This series is just fun! Book 5 picks up right where book 4 left off and doesn’t slow down. I loved Mrs. Haggerty! She was so funny. If you loved the other ones in the series, you will love this one too.

Finlay and her nanny, Vero, are back in action! Finlay just finished her latest book and is hoping to relax a bit when a body is found in her neighbor's backyard. Her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty is the initial suspect, but is soon released. Unfortunately, her home is still a crime scene, and she ends up demanding to live with Finlay. Even more unfortunate is the fact that Finlay's ex-husband is the new suspect. Determined to clear his name, Finlay and Vero team up to use all of their best investigative skills to try to solve the murder...all while potty training a toddler.

This book brought back all of my favorite characters, and had just the right amount of mystery and intrigue to keep me invested in the story. Mrs. Haggerty's character was so much fun. I absolutely adored her, even though she seemed cranky and demanding, and often found myself chuckling at her antics. I also loved the romantic subplot and that Finlay was finally able to start trusting Nick. I expected a cliffhanger ending, but I wasn't prepared for what actually happened! I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series!

I read while listening to the audiobook which was a fun experience. The narrator, Angela Dawe, was fantastic and really brought the characters and story to life.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

Thank you so much to St Martin's & Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy!

This book is out now!

We are back again in the Finlay Donovan universe with a fresh case! And I don't know what it is about these books but I just get sucked in. I love that we get to be back with these zany characters again.

Finlay's neighbor is out of jail and guess where she is staying - at Finlay's house! Finlay is not happy about having an extra roommate but my goodness their back and forth was funny. Ms. Haggerty was such a hoot! She was a stubborn woman set in her ways but at the same time she had the best interest at heart for Finlay and her family.

I felt like compared to some of the other books this one had more of a romance feel to it. No I would not consider this a romance but we did get to see the relationship between Finlay and Nick grow. I was happy to see that Finlay started to open up to Nick and was more honest about things that had happen. I'll be curious to see what happens with them in the next!

Even though Ms. Haggerty was a great side character, she will never take the place of Vero! Once again the dynamic duo of Finlay and Vero friendship took center stage. I just love their relationship and I am so glad that they have one another. We got to see more of Vero and Javier's relationship. Even needed him to help bail Finlay out of a particular situation.

Once again Angela Dawes is back with her sensational narrator. I will always laugh at how she brings Vero to life. I will never not think of Finlay when I hear her voice. She just embodies her so much! I just couldn't stop listening to the book.

We have 2 more books left in this series and just like with the others this one ends on a cliffhanger and I have to say I'm worried about my girl Vero.

4.5

While I’m pretty sure I rated them all the same, I liked this Finlay Donovan book second best after the original!

Verrry happy to report that Finaly Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is just as much fun as the rest of the series. I'm actually a bit bummed that I'm all caught up (I binge read them through NetGalley).
We've still got the buddy-roommate comedy, a new roommate, a hot cop, some old friends, and potential for some new friends. The mystery was fresh, believable, and entertaining.
I read an eARC in tandem with an advanced audiobook and have found that the audiobook(s) manages to elevate this book/series. As far as I'm concerned, Angela Dawe IS Finlay Donovan.
Her voice embodies Finlay in all her anxious, sarcastic glory. She has created a great Vero too. The male voices are done well. Truly, no notes.
I wasn't sure where Cosimano was going to take Finlay after so many things were nicely wrapped up in the previous book. Honestly, I was nervous. And now I'm very pleased and eagerly awaiting the next one! Yay for cliffhangers! 🫠

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the eARC and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook!

Aww man, after loving the 4th book in this series, the 5th was such a let-down. I was missing the fun setting and plottiness that I enjoyed in books 3 and 4, and this one being so character-focused and set back at home just felt really slow. I probably will continue on in this series because now I’m so invested, but this is sadly my least favorite of the series so far.

Finlay Donovan never ceases to entertain from start to finish. The shenanigans Vero and Finlay get themselves into are only made better by how they get themselves out of each predicament. I felt that Cosimano might be wrapping up the series with this one, but I’m hoping for more! As a dual read/listen this book has me both laughing out loud and shaking my head in disbelief🫢
Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ARC and ALC of this book.

This entire series has been an absolute blast! It's like a sitcom filled with absurd situations that the characters constantly find themselves in, yet there’s a beautiful sense of friendship and growth, especially with the little ones in the story.

This book picks up right where the last one left off, so it’s definitely not one to read out of order. It’s the perfect mix of mystery, comedy, and romance all wrapped up in one. One of my favorite parts of this book is how we get to really know Mrs. Haggerty! She has been such a nosey, pain in the rear end to Finlay and Vero that it has been so great to get to have her in the story more.

After being away from the series for a while, I realized just how much I missed it. I honestly thought this would be the final book, but I'm so glad to see that it’s not!

(3.5 stars)
This is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series and they are mostly broad, almost slapstick, humor, off-the-wall lighthearted mysteries - but they often have a very dark undercurrent. After book four, I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep going with the series, but I was offered a chance to read and listen to an advance copy, so I decided to give the series one more try. I’m glad I did, because this one wasn’t as ridiculous or dark as some of the earlier books (no Russian mafia, for example). And we got to enjoy the antics of Finlay’s two small children, which I really enjoyed. I was also glad that Finlay’s relationship with Nick (“hot cop”) advanced.

We finally got to know the cranky neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, and she is much more than just a cranky neighbor! She was the heart and soul of this book.

The book ended with a cliffhanger for Vero, so I’m probably going to want to read the next book when it comes out.

I mainly listened to the audiobook version, which, as always, is beautifully narrated by Angela Dawe.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I have never been a cozy mystery reader, but I will ALWAYS live for Finlay Donovan, this series, and the antics Finlay and Vero find themselves wrapped up in.

This was such a fun read (and listen)…and watching Finlay use her own detective skills to help prove her scumbag ex-husband isn’t guilty of the newest crime he’s been accused of? Priceless.

But honestly, my favorite part of this story was watching Finlay finally feel safe enough to trust with her whole heart. And that the person she chooses to put her trust in is worth it for once. Elle Cosimano has written a complicated love story woven among numerous accidental (and some on-purpose) crimes, and to see Finlay and Nick embrace a life together—no matter what may come their way? Genuine perfection.

I have to add that while I’ve never liked Mrs. Haggerty’s character, her role in this story was wildly unexpected and I absolutely love how it unfolded! But I’ll keep the details to myself to avoid spoilers 🤭

I think the beauty of cozy mysteries is the ability to laugh, smile, and enjoy the ride even when everything is falling apart—and this series does it magnificently. I seriously cannot recommend it enough.

I'll admit I was feeling a bit tired of Finlay and Vero coming into this book, but Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave pleasantly surprised me! It had the same breezy enjoyability and smart humor as the first book, while FINALLY giving us the Finlay character development I as a reader was craving. The mystery was really fun and felt exciting without feeling like you're pulling out your hair about Finlay and Vero's decision making. I found this to be a welcomed refresh on a series I was losing steam with, and found myself have as much fun as the first book that brought me to reading the whole series!

I have never been a cozy mystery reader, but I will ALWAYS live for Finlay Donovan, this series, and the antics Finlay and Vero find themselves wrapped up in.

This was such a fun read (and listen)…and watching Finlay use her own detective skills to help prove her scumbag ex-husband isn’t guilty of the newest crime he’s been accused of? Priceless.

But honestly, my favorite part of this story was watching Finlay finally feel safe enough to trust with her whole heart. And that the person she chooses to put her trust in is worth it for once. Elle Cosimano has written a complicated love story woven among numerous accidental (and some on-purpose) crimes, and to see Finlay and Nick embrace a life together—no matter what may come their way? Genuine perfection.

I have to add that while I’ve never liked Mrs. Haggerty’s character, her role in this story was wildly unexpected and I absolutely love how it unfolded! But I’ll keep the details to myself to avoid spoilers 🤭

I think the beauty of cozy mysteries is the ability to laugh, smile, and enjoy the ride even when everything is falling apart—and this series does it magnificently. I seriously cannot recommend it enough.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was another wonderful installment in the Finlay Series. I just love the characters in these books. They all have such unique and funny personalities. The mystery being around the nosy neighbor was so fun. I will say the mystery was pretty obvious but I really didn’t care. At this point I read these books for the characters not the mystery. Every single time Elle leaves me with a cliff hanger that makes my heart sink and this one was no different. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
4/5 Stars

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

Gosh, I just love this series so much! I knew going into this book that I was going to be right smack back into the action with Finlay, Vero, Nick and the gang, and I was definitely right. I love that this story picks up right after the last one left off. It is incredibly seamless and was such a delight. I think maybe this was one of my favorites of the series because it involves some new characters while keeping with the same shenanigans that we have come to expect from Finlay. I thought learning more about Mrs. Haggerty was so fun, and she turned out to be one of my favorite side characters in the series. I also loved getting more romantic involvement with Nick. As a reader we get more emotions from Finlay, seeing her more vulnerable, making her such a great main character of this series. It’s obvious that another book will be coming and I can hardly wait to read it, as I will continue with this series until it (hopefully never) ends!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reading copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity read this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

After the ending of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice I wasn't exactly sure where this next book was going to go since some larger plot pieces were closed. I am grateful that this is third time that I have received an eARC of the Finlay Donovan series and this one didn't disappoint. The mystery was a bit more domestic, but just as juicy while the romance between Finlay and Nick ratcheted up on the hot scale! The maturity and honesty that they both started to share with each other endeared them to me even further. Old friends made appearances and we got to know peripheral characters better. I was laughing out loud for the whole ride. I appreciate the ways in which Elle Cosimano combines together mystery, romance and heart into one. I am already ready for book #6!

3.5 rounded down.

Book 4, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, was so wild, almost too wild to be honest. But here with this one, I feel like we did a total 180 and this one was so chill in comparison. It took me about 70% into the book to really get into this one. We do have a lot of circumstances that Finlay just lets happen: she just accepts it when her neighbor, who was just released from jail for suspicion of murder, says she's going to stay with her and the kids because the power/water are off at her house and she can't stay with her grandson (questionable, but okay).

I did enjoy the almost shady, questionable, aspect of the detective in charge of this case in this one. He definitely seemed more focused on closing the case than getting it right. That added a lot of it's own issues. Finlay and Vero have to be a lot more aware of their actions in this one since Detective Tran doesn't have an issue throwing acquisitions around and seeing what sticks.

It was nice that Steven was in jail for most of this book, I didn't enjoy having him around in the last one.

Mrs. In Everyone's Business Haggerty took a while to grow on me, but in the end, the author brought her around and I was on board.

As always, this book ended on a cliff hanger to send us into the next one! Here's to hoping book 6 ends up more like the start of the series.

Thanks for Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the e-arc!

another great addition to this series. I did not see this book going in the direction that it did which made it a fun read. I am so sad that I have to wait a year to read the next book! I enjoyed reading more about Mrs. Haggerty and getting more of her back story. I would recommend this series to anyone that is looking for a lighthearted murder mystery series.

I read the first Finlay Donovan a few years ago and adored it. I haven't read the other books in the series (yet) but this fifth installment did not disappoint. It's funny and sharp and kept me guessing. I loved that we learned more about Mrs. Haggerty. And am I the only one picturing Jennifer Coolidge as Sylvie? Cosimano gives plenty of details to keep new readers informed. Basically, Finlay and Vero have been really busy dodging murders and dead bodies in books 2-4.

I can't wait to get through the back catalogue of these books. They are just fun. If you liked early Stephanie Plum, you'll probably enjoy Finlay Donovan even more.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.
#FinlayDonovan #FinlayDonovanDigsHerOwnGrave

More bodies and graves!

Finlay Donovan and her friend/nanny, Vero go from one complicated situation to another without even trying. This time Finn’s ex husband Steve has been arrested for murdering missing man Guilford Dupree, and burying his body in a neighbor’s garden.
Finlay knows that he’s innocent and for the sake of their children, and because she’s basically a decent person, feels compelled to prove it.
The neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty ends up staying with Finlay, potty training her young son (hilarious!), and home schooling Finlay’s five year old daughter Delia, who snapped after being bullied mercilessly by a boy at school. This is a woman of determination and depth, and is entirely too knowing not to be up to something.
Finn’s hot detective boyfriend Nick is on the scene. We love him. 💕
A heap of laughs, and some highly improbable but wholly believable situations, show that Cosimano is easily able to maintain the pressure of furthering this fabulous series.
BTW I’m finding it hard to get Mrs. H’s eggplant purple car, and Cam the Hacker’s dog Arnold Schwarzenegger, out of my head.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

4 1/2

Finlay Donavan is back for our reading pleasure in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. As the story begins, Finlay finds herself with a new houseguest, the nosy and disagreeable Mrs. Haggerty, her neighbor from across the street. Mrs. Haggerty’s grandson assures Finlay that it will only be for a weekend, but the weekend passes, the grandson seems to have fallen off the face of the earth, and Finlay has her own suspicions about Mrs. Haggerty’s strange behavior. As usual, Finlay and her nanny, Vero, get in over there heads. Will they manage to survive an unusual turn of events?

Another engrossing and funny as all-get-out caper from Elle Cosimano. This time around the plot is simpler but no less interesting as Finlay begins investigating the mystery around the dead body found in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard that was the husband of a woman who claims that she had an affair with Finlay’s ex-husband, Stephen. While Finlay accepts that there was a chance that Stephen did have an affair with this woman (he has a history), for the sake of her kids she is determined to find out just what happened.

For the first time in the series, the kids are in it more extensively, adding some cutesy humor to the proceedings as Mrs. Haggerty takes over Della’s schooling when she’s expelled for defending herself as well as Zach’s potty-training, proving that old folks are not superfluous. Also, Mrs. Haggerty proves that while she may be nosy, her observation skills are very much attached to a thinking, perceptive brain. Most people are gray, not black and white.

Per usual, there are humorous misunderstandings, unexpected plot twists, wise-cracking Vero (thank god for Vero!), and a climax that has the reader wondering just how Finlay will get out of it this time.

If you haven’t read any books in the Finlay Donovan series yet, I highly recommend them. With the adventure, mystery, snark, and humor, it’s a super enjoyable escapism. And don’t we need a little of that!

Many thanks to Minotaur Books for sending me a copy!