Elle Cosimano delivers another hilarious and fast-paced mystery as Finlay and Vero get dragged into yet another murder—this time involving their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. Determined to stay out of it, they’re forced to dive in when Finlay’s ex-husband becomes a suspect. Full of witty banter, unexpected twists, and laugh-out-loud chaos, this installment keeps the series fresh and entertaining. Fans will love the dynamic duo’s latest misadventures!

Elle does it again! I really enjoyed the mystery in this book and it of course was hilarious! I think it could be read as a standalone but really should be read after the first three as most of the characters are returning and it touches upon previous plots. I’m excited this is not the final book because I can’t get enough of these characters, both main and side.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!

I find myself sucked into Finlay Donovan’s antics every year. Without fail. And the newest one, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was like being with an old friend, laughing at her nonsense. They are all back and this time a body was found in the neighbor’s yard. The nosy old lady who was always in Finlay’s business now has the tables turned as Finlay tries to solve the mystery.
All of the same calamities ensue. All of the same absurd situations. And all of the same laugh out loud moments and snide remarks. There is never a dull moment in this series and this book was no exception. I also have a bit of a crush on Nick….

I’ve been wanting to know more about nosy neighbor Mrs Haggerty since the beginning of the series, and happy to find out she’s an absolute hoot and also a vigilante? Finlay and Vero are trying to get their life in some semblance of order until a body pops up in their neighbor’s backyard and someone close is accused of the murder! I loved how there were less moving parts in this one, it made it easier to focus on the main story. I was able to figure it out, but not until the 75% mark. I I was also shocked to realize how much time hasn’t passed, though we’re in the 5th book and Nick and Finlay are still in essentially a brand new relationship. After the epilogue, I’m looking forward to see what highjinks come next! Thank you to Minotaur Books and SMP for a free copy in exchange for my honest review

Title: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: March 4, 2025

Finlay Donovan and Vero are drawn into another murder investigation when a dead body is found in their neighbor's backyard. To protect their neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, they must solve the crime before the police uncover their own secrets.

I love how Finlay cares for Cam, how she's a mama for everyone. It is so heartwarming and makes me love her character even more! 😭 Nick is dreamyyyy! Gotta love a gorgeous cop MMC!! Yet again, Vero and Finlay have the sweetest (and strangest) friendship ever! I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and author for the digital review copy.

The Finlay Donovan series has quickly become one of my favorites. I stumbled upon the first book, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and have been laughing ever since. And this latest book in Elle Cosimano’s series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, continues to keep the giggles flowing while the mystery deepens.

Finlay and Vero are both such terrifically crafted characters. It’s easy to get caught up in their world, because they feel like someone you could hang out with, like your neighbor down the street, like the ladies you see at the store — you know what I mean. They are comfortably real, yet they end up in the wildest situations. It’s nice to live vicariously through them, because I don’t think I could handle the crazy with the aplomb they do!

If you enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum or even Darynda Jones’ Sunshine Vicram, you’ll love Finlay Donovan. I most definitely recommend you pick up all of the books (I think they are best enjoyed in order), including the latest, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars, because it is a great read and a great laugh.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own!

I was so thrilled to be able to read the newest installment of Finlay and Vero's adventures early and it did not disappoint! I loved being back in their world just along for the ride to see what happens next. There is something about these characters that just draws you in and won't let you go. Even when she is making reckless decisions, I can’t help but cheer Finlay on. I will also forever be cheering on Nick and Finlay, and I loved seeing more of their relationship. The story was fast-paced and it kept me guessing so I flew through it. I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC!

God I am obsessed with this book series and I’m convinced Elle Cosimano can’t write a bad book. Finally and Veronica are literally my fave fictional characters. This book like the resident disappoint and if you’re looking for a cozy mystery, PICK UP THOS SERIES.

Once again Cosimano deftly rides the line between great fun and over the top as Finlay and crew tackle solving anothet murder. I enjoyed the concept of a nosy disapproving old neighbor moving onto your house and taking over your room. Other highlights include Zach’s potty training, the developing relationship with Nick and the author name dropping. A satisfying snarl of clues and suspects are chased down and this quick read ends with the promise of more to come. Sure to be in high demand. Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorite series. Comedy and mishaps mixed into murder and mayhem have a smile on my face while reading, and the story is unputdownable.

The cast of characters are back, but this time the noisy neighbor is under Finlay's roof. Finlay has secrets to keep from Mrs. Haggerty, but Haggerty has secrets of her own. The close proximity brings another mystery for Finlay and live-in nanny Vero to solve.

This one also ends on a cliffhanger so I am so excited the series will continue. I need more scenes with "hot cop" Nick and Finlay. I also love that Finlay has a little son the same age as mine, the potty training stress is relatable and I feel seen. 😅

I adore this series. Finlay and Vero are such relatable characters and I want to jump in the pages and be their friend. These books are just so fun. Lighthearted reads, great character banter, a little romance, a lot of chaos, with a problem to solve mixed in = perfection. This was one of my faves in the series! Some of the books have come off a bit too unrealistic but this one brought it back to the “this could have happened to me and I would have done the same thing” feeling while reading it. I can’t wait to see where their story goes next! I’ll follow them anywhere at this point.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the privilege of reading the ARC of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave! And to Elle Cosimano for writing it.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was even better than the last. The original is still the best!
I love the relationships Finlay has and how adding in the old lady neighbor made it even funnier.
When Finlay’s ex husband is accused of murder after a body is found in their neighbors yard Finlay has to decide if she does what’s best for her kids or leave him to rot. She doesn’t really think Steve is a murderer. She decided to investigate with her nanny Vero and what they undercover is unpredictable.

Finlay & Vero’s bad luck and hilarious antics never fail to have me full belly laughing to myself while reading. Add in Mrs. Haggerty to the mix and it was just way too good.

Another hilarious murder mystery by Elle Cosimano and I just can’t get enough.

And that ending??? I gotta know what’s up there.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, Netgalley & Elle Cosimano for the chance to read this one early in exchange for an honest review.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave delivers another thrilling and witty installment in the Finlay Donovan series. The story picks up right where the last book left off, continuing the chaotic, darkly comedic life of Finlay Donovan, a crime writer turned reluctant amateur sleuth.

In this latest entry, Finlay finds herself tangled in even deeper and more dangerous situations than before. After the dramatic events of the previous book, Finlay is juggling the fallout of her accidental crime-solving while trying to balance her family life, career, and a rapidly growing list of criminal entanglements. This time, she’s embroiled in a high-stakes mystery involving family secrets, murder, and a whole lot of danger.

Cosimano continues to shine in her ability to blend humor and suspense. Finlay is a wonderfully flawed and relatable protagonist, and her witty, sarcastic commentary is a perfect match for the tension-filled situations she constantly finds herself in. Her relationships with the people around her—especially her ex-husband and her best friend—are at the heart of the novel, providing both emotional depth and plenty of laughs.

The pacing is fast, and the twists keep coming. Cosimano has a knack for keeping readers on their toes, never quite sure what will happen next, all while maintaining a sense of lightheartedness that makes this series stand out in the cozy mystery genre. The novel’s blend of crime, humor, and personal drama makes it an engaging read from start to finish.

However, it’s worth noting that while the story is highly entertaining, the narrative can sometimes feel a bit overstuffed with plot points. The sheer number of subplots and cliffhangers might overwhelm readers who are looking for a more streamlined mystery. But if you’re invested in the quirky, unpredictable world of Finlay Donovan, the chaos is part of the fun.

Overall, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another enjoyable and thrilling read in this series, with plenty of surprises, laughs, and edge-of-your-seat moments. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and newcomers to the series may find themselves quickly hooked on this charming yet perilous world.

In this fifth installment of the Finlay Donavan
series, Finlay's ex-husband has been
accused of murder and it's up to Finlay and
Vero to find the true culprit Surprises and
plenty of laugh out loud moments abound in
this edition

This book was a delight! In my opinion,
Finlay Donavan Digs Her Own Grave is the
best book in this series yet. Elle Cosimano
has quite outdone herself. Now that some of
the loose ends have been tied up and the
earlier mafia storylines have been resolved,
the focus shifts more to Finlay's personal life
and the people closest to her.

When a body is found in Mrs. Haggerty's
backyard the action is uncomfortably close
to home, and this time around, Finlay has
nothing to do with the murder. Trouble still
finds its way to her door. Steven ends up
being accused of murder, her nosy neighbor
Mrs. Haggerty moves in, Delia gets
suspended from school, and Zack hasn't
exactly made potty training easy. Finlay and
Vero have their hands full in this one.

I just loved this audiobook! Angela Dawe
does an amazing job bringing these
characters to life.

I'm looking forward to more adventures and
hopefully more romance for Finlay.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Every time I jump into a new Finlay Donovan book, I remember just how much I love this series and what a treat each story truly is, and Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was exactly that.
Finlay’s life is always such a crazy ride and I love being in the passenger seat. This one however, felt more like slowing down a little bit, and I really enjoyed the lower stakes. The situations she and Vero find themselves in are so stressful, which is definitely fun and unputdownable, but I also liked the more domestically thrilling intrigue of this one. The mystery was unexpected and thrilling to follow, but with less of the life or death stakes, which I think we all needed after the last four books!
We got to see more of Delia and Zach and several other characters and details that bring us back to the beginning of the series, which I really enjoyed. I loved the character development of Mrs. Haggerty, who turns out to be such a gem. I also really enjoyed the progress that Finlay and Nick’s relationship makes after all the back and forth and uncertainty between them.
After Vero takes somewhat of a backseat in this one, the epilogue seems as if she’ll be more in the driver’s seat next after that CLIFFHANGER, so I’m back to eagerly awaiting the next adventure we’ll take after absolutely devouring this one.
Thank you so much to Elle Cosimano and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Finlay and the gang are back for another humorous adventure. In addition to Finally and Vero, we get a healthy dose of Mrs. Haggerty, the nosy nextdoor neighbor. While she’s been cleared of the murder of the dead body found in her backyard, her house is still an active crime scene…and guess where she is going to be staying? How do you get rid of her? Look into the murder of course. This is a series perfect for fans of Evanovich’s Stephanie Plumb novels. The stories are wild, the action/chaos humorous and over the top. Of course like the previous novel the ending of this one will have you anxiously awaiting the next. I freely admit I have trouble being unbiased when rating these books. While I’m sure some readers will find fault with them in some way, for me they are just fun breaks from reality. And honestly that why I enjoy them so much. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Finaly Donovan Digs Her Own Grave.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2CMK7OHD2G5JF/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I've been a fan of this series since the first book, and I think this latest installment is my favorite. The dynamic between Finlay and her nanny slash partner-in-crime Vero has been firmly established as his Finlay's relationship with "hot cop" Nick. Their latest adventure brings them head-to-head with Finlay's elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, president of the neighborhood watch and all around busybody--and no fan of Finlay's.

But when a dead body is discovered in the old woman's backyard, Mrs. Haggerty is initially a suspect. But when she's cleared by the police, suspicion falls on someone close to Finlay--her cheating ex. With her house still an active crime scene, Mrs. Haggerty makes herself at home at Finlay's. As with everything else outrageous in her life, Finlay throws up her hands and deals with it. Between potty training a toddler, clearing her ex's name, and investigating the mysterious book club that Mrs. Haggerty is a part of, Finlay has her hands full. And moly mother of all cliffhangers...what an ending!

These characters have grown and evolved so much over time and avoid becoming vapid stereotypes. There were so many moments of depth and humanity, especially in the interactions between Finlay and Mrs. Haggerty that made me tear up a few times. These characters are steadily evolving, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Thank you so much to St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books for the early copy. This title will publish March 4, 2025.

First, I would like to thank Elle Cosimano, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC copy. All opinions are completely honest and my own.

Being the fifth book in a series, I don't want to say to much to spoil it, but this book dives into more about Finlay's neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. The police stumble upon a body in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard, and Stephen, Finlay's ex-husband is the main suspect. In this book, the author dives more into Mrs. Haggerty and her suspicious behaviors with her neighborhood watch and book club.

I loved how this book dives into a new character. Mrs. Haggerty stole the show with her humor and intrigue. However, I do wish I wasn't able to guess the ending so quickly. Nevertheless, I loved the story-line. And can we take a moment for the cliff-hanger! My jaw was on the floor when I read the last line of epilogue. I need the next book ASAP! This book is a great addition to my favorite cozy mystery series.

Highly recommend reading this series/book if you love cozy mysteries with humor and crazy plots.

One of my favorites of the entire series. I'm so glad Finlay finally told Nick everything. The lack of communication was getting old. Hopeful about how she continues the series with Vero and Javi