A fast and fun read… this fifth Finlay Donovan mystery is a totally entertaining next installment of the bestselling series.

I have zoomed through each one of these mystery thrillers, they are light and witty and ideal weekend escape reads.

While in any of the Finlay books the plot doesn't matter as much as the colourful characters and criminal adventures, the plot here revolves around a body found in the yard of Finlay’s ever present busybody neighbour Mrs Haggerty.

When her scuzzball ex-husband is accused of the murder, romance writer Finlay, along with her nanny/accountant/on the run best friend Vero, set out to discover the true killer before her loser ex is locked up. Shenanigans ensue.

While the Finlay Donovan books each stand alone, the wacky neighbours and friends do repeat, and this book starts right after the end of the previous one, so would recommend reading them in order.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. It publishes March 4, 2025.

I just love Finlay!
This series of books just has all the humor and crazy antics of Finlay- an aspiring writer and her nanny.
They inadvertently get caught up with bodies, murder , mafia and more!

5 books in and Elle Cosimano continues to deliver hilarious and chaotic antics with Finlay and Vero! This book's focus on Mrs. Haggerty and her evolving relationship with Finlay, Vero, and the kids was absolutely endearing to read. This series continues to deliver on the heart, wit, and fun that has been a hallmark of these books.

Do I want to be Mrs. Haggerty when I grow up??

Review in Emojis: 🍆🍃📚🧼⚰️, iykyk

A dead body is found in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard leading to her moving into Finlay's house (much against both of their wills) and someone very close to Finlay getting taken into custody for the crime. Do we think Finlay and Vero are going to get wrapped up in yet another murder investigation? Absolutely. Will they solve the murder before the wrong person goes down for the crime? Or will Finlay and Vero end up digging their own graves? You'll just have to read to find out 🤐

This is seriously one of the best Finlay Donovan stories yet! This book doesn't come out until March 2025 but I'm already dying for the next one (that ending though!!).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my favorite Finlay Donovan book yet! The story moved better with less of the wacky “how will she get out of this debacle” moments that became too commonplace in the other books. The Russian Mob storyline being wrapped in book 4 really helped and the story was able to progress in a stronger directions. LOVED that Mrs. Haggerty was a central character in the mystery but also in the FD universe. She was a fun addition on a deeper level. Can’t wait for the next one. PS. One of the hard things will previous books was the amount of characters and plots and this book did a GREAT job of pulling some (SOME) of those people/stories back in without getting bogged down. Grateful for the ARC from Net Galley. Get your hands on this book asap when it releases in March!

I received a copy of this book by NetGalley for review.

This is the 5th Book of the Donovan Finlay series... Donovan & Vero ALWAYS seem to get wrapped up in some type of murder investigation. In this book, a body is found in Donovan's elderly neighbor's yard (Mrs. Haggerty). And while the police is carrying out their investigation, there is nowhere for Mrs. Haggerty to go, except Donovan's house.

Meanwhile, Donovan's ex-husband & father of her children is being looked at as the main suspect for these killings. So, Donovan & Vero set out to prove his innocence while hiding what they are up to from Mrs. Haggerty. While Donovan & Vero are trying to prove Steven's innocence, Nick (Donovan's law officer boyfriend) is attempting to do the same, only for Donovan. He is working to keep any suspicion off of her.

Another kick ass book for this kick ass series! I enjoyed it a lot. It’s funny, witty and the banter are just perfect. And… neighbour? Oh my God, hilarious! Mrs. Haggerty has a place in my heart, I have to tell you.
Can’t wait for the next one, seriously.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin Press for the arc.

Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard floods & a body is discovered, only for Steven to be framed for the murder. It works out since he was always cheating on Finlay. Through the expected twists & turns of Finlay & Vero, the truth is discovered. This is the best Finlay Dovovan book yet. Sisterhood, found family & romance. Knowing yourself & your friends have your backs. I was fantastic.

Fans of the Finley Donovan series will relish this installment full of your favorite characters getting themselves into all sorts of trouble

When Finley’s ex husband is framed for the dead body found in the busybody neighbor’s backyard. With her house a crime scene she is forced to stay with Finley et al.

Now Finley and Vero must find the real culprit to exonerate her ex and return the meddlesome Mrs Haggerty back to her own home.

The ensemble cast of characters from past books make cameos as this plot takes fun and unexpected twists and turns! Highly recommend!

Oh no - neighbors! We all know what they are like - keep them at a distance. Well it's not possible in this installment. Sit down and enjoy!

This is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series and I really enjoyed it. The series is one of my favorites and I love Finlay and Vero! Book 5 picks up where book four left off. When Finlay‘s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, finds a body in her backyard and becomes a suspect, she needs Finlay and Vero‘s help to find the real killer.

I loved seeing all the characters again, the laugh out loud moments, and the trouble they get into. The series reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series and never fails to make me laugh. If you like mysteries with zany characters you will love this one! I highly recommend. Thank you to St Martin’s Press, Minotaur, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an early copy and give my honest opinion.

This might be my favorite installment of the Finlay Donovan series yet! It was SO FUN and kept me on my toes! Mrs. Haggerty was a great side character and I loved learning more about the book club and its role in the plot. Nick, Sylvia, and the whole crew add so much depth to the book to keep it entertaining throughout.

I’m also excited for the next book with the cliffhanger setup at the end of this one. I continue to be a huge Finlay Donovan fan and this book is no exception!

This book was given to me early through NetGalley. I liked this book better than the last two books, but I do think it’s time for Finlay to get herself out of this lifestyle. I liked this one because she wasn’t the main one in trouble. I also think if there was spice in it, that might make it better.

After the first book in the series, this is my favorite. I feel like it brought back the same vibe as #1 whereas 2-4 (which were still good, don't get me wrong!) didn't quite live up to #1. Where is felt like 2-4 we're dragging out the story and almost repetitive, this one felt fresh. I also liked the developments in Finlay's relationship with Nick. Their growth seems realistic and organic, not pushed or too quick.

Predictable story line. If you are ok with another book that follows all the same themes from others in this series you won’t be let down. If you are looking for a fresh new adventure you might look elsewhere. This book left me frustrated and really questioning the characters ability to make great choices. There are ways to keep the series going but abandon predictability. Highlight is that the ending gave me hope of there being shift in the story character focus for the next book.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to the publisher, Net Galley, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Finlay Donovan series just keeps getting better. I just love the dark underworld that lurks below Finlay's suburban life, the constant twists and turns she's forced to navigate, and her authenticity as a mom who just wants the best for her kids. And Vero is the best friend everyone needs! This story brought new depth to Ms. Haggerty and Finlay's relationship with her nosy neighbor - who is now a character I can't wait to read more about. I've turned multiple friends and family members onto Finlay's adventures, and I'm thrilled that I can enthusiastically recommend the latest book in this series!

My favorite in the Finlay Donovan oeuvre so far. Finlay and the gang are back home where they belong and this time nosy neighbor Mrs Haggerty is the culprit! Or is she? Classic Finlay & Vero hijinks abound, refrigerator trucks and funny brownies come to mind. Everyone seems to have grown up considerably since the first book. Cam is still my favorite character—and now he comes with accessories: Arnold Schwarzenegger & Eggplant Ecstasy, anyone?

Loved the newest instalment of these series!! I feel so at home with these characters and Elle always impresses me with her creativity as it relates to the storyline of each book. Finlay and Vero are two of my favourite book characters and I will continually come back to these series! I love how this book had a plot that included some more of the supporting characters, and I always live how Elle makes all of the moving parts connect! I will always recommend the Finlay Donovan series, and I can’t wait for the next one - especially given how this ended!!!

I never want this series to end and this book just proves my point. A masterpiece. The quotes in this one hit so much harder for me because of how casimano writes.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Elle Cosimano and St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All of the books in this series are funny, adventurous and mysterious all wrapped up into one book! This story was middle of the road good for me but I had to keep up on the series as I overall enjoyed the journey. I will definitely continue to read Elle's books in the future!