I’ve read the other book in this series and it continues to be entertaining and engaging for the reader. I enjoy the shenanigans that Finlay and Vero get themselves into.

i have decided to dnf the series so i will not be reading this. i requested it because i previously enjoyed the first book in the series but since the request my reading taste has changed and it no longer interests me.

4.75/5⭐️

My favorite series<3 NetGalley literally gave me an arc and I still went out and bought it because I needed the physical copy in my hands/possession. This series is so fun and lighthearted, and absolutely crazy in the best way. The craziest things always happened to both Finlay and Vero, and it’s always fun to see both of them work together and fix things (or make it worse lol). With that being said, I wish they were together a little more in this one, I miss them together. That’s really my only gripe. This series gives me the same feeling I had when reading my favorite series as a kid, and for me, that’s priceless.


Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press Minotaur Books for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review🫶🏻

This series has definitely been a lot of fun so I was excited to read this next one in the series. I love that she can make a story funny but also serious. It was nice to see a more development of the relationship with both Finlay and the detective. Looking forward to the next book.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

This was a wild ride of a book. I've loved getting to know the characters even more and I'm glad to see more of Nick in this one. The amount of trust he has in Finlay is really sweet even after all of the evidence against her and her family. He's a keeper for sure. Even the annoying neighbor grew on me, she's like a protective hen of all of her chicks. I couldn't put the book down cause I wanted to see how they would all get out of this crazy mess this time. If it weren't for the stupid cliff hanger then I would say this was the perfect ending to the series. Now I gotta wait forever for the next to come out to read what happens next. Would highly recommend this series.

Finlay and Vero are back in Elle Cosimano's latest, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, and it's everything fans love about the series. When a body turns up in their neighbor’s yard, the reluctant duo gets pulled into another hilarious and chaotic murder mystery. The banter between the two is as sharp and entertaining as ever, making their friendship the absolute highlight of the book.

While the plot is a bit predictable and follows a familiar formula, it’s still a genuinely fun and reliable read. This one won't shock you, but it will definitely make you smile. If you're in the mood for a light, witty, and charming cozy mystery, this is a solid choice.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for an e-arc!

Finlay Donovan and her sidekick Vero aren’t the biggest fans of Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. Afterall, she is the neighborhood busybody and is always sticking her nose in everyone’s business—which is especially dangerous to two women who are always trying to cover up crimes! However, when a dead body is discovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, she needs both help and a place to stay. As reluctant as they are to investigate, when Finlay’s ex-husband Steven becomes a suspect, Finlay and Vero get roped in after all.

I love the Finlay Donovan series—it is without a doubt one of the most fun, entertaining series I have ever read. This was yet another great installment. Getting back with these characters is always a good time. Each book has made me laugh out and this was no exception. There are some scenes with Mrs. Haggerty and Cam specifically that really stand out in my mind. I did have a feeling where this was going from about halfway through but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment. I am so incredibly excited to continue this series and am anxiously anticipating book six!

Elle Cosimano delivers another wildly entertaining ride in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. When a body is unearthed in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, the nosy neighbor turns Finlay’s house into a crime scene—and a crash pad—setting the stage for snarky banter, sleuthing chaos, and laugh-out-loud moments. Finlay and Vero are pure gold—funny, fierce, and impossible not to root for—as they juggle motherhood, murder mysteries, and quirky relationships with sharp comedic timing. Mrs. Haggerty steals the spotlight in this installment, her grumpy charm adding a delightful twist to the mystery. The tension ramps up when Finlay’s ex, Steven, becomes entangled in the case—raising odds, stakes, and emotional complexity . With fast pacing, sizzling romantic sparks, and a cliffhanger that’ll have readers eager for Book 6, this cozy thriller hits all the right notes.

This one is a rollicking good time with Mrs Haggerty’s home becoming a crime scene! She has to move in with Finlay, which leads to more hilarity. It’s all great fun. Since a body was found in Mrs Haggerty’s back yard, the police are digging (literally and figuratively) into her business and also Finlay’s, and we never know what they’re going to find. It’s one thing after another in the neighborhood!

It’s a lot of fun! Four stars!

I received a copy of the digital ARC via the publisher and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love this series so much. Definitely my favorite series and characters to spend time with. Already excited for the next one 🥹

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an early eARC 😃

Reread 7/14/25: loveeeeee my girlies and Nicky 😭this one made me cry the second time around too. Also it was so fun to watch Mrs Haggerty have her redemption arc

This one was my least favorite in the series so far. I know that each book is going to be more and more outlandish but this one was outlandish to the point of unenjoyment. I still love our main characters because they have a special place in my heart. I hope the next one is better for me.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. The next installment of the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, is just as fun and adventurous as the others. With the addition of her next door neighbor and her "book club" , Finlay's continues her escapades in revenge, willingly or not. Fun, frustrating and suspenseful.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth book in the series and picks up right where the fourth book left off. When a body is found in Finlay’s neighbors yard, she and Vero decide to help Mrs. Haggerty. But Steven, Finlay’s ex becomes a suspect and Finlay and Vero are determined to clear Steven’s name. I really enjoyed this one. I feel like this one had a simpler storyline to follow which honestly was a nice change of pace. It was still entertaining, and kept me guessing, but I wasn’t confused with all of the characters. I liked that Delia and Zack were involved more. The scenes they were in were hilarious. I really liked the character of Mrs. Haggerty. I liked her character development. I also liked the relationship growth between Nick and Finlay. It will be interesting to see where they will go in the next book. 4.5 stars.

Finlay Donovan is always a hilarious adventure full of wit and humorous things I hope I never encounter. The pacing is perfect, the characters are aloof and completely relatable. A must read!

The 5th installment of the Finlay Donavan series has been my favorite yet! We are back with Finlay and Vero and trying to navigate their involvement (often accidental) in organized crime all while balancing motherhood and her love life. This one starts with a body being found in nosy Mrs. Haggarty's backyard. She is cleared from any involvement in the crime but has nowhere to go so she moves in with Finlay and hijinx ensure.This series is always my go-to recommendation for someone who enjoys a comical, cozy mystery. A perfect book for a reading slump buster!

This book was a WILD ride! Finlay and Vero antics and fierce loyalty to each other never fail to leave the reader with a hilarious romp through whatever crime they find themselves at the center of. The women's murder club was everything to me because I support women's rights and women's wrongs. T'would read five hundred more books in this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you enjoy contemporary mystery with a healthy dose of humor, chaos, and heart, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a must-read. Book 5 in Elle Cosimano’s hilarious and twisty series finds Finlay once again in over her head—this time thanks to a body discovered in her neighbor’s backyard. Naturally, her ex-husband Steven gets pegged for the crime, and Finlay can’t help but try to clear his name… which, of course, leads to a whole new level of misadventures.

The crew is all here—Finlay, Vero, Javi, and Nick—and they’re up to their usual escapades. I laughed out loud more times than I can count, and I absolutely loved how much more involved Finlay’s nosey neighbor Mrs. Haggerty becomes in this story. She’s been a minor character in previous books, so it was really fun to see her play a bigger role this time around.

Cosimano continues to shine when it comes to her characters. Finlay and Vero’s friendship is as chaotic and lovable as ever, and even Finlay’s kids, Zach and Delia, get more time to shine. And let’s not forget the slow-burn tension with hot cop Nick—things are finally heating up, even as Julian makes another appearance to stir the pot.

Between the hilarious dialogue, fast-paced mystery, and characters I can't help but root for (despite their very questionable decisions), this book is one of my favorites in the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Finlay and the gang in book 6!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you enjoy contemporary mystery with a healthy dose of humor, chaos, and heart, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a must-read. Book 5 in Elle Cosimano’s hilarious and twisty series finds Finlay once again in over her head—this time thanks to a body discovered in her neighbor’s backyard. Naturally, her ex-husband Steven gets pegged for the crime, and Finlay can’t help but try to clear his name… which, of course, leads to a whole new level of misadventures.

The crew is all here—Finlay, Vero, Javi, and Nick—and they’re up to their usual escapades. I laughed out loud more times than I can count, and I absolutely loved how much more involved Finlay’s nosey neighbor Mrs. Haggerty becomes in this story. She’s been a minor character in previous books, so it was really fun to see her play a bigger role this time around.

Cosimano continues to shine when it comes to her characters. Finlay and Vero’s friendship is as chaotic and lovable as ever, and even Finlay’s kids, Zach and Delia, get more time to shine. And let’s not forget the slow-burn tension with hot cop Nick—things are finally heating up, even as Julian makes another appearance to stir the pot.

Between the hilarious dialogue, fast-paced mystery, and characters I can't help but root for (despite their very questionable decisions), this book is one of my favorites in the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Finlay and the gang in book 6!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

Finlay's life is such that one book starts immediately after the previous one because, well, dead bodies just won't leave her alone. Just when everything seems to be back to "normal," a body is found in her neighbor's back yard. Neighborhood Watch phenom Mrs. Haggerty across the street is the lucky winner, and is soon carted off for questioning and arrest. As the focus shifts to others, she is eventually released and decides she will stay with Finlay and Vera until her house is available, and is delivered by her nephew to Finlay's house with her suitcase and pretty much takes over the household. As things are wont to do in this series, one thing leads to another and Stephen is implicated, and things may be looked at that Finlay and Vera prefer not to be seen, so the race is on to find the real culprit. Hijinks ensue. Romance continues to kindle. Problems are solved (potty training anyone?). The murderer is found. Crisis averted. Will a new crisis arrive? Still good fun, and as usual, oddly plausible. Highly recommended.

This is the best installment of the Finlay Donovan series that I have read. Pieces are starting to fall into place as the importance of things from as far back as book one in the series is revealed.

I always like Finlay and Vero's friendship. They are a lot of fun together as they play amateur sleuth. Cam and Mrs. Haggerty also added some nice comedic moments. I ended up listening to it on audio and the narrator was fantastic. With how it ended, I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.