I've enjoyed the previous Finlay Donovan books as fun, mindless reads -- definitely the first one more than the second -- but I just couldn't handle this third one as an audiobook. The narrator just isn't my style, so I will need to try reading rather than listening to this one.

Finlay Donovan does not disappoint in this third installment. If you enjoyed the first two books in this series, you will certainly be entertained by Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, as Finlay is always able to find herself in a bind and stumble her way out.

This time around things are a little different. Though the pace is still quite fast, for much of the novel Finlay and Vero find themselves at a civilian police academy, going "undercover" in order to find out which of Fairfax's finest is the dreaded hired assassin "EasyClean." As a result the story felt much more contained to me as all of the major players are congregated together, and Finlay's kids (who are always to be counted on for extra mayhem) are noticeably absent through much of the story. Finlay is also trying to figure our her relationship with Nick the cop and rework the romantic storyline in her own book that once again is well past a deadline.

If you are looking for a funny mystery with a lot of personality, action, and multiple twists to keep you guessing, Finlay is definitely your girl! While I had hoped for more closure in this one, book 4 is in the works!

I listened to this audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the narrator! There are so many hilarious moments she is able to capture brilliantly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me access to this eARC in exchange for a fair review

Take the money and run ....
Ok, you know me as I'm blunt and to the darn point w/o fluff, w/o cherry coating, w/o all the fancy language and writings.
I know many of you trust me to give an honest review in exchange for this lovely ARC courtesy of Macmillan audio so here goes:
I didn't have any problem with the flow of this book (ADHD be damned). Nor, did I have issues with the plentiful array of characters.
I love the humor blended within the mix of the story because all work and no play does make for a boring ride.
This is obviously the 3rd in the Finlay Donovan series, and therefore, I would recommend you read the prior two to get a feel for this author's style.
In terms of the preview: Finlay is our divorced, single mom, author, and game changer with Vero ( the nanny accountant and baller).
They're on a mission to uncover information leading to this person simply known as "Easy Clean" which for some reason reminded me of the "Mr. Clean" guy. My bad...almost 50.
So, anyway we have a payoff of sorts for a debt if she could id this individual.
You know the money is always coming up in these stories and I'm here for it.
Finlay and Vero both suggest Easy may be part police connected and part killer. Opens up -Killer 101- and checks for how to catch one....
Now, a police academy with a hot guy named Nick might be the key needed to break this open. Or, at least break something. Sorry, my bad.
Nick plays a love interest and he's the guy in charge.
Around the same time we're introduced to another players like Sam who may or may not be a serial killer. Could she also be simply a smart female?
Well, as it turns out the Russian mob got her out of debt. So, she in essence owes them big league!
Stay focused. There's a task at hand here: Dear Readers..
Killer or officer?
Dodging spies, confronting Vero's past, hurdling the parenting juggle, and more.
Throw in some hot times with some men or two and we got ourselves a barn burner.
Oh, wait...This just in....There's been more than a few people that have suddenly gone missing or perhaps -DEAD!
Now, that changes some things...and with that comes some shady actions on everyone's part.
Whose telling the truth?
Will anyone save us?
Vero hid. Wade has a gun. Blackmail in progress....Loading.....
Duck, tumble, knock down, and run like hell, as this novel barrels at you from all angles.
I'm on the edge of the seat...which is better than hanging on to the edge of the building... with white knuckles looking down..
Could this be a contract killing? Is there a cash for carry option available? Will there be a huge payout?
Will everything simply go off course and will there be a 4th to the series?
Who is Easy Clean? Did this person murder others for money? What kind of sick AF person would do such a thing?
Bring in Nick to calm us down. To take the reigns and to lead us all to safety.
Or, so we had hoped...People use people for personal agendas which makes one wonder is this happening?
Who is this person that tried to take the ex-husband off the map?
Why is a better question?
What is on the line if you do catch the person responsible?
Bad hunches could go on all day but would it lead us any closer to the killer?
How about location...or was that relocation?
If only we could just take off and leave all our problems behind us. If only we had some sort of motivation or incentive....
One of my favorite places to visit has always been the ACNJ boardwalk ...although the people there are always trying to sell me things that I don't want.
Sorry, I digress....
This was fantastic and I look forward to the 4th in this series if Elle Cosimano leads us there.
Thank you to Elle Cosimano, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley, and all those who provided this ARC audio in exchange for this honest review.

Review from @amoreofbooks

🕵🏻Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun 🕵🏻

I was gifted the audio version of this book. It picks up right where the last one ended. My favorite is still the first book in this series but this was still fun especially the audio which is great! I always enjoy the funny banter between Finlay and Vero. Also, this book takes place where I live in NoVA which is exciting. This series give me Good Girls meets Janet Evanovich vibes! It also ends with a fun cliff hanger…

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgallery and @macmillan.audio for this #arc

I don’t know what else to say about this series other than I FREAKING LOVE IT! If you’re looking for the most fun mystery series around, then this is what you need!

In book three we’re back with Finlay and her trusty sidekick/accountant/babysitter, Vero, for a whole lot of shenanigans involving dead bodies, owing the Russian mob, sketchy ex-husbands, and a side of adorable romance. I loved Cosimano’s setting choice of a police academy sleepaway camp and the stress that came with being there mixed with our duo’s illegal affairs. The comedy that ensues is downright ridiculous and I loved every single moment of it! On top of the entertainment factor with these stories comes a solid plot that touches on the intricacies of family, friendships, and love. Cosimano has absolutely nailed the ability to combine all of those elements with crime and humor in a way that keeps me coming back for more and more.

If you haven’t already given this series a shot, now is the time to grab book one and join me in fangirling these books!

A huge thank you to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!

What do Lucy and Ethel, Laverne and Shirley and Finlay and Vero all have in common? Well, first they’re hilarious, but even more to the point … they can’t stay out of trouble! True to form, Finlay and Vero find themselves neck deep in it again in Book 3 - this time doing a citizen’s police training camp to learn how to administer the law while hoping the cops they’re surrounded by don’t figure out how much of it they’ve broken!

Finlay and Vero want to do the right things, but people keep ending up dead whenever they’re around. That’s what happens when you cross Feliks Zhirov, a Russian mob boss. Now he’s calling in a favor, and if they don’t want their secrets revealed, they’ll play ball! Will Finlay’s smitten detective Nick Anthony, her cop sister Georgia, or any number of the other officers she’s spending her training week with discover hers and Vero’s secrets? I can’t say, but I will say that trouble is no stranger once again!

Full of their typical OTT antics, great characters old and new, a little bite of “dessert” as Vero likes to call it (use your imagination 😉), and a hilarious opening scene involving a toddler and an occupied bathroom stall, this was the fun I’ve come to expect from this series. One new thing? I read and listened to it this time and Angela Dawes was perfection. Her voicing of Vero particularly makes me laugh!

Honestly, if you haven’t tried this series yet and you enjoy books with two comical leading ladies, I highly recommend you try it. This is one series you’d be better off reading in order, though, as the story does build on itself in each book. I can’t wait for Book #4!

★★★★

The Finlay Donovan series is the main reason that I got into the cozy mystery genre, so I’ve been very excited for this most recent installment of her adventures. I absolutely adore Finlay and Vera and Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun kept me entertained from beginning to end. My only qualm is that I feel like conflicts are being stretched/made more complicated just for the sake of continuing the series, but I’m not complaining too much because it means that I get to keep reading about Finlay and her misadventures.

I love Finlay and Vero so much. Angela Dawe did an absolutely fantastic job with this audio book! This hilarious duo is at it again picking up where they let off in book two- dogging mob bosses, chasing tiny humans and finding romance in-between the chaos. I absolutely adore the side characters in this book and loved that Nick was in this one more. Finlay and Vero always have me laughing at the absolutely insane situation they find themselves in and how they choose to handle them. Their unfiltered banter with each other is quick witted and fun. It was fast paced and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to find out who easyclean was. I did not see the twists coming and although I’m really not a big fan of cliffhangers this one definitely leaves you wanting more. Even though it is very apparent how much Finlay, Vero and Findlay’s family loves and takes care of her kids I wish they weren’t passed around like hot potatoes so much. As I anxiously await the next book I will have to go back and reread them because it took me a hot minute to remember what had happened previously as I read the other ones awhile ago.

Thank you for allowing me to listen to this book!
This book did not disappoint! If you didn't read the first two yet, don't worry as the book can be read by itself withour feeling lost or lefr out. It was a quick and fun read and I devoured it in a very short time frame. It was light and fun and contained a little romance but kept that part on the light side. The characters built on what happened in the previous two books and it was fun to "grow" with them.
I am hoping thwre will be another continued story on our heroine.

This was a wonderful audiobook. I enjoyed the mystery. It was fun to continue with the series and I can't wait to see what else Finlay gets herself into. This is one of my auto-buy series for sure.

THis is the third installment in the Finlay Donovan series and I have followed and loved the other two books. We are again following Finlay and Vero who are still running from the Russian mob, since taking part in two other murders. They both want out though, and somehow they end up in this police/self defense training that is being hosted by Nick (her on and off cop friend.) They are attempting to figure out EAZYCLEAN is and they have a feeling that it is someone within the police force.

This was a fun time, but I liked it significantly less than the first two books. We got less child humor, which is 80% of my enjoyment of the book and honestly I don’t feel like the series needed to continue. We were left on another cliffhanger which leads me to believe that there will be another book, and I think it is just too much at this point. But I will probably continue on with the books, because I want to know what is going to happen. I had a fun time with the book though.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟💫

Finlay Donovan is back and is more chaotic than ever. Thanks to a luxury car, Finlay owes the Russian mob and they have given her the task of unmasking a contract killer. When Finlay and her nanny/partner in crime, Vero, figure out that the killer may be a cop, they are able to get themselves invited to the police academy to investigate who the killer is. There’s also romance, banter, and plenty of hijinks.

I love the Finlay Donovan series, but this was my least favorite so far. I wish it could have been a whole new mystery vs. a continuation of the same mystery. I may have enjoyed it more if I reread the first two books. Angela Dawe is back as the narrator and she is just as great as always. She brings Finlay and Vero to life perfectly and captures the humor of the story. I recommend the audio version.

Overall, a fun entry in this unique series.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay and Vero are back at it again: the banter, the hijinks, the twists ! I adored the first 2 installments and thankfully the 3rd was just as entertaining ! This was my first time in the series listening to it by audio, and I think it elevates the experience because the narrator is absolutely spot on, she perfectly captures the chemistry between Finlay and Vero. I look forward to see what's next in store for our plucky heroines !
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Just like the first two books, this one is fun. Vero and Finlay take training exercises and competitions while participating in a citizen’s police academy. And as you’d expect after the shenanigans of the first two books, they’re pretty good at it. While maneuvering this, they are still trying to find out who ‘easy clean’ is - I didn’t see that coming.
The relationship between Nick and Finlay continues to develop in this book. The chemistry is undeniable - hoping for more of them in the next book. My favorite character is Vero and we get to find out more about her - some of her secrets come to light. I can’t wait to read more Finlay and Vero and their crazy adventures crazy adventures - especially after that ending 😯!
The narrator for the audiobook was great. She does a great job at portraying the characters in a realistic manner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

Thank you Minotaur books and NetGalley for providing me with an Arc of this book. This is the third installment of the series and it’s another homerun! I listened to it on audiobook and found the narration easy to listen to. The story was fast paced and yet again, all characters are likable! I cant wait for the next installment!

Wow. Wow. I totally didn't see that ending coming and it was so unexpectedly good. I can't wait for the next installment. Finlay and Vero have found themselves in another interesting mess at an odd police camp situation for adults.
I have so many questions. Why is Steven still around creating chaos? What did Steven do that Easy Clean was ready to take him out? Why is Vero such an interesting character? I have more questions but I don't want to give up the storyline.
I love this voice actor! Especially when she does Zach's voice. The opening scene in the bathroom is hilarious to me.

The dynamic duo is back again for another ride in Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun! Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in Elle Cosimano's series and it's filled with ... a lot. I enjoy this cozy mystery series and find Finlay and Vero are never short on making me chuckle.

In this book Finlay and Vero continue on their journey to find Easy Clean and somehow land themselves in a Citizen's Police Academy. As they continue to try to find Easy Clean for Felix, they land themselves in a series of events that can't help make their audience laugh.

As the plot thickens, Cosimano takes readers on another crazy journey with Finlay and Vero. While this book is far fetched and a little out of control, I think that's exactly what Cosimano intended for it to be. Taking readers on the ride with Finlay and Vero, while making us laugh along the way was a great escape in this book. If you're looking for an easy read - I'd recommend Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I have enjoyed the previous installments in this series but this one just didn’t live up to those for me. I felt like there were too many things happening and it just kept getting more and more out of control.

This was also the first time I have listened to a book in this series and while the narrator did a fine job some of the voices just didn’t match what I had previously in my head.

This one ended with a set up for another book and I hate to say it but I’m kind of hoping that will be the last so that we can wrap up all the lose ends and be done.

The Finlay Donovan series is great and I fly through every book. This book was no expection, it was another tale of Finlay's mishaps and adventures. It kept me interested throughout the entire narration. I definitely recommend this series (and this book!) if you are looking for something light and funny.

Thank you to Netgalley, Elle Cosimano and Macmillan Audio for an arc of the audiobook! All opinions are my own.

Finlay Donovan is my favorite accidental contract killer. Once again, her over the top adventure roped me in. This was my least favorite of the series by far, and I didn't love that the ending left me needing more, but of course, it ensured that I'll be back for the 4th installment. Always a pleasure to read about Finlay!