In the third book of the Finlay Donovan cozy-mystery series, Finlay and Vero find themselves juggling two huge and dangerous jobs. We also have a week at a police academy training for citizens, a destroyed luxury car sized problem, the discovery of an anonymous contract killer, and Vero’s past catching up to her. I adore Finlay and Vero, but I feel neutral about this book.

I’ll start with what I liked about Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun:

» The strong female characters; Finlay and Vero are, as always, amazing.
» Finlay and Vero’s friendship and partnership; They truly are partners in crime and life.
» Cosimano’s easy and binge-worthy writing style.
» The romance in this third book. While the love triangles in the first two books were the least interesting parts of the story, I found myself caring about who Finlay decides to be with in this one—And I’m happy with the way it played out.
» The additional police characters added to the hilarious situations and gave us more background on Nick.
» Learning more about Vero and her situation, but there’s still so much left unknown which I hope will be in book #4.

Here is what didn’t work that well for me:

» While the first two books were wild and the twists kept me on the edge of my seat, this one felt chaotic.
» There were so many sub-plots that were used to try to tie things up, but they just ended up being a bit burdensome to read.
» I couldn’t wait to read this book because I wanted more background on Vero. While we do get to know her better, I don’t think her parts were given enough attention because of the many sub-plots that felt dragged out.

Elle Cosimano has written a series that’s wild, laugh-out-loud funny, and entertaining. I definitely recommend the series, but the second book is still my favourite. That cliffhanger at the end? Yes, I want to read book #4.

I think this is my favorite of the series so far! I was a little worried that it would feel too similar to the other books but it was such a fresh take on the series. Elle Cosimano is a master of pacing, giving just enough to keep you satisfied but still maintaining enough tension to keep the pages turning. I already can't wait for book 4!

4.5 🌟

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for a gifted copy of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano. All opinions are my own.

Finlay Donovan and her sidekick, Vero, are back for the third book in this hilarious series. Can they get themselves into more trouble? They are attending a citizens police academy while attempting to hide from the Russian mob. How much more trouble could they possibly get into?

These books are a lot of fun to read. Vero is my favorite character. She's a blunt, to the point, and no nonsense character. She doesn't disappoint.

I'm looking forward to many more books in this series.

Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: January 31, 2023

I absolutely love this series and I love that the author is able to continue this series so well. This book was just as funny as the other two.

OK - real talk.

I am officially over this series.

It's never been a hit for me, but the antics that are the exact same from book 1 that were replicated in book 2 are really played out in book 3.

IF you like this series, you will love this installment.

If you are like me and these aren't your exact cup of tea, this may be a tedious read.

Loved this book. Elle Cosimano does it again. I am a huge fan of Finlay Donavan and I feel that her third book Finlay Donavan Jumps the Gun is just as great as her previous two. There was the right amount of mystery and suspense with a dash of romance. Mind you, it is a dash of romance which I personally love as I'm not a huge romance genre kinda gal. I tip my hat to Ms. Cosimano as this was another wonderful read. Thank you so much for Netgalley and Minotaur publishing for providing me with an advanced copy.

Finlay Donovan, single mother, author, and... mob hitman? The third installment of the Finlay Donovan series takes place immediately following its prequel, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead. Finlay and her nanny turned partner in crime, Vero, are in between a rock and a hard place, when Mob boss Feliks hired them to identify EasyClean, the contract killer who was hired to murder her ex-husband. It turns out Vero also has some trouble of her own, as she has people hunting her down for a large sum of cash. Seems like an easy decision to accept the job from Feliks, doesn't it? If only they didn't suspect a cop of being the contract killer!

With the help of hot cop Nick, Finlay and Vero are able to immerse themselves in a police academy in order to discover who the contract killer is, and hopefully, help Vero out with her money problems. What could possibly go wrong?

The world of Finlay Donovan is one I simply cannot get enough of! Hot lawyers, even hotter cops, and a whole lot of mystery. The third installment of this charming series is one I thoroughly enjoyed.

Throughout the book, we follow Finlay and Vero as they navigate the police academy, armed with some clues and hunches as to who EasyClean is. With the unwitting help of the various police academy trainers, they slowly unravel the clues as a few possible suspects come to light. By the end of the book, we discover the identity of EasyClean, but some mystery still remains, which I imagine will lead to a fourth installment of the series. Of course, I enjoyed the will-they-won't-they between Finlay and Nick, and we even learn a bit more about Vero's past. I had a lot of fun as these two navigated the world of the police academy.

Some of the scenarios of this book do start to feel a bit unrealistic and somewhat lucky. How do these two keep dodging trouble?! But then I remember that the entire series has been less than 2 months of their lives, and it all seems more reasonable to me. I didn't enjoy the police academy setting quite as much as the previous books, but it was a clever way to introduce us to a number of new characters.

Overall I would highly recommend this book! I rate it a 4.5/5, happily rounded up to a 5.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book!

I was SO excited for a 3rd installment of the Finlay Donovan series. "Mom detective" Finlay is one of my favorite characters. I just can't help but root for her! I flew through this one in an afternoon, I just didn't want to put it down.
I am curious to see where it goes next...it's feeling messy and I'm getting stressed for Finlay and Vero! If you're into the Finlay world, I think you should definitely read this one.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

LOL. I love this book. I was laughing so hard. I am a new mom and OMG, I was dying when Finlay was dealing with her two-year-old. I saw a glimpse of what I can look forward to and I truly laughed out loud. Finlay and Vero have to find a contract killer, who may or may not be a cop. So when a handsome hottie cop, Nick, assembles a citizens-type police academy, Finlay and Vero sign up with an ulterior motive to investigate the cops. Can you imagine the shenanigans they went through to infiltrate the cops and their activities all day long? I loved it.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love these books. I like that all the dots start to connect and you see the story unfold. She's a realistic character who is going through the normal problems of a divorced mom. Thanks Netgalley for the advanced copy!

2.5 stars

I loved the first Finlay Donovan book. It was hilarious and fun despite the dead bodies. The problem is that the same antics and situations were less amusing in book 2 and a snooze in book 3. This book moves the story forward but it was incredibly slow-paced and lacked the fun antics and felt more tense and drawn. That's not the vibe that got me into these books in the first place, and I was disappointed.

If you're really dedicated to this series, you can read this one and continue on. I think I may be ready to shelve Finlay Donovan at this point.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for this ARC.

Oh My Gosh.. I love Finlay Donovan! Her adventures, her antics, her personality, her friends, her family...they're all amazing! She's quickly become one of my favorite literary characters, up there with Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich. The adventures of Finlay and Vero are so much fun! They always find themselves in some sort of big trouble, but they are smart, confident, strong women, who are able to wiggle their way out, every. single. time! I love it! This book is clever, suspenseful, mysterious, funny, romantic...it's really just a book full of fun and joy.

This is the third book in the series, and if you have not read the first two, I would suggest you read them in order. I think it is necessary to know all of the background information before starting this book.

For the record, I didn't love the ending, but I did love the rest of the book, and I was so excited to be approved for an advance copy by the publisher and NetGalley. Thank you! I'm looking forward to book 4!

Elle Cosimano is one of my favorite authors - I recommend “Findlay Donovan” to everyone! I was so thrilled for the newest installation and it didn’t disappoint, Laughs and thrills all around!

I LOVED this story!! If I had the time, I would have read it in one sitting. I can’t wait for everyone else to read it!! Easily my favorite series I’ve read this year and the fact that the story will continue on to a book 4 is amazing.

Thanks to NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third installment in the series and it did not disappoint! Finlay and Vero find themselves in the midst of another scheme and more wild shenanigans! I’m this book we find them participating in a citizens academy with, you guessed it, “hot cop” Nick. While they are trying to uncover EasyCleans real identity, they have to get through the week of challenges and exercises without being exposed!
A fun romp of hilarity and mayhem. Finlay and Vero don’t disappoint.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy. I have loved this series, but this one was a let down. Finlay seems to just spin in circles over the same conflict, which made the storyline really slow. One of the big twists I did not see coming, so much so that it wasn't really believable. The other twist was pretty obvious. Hopefully, the next book will be more like the first two.

I know I’ve said I don’t really do series, but I made an exception for Finlay Donovan! She is such a fun, quirky, lovable woman I want to read all about the mess that is her life lol.

In this installment we know Feliks is running things from behind bars thanks to the events of book one and two. However, in this installment, Finlay finds herself in a pickle when Feliks thinks she can be an asset to him and brings her into his web of the mob. Meanwhile Finlay and Vero find themselves on citizens police academy, while trying to figure out who easyclean is in order to save Steven, Finlay’s ex. Problem is, all signs point to contract killer easyclean being a cop. Will Finlay and Vero be able to stop easyclean in time to save Steven or will Finlay end up a widower?

My biggest question, will she or won’t she with Mr hotty detective was finally answered at the end of this book. Glad I now know how that wraps up. This book was just as fun as the other two and had the same laughs and plausibility. This is one of those books that’s great to read to just get away and forget your stresses.

This book is so fun, I give it a 4 out of 5 for giving me the much needed break from my stress. Thank you so much to @netgalley and the publisher, @stmartinspress, for an advanced copy of this book. Make sure to add this book to your tbr and grab it asap on January 31, 2023

This series just keeps getting better and better! I’m
So invested in Finlay and Vero’s antics, and I’m so happy that the little love triangle seems to be over.. such a great book!

Finlay and Vero are back again! The situations and conversations between these two is always entertaining. Finlay Donovan jumps the gun is the third installment in the series. Finlay and Vero are spending a week at a citizen’s police academy in efforts to get closer to some officers they suspect may be EasyClean, a contract killer Zhirov (Russian mob boss) has forced into identifying.

I love this series, but book three left me wanting. I liked the development of characters but it took 90% of the book to get there. While I'm still excited for the promise of book four, I hope the plot picks up a little and feels less repetitive and we see more forward movement between all characters. I would also love to see more of Wade in book four if possible.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Finlay and Vero are back at it again! The dynamic between these two is always an entertaining hoot. In this 3rd installment in the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay and Vero are spending a week at a citizen’s police academy in efforts to get closer to some officers they suspect may in fact be the contract killer they’ve been sucked into identifying. Both these women just want to be free from the Russian mob, though neither can seem to shake their ties to Zhirov or other threats from their past.

I found it frustrating how often Finlay and Vero have “whispered” conversations with each other about VERY incriminating info while others are nearby, yet somehow they’re never overheard? Also, lots more “this is so dumb— are you seriously doing this?!” moments than I remember feeling in the first 2. I know the tone of these books is more comedy-mystery than straight up mystery, but still.

Definitely recommend reading the first 2 books before jumping into this one if you want to appreciate the full story, though the gist of their previous adventures are quickly summarized throughout this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for this e-arc.