I was so excited for the ARC for this one (thanks Netgalley!) but I think I’m done with this series 😬. This was the most over the top of the series but somehow missing all the humor and charm?

Picking up where “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun” left off, Finlay and Vero have to immediately get to Atlantic City to save Javi. But the best friend pair are saddled with Finlay’s 2 kids, mom, and her ex husband on the trip. Then her cop boyfriend shows up in AC hot on the case and Finlay is struggling to stay one step ahead.

I just….didnt care. The shenanigans all felt forced, the drama with Nick vs Steven was eye roll inducing for me, and the mystery felt flat. I feel like this much beloved series has lost its humor, heart and edge (at least for me.) I’m seeing lots of rave reviews from others, but this was my least fav of the series so far by miles.

Available everywhere 03/05/24.

✨Trigger Warnings: Murder, Body Horror, Infidelity

3.5 rounded down. I absolutely LOVED the first two in the series. The third was a little farfetched, harder to get on board with, and this one continued down that path. With all of the Finlay books you have to suspend belief and just accept some things, which I don't take issue with. My biggest issue with this one is more minor but consistent: so many <i>sensitive</i>conversations were had in too close proximity to others. Finlay and Vero have an uncoded phone call with Nick in the car, or they'll be talking in the same room as others.
It was still fun to see what their antics got them into. I'm hoping this is where it ends, but based on the epilogue... Who knows.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

These books are so bonkers in the best way. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice features the chaotic cast of characters we've gotten to know -- Vero, her kids, her ex-husband, the hot cop -- plus some new even more (?) chaotic characters from the last couple of books. Finlay and Vero find themselves in Atlantic CIty for a "girls' weekend" which is code for "find Vero's childhood friend and the car he was stolen in while also trying to make things right with a loan shark," but their girls' weekend turns into a family vacation, plus a crime scene, as the FCPD (and an FBI agent?) follow them there.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice has the twists and turns that are par for the course in this series, and all of the questionable activity Finlay and Vero find themselves doing to save themselves and also save the day. The end to this book is especially satisfying, wrapping up a lot of loose threads from book 3 with a heck of a lot of action (and a little bit of romance). But lest you worry that this is the end of the road for Finn and Vero, the epilogue, once again, ends on a bonkers cliffhanger. Which promises more adventures and crime and bad-ass lady detective-ing for Finn and Vero in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an eARC of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice in exchange for my honest review.

A girls' road trip isn't quite what it seems in the new installment of Finlay Donovan. I like Finlay, Very, and Finlay's mom. I think the portrayal of the ex-husband is believable, if a little sappy at times. I could do without the boyfriend - he's mostly a prop for smutty bits and going "eek the cops!"

I think these books are getting more romance-y over time. It's not my thing, but you can ignore those parts and still enjoy the mystery.

Kevin Bacon, the dog, was a nice addition here.

I don't understand the choice of narrator. She's fine, but she isn't at all how I would expect Finlay to be voiced.

Thank you NetGalley and LibroFM for the ARC. I will purchase for my library.

I just love Finlay, Vero and all their shenanigans. In this book they find themselves in Atlantic City trying to resolve a mess they’ve gotten themselves into and only end up finding more trouble, because of course. I loved Finlay’s mom in this one and she might just be my new favorite character.

These books are so much fun and never cease to make me laugh out loud. Nothing will ever compare to OG book of the series, but I will forever follow Finlay & Vero on all of their adventures.

That you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is a wild, fast-paced, hysterical ride. There was something going on, on every single page. It is definitely my second favorite in the series. I laughed so hard I cried. I feel very sentimental about the relationship between Finlay and Vero. I love their friendship and hope it continues to be the center of all the F.D. books.

My only critique is that this book is very much a continuation of the previous ones and it had been too long since I read Book #3. It took a while for me to catch on to what was happening. It would be very beneficial to do a reread before reading this one or find a recap of the series with highlights to refresh your memory.

Overall, I loved this whacky Finlay ride!

Finlay and Vero can’t seem to catch a break. They have gotten themselves into another situation and are off to Atlantic CIty. As typical of Finlay Donovan stories, what was supposed to be a girl's weekend, in disguise, quickly turned into a family affair with her mom, sister, children, and ex-husband tagging along. To make matters worse, Detective Nick and the FBI crew just happen to show up in the same hotel that same weekend. Throw in a couple dead bodies, a lost dog, a stolen car and a runaway teen to the mix and you’ve got one wild and crazy ride. What could possibly go wrong?

The story picks back up exactly where book 3 ended. It ties up a few loose ends but creates a couple new ones. Not sure if there is a book 5 in the making, but this one was left open with the possibility of another one.

This was another laugh out loud, corny, chaotic filled cozy mystery with the perfect setting, in a luxury hotel in Atlantic City. Finlay and Vero’s banter and over-the-top crazy ideas kept me laughing. However, there was a lot going on and it was a little confusing at times with pretty much every character and storyline from the past 3 books all coming together in one place…literally.

Synopsis in a sentence (or two):
Finlay and Vero are working to tie up loose ends from crimes committed in previous novels, and this time they have to sneak around the entire family and detective cast while vacationing in Atlantic City on a “girls weekend.”

Characters:
Finlay and Vero’s lives are wholly unbelievable in every iteration of this series, but that is precisely what I love about these books. Finlay and her “nanny” have a perfect friendship, funny banter and their outlandish capers make for fun, lighthearted reading. For some odd reason, the pair remind me of Daria and Jane from MTV’s ‘90’s sitcom Daria. They are the reason I keep coming back for another sequel, and also the reason I’m hoping this series is optioned for film or television sometime soon.

Pacing/Storyline Highlights:
♥️This is a book that could easily be read in one sitting. The antics that came along with escaping Finlay’s family and the watchful eye of the detectives propelled me through this one.
♥️The entire Finlay Donovan series capitalizes on crazy parenting pitfalls that I never realized could be a thing until I had my own child. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice begins with the ex-husband, Steven, crossing what appears to be a multi-lane highway to retrieve their child’s “woobie.” It’s outlandish, but also there were moments I would have scaled a skyscraper if it meant retrieving my daughter’s beloved stuffy. In other words it’s funny, because it’s true.
♥️From an adventure at Chubbies, “not Chubby’s” to fishing out a usb drive in a very unexpected place, this book continued on with the same craziness people have come to expect from Finlay & Co.

Lowlight:
Not exactly a lowlight for me, but a note for others. New readers to the series may want to start at book one, Finlay Donovan is Killing It, rather than jumping in at book four.

Read this if:
📚You’re a reader who loves Finlay Donovan, Janet Evanovich, and humorous murder mysteries
📚You’re looking for a fun, escape read with a murder mystery and a heroine mother that’s less than perfect

Rating: 4.0

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Digital Review Copy of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice. All opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, A Novel, by Elle Cosimano from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press /Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

"…As I mentioned in my last review for the series this really is Lucy & Ethel meets Thelma & Louise. The series really has it all a fast-paced twisted mystery, sexy romance, chaos at every turn and so many laughs….…"

I love this series and have from the first book. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up where book three, Finlay Donovon Jumps the Gun leaves off after the harrowing events at the Citizens’ Police Academy. Finlay and her nanny/accountant, Vero, are once again up to their necks in trouble whilst trying to recover a stolen Aston Martin and rescue Vero’s childhood sweetheart Javi whose been kidnapped by Marco, a nasty loan shark holding him hostage until he is paid what he is owed from Vero.

Tracking him down to Atlantic City, the two girls prepare for a road trip under the guise of having a girl’s weekend to recover from previous events. Their quiet little getaway is foiled as they are set to hit the road and Finlay’s mother, clingy ex-husband Steven, and two kids all decide that it should become a family vacation. Once there Finlay and Vero sneak out of the hotel set to find the loan shark, and that they do but there is one minor problem, he is dead along with an associate and the ledger with Vero’s name has gone missing. Putting the two bodies on ice, the girls call Cam, a teenage computer hacker and the nephew of Joey, the current partner of Finlay’s detective boyfriend Nick, to help break into Marco’s devices for clues to Javi’s location.

To make matters worse, upon returning to their hotel they learn that Nick has arrived with the calvary to protect Finlay after getting an anonymous tip that her nemesis Feliks Zhirov is heading their way, and he is not letting her out of his sight. The girls are shocked when the calvary includes Nick’s former partner Charlie who is as crooked as they come and has already threatened the girls, it seems that Finlay and Vero’s mission has just become much more complicated. To get back Javi and the ledger the girls must use their quick wits travelling all over Atlantic city from the boardwalk to a seedy strip club, in their search but their ability to find trouble has no ends.

Most of the characters are back in addition to Cam, Steven, Javi, Charlie and Finlay’s mother and kids we get to see Joey, Finlay’s sister Georgia, Georgia’s FBI agent girlfriend Sam, the dangerous Feliks Zhirov, and his partner Ekatarina Rybakov.

Another fast-paced, action packed, humorous and quirky mystery that we have come to enjoy in this series, like the previous two books, this one also ends with a cliffhanger involving Finlay’s nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty suggesting more adventures in Finlay and Vero’s future.

As I mentioned in my last review for the series, this really is Lucy & Ethel meets Thelma & Louise. The series really has it all a fast-paced twisted mystery, sexy romance, chaos at every turn and so many laughs that will keep the reader entertained to the very last page. My only complaint is sometimes there is so much happening at once that it can feel somewhat overwhelming at times, but overall, I really enjoyed the book and I definitely recommend it.

While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the others in the series, I still like the series overall and thought this book was a fun read. These characters are so good and the witty one liners literally make me laugh out loud! The narrator did a great job especially with changing her voice to fit different characters and accents.

Finlay Donovan’s mix of mom humor and thrilling action sequences never disappoints. The newest book in the series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, kept me in stitches from beginning to end and even worried me for a while.

Like the other books in the series, Rolls the Dice is fast-paced with plenty of action and deception. Finlay is the everywoman who brings a relatability to entirely unrelatable situations. She manages to care for her children and career while taking down bad guys and burying bodies.

I loved that I got to learn more about Vero. Her childhood and love interest are laid bare in this installment. I enjoyed learning about this once-elusive character who encourages Finlay to do crazy things. The character development now aligns with her role in the series.

The romance between Finlay and Nick is very intriguing. Everyone loves the pairing except her ex-husband, and I agree wholeheartedly. Still, as the events unfold in Atlantic City - an edge is added to the relationship that adds an interesting twist that I can’t wait to see play out.

Another excellent installment in the Finlay Donovan series - one that I thoroughly enjoyed!

After finishing the fourth in the Finlay Donovan series, these remain some of my very favorite books! I read every page with a smile on my face and enjoy tagging along with Finlay and Vera for another adventure! I'll continue to pick up each new book that Cosimano pens!

3.5 stars

This whole series is still fun but the spark and believability that was in the first two books has diminished somewhat, now they just seem over the top a bit. Especially with the added roadtrip with the ex and Finlay's mother, I'm not sure she was needed for the story. Still a good time and will still continue with the series!

Thank you St Martin Press & Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Stay tuned for review!

This latest installment to the series has a frenetic Weekend at Bernie’s feel. It has everything I’ve come to love about this series: mystery, romance, and humor all in one amazing package. I also liked the way some plot points have progressed throughout the series.

I did wonder who the heck was caring for or at least caring about the children at times, but it didn’t bug me too much; this is fiction after all.

God I just love this series so much! Road trip books are hit or miss but this one imo was a hit. This book picks up from the last one. Everyone’s in this one! I can’t say much more without giving spoilers but I loved it and can’t wait for the next one

Ok I ended up coming back to this book. I like the Finley Donovan series. This was another good one. It’s funny and addicting. This series would make for a good show.

I have been a huge fan of the Finlay Donovan series since the very first book - while I have generally listened to these books, I absolutely loved physically reading this one!

I loved that this book focused on Vero, and Javi, more-so than just Finlay and her problems that she gets herself into!

And that fact that this book was set in my home state of NJ made it even better.

Vero and Finlay find themselves in hot water once again due to previous unpaid debts of Vero's. She finds the love of her life being kidnapped and we get to go through the journey with the two of them, and all of the side characters as well.

As usual with this series, this book was absolutely hilarious. I laughed out loud more times than I can count!

FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE by ELLE COSIMANO
Publication: March 5, 2004
By: Minotaur Books …. Page Count; 320
By: Macmillan Audio …Narrated by: ANELA DAWES … 9 Hours, 5 Min


What a hoot! A new genre arises … the screwball comedy mystery. Mix into the pot a heaping amount of misunderstanding and misadventure, a humungous amount of humor, a tinge of romance, a deepening friendship and murder, and you’ve got a propulsive read. “Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice’ is the fourth Finlay adventure, but can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone, as Cosimano seamlessly weaves into the narrative the necessary backstory. Finlay has recently achieved literary success with her spicy romantic mysteries and her readers continue to clamor for more romantic involvement with the “hot cop” from her previous book (who actually is real-life Nick and her sister Georgia’s cop partner). Her friendship is further deepening with her live-in nanny, college student, Vero … who wears many hats: trusting nanny, confidante, partner-in-crime, and accountant - and from this, a blossoming friendship has evolved. Complicating the farce is her no-good ex-husband Steve, her mother, Susan, with ongoing marital problems , and her adorable children: four year-old Delia and two year-old sticky-fingered toddler, Zach.
Finlay and Vero must plan a trip to Atlantic City to accomplish multiple purposes. They need to retrieve a stolen Aston Martin , rescue Vero’s love-interest, Javi, and negotiate with a dangerous loan-shark for Vero’s outstanding loan marker. In screwball fashion they find it necessary for their “girls weekend” to take place…. their travel companions swell with the inclusion of the children, ex-husband Steve, and Susan. They arrive at a seedy casino and contact Marco, the loan shark. He demands payment in full and wants to know where is missing nephew is, before he releases Javi and the stolen vehicle. Finlay and Vero decide to find Javi and the Aston Martin on their own. They locate Marco’s hotel suite, only to find him and his henchman, quite dead ,cold and decomposing . This starts a series of hilarious misadventures in an attempt to extricate themselves from this seemingly impossible situation.
Elle Cosimano spins a twisted and hilarious tale that is well plotted, suspenseful and is marvelously outfitted with multiple characters that are flawed, believable and charming. This propulsive page turner is a welcome antidote to everyones daily angst. Hopefully this is not the end to the life and adventures of Finlay Donovan. Angela Dawes with her multiple voice inflections bring this hilarious adventure to life in the theatre of my mind. Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for supplying an Uncorrected Proof and an Advance Audiofile in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of my favorites in the series. I couldn’t put it down. I finished it in one day! This book felt like a mashup of bridesmaids, the hangover & some twisted crime show. I laughed so hard. Like just when you think Finley can’t get herself into anymore trouble… she surprises you. I have grown to love each character. I cannot wait to see what the next book has to offer.

Once I get past the fact that the Finlay stories are so damn farfetched and my anxiety takes a backseat, I can start to enjoy them. This fourth installment may be one of my favorites. Although the “weekend” timeline seemed a bit stretched out and again, there is no way these woman could pull off what they do, I was actually interested to see what the outcome was. I will say, I told myself I wasn’t going to read another book in this series after the previous book, but I am glad I did. If your anxiety can handle it-this book comes out tomorrow!! Check it out!