I enjoyed this book but ultimately felt like not much happened. I didn’t find the conclusion surprising or intriguing like in the earlier books in this series, unfortunately. I still adore Finlay and Vero and will definitely keep up with this series in the future, though this wasn’t my favorite.

I have been a fan of Finlay Donovan since discovering the first book on the new release shelf at my local Barnes & Noble, and this installment fits right in there with the rest of the series. Lots of humorous situations and clandestine activities (some related to the mystery and some not). The regular players are all here, including those you love to hate. There are nods and references to previous books in the series, so you'll get some spoilers if you start here (but do yourself a favor and start at the beginning! Trust me!). Here's hoping Finlay Donovan keeps getting into trouble for a long time coming.

I received an ARC of this book; opinions are my own.

In the fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series, a body has been discovered in Finlay’s neighbor’s yard. That neighbor happens to be staying with Finlay and the prime suspect is none other than her ex husband. Finlay, Vero, and Nick are determined to investigate the mystery.

I have really enjoyed this series as a cozy mystery read. I love Nick and Finlay as a couple and Vero and Finlay’s friendship. Several side characters were fun additions to this book. Although the book started and ended strongly, it dragged for me in the middle. This mystery was not as action-packed or high stakes as some of the others. It does seem to be set up for a sixth book, though!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano and Minotaur books for the arc and chance to be an early reader and reviewer.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
Elle Cosimano
Publication Date: 3/4/2025
4/5 stars

Finlay and her nanny, Vero, are on another adventure when a body is found Finlay’s neighbor’s backyard. This book is the fifth in a series I would classify as a cozy mystery with a lot of humor. I will always recommend this series especially to moms (lots of mom humor). It also takes place in northern Virginia which is fun if you are familiar with the area since a lot of local areas are mentioned. Can’t wait for the next Finlay book!

Thank you Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my review. This is another story in the Finlay Donovan series. This takes place pretty quickly after the last book in the series. It is focused on Finlay's neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty and a body found in her yard. It has all of the silly antics of the other Finlay books, but it goes back to more of a mystery aspect. Who killed that person? Is someone being framed? Plus there's still hot cop Nick, fun Vero, and others. I really liked this book in the series. I thought I was out after the gang murder/cop training camp from the last one,but this one brought me back into the series.

“People rise to the level of expectation you have for them. If you don’t trust them, how are they supposed to prove you can?”

🪦 Genre: Mystery (hilarious)
🪦 Steamy rating: Moderate
🪦 Profanity: Moderate

The Finlay Donovan series takes an exciting turn in this installment, adding a fresh storyline and dialing up the spice! I absolutely loved it. In Book 5, we finally learn more about the infamous busybody neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, and it’s such a fantastic storyline. As always, Vero and Finlay find themselves wrapped up in all sorts of chaotic shenanigans, but their friendship continues to shine. #BestFriendGoals. And Nick? Total dream boat in this one. This might just be my second favorite book in a series I never want to end. I laughed out loud so many times and couldn’t get enough of the witty, silly quotes!

Triggers: Domestic violence, assault, murder, and infidelity

I am and will forever be a Finlay fan. I have read every single book in this series and I absolutely love every book. I love Elle Cosimano's work. This book is my new favorite Finlay. I was cracking up before I even got to the first chapter. The fact that Elle has me dying of laughter before chapter one says a lot about this book, and it just keeps getting better and funnier and funnier the more I read. I never want this series to end. I hope Elle continues to write about Finlay or expand this universe because I love it.

Thank you to Minotaur Books & NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ARC Book Review 📖
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

This was probably my least fave of the series. It just wasn’t as funny as the others and it took longer for me to get into. Will I keep reading the series? Yes, of course. Was it the change of pace I needed? Absolutely. Should you read it? If you’ve liked the others, go for it!

Another fun Finley and Vero story! And this time we get the pleasure of meeting and getting to know their nosy neighbour, Mrs. Haggerty. This one drew me in quickly and I enjoyed the twists and turns as they tried to solve this one. And of course we get more Nick and Cam as well to round of the characters. Can’t wait to see what’s next in store for these two!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book.

I'm such a huge fan of this series, and this one did not disappoint! As always, can't wait until the next one!

I was thinking that the latest installment of Finlay Donovan would be a three star read for the first half—it was ok, though this one felt tired, and frankly, I wouldn’t expend a second of energy on her ex-husband, guilty or not.

But I really enjoyed Mrs. Haggerty’s storyline here, so that whole plot line really picked things up for me. This ended up being a solid read, though I’m not sure how much more of the series I’d be willing to follow.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book through NetGalley.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the latest installment in the Finlay Donovan series. Find out what she’s up to now.

I have been a fan of the Finlay Donovan series since the first book and this may be my favorite, so far. I absolutely loved how Finlay's relationships developed with the many characters in her life. Cosimano writes with her usual humor in this suspenseful, touching mystery.
After reading the ARC, I'm looking forward to listening to the audiobook when it becomes available.

Ok, I have been a big fan of this series since the beginning, but I’ll be honest… I was nervous that @ellecosimano wasn’t going to be able to keep the momentum going for FIVE books (and a novella), but man, was I wrong! I loved this one SO much! In fact, it may be my favorite since the first one. I cannot wait for everyone to read this and I’m so excited for the next book! This comes out 3/4/25!!

If you’ve loved Finlay Donovan’s previous adventures, you’ll eat up this 5th book in the series! Finn and Vero are at it again—trying to discover who’s to blame for yet another murder (a body discovered in nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard) and clear ex-husband Steven’s name (again), all while falling in love with/trying not to get arrested by hot-cop boyfriend Detective Nick. As always, this chaotic, fun, addicting story will have you turning pages as fast as you can to solve the mystery (especially in the last fourth of the book when that action really hits)!

things i loved in this book:
+ crazy Mrs. Haggerty
+ more Nick and Finlay 😍
+ no more Russian mob (we get some fresh new side characters in this one!)
+ Mrs. H’s homeschooling & potty training
+ The Eggplant car (iykyk🍆)
+ laugh-out-loud one liners and innuendo
+ that ending setting up another book (!?!)

If you haven’t read any Finlay Donovan books yet, there’s still time for you to binge the first four before this one releases on March 4! 🤩

Thank you so much to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this book by Elle Cosimano!

read if you like:
+ comedy thrillers
+ murder mystery
+ suspenseful but not too scary
+ single mom x hot cop

I had the BEST time reading this; good relationship development for Finlay and Nick and I loved the neighborhood aspect. Really looking forward to maybe heading in a slightly new direction with the cliffhanger?

<i>Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.</i>

Finlay and Vero, partners in crime, are back in book 5 of the series. While this technically can be read as a stand alone the story does build off previous books and I would recommend to read them all in order. Finlay Donovan has been my most favorite adult series! As long as Elle Cosimano produces stories, I will read them! It's entertaining, humorous, thrilling, relatable and adventurous. If you haven't read this series you are missing out!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
By Elle Cosimano
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Finlay and Vero are at it again! But this time Finlay’s not the one in trouble. Mrs. Haggerty is Finlay’s across the street neighbor and is the self appointed president of the neighborhood watch. When a body is found in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard everyone is shocked. She’s quickly released from custody, but can’t return home just yet. Finlay is shocked when Mrs. Haggerty is dropped off at her doorstep to stay for a few days while she awaits some house repairs. Finlay is nervous that Mrs. Haggerty may know more than she’s willing to admit about what Finlay’s been up to these past few months and sharing her house with her makes her even more wary. The last thing Finlay wants is to find herself in the middle of another murder investigation, but trouble always seems to follow her and Vero!

This series is super fun. I love that I can always count on these to be lighthearted and silly reads. This one ended on a cliffhanger and I can’t believe I’ll have to wait awhile to find out what happens next!

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery series, give this one a try! I’ll always love and recommend this series.

Now this book got us back on track. This book is just utterly funny and just plain fun. I really enjoyed this book and is probably my favorite one in this series.

Finlay Donovan has a neighbor—Mrs. Haggerty—the community busy-body and head of the neighborhood watch. Through her gently parted curtains, she sees and knows everything Finlay and Vero, Finlay’s nanny and investigative partner, do. When a corpse pops up in Hagerty’s backyard and her property becomes a crime scene, she has nowhere to go—except to stay at Finlay’s. To get the cops, and Mrs. Hagerty, out of her hair, Finlay sets out to solve the murder, and the latest Finlay adventure is off and running.

DP Lyle, award-winning author, lecturer, story consultant