Finlay Donovan has had enough murder to last a lifetime. When a body is found in her neighbor Mrs. Haggerty’s yard, Finlay wants to steer clear. But Mrs. Haggerty needs a place to stay while her house is a crime scene, and only Finlay’s house will work for her. Finlay is shocked when her ex-husband Steven is arrested for the murder of the body in the backyard. She may not trust Steven after his cheating tore apart their marriage, but she knows he isn’t a murderer and she’ll prove it herself if no one else will.

This is book five in the Finlay Donovan series and I think it’s my favorite yet! It had all of the zany moments Finlay is known for, but also had a few really emotional and lovely moments too. The scenes with Nick in this were perfect, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. He’s a dreamy leading man for Finlay and I just love them together even more after this installment!

The cliffhanger has me on the edge of my seat for book six! Finlay and Vero always pull themselves out of every mess they wind up in, and I can’t to see how they do that next!

Best of the series! To be honest, I was ready to give up on this series because it had gone so far over the top. I read Finley Donovan Digs Her Own Grave in one day - couldn’t put it down. Finlay’s nosy neighbor has a body buried in her yard. Stephen, Finlay’s ex, is arrested for the murder but something doesn’t sit right with Findlay. She sets out to proves his innocence to everyone- including Nick. So glad I read this one! Can’t wait for the next!

So good to be back with these characters. The writing is so witty and snarky. Cracks me up. The shenanigans just keep coming. Thankfully Nick does not scare off easily. Some past characters show up in this outing bringing the nostalgia. Ends on a cliff hanger so I hope that means ore antics to come.

🌹📓👵🍆🚨

Elle Cosimano delivers another wild, fast-paced mystery with Finlay Donovan, filled with sharp humor, outrageous twists, and the irresistible chaos I fully support. Finlay and Vero are back in action, juggling nosy neighbors, dead bodies, ex-husbands, and their ever-growing list of secrets. The book contains all the signature elements of the series: snappy banter, suspense, drama, mystery, and, of course, humor.

I can't wait for the next two books! I hope Elle Cosimano keeps writing this series forever! 🙌

This series keeps getting better and better. I absolutely didn’t see this plot coming! It introduces a few new characters, delivers plenty of retribution, keeps you on the edge of your seat with surprises, and is filled with humor. And the cliffhanger at the end? Fabulous! I’m completely hooked on Finlay and Vero. This series is addictive, and you won’t stop reading until you’ve finished them all.

This review is entirely voluntary, and all opinions expressed reflect my personal views.

Elle Cosimano does it again! I have read and enjoyed every single book in this series, and Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is no exception! The book keeps the series' signature humor, fun characters, and ridiculous plot (in the best way). This time, Finlay is not accidentally involved in a murder, but she is trying to solve one. I love the way we get to learn more about (and perhaps develop soft spots for) previously less desirable characters (like Mrs. Haggerty and Steven). I also loved watching Nick and Finlay's relationship develop. I've read more than a handful of series that lose their spark a few books in, but this book was just as fun as the others; a true feat!

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC.
I have never read any of the Finley Donovan books, and what a fun book! I immediately want to read the past books that will explain a lot of the back stories that were mentioned.
This felt a lot like a book like a Stephanie Plum book. A fun cast of characters and a mystery to solve.
For a fun read, I think this will scratch that itch.

In one word, the Finlay Donovan series is FUN. The fifth book, Finaly Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, is Elle Cosimano’s best Finlay book yet. It ties up some loose strings from earlier books (even the first one!) and untangles a few new knots to let me know I should watch for a Book 6. And I will!

Finlay is a romance writer with a couple of big deals, thanks to her agent. But she’s also a single mother with a live-in best friend/nanny (who has an intriguing backstory of her own). She’s dating a hot detective. Oh, and her sister’s a cop on the force, too. She can’t seem to keep her ex-husband out of her hair, and there’s teen hacker who keeps showing up for dinner… and then there’s the ladies in the neighborhood…

While there are times that Cosimano’s characters are just too conveniently in the wrong (or right?) place at the wrong (or right?) time, I keep coming back to the entertaining, witty, fast-paced, slightly romantic, mysteries. You can’t help but root for Finlay and the messes she finds herself in. I HIGHLY recommend reading this series in order.

Elle does it again. Another Finlay Donovan novel to
Join the long series.
More suspense and excitement, crime, and Shenanigans.
Finlay & Vero at it again and I enjoyed it all.
If you’re a fan it’s a yes! Definitely more enjoyable as a series but can be read stand alone as Elle does a fantastic job filling in the past four point five novels.
Enjoyable, fun, funny, & how does finlay keep doing this to herself lol 😂

This was a cute and fun mystery as are all of Cosimano's Finlay Donovan books. She has a talent when it comes to writing her characters, and they never fail to feel real or have substance.

I love Finlays sidekick Vero, sometimes even more than Finlay, I think a strong secondary character always makes for a good story, especially when they play off each other so well, but Cosimano gives us more than just one strong secondary character, she even includes kids in the story that bring humor and substance.

The only thing with me, is I am not a series reader and after reading now the fifth book, all the craziness is starting to get old to me, and I believe it is time to move on. Don't fear though, after a long break I will be back to enjoy a few more books.

In the 5th Finlay Donovan novel Finlay finds herself with an unwelcome house guest, an ex husband being accused of murder, and a hot cop boyfriend who is growing suspicious of her activities. A great addition to the series!

I’m a huge fan of the Finlay Donovan series, but I have to admit that this book is my least favorite. The book was okay. Honestly I felt like it was long and drawn out and slightly all over the place. I enjoyed reading more about Finlay & Nicks relationship. Finlay and Veronica are hilarious. I did not expect the plot twist at the end!

Overall, it’s still a good read and I would recommend it to a friend. Thank you Minotaur and NetGalley for an opportunity at receiving this arc in exchange for my honest review.


3.5/5 ⭐️

This installment was so much fun!! Maybe my favorite of the series so far? I loved the plot (even though I called it really early on) and the characters. It was so fun to see a different side of her neighbor than we have in previous books and I loved the interactions with her kiddos and Mrs. Haggerty. Really truly enjoyable to read and didn’t want it to be over. When is the next Finlay book coming out?!?

"Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" by Elle Cosimano is Book #5 in the Finlay Donovan Series!

Finlay has never seen eye to eye with her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, a busybody who keeps snooping around and peering across the street into Finlay's business. Now, the tables are turned, and she may need some help from Finlay.

A dead body was found in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard. She has been cleared of any charges, but her house remains a crime scene. Since Finlay's house is directly across the street, Mrs. H. makes herself at home, moving into Finlay's bedroom, where she has a clear view of her house.

Then, Finlay hears the familiar name of a new suspect in the case, which triggers her immediate interest in the investigation...

"Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave", like all previous books, picks up where the last book left off. I was on the fence about continuing this series, as I felt it had lost its original appeal. I wanted more Finlay and Vero, less wackiness, and fewer one-dimensional characters. This one delivers all that and a deeper dive into Finlay and Nick's developing relationship.

Mrs. Haggerty is quite the character and one of the best parts of this story. Come to find out there's more to her than meets the eye. I hope we see more of her in the future.

This was an immersion read; the audiobook is narrated by Angela Dawe, whose voicing of Finlay and Vero is so familiar to me that I can read the ebook alone and still hear their voices in my head. I'm not sure what that says about me, but I continue to be impressed by Ms. Dawe's talent.

"Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" ends in another cliffhanger, meaning another book is in the works. I'm excited for book #6 and more of Finlay and Vero's shenanigans!

4.5⭐

Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and Elle Cosimano for the DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

🤍 Thank you @minotaur_books for the arc of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by @ellecosimano

I have been in a reading slump this week and this book completely broke me out of it.

The Finlay Donovan series is my go-to when in need an addictive, mysterious, and hysterical read with the perfect dash of romance.

I loved this installment, the mystery, and the growth of the characters! It was just what I needed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: fade to black

Elle Cosimano is a MASTER at delivering mystery, intrigue, comedy, romance, and everything in between all wrapped up in one bound book. This was a fantastic book #5 in the Finlay Donovan series, and I absolutely loved all of the character dynamics continuing to develop from the previous book. The mystery for this one was super fun, and Nick and Finn’s relationship development was perfect! The last line quite literally made me scream, and I already can’t wait for book 6!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the early copy!

I love diving back into this series, because I know it will be hilarious and chaotic in the best way possible. Finlay is a character that is actually really special to me. She starts as the stressed mom in book one, strapped for cash and making really bad decisions, to kind of a badass author that is strapped for cash and making less-bad decisions. Growth! (No, seriously, through the books you can see a lot of character growth). The characters are fabulous- I love Vero and was thrilled that we saw more aspects of Cam. Nick is an amazing love interest. As a series, I find this one to be cohesive, fun fast reads that you want to go back to again and again because you will miss their little community they created. The only reason I don’t consider this a cozy mystery in full, is because there is slightly more sexual content than one normally finds in them. (It’s the same reason I don’t consider the Stephanie Plum series to be cozy either.)

We see more of the side characters in this book, and a lot of Scooby-Doo-esk sleuthing. I love that this book isn’t about Finlay being in danger, but trying to get her ex husband out of it. She’s showing more strength, allowing herself to trust Nick just a little more… I loved seeing this story line take shape. The neighbor was brilliant- the neighborhood busybody, cutting and aloof… and an absolute badass. Be it potty training, putting despicable principles in their place, or heading the craziest book club ever, she can do it all. I liked how I watched her character unfold- she wasn’t a new character, just one we hadn’t been allowed to see multiple dimensions of. That she and the teen troublemaker hit it off is hilarious. Life is still very chaotic in the Donovan household, and Vero’s maybe married status doesn’t help that, but it is warm and fun. My only complaint- we left at a cliffhanger, so there will be a sixth book but I have to wait for it. For me, this is a five star book. I am obsessed with this series.

As far as adult content goes, there is mild sexual content ( making out, allusions to more), violence, language and substance use. I would say it’s geared towards adults but would not have had an issue handing this one to my niece when she was a teen.

A return to form! I enjoyed the characters a lot and the plot of the story was incredibly clear while also tying up loose ends

Ahhh! I think this is one of my favorite Finlay books, besides the first. I loved the growth in Nick and Finlay's relationship. My jaw dropped at the end! Loved it all. As usual, the banter between Vero and Finlay is perfection, and any time someone is dissing her ex-husband, I'm cheering - I'm talking about your Mrs. Hagerty!

Finlay and Vero were back for more shenanigans in this latest installment. As usual, there were dead bodies and close calls. I am a huge fan of Nick and was somewhat disappointed with the lack of his role in this one. This was not a favorite of the series, but I enjoyed as a light read in between heavier books.