Member Reviews
This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The plot twists, the witty banter, and the oh-so-relatable protagonist, Finlay Donovan, made for a gripping read. 🕵️♀️💼
What's not to love about Finlay? She's a struggling single mom, a talented amateur sleuth, and a total mess – in the most endearing way possible! Her quirky personality and hilarious mishaps made me laugh out loud and bite my nails the next. Talk about rollercoaster emotions! 🎢😂
But it's not just Finlay who steals the show. The supporting cast is just as captivating, from her enigmatic ex-husband to the charmingly mysterious Vero. Each character adds depth and intrigue to the story, keeping you guessing until the end. 🔍🤔
And can we talk about the plot? Elle Cosimano weaves together a tale of murder, mystery, and mayhem that will keep you guessing at every turn. When you think you've figured it out, she throws another curveball, leaving you desperate for more. It's like playing a high-stakes game of Clue, and I am here for it! 🕵️♂️🔍
Overall, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" is a wild ride from start to finish. If you're a fan of thrillers with a side of humour and heart, this book is an absolute must-read. So grab your copy, buckle up, and prepare for an adventure with Finlay Donovan! 🎲📖✨
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
I have loved the down-to-earth Finlay Donovan and all the ridiculous scenarios in which she finds herself. This has been one of my favorite series, and this fourth book started off strong. It included exactly the right amount of background to remind me what happened in the last book without having to reread or taking away from establishing the tension for this book.
But as I continued reading, I found it failed to hold my interest as well. Many of the situations felt like ones that we have seen Finlay and Vero face previously. It didn't feel like this novel included much character growth or progression of the overall series arc.
This book worked as a single story with a clear set of acts and mysteries to solve. I enjoyed the dialogue and the various characters we meet. And I loved seeing more from Finlay's mother. I'm hopeful that future books will bring back the unexpected surprises and charm that made me fall so hard for this series. And I hope for a clearer series trajectory going forward.
3.25 stars
In the fourth Finlay Donovan book we follow her and Vero to Atlantic city to try to track down Javi. However, their plans get disrailed when Finaly’s ex husband, mom and kids decide to tag along.
This was fun and silly like the last three books in the series. This is such a good to when you want an easy, light hearted read! I loved the road trip element and the book being set in a new place! All the side characters are always so fun to follow along with! I will definitely be continuing with this series!
As an avid fan of Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series, I eagerly dove into the latest installment, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice." Having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, I approached this one with high expectations. Unfortunately, while Cosimano's writing still shines, this particular book fell short of the mark for me.
From the outset, Finlay Donovan has been a character known for finding herself in captivating and often humorous predicaments. However, in "Rolls the Dice," the plot veered into territory that felt overly far-fetched, straining the believability that I had come to appreciate in the series.
Despite my disappointment with the plot direction, I must commend Cosimano for her continued skill in crafting engaging narratives and witty dialogue. Her writing style remains a highlight of the series, keeping readers engaged even when the storyline falters.
Ultimately, "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" earns a solid three-star rating from me. While it may not have reached the heights of its predecessors, it still offers moments of entertainment and showcases Cosimano's talent as a writer. Fans of the series may still find enjoyment in this latest installment, though perhaps with tempered expectations.
Another fun Finlay Donovan book!
I can always count on this series for a fun fluffy time and I loved Vero finally getting some love in this book! I will say that I find the children and childcare parts 90's sitcom ridiculous and not plausible.
I will never give up on this series😂😂
It’s wild and unhinged at times but I’m fully committed, mentally and physically 🤣🤣
I don’t even know how much more messy this series can get
I mean, this one was wild
Like bodies in the bath tub wild.
Hide your kids
Hide your dogs
Hide your husbands too😂😂😂
I’ll just say I’m here for the long haul
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano is the 4th book in the Finlay Donovan series. It picks up where book 3, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, leaves off.
Finlay and Vero must get to Atlantic City for a number of urgent reasons including saving Vero's crush Javi and locating a stolen car. So they concoct a story saying they need a Girl's weekend and are taking the kids with them. Finlay's ex-husband digs in his heels and says the kids are not leaving the state without him. And Finlay's mom is determined to accompany them for her own reasons.
Because it's Finlay and Vero, it hasn't been 24 hours and already trouble is finding them. Marco wants payment in full of what Vero owes him before he will free Javi. And he wants to know where his nephew Ike is. The women can't own up to that. So, they are at an impasse.
Finlay and Vero decide to break into Marco's suite to look for clues as to where Javi and the stolen car might be. Someone has beaten them to it, though, and left behind a dead Marco. They have no idea who did it. It adds to their workload. Find who killed Marco, they are probably looking for the car as well.
Then Nick, Charlie, Georgia, and Samantha show up at their hotel (all cops.) Nick is very eager to keep Finlay close to him to keep her safe. Rumor has it that the Russian mob boss who owns the car is on his way back to the states flying into Newark.
Finlay has to juggle people and responsibilities to continue to pursue the questions that brought them to Atlantic City. If things don't go off as planned, will she have to confess to the things that lead up to this mess?
This is not a standalone book. You must read them in order to appreciate the mess that Finlay and Vero are in.
Finlay and Vero are fun characters to read about. So often it seems they are going out of the frying pan and into the fire. This is a good escape from reality. The ladies are funny in an almost Lucy and Ethel way. Thing after thing happens to them escalating the danger and action. Basically, the premise for the plot is wild and bears little resemblance to reality which makes it a good read if you want something different.
The action moves the plot forward at a good rate. There are very few times when Finlay and Vero aren't actively doing something. But, even then you are learning more about them and the other characters.
I gave it 5 stars out of 5. The series would make for good beach reading. But, it also makes for fun reading if you need a break from reality. If you enjoy humorous mysteries with lots of action, this could be a good book and series for you.
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano was released March 5th, 2024 from Minotaur Books.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.
This was another fun book in this series that picks up right where we left off in book 3. Finlay and Vero set off on another dangerous adventure but this time with the kids, Finlay’s mom and her ex husband in tow. I feel like each book becomes more and more unrealistic but I also find myself highly entertained so I can look beyond the unlikely scenarios they get away with. I am looking forward to the next book (if and when it comes).
we love the ending that Elle leaves us with in the 4th, great ending to a great series (if it’s the end).
I love how immersive Elle’s writing is and really feels like I’m watching her books on screen in my head.
Love the twists and turns and cast of characters in this one!
Another great installment in the Finlay Donovan series! Read primarily via audiobook and really enjoyed that format. Highly recommend this book and series! :)
This series is just so much daggum fun. Elle makes murder fun and funny. Realistic? Nah. But I don't care. It's just a good time.
Loved the 4th (?) installment in the Finlay Donovan series! This was so much fun and light. Love Finlay and Vero!
I found the fourth book to be much more fun and interesting than the third one so I am officially back into this series. These books are silly and fun and remind me a lot of the TV shows I used to watch with my mom, like Bones, Psych, etc. Crime + a lot of humor and I am in!!
I don’t have a ton to say other than I love Vero, enjoyed the Atlantic City setting, and the book has great vibes. But what else do I really need to say?! I cannot wait to read the next one!
Unfortunately this book in the series was not for me. This was definitely not expected but I will pick up the next one. But I could have cared less to what the actual plot was and it just did not make much sense.
What's not to love about Finlay? It's snarky, thrilling, and pushes the envelope in all the right kinds of way.
Another hilariously ridiculous installment of Finlay and Vero adventures!
Was every little thing wildly unreasonable? Yes. Is that what made it the most fun? Of course! I loved getting more of Vero and her relationships and also getting to see more of Finlay's family. I'm also very happy with how Finlay dealt with Stephen in this book. I feel like she really found her stride with that whole co parenting thing.
I definitely think that this series is worth reading! I have read them all as they come out and it's been a fun journey that I will continue with as long as she writes more!
Finlay and Vero don’t have to find trouble, trouble finds them.
In Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, after the crazy events at the police academy, they hatch a plan for a girls weekend in Atlantic City as a cover to find Vero’s friend and recover the stolen Aston Martin. Except the whole family wants to tag along: ex-husband, kids, and mother. Things only get more awkward and hilarious when detective Nick and his partner, FBI agents, and Finlay’s sister arrive.
Over the top and outlandish? Absolutely but that’s the charm and what makes this book and series so much fun to see how they will get themselves out of the situations that they land in the middle of. Many loose ends from the previous books get tied up nicely, but the last lines have me pondering what misadventures they can get into in future books.
This is perfect when you want a fast-paced, wacky cozy mystery with a dash of romance similar to the Stephanie Plum series.
3.5 stars!
I love the Finlay Donovan Series, and they're always a quick easy enjoyable read for me. However, it's almost getting cheesy how they always coincidentally just miss getting caught and always have someone or something else to pin the blame on.
I still recommend this book, especially if you're already into the series.
Thank you to Net Galley & St. Martins Press for the advance e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Another winner!! I just love Finlay and Vero SOO MUCH! This truly was another one of the amazing books where it kept me going until literally the last sentence - when I gasped out loud!! I see another book coming and I already can't wait! Wonderful twists and turns the entire time!
I enjoyed the fourth installment of Finlay Donovan. It picks up where the third book ends, and you are whisked away to a new adventure in Atlantic City.
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I enjoyed the Atlantic City location and the challenges it caused Finlay and Vero. Everything was foreign to them, and I enjoyed the various predicaments they would find themselves in.
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As always, the banter is fun, which is one of the many reasons I enjoy this series. Vero and Finlay crack me up, and I’m low-key horrified by the situations they find themselves in throughout the series.
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In this series, I’m not necessarily in it for the romance, so I’m ok that the pace with Nick is pretty slow, but I wouldn’t be opposed to more from them. But since it’s a cozy mystery, either works for me!