved this third installment in the series.

We got to go a little deeper into Vero’s backstory this time around, and there’s more romance than we’re used to with this series. Nick is amazing, and you know I’m here for any scraps of romance I can find. And the whodunnit mystery is so well done! The girls are trying to discover who tried to kill Finlay’s ex-husband, and I guessed wrong so many times! I thought this was going to be the last book in the series, but that cliffhanger ending left no question that there will be a book 4.

With its endearing characters and laugh-out-loud humor, this series has quickly won me over. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery/whodunnit series that will keep you guessing until the end, this series is for you.

Thank you so much Minotaur Books for this early copy to read and review! Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is out on 1/31.

I was excited to read another chaotic adventure of Finlay and Vero. This installment might be my least favorite in the series, but it was still a fun book. Finlay and Vero need to pay a debt to a Russian mob boss and find out who the contract killer known as Easy Clean. The killer could be a cop, so Finlay and Vero decided to join a citizen police academy to sleuth out the real killer and free themselves from the Russian mob boss's hands.

I enjoyed the book, but I felt a little disconnected from the story. I felt like there should have been a few more recap reminders from the other books because they all have a complex plot, and it is easy to get confused in the story. If a reader went into this book blindly, I do not think they would fully understand the dynamics of Finlay and Vero's relationship and other minor details. The police academy was an entertaining touch, but I wish Finlay and Nick had more time together. This book was still a light, fun, entertaining read with a cliffhanger for a possible fourth book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to St. Martin Press for giving me a copy of the book.

An okay read/audiobook. Good humor but not a lot of excitement like the first two books. Finlay and Vero hunting for that mystery person who posted online in the previous books called Easy Clean. Readers get to see what goes on in police academy. Many characters are still the same from before. Readers will learn more about Vero's secrets. The ending left a cliffhanger that promise of the 4th book. I enjoyed the narrator in this series.

Finlay is an author and readers get to see author problems like writer's block. She went out to explore and experience so she can put it to writing. It's funny sometimes with writers when she's with a guy and her imagination for the story went ahead of her while she stood there blank faced.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen and review!

This third book in the series is exactly what I expected - Finlay and Vero's hijinks, love interest for Finlay, Finlay's sister helping out, and Finlay's ex being a jerk. I listened to the first Finlay Donovan book on audio and really enjoyed it, I listened to the second on audio and didn't like it as much. I decided that I wanted to read the third in print, and was (a) happy to get an arc, and (b) happy that I had a much better experience. I think it can get a little exasperating when Finlay and Vero get into situations that they don't need to because they make some poor decisions (e.g., they didn't have to stead a cop car, they didn't have to stay at the cop retreat) and listening to the hijinks can get a bit frustrating - reading them is much better, at least for me. Solid installment in the series. 3.5 stars

The third installment and honestly might be my favorite of the three. These characters in the story, I just feel like get better and better. Finlay and Vero are a powerhouse duo and keep me laughing through all the crazy. This one picks up right where book 2 ends, and I really liked it. I am eager to see how this series ends.

I have read the other books of the Finlay series and this book did not disappoint ! We are again brought into more adventures with Finlay and her friend , this time starting where the last book left off .
It kept me entertained and I wanted to know what Finlay did next ! I would recommend !

This series is so fun to read. I finished this one in two days! It was action packed and had some great twists. Just when I thought I figured out EasyClean, I was wrong! I love getting to read about Finlay and all of her adventures.

Finlay and Vero are back!

They still find themselves in a bit of trouble only this time they are spending a week at the police academy. For book research of course. This has absolutely nothing to do with Nick. Nothing at all. Okay maybe a little. But yes, so much more Nick in this book!!

And accidental murders. And more run ins with Feliks. And possible dirty cops. It’s all here! Funny and suspenseful I think this is the best book yet!

4.25 stars

The previous book in this series made me intrigued about Vero's backstory and Finlay's blossoming relationship with Nick. I loved the silly banter between Vero and Finlay. The overall tone was consistent with the last two books, which is hard to find in many series. The short chapters also helped me fly through this. However, I did feel like the plot was dragged out a bit as it steered away from the Aston Martin and Vero's past.

Finlay has had her fair share of bloody messes but this time she’s in debt to the Russian mob. Her task: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. Problem is, the killer might be an officer themself. With Vero, her partner-in-crime, they set out to attend a citizen’s police academy to sleuth out the killer. All while trying to raise 2 kids, dodge her ex-husband and write her next book.

I enjoyed this installment more than Finlay Knocks ‘Em Dead! I was literally laughing out in chapter 1 so I knew I was in for another hilarious ride with Finlay and Vero!

Murder, comedy, suspense - it packs it all. Yes, it’s outlandish and far-fetched but somehow it all works for me!