3.5. I enjoyed this book! It was more reminiscent of the first couple of books in the series with the twists and comedy. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series turns out.

Die hard fans of the series will love this book. Nita Prose fans will also love this book. It was great having characters from past books involved in this book, however, I think the stream on the Finley Donovan train is clearly running out.

This book’s tagline should be “Never underestimate the power of a book club.”

Spice: 🌶️ 1 out of 5 (details at the bottom)

Finlay and Vero manage to get tangled up in yet another murder mystery! This is the 5th installment of the Finlay Donovan series, and if you haven’t read the first 4 you definitely need to read them first!

This book had all the chaos, shenanigans, danger, and humor as the rest of the series! I was actually considering not finishing the series (loved the first, enjoyed the second, felt meh about the third and fourth) and I felt like it was dragging on too long. But I’m really glad I kept going! This book felt like it had the same spirit as the first 2. I read it all in one day! This was also the first I read with my eyes (I listened to the others on audio) and that may have helped me keep track of all the chaos and clues being dropped.

In this book, we see Finlay and Nick’s (aka the Hot Cop) relationship develop, and Finlay finally starts trying to trust him. We see Vero and Javi’s relationship progress as well (Vero is my absolute favorite)! We also get to know Mrs. Haggerty — turns out she’s a lot more than the cranky old neighbor watching from her window! We meet her book club, an unlikely (and mysterious?) group of women that I loved. And the unlikely friendship between Mrs. Haggerty and Cam was just precious.

This is truly such a unique series. Where else can you read about the struggles of single motherhood, the bonds of female friendships, pulse-pounding action, romance, and a murder mystery, all while laughing out loud?

The ending was great - I thought I’d predicted it but I was wrong! And of course we’re left with a cliffhanger so I’m already eagerly awaiting the next one!!

Thank you St. Martin’s press and NetGalley for the arc!








🌶️ Spice details: a couple fade to black scenes. Some innuendo and references to sex.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a hoot!! Never have I read a series where the next book is better than the last. The friendship between Finlay and Vero ages like fine wine--not to mention comical as can be.
This book (and series) is a triple threat having mystery, humor, and romance. Yes, I know many others do also but the author knows how to blend the three to make a remarkable series. Five books and the plot never gets old. In fact, it gets better and better.
I need more Vero and Finlay in my life! Also, the 20 images & inches part had me laughing so much!!
Thanks to the publishers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. I will recommend it to anyone who can see or hear!

Another fantastic installment of the Finlay Donovan series. A few books ago, I was feeling that this story was getting stale but I am so glad I have continued to stick with this story. This one and book 4 were the best yet.

I am loving the developing relationship between Nick and Finlay. With all the drama and murder, the budding romance between them keeps things light and fresh. I also love the growth that Finlay has made as these novels go on. She is still impulsive and fearless but I just love that about her.

I cannot wait to see what new messes Finlay gets herself into in future books.

Thanks to Netgalley for the excellent audio production narrated by the talented Angela Dawe. This is a great listen, full of the humor and chaos that is central to all the books in the Finley Donovan series. All the characters are great fun, and seeing how Finley escapes her predicaments is endlessly entertaining.
Highly recommended for fans of Janet Evanovich.

This is the fifth installment in the Finlay Donovan series (you could read them as stand alones, but they do build off one another) and it's like returning to your quirky, slightly dysfunctional, unintentionally funny set of friends. Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crimes find themselves in another unusual situation that involves a dead body in the neighbor's yard. This is a fast-paced, light mystery with fun/funny characters. It was a great beach read that was entertaining and provided just the right amount of escapism. Looking forward to more ridiculous adventures with Finlay, Vero and the rest of the crew. 4.25/5

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc!

A great addition to a fun series. This book has all the favorite characters from past books - and a good storyline.

Read it if you like: fast-paced mysteries with a side of humor, women supporting each other, and neighborhood drama.

I will definitely be reading the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for my e-ARC.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
The author once again did not disappoint with this next book in the series. I absolutely loved it and was laughing aloud several times. While the first book is the series is still my very favorite, this one for sure is my 2nd favorite by far!!!
Finlay's story and her adventures for sure did not disappoint. Her books are always super fast east reads for me and I just love that there is never any boredom or slowness in the story line!!
I love that we got to enjoy the same fun characters and the kids intertwined in the book is great and makes for more fun!
Absolutely loved it and highly recommend to everyone! 5 🌟

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

“…and then I kicked him in the tentacles, just like Vero showed me!”

I’m not a series kinda girl but this series is definitely a comfort series for me. I feel like I actually know these characters and they are so much fun.

It was fun seeing more of that PITA Ms. Hagerty this go round.

I hate that I have a soft spot for Steven because he’s so stupid and just NOT a good husband but I also love how this whole cast of characters comes together when times get tough.

As I was getting close to the end of this book I felt like it was a pretty decent conclusion to the series BUT then Elle Cosimano gives us a reason to soldier on.

𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑳𝑨𝒀 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑶𝑽𝑨𝑵 (#5)
𝑫𝑰𝑮𝑺 𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑶𝑾𝑵 𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑽𝑬 is full of laughs, law breaking, love, lots of crazy antics…it is a true comedy of errors in the best possible way.

Can’t wait for the next one.

4.25/5 rounded down

Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced reading copy!

Another fun edition to the Finlay series! I actually enjoyed this one significantly more than #4 — the story was more fast paced and had a few less plot holes than the last. Plus more hot cop action and some badass women! I love when characters surprise you and that’s what this one was all about — who knew the annoying neighbor would turn out to be so fun to read about?!

As with all the Finlay books, you have to suspend disbelief a bit and just know that there will be plot holes. But while Book 4 felt sooo chaotic and long, this one flew by. The wild cast of characters Finlay and Vero have been accumulating over these books really come out in this one and it’s so fun. Will always read these books, and welcome more of them!

Another great Finlay Donovan story. This is such an interesting and original series. This book did not disappoint!

This series is very good, I have read some but not of the books so far. This one is no different as it includes all of my favorite characters: Finlay, Vero, and Nick. A body is discovered in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard and Finlay helps to solve the case. Some of the plot is not always believable in terms of how accurate it is to real detective work. This one wasn't my favorite but I did enjoy it.

really liked this one! fast-paced, fun, and kept me hooked the whole way through. finlay is such a mess in the best way, and her chaotic adventures never get old. the mystery was solid, and the humor made it even better. a super entertaining read.

I love this series, it's so fun! I wasn't sure where this latest installment would go really, since the previous book wrapped up the multi-book storyline that underpinned everything, but Cosimano did a nice job setting up a new long-term focal point (which builds on something that has been a minor (page-wise) yet significant (character-wise) story element with Vero. I'm already chomping at the bit to see where things go with that, a feeling that is especially heightened since I read all the previous books in one fell swoop!

I loved the incorporation of Mrs. Haggarty's backstory here. She's been a thorn in Finn and Vero's sides for some time, but I always had the feeling there was more going on there than the surface interactions suggested... I was pleased to see my instincts were spot on, and really enjoyed seeing how things played out. I did figure out the book club angle fairly early on (at least in general terms), but watching it play out was a delight nevertheless.

This was a fun intermezzo, with relationships between Finlay and Nick and Vero and Javi continuing to develop nicely. I'm pleased to see that the author continues to fill their various back-and-forths with snark and conflict and hasn't just settled them all into Established Relationship Status - a failing that seems to hit a lot of rom-com type series at about the fourth/so book mark. It keeps things feeling fresh and fun in a way that I'm really enjoying, and I am definitely looking forward to the next book already!

Elle Cosimano has done it again! I swear, The Finlay Donovan series is just one of my absolute favorites. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the change to read an early release of this book. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano will be released on March 4th, 2025. Plan on picking it up!!!

In this installment, Finlay gains a new roommate in the form of Ms. Haggerty after she is released from suspicion of murder and the heat is turned onto her ex-husband. But did Steven really kill some random guy and dispose of the body in his elderly neighbor's backyard? Finlay isn't so sure, despite how awful her ex-husband has been to her. On goes her detective goggles as she tries to prove his innocence.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave contains all of the excitement of the past books and I loved the cameo's from past characters. But that ending? My jaw dropped. How am I supposed to wait another year to see how Finlay and Vero get out of that mess?

A huge thank you to @minotaurbooks for the eARC and @macmillanaudio for the ALC!

Finlay Donovan is one of my favorite series and this book expertly transitioned from what felt like somewhat of a conclusion of our previous ongoing mystery, while not leaving behind the characters and threads we picked up along the way - expertly weaving them into the larger narrative.

I loved the vulnerability of this book - the characters really bared more of their souls and the series is so much richer for it. The typical hijinks and ever present, helping to make this series the gem that it is. This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, in the series so far and I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us! 👀

I love this book - I have enjoyed the entire series. It filled with great characters and I love the blend of comedy, romance and two friends who help support one another.

You would think that after all that went down in Atlantic City, things would finally be a bit quieter for Finlay and Vero, but alas, it seems that while they were gone, drama was brewing back in their own neighborhood.

A dead body has been discovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard—yes, that Mrs. Haggerty of the detailed notebooks and neighborhood watch—and while the busybody herself has been cleared by the police, her house is a still-active crime scene. With the aim of keeping an eye on her own home at all times, she forces Finlay and Vero to take her in. Pair that with a preschooler home on suspension and a potty-training toddler, and it’s never a dull moment in the Donovan household.

I just adore this series, y’all. This book was the perfect escape right when I needed it. Filled with the parenting moments, humor, romance, madcap sleuthing and screwball crime scenes that we’ve come to expect from this series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another hit.

I especially liked the relationship development between Finlay and her cop beau Nick in this one.

4.75⭐️

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Minotaur Books. All review opinions are my own.

4.5 stars! I loved this one. It was fun to have all the original characters back and have more of Finleys home life. The two before this felt a bit repetitive and the same to me but this one really pulled me back into the series. The shenanigans in this book will make you laugh out loud and wonder how they continue to find the trouble they do! I would recommend this one! Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.