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.

Another great addition to the Finlay Donovan series! I love Cosimano's humor and all the crazy things that happen to Finlay and Vero. The humor in this one didn't hit as well with me (but that may just be me - I've been in a bit of a winter slump the past few weeks). This installment is still tons of fun, though, so grab it as soon as you can! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

The Finlay Donovan series is always such a funny action packed book so I was more than thrilled to see that this was available on NetGalley. The story is laid out when Mrs. Haggerty, the nosy neighbor that lives across of Finlay, is convicted of a crime when a dead body is found in her garden. With the police being fed anonymous tips that leads the police to look into Finlay's ex husband, Steven, Finlay and Vero must work together to clear his name.

When Mrs. Haggerty is released home, her grandson Brendan has no place to put her due to the police rummaging through her house. That's when a doorbell and a plea for Finlay to host Mrs. Haggerty for the weekend is made, But when the weekend extends to a week Finlay must learn to live with this nosy neighbor and find out how much she really knows about the dead body body and her connections to it.

I love that in this book we found out more about Mrs. Haggerty and I grew to like her character more than I initially did in prior books. I also enjoyed how unexpected and original of an idea it was since it was a little different from prior books but still incorporated the mystery and humor that this series has. I found it really easy to pick up this book even after a lot of time passed from reading the prior book because a lot of small recaps from past books and nods to her past allowed me to remember everything that Finlay and Vero have been through. I enjoy the characters and all the parts they play in the story, even if it's just a cheeky cameo.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others and fingers crossed another book will come out in this series. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

Reading the next Finlay Donovan is so fun because these characters feel like friends at this point. I loved the direction this novel took. I was instantly hooked into the mystery featuring Mrs. Haggerty because of how she was featured in the other books, and what a complex, interesting woman she was, and I am so glad she was a major part of this book. I liked the mystery here. It was compelling and really helped Finlay grow in so many ways. Her shenanigans with Vero were entertaining especially because things are so busy for them in this book, even though they're back home. I will read this series as long as it keeps being written. I cannot wait to find out what happens next after the epilogue.

Finlay Donovan and crew are back in the fifth installment of Elle Cosimano’s series and in what’s one of my favorites in this series (next to the first book). After a body was found across the street from Finlay’s house, she just wants things to go back to normal. What she doesn’t want is for ex to get arrested for the murder, a movie adaptation of her series, or to house her nosy neighbor of the aforementioned house. But Finlay and her super nanny Vero don’t know how to live the simple life. Can they save the father of Finlay’s children from jail? Can they keep hot cop Nick (and Finlay’s boyfriend) off their trails? Can they get their neighbor Mrs. Haggerty out of their house? Read Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grace to find out what will happening in this comedic, heartwarming, and heart racing book to find out! It ends on such a good cliffhanger for future books too, so I can’t wait to keep reading this series in the coming years!

It had been a while, so I first reread the series starter, Finlay Donovan Kills It, and once again felt the rollicking energy right from the start. That Susan Isaacs energy with a DC flavor. In ...Digs Her Own Grave, the author is still every bit as good at making me squirm with that N0-Don't-Go-Down-That-Dark-Staircase kind of crazy action that she manages to get away with.

As a man, I find Finlay's romantic and other interactions with men and boys to be enlightening and funny in equal measure; and once again, the plot twists and turns are terrific, if exhausting.

This is book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series. I love this series so much and I think this book just became my favorite! These books are such a comfort read to me. Every time I start one I just feel so cozy and at home. Elle Cosimano is an expert at interjecting humor and levity into her books. I love the mystery genre but I’ve never read anyone that does comedic/lighthearted mystery the way she does.

There are so many lovable characters in this series. Finlay and Vero’s friendship is god tier. I loved that we got more of Cam in this book. He’s hilarious. The author does a great job of writing dynamic characters. I will find myself so mad at a certain character but by the end I care so much about their story and what happens to them.

I know this book isn’t even out yet and I’m already dying for the next one. I will definitely keep reading this series as long as Elle keeps writing them.

Thank you so much to Elle Cosimano, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this ARC!

Thank you so much to Elle Cosimano and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the eARC of this book. It is a great addition to the Finlay Donovan universe. You definitely want to read some of the previous books first, but if you just want to read it on its own you may miss some context. It is a quick and easy read. Definitely recommend this one.

Such a fun, lighthearted mystery read! It's a bit over the top, but that adds to the fun of this story. A great line up of side characters add to the shenanigans. This is the first time that I've read from this series and I think it's something I'm going to have to chance because I love this world.

Cute story, though a bit far fetched which makes the silliness cute. Finlay and Vero to the rescue once again!

This time a body has been discovered in a neighbor's yard and Finlay & Vero didn't kill this one! Who did do the killing is the question for the rest of the book. Nick the hot cop is hot on the trail along with some others who do not share the same feelings for Finlay as he does.

Sylvia, her publisher, is also on the scene making trouble as she wants Nick and Finlay both to help make the latest book become a blockbuster movie. The problem there is that some people, like Finlay and Vero, would likely end up in jail once the facts come out.

Add in Delia getting suspended from school for fighting, Zach's toilet training, Mrs., Haggerty is out of jail and dumped on them and the grandson Brendan seems to have skipped town instead of picking her up and you have plenty to keep you amused.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

I can not get enough of the Finlay Donovan series. I sure hope there is more to come. I just love the humor and the way Finlay always seems to get herself caught up into something. I wish there had been more Vero in this one. It seemed she was featured less in this one, and I missed their shenanigans together. I can't wait to hear it on audio when it comes out. Please keep this series going!!! Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this return to Finlay and Vero’s wacky antics. While books 3 & 3.5 fell a bit flat for me, book 5 in this series felt true to the first few books that kept my attention and made me laugh out loud along the way.

While book 4 took the entourage on the road to Atlantic City, book 5 returns to the home and neighborhood readers are familiar with. Nosy Mrs. Haggerty across the street, ex-husband Steven, and hot cop Nick return as main characters along with a sprinkling of cameos from previous books. It’s a great addition to the series and left the door open for book 6 at the end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series and I would highly recommend reading the preceding books first because a lot of backstory is assumed.

Finlay Donovan is back and for the first time doesn’t find herself in trouble. When a body is discovered buried in her busybody neighbor’s backyard, her philandering ex-husband becomes the prime suspect. Finlay is positive that Stephen is innocent and she and her best friend Vero take it upon themselves to prove it. Hot-cop Nick, teenage tech whiz Cam, bartender-turned-law student Julian, and Finlay’s agent Sylvia all make memorable appearances and a few new characters round out the novel.

If you've made it to book five then you are a true Finlay fan and know exactly what to expect from the latest installment of this deliciously ridiculous series. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave features all the over-the-top characters and plot points we know and want from this humorous mystery series.

While book five perhaps contains less action than the previous books, it's still just as bingeable as the rest. Once again, a dead body shows up a little too close to home for Finlay and now she's been forced to take in her nosy, elderly neighbour, Mrs. Haggerty. While I didn't initially love this plot point (the scene where Mrs. Haggerty moves in felt a little forced, even for Finlay standards) the story quickly grew on me and, as usual, I couldn't put it down.

This book is a cozy, fast-paced read full of Finlay and Vero's usual hijinks and penchant for trouble. (Seriously, can we get a TV series yet?) While there were plenty of twists and side-quests, the mystery itself was fairly simple but no less entertaining. The epilogue gives us a lovely lead-up for the next book (and features a plot point that I think most Finlay fans will be excited by!) and I loved the developments with Finlay and Nick.

The series hit a rough patch for me with book three, but I think we're getting back on track and I can't wait to continue on with the journey! Fans of Finlay Donovan should definitely make room for this book in 2025!

Book 4 was my least favorite of the series, but this one (book5) was great. I had a really good time with this and enjoyed the progression of Finlay’s relationship with Nick. The addition of Mrs. Haggerty to the house was a lot of fun, and I was glad to see Cam come back. This was a quick read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I enjoy the Finlay Donovan series. They are fun quick reads. The story is unbelievable and you have to suspend disbelief but I don’t mind that. Finlay and Vero are both likable characters. I’ll read the rest of the books the author writes in this series.

After binge reading the first part of this series I've been anxiously awaiting this book and it did not disappoint. Just as much hijinks and fun as the first four books! Hurrah! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced review copy.

This was a great book! The story was very interesting and the plot was very well thought out and the cliffhanger was so good!

Books 2 & 3 weren't the best for me but 4 & 5 came out swinging! I enjoyed the intrigue, the new characters (love me some feisty old ladies!) and the arcs of known characters. Would have liked to see a little more Javi but I'm guessing he will come more into play in the next one. It's going to be hard to wait for #6!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC! I love, love , love Finlay Donovan! I also love Vero. I am so attached to these characters and their distinct personalities that when I get a new book I feel like home. I’m not joking, there is something so comforting and relatable about these characters and the mishaps they get into! I am constantly recommending this series to my customers with “Image your wealthy husband cheats and leaves you with nothing and two kids to support. While you’re trying to write your first novel, you accidentally become a hit man”!

I also never disliked Mrs. Haggerty. Sure she’s a busy body.. but she knows when to keep her mouth shut. And she’s kind of a girls-girl.

I thought this was a great story. If I hadn’t gotten around the Holidays, I probably would’ve read it much faster! Trying to read between work/kids/Holiday is hard! Finlay would understand!!

5 stars!! Oh, the bittersweet of having to wait another year for the next book!

This book was like coming home to a warm Finlay Hug. After the last two books were spent at the police academy and Atlantic City, we return to the chaos and familiarity of Finlay’s home- something I was craving!

After the nosy Mrs. Haggerty was found with a dead body in her backyard, Finlay’s life seems to unravel yet again when the father of her children is accused of murder. Finlay knows he’s innocent, but will she be able to prove it?

Finlay and her trusty side-kick and babysitter, Vero, do their best snooping to solve the case.

I loved this latest installment of Finlay Donovan!