Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave might be my favorite in the series. Hard to say since I read the first one so long ago, but Finlay #5 does not disappoint. We see more of nosey, crochety neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty when she ends up living with Finlay… much to Finlay and Vero’s chagrin. We also see a lot more of hot cop Nick and the ornery, yet lovable, whiz kid Cam. The usual shenanigans ensue. I laughed out loud. The mystery and plot had great pacing. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up and find out what happened next.

The funniest part (in my opinion) includes Vero protesting… “I didn’t touch his Eggplant! It belongs to Mrs. Haggerty!” The whole situation was just hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing. I read an advanced copy, so the exact wording might change. But this is such a great scene, I can’t imagine it not being in the final version. Just so freaking hilarious.

If you have been reading the Finlay Donovan novels, don’t sleep on this one. Cosimano really delivered with #5!

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for the digital ARC via NetGalley.

Finlay strikes again! This book was so fun. I enjoyed getting to know Mrs Haggarty better, but I missed the focus on Vero. I appreciated that the majority of things Finlay did in this book did not directly lead to her doing criminal acts and that she learned to trust Nick a little more.

I was somewhat frustrated by how long it took Finlay to figure out the book club’s sinister background but I’ll forgive it for the plot. It felt like something she would have caught onto quickly.

This book was a wonderful instalment in the Finlay Donovan world. I can’t wait for more. I received this advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Elle Cosimano does it again! The finlay donovan series has it all…thriller, romance and witty humor. I couldn’t put this one down. I guessed the twist in the book but it didn’t even ruin it for me. Loved it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My review: Finlay and Vero are neck deep in more mystery and murder. This next installment picks up right after the last book,Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, so there's consistency. If you haven't read the other books, this will be a little confusing, so be sure to start with the first one, Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

Finlay is smart but really finds herself in bad situations. This time she is trying to save her ex Steven. While he may not deserve all her help, he's not a murderer. Fin and Vero have to use all their skills to figure out how everyone (including grumpy Mrs. Haggerty) is involved. Detective Nick is front and center and hacker Cam is part of the fray as well.
Things got a little confusing but as always, Finlay gets by thanks to luck, brains and a little serendipity. Definitely laughs are involved and some suspense. I was able to figure things out along with Fin and Vero.
Read them all! Because another one is definitely on the way. ;)

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

I was given a copy for an honest review

As much as I love Finlay Donovan and this series, but sadly, this book in the series was just 4 stars. There wasn't much action. The premise was a bit boring, no real murder taken place in this book. This book I feel is a filler in the series.

It’s just another day in the neighborhood!
Finlays neighbor, Mrs Haggerty, goes to jail after a body is discovered in her backyard! When Mrs Haggerty is eventually cleared by the police, she naturally moves in with Finlay until her home is cleared of the crime scene tape.

While Finlay isn’t too sure of her new roommate situation, having Mrs Haggerty around proves to be quite useful.

During the book, The Tuesday Night Club by Agatha Christie played the inspiration for book club and this book has embodied the women helping women virtue. It all started with a misunderstanding at Panera Bread 😉

I’m loving how as the series progresses little bits of the prior books come in to play or are tied back to each other. So far, this was my favorite of the reads and I cannot wait for more! And Finlay may have some competition on her hands for a best seller 📖

Thank you to the author, Elle Cosimano, publisher Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read all of the Finaly Donovan books in anticipation of the March 3, 2025 release of Finsl Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. I received EPubs and my reviews are being left voluntarily.

Absolutely loved this! I think this was my favorite of the series since Book 1. I love the growing relationship between Finlay and Nick and getting to see more of the side characters as well. Cannot wait for the next one!

SCREAMING that I was approved for this one. I love this series.

Same characters that we know and love (or loathe ahem Steven) same cozy bingable mystery vibe. Finley’s ex is suspected of murder after a body is found in the neighbor’s flowers… that he put in… Finley is *pretty sure* he’s innocent and she and Vero do their best to prove it. As usual they get more than they bargained for in the process.

This one was a slow burn for the first half. I think if could have had more story to it (or more Detective Nick Anthony. A LOT MORE). The second half picked up and was unique and entertaining. It was fun to learn more about Mrs. Haggerty (do I maybe like her now?!) and have some newer characters still in the fold. It wasn’t my favorite of the series so far, but I enjoyed it. Not sure what I’m supposed to do now… no chance of a special book 6 drop right after this one right? 🥲

Thanks St Martins Press, Minotaur Book, Elle Cosimano, and NetGalley for this eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I did not forsee Mrs. Haggerty moving IN to Finlay's when I started this series :-D I really enjoyed this one, it had the same fairly unplausible avoidance of reality as the others, but I really wasn't ever sure where we were going next so I had a great time along the way. My biggest surprise was learning from book 1 to this one has been roughly 5 months in book time, I thought we were progressing WAY faster than that so appreciated the level set on timeline. If you have been enjoying this series, I think this is another worthy entry into the group!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I'm so glad I read this book. Finlay Donovan is back and fun again. The last book wasn't as fun and felt repetitive and long winded. This book hit the spot! It kept the story moving forward, introduced new mysteries, more character depth. It wrapped up some previous endeavors nicely while leaving us on the and edge of our seat for the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for allowing me to read this fantastic book in the best mystery series ever!! I love all of the characters even the kids!

I will say I was not a huge fan of the fourth book, but I just couldn't give up on a chance to read book 5. Finaly's character is very charismatic, and I feel like I feel in love with the series all over again. This book is right up there with the very first one. This one is super entertaining and has really made me want to go back and read all the books again, even the few I wasn't a huge fan of. I am so happy I was able to read this early and will be buying a physical copy upon release day. I have already pre-ordered it. Thanks NetGalley.

The long story of Finlay and the mob is now ended and it's time for a new arch-villain to arrive! Finlay and Vero continue their tomfoolery as they're called to investigate and defend their nosy neighbor. Another fun episode in a fun series.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for this ARC of book 5 in what is hands down my favorite series! Finlay and Vero always seem to find trouble and from the first chapter of this one, I was hooked into the drama, the romance, and the suspense. I've enjoyed all of the Finaly Donovan series but this one was by far my favorite for many reasons (but I don't want to ruin it for everyone else so no spoilers here). I was fortunate enough to snag both the book and audio so I read and listened. The narrator is fantastic, the plot is always unique and the love stories (swoon). The world needs more of Finlay and her crew, so please keep writing!

Can I just say that I never want this series to end! The Finlay Donovan series has easily become one of my favorite book series and this book is definitely my favorite! After Finlay’s ex, Steven, is accused of murder she takes the investigation into her own hands. This book includes everything I love from previous books, the characters, the banter, the plot. I could not put it down and read it in one sitting! If you haven’t started the series yet, you need to! You won’t regret it. Easily a five star series for me.

I fully enjoy this entire series. Over the top, ridiculous, funny thrillers that are an easy read. Definitely will get you out of a book slump, and easy to remember what happened in the books prior. Thank you to the publisher for this gifted arc.

I love this series, and I was initially rejected for this ARC until the author was able to get us widgets. I greatly appreciate the effort to get this book out to Finlay Donovan fans. I received this advanced copy through the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

We ended the last book on a cliffhanger. Finlay's elderly neighbor, Mrs Haggerty, was arrested after a body was found on her property. We start with Delia, Finlay's daughter, being suspended from school for defending herself from a bully. Then it goes from there with Mrs. Haggerty is being cleared, and her grandson is bringing her to stay with Finlay while her house has no power and water damage. Mrs. Haggerty comandeers Finlay's bedroom, and then shortly afterward, her ex-husband Stephen was questioned and then arrested. Finlay and Vero have to investigate to clear Stephen's name. I enjoyed Cam and Mrs Haggerty, believe it or not. Finlay's relationship with Nick is hampered by house guests, Mrs. Haggerty's demands and her mysterious book club.

I was never bored or stuck because something was always around the corner. There was Sylvia, Finlay's agent trying to finagle a tv deal. Cam's eggplant car he shared with the neighbor. Then, the duo figuring everything out and determined to get out alive. Finlay & Nick taking the leap to trust each other and share their feelings. And the cliffhanger ending, which makes me want the next book immediately. I'm glad Cosimano will finally address this character's situation.
5/5☆ no flaws. Even if there's a loose thread or 2. There's always the next book. Book releases March 2025. I needed this book this week. Iykyk.

Finlay Donovan Digs her Own Grave is the fifth book Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series. Community busybody and perpetual pain in Finlay's backside, Mrs. Haggerty, had found herself in some legal trouble when a dead body is discovered in her backyard. After being bailed out of jail Mrs Haggerty is left at Finlay's house while her home is still inaccessible due to the investigation. Finlay and Vero have no choice but to help find out who actually put the body in their neighbor's backyard when Finlay's ex husband, Steven, becomes the new suspect. With secrets of their own the police can't be trusted to figure this mystery out alone.

I think this may be my favorite out of the series so far. The last book while entertaining got a little big terms of scope and believability for my personal taste. This book brought things back to Finlay's neighborhood and worked so much better. I LOVED getting to know Mrs. Haggerty more. I mean this with all the affection in the world, what a ballsy broad. I hope we continue to get more from her going forward. The pacing and plotting were really great. I enjoy the mix of humor and mystery in this series. Finlay books are always and auto buy and will continue to be in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books (SMP) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm grateful to Netgalley for the opportunity to dive back into one of my beloved series! Elle Cosimano's exceptional storytelling weaves humor and mystery together seamlessly. The dynamic duo of Fin and Nick continues to captivate me, and I was equally delighted by Mrs. Haggerty's storyline. A truly enjoyable read! ❤️

All of the main characters are back including Finlay, Vero, Javi, Nick and her nosy and irritating neighbor Mrs.Haggerty!

Finlay and Vero haven’t always gotten along with Mrs. Haggerty but . . “when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go . . . except Finlay’s house, right across the street.”

We are off and running through the next fiasco of Finlay and Vero trying to find out who is really responsible for the dead body in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard.

Finlay’s ex-Steven is a suspect - because we all know the things that he has been mixed up in. However Finlay is sure that someone else is the murderer!

There is the usual humor provided by Finlay’s children, Vero and Mrs. Haggerty as we try to untangle the mystery.

-Who is the real killer?

-Why is the body buried in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard?

-There is something suspicious about Mrs. Haggety’s book club . . . .what’s going on there?

-Will Finlay and Nick finally commit to each other?

-Is Steven really innocent?

As with all Finlay books you have to go with the flow and suspend believability with some of her antics!

I liked this book but it wasn’t my favorite. Give it a try and enjoy the ongoing antics of this engaging group of characters.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.