Possibly my favorite in the Finlay Donovan series! I especially appreciated how the stories were woven together and how future possibilities were opened up (wink wink).

Quick easy read that was enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher fir letting me review the book

𐙚 Accidental Heroine
𐙚 Partner in Crime
𐙚 Twists & Turns

Received an ARC of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano, only to discover it was part of a series. Naturally, I did what any sane, logical reader would do—I started from book one. ZERO REGRETS! Let me tell you, this series kills in all the best ways. From Finlay’s chaotic escapades to her literal grave-digging moments, I was hooked like a true crime podcast. The twists kept coming, the crew kept me cackling, and Finlay? Oh, Finlay. From the moment you stumbled into book one’s intro, I knew you were about to bring the drama and the delightful chaos. Elle Cosimano, you’ve made a fan out of me.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰

Thank you for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. ・❥・

When Finlay's ex-husband is arrested for planting a body in Mrs. Haggarty's backyard, Finlay and Vero are again forced to investigate. They always manage to get themselves into trouble and somehow escape. Mrs. Haggarty, Finlay's new houseguest, proves to be a good influence on her children, especially her son. And Nick, the hot cop, is also on Finlay's side.

As with other Finlay books, Vero and FInlay and are left to face another obstacle so it looks like there will be a FInlay #6. Yay!.

Finlay and wise-cracking Vero always make me laugh and I enjoy their adventures. I look forward to the next Finlay book.

I'd like to thank netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Expected publication March, 4 2025.

Finlay Donovan books never fail to make me laugh! being able to gasp and laugh at the same time is awesome. Thank you Elle Cosimano for another great story!

I never want this series to end. The crazy scenarios that Finlay and Vero find themselves in seriously have me cracking up and I can’t wait to find out how they get out of it.

The 5th book in this series had me staying up way too late and finishing it in less than a day.

Loved it and I hope there’s another book with more of Nick in it!

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

This was another fun installment in Finlay’s series. It was a quick and delightful read. I really enjoyed this book as it wasn’t crazily bombastic as a couple of the priors ones were, but kept Finlay and Vero’s lovely charm. I hope there will be a book 6!

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I was so happy to be back in the world of Finlay Donovan. I love this series and recommend it to everyone looking for a cozy adjacent mystery.

This one had a little bit of a slower start for me but once it got going I was hooked. I enjoyed seeing more of Mrs. Haggerty as she temporarily moves in with Finlay and Vero. She was a fun character to explore and learn if she was actually involved a murder or not. Finlay and Vero, of course, get involved in an investigation and cause some chaos. We see some lovely growth in Finlay and Nick’s relationship as Finlay wrestles with what, if anything, to tell Nick about the happenings of the first four books.

As with the other books in the series, this one ends on a cliffhanger that leaves me excited for the next book and discovering more of the story!

I think this may be my favorite Finlay book.

Let’s be real, our girl Finlay has been a hot mess since book one but we love her anyways. But this time I wasn’t ripping my hair out every chapter screaming at her for her poor choices and rash behavior. Our girl’s grown up and honestly it was refreshing to not have her stumbling through messes she was partially responsible for because of her impulsivity.

Nick and Cam as always, are wonderful. Cam continues to be one of my favorite characters and who doesn’t want to find themselves a Detective Nick Anthony? I loved how their relationship progressed through this.


Learning more about Mrs. Haggerty was also a blast. She’s hilarious and kinda crude, but I really loved her. Also incredible kudos to Elle for all of the breadcrumbs she leaves in this book that tie up gorgeously at the end. It was so satisfying to piece this mystery together. It wasn’t one where you go oh man I feel dumb not getting it, rather when you see it, it’s a quiet moment of understanding that connects all of the books together. Incredibly well done.


Thank you to Net Galley & Minotaur for the ARC

Another fun read in the Finlay series!

As always, it ended on a cliffhanger, so there's gotta be another one coming soon!

I absolutely love this series. Every book has been fun and laugh out loud funny. This book was a perfect Saturday read while we were stuck inside.

Elle Cosimano has an undeniable talent to write these characters and situations where it feels like you’re right there with Finlay and Vero. I loved getting to know Mrs. Haggerty in this book, too!

It was just announced that Angela Dawe will be narrating the audio and I can’t wait to listen! Expected Pub Date 3/5/25.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur for the arc!

5 Fun Stars. The fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series delivers just as much fun and chaos as its predecessors. This time, novelist-turned-sleuth Finlay and her spirited live-in assistant, Vero, dive headfirst into another wild case. When a dead body turns up in the yard of Finlay’s noisy neighbor, her sleazy ex-husband becomes the prime suspect. Despite his history of lies and betrayals, Finlay is convinced he didn’t commit the murder and takes it upon herself to uncover the truth.

Adding to the madness, the neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, temporarily moves in with Finlay and Vero after her home sustains damage during the crime scene investigation. Her grandson dropped her off, then mysteriously disappears, failing to pick her up as promised. Meanwhile, Finlay juggles other complications: her literary agent pressures her to sign a television deal, her toddler refuses to wear clothing, and her dashing police officer boyfriend is growing suspicious that she might be hiding something. Packed with humor, twists, and an ever-entertaining cast, this latest adventure is a must-read for fans of the series. And of course, it ends with a cliffhanger!!

I have loved reading this series and this one did not disappoint. We pick up where we left off in book 4 with a body being found in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard. While at times some things in the book seem outrageous, I just love the way the story has unfolded. It’s fast-paced and funny and a delight to read. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

ELLE COSIMANO! You're killing me! All of your books leave me hanging and provide a great segue way into the next book (which I already can't wait to come out...March 2026 perhaps? Any way you can pull that in?

These books are so fun and I'm excited to hear more about Vero in the next book. I highly recommend reading these in order but Cosimano does a great job of tying back past events throughout the book (which almost makes me want to start the series over again for the fun of it). I highly recommend this series to all of my friends.

I always love the Finley Donovan series and am excited to read the next one every year! Elle Cosimano always does a great job of recapturing what happens in the previous books in the series, so I never miss a beat!

Finley and her nanny/built in best-friend Vero always finds themselves in trouble. This time, a dead body is found in her neighbor’s yard, and whose arrested for it, Finley’s ex-husband. Not only that, but Finley’s elderly neighbor now has to temporarily move in while the police have her house under investigation.

This is a classic, lighthearted mystery with a surprise twist at the end. With lovable characters and surprising situations this is a crowd easy read for anyone. I have found the previous books in the series a little funnier, as there were less “laugh out loud” moments. 4 Stars!

This is my favorite Finlay in awhile. I like them all but this plot was really intriguing and made me laugh out loud.

Elle Cosimano has done it again! This was a fun one with all that you expect from a Finlay Donovan book - humor, shenanigans, a bit of romance, and unbelievable situations. I enjoyed how some relationships deepened in this book awhile still remaining the lighthearted stories we’re used to. The epilogue though… really the last page or so… Augh! Next book is needed now, please, I’ve got to know what happens next!

✨ARC REVIEW✨

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by @ellecosimano

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub. Date: 3.4.25

“Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, have not always gotten along with Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. 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.

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case—or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they’ve dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else.

When the focus of the investigation widens to include Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, though, Finlay and Vero are left with little choice but to get closer to Mrs. Haggerty and uncover her secrets . . . before the police start digging up theirs. But who will solve the mystery first?”

If you’re reading the fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series, then you already know what to expect — twists and laugh-out-loud moments galore!

I finished this book in one sitting, and it was an absolute blast! This incredibly lovable cast of characters never lets me down, and their shenanigans keep me on the edge of my seat.

I never want this series to end! 🤎

Thank you to @stmartinspress @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the ARC!

Finlay, Vero and this time Mrs. Haggerty are back at it! Mrs. Haggerty is moving in with Findlay and chaos ensues! I love this series and this installment did not disappoint. I only wish the next one was available now!
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

I love this series, and this book was a fun addition. I haven't been disappointed yet by reading what Finlay and Vero are up to, and I also just really appreciate reading about some of Finlay's struggles as a single parent. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for review.