Elle Cosimano heard us when we said bring the old Finlay back, and oh did she deliver with Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave!

This had every bit of the heart, humor, and homey feelings as the early books in the Finlay Donovan series that made readers fall in love with the characters and family at the heart of it. While Finlay finds herself at the center of YET ANOTHER mystery murder she must unravel to protect herself, and those she loves, we are back in the fun suburban setting that makes this series so delightful. I was not personally a fan of the previous books set at the police academy and in Atlantic City, so going back home with Finlay, Vero, and the kids excited me. We get to see relationships progress, change, and evolve alongside Finlay's career.

Watching her navigate this change while trying to solve the mystery of the dead body found literally across the street from her was the wild ride we know and love these books to be. This series is heading back in the direction I love, and I am so excited to see where Elle Cosimano will take us next in the 6th installment!

Thank you so much to Netgalley for an advanced copy of Finlay’s newest adventure. It was a great read. It’s becoming one of my favouritest series that I’ve read!

As soon as I see another Finlay Donovan book coming, I get excited!! Thank you so much to Netgalley for an advanced copy of her newest adventure. It did not disappoint. This is one of my all time favorite series, full of laughter and intrigue. I love all the characters. Finlay and Vero have the best and most hilarious partnership, and Mrs Haggerty never ceases to amuse me.

If you haven't read this series, start at the beginning and enjoy every minute of it. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is just as good as the books that preceded it.

Finally Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was a delight! I love seeing what Finlay gets herself into and how she’ll get out of it in each book!

At this point in a series, it is easy for an author to kind of, lose the audience, so to speak. This is not the case with the latest Finlay Donovan chronicle. Elle Cosimano brings more hilarious shenanigans to this world with the investigation into Mrs. Haggerty. The suspense, action, and comedic situations our heroine finds herself live up to the expectation for a Finlay Donovan story. I can't wait to see where the next installment takes us!

Thank you NetGalley for the early read of this amazing book! Could not put it down. Loved the mysteries. Excited for what will happen next with Vero!

3.5/5 - Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback!

"Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" is yet another fun addition to the well-loved series by Elle Cosimano. This installment begins with nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty moving in with Finlay, Vero, and the kids for a short stay after a dead body is discovered buried in her yard. From there, the traditional antics readers have come to expect ensue. Filled with twists and turns, this page turner will keep readers guessing until the very end.

This series is my guilty pleasure!! I can tell from the epilog that it will continue and I'm beyond thrilled. This book series has it all including found family, murder mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, nosey neighbors etc. There is something for everyone and the books keep getting better and better! I recommend this series to everyone i know and this book will now be included!

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy of this book. My view was entirely my own and in no way skewed by receiving a copy of the book.

First thank you so much for approving me to read this arc.


Finlay and vero are the real dynamic duo, their banter is quick and witty and keeps their serious situations very light.
Finlay is not a superhero, once again this book follows the trope that she’s just a suburban mom with two small kids that are typical small children and a half working vehicle, she’s not super human but she is very smart and resourceful and that’s one of my favorite parts about her character. This also kept the tension going with Nick without unnecessary explicits, I personally love a closed door when it’s done well.
This book gave us more insight on Mrs. Haggerty as being more than just the meddling nosey neighbor and I really love how her character developed and her unlikely friendship with Cam, who is also growing with each book.
I was glad to see almost all of my favorite people back, even if just for a moment. The characters of these books feel like people you actually know.
This book was not as fast paced as Finlay rolls the dice but it was a welcomed change of pace to stay in her own neighborhood and without feeling like it was too fantastical or really reaching.
I can’t wait to see how this develops into Veros personal story after the epilogue.

I love these books so much. Thank you again for the Arc

I have been looking forward to this sequel. It has the usual Finlay Donovan feel. It is a fun, fast paced read and leaves us on a cliffhanger (so now I am waiting for the next one to come out).

Another fantastic Finlay Donovan story! I think this one may be one of my favorites so far of the series! It connected a lot of different aspects of the previous books and brought a fun new mystery to the forefront of the plot. How did a body end up in her elderly neighbor's yard, who killed him, and why do all clues point to Finlay's ex-husband?

If Elle Cosimano keeps delivering Finlay Donovan books, I’ll keep reading them, no questions asked.

Dig Her Own Grave is the perfect follow-up to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, continuing the thrilling and hilarious ride with Finlay Donovan, the accidental contract killer. Elle Cosimano has once again crafted a page-turner full of suspense, humor, and witty banter that will have readers laughing and gasping in equal measure.

I was so excited to jump back into Finlay Donovan’s world, and this new installment did not disappoint. This time, a dead body turns up in Finlay’s nosy neighbor’s backyard—Mrs. Haggerty, the one person Finlay and her partner-in-crime, Vero, really don’t want staying at their house. But when Mrs. Haggerty’s place becomes a crime scene, she ends up crashing with them anyway.

Naturally, chaos ensues. Just when Finlay and Vero think they can bow out of another murder investigation, Finlay’s ex-husband Steven lands in the police’s crosshairs, leaving them with no choice but to get involved. Their reluctant detective work leads to laugh-out-loud mishaps, plenty of sarcasm, and some very tense moments.

What I love most is how real and relatable Finlay feels—she’s juggling life, family drama, and a total lack of free time, all while stumbling into one predicament after another. The story moves at a brisk pace, and I found myself smiling at the witty banter as much as I was biting my nails over the mystery. If you’ve read the previous Finlay Donovan books, you’ll have a blast. If you’re new, you’ll still have no trouble jumping right in.

Overall, it’s a hilarious and heartwarming thriller that manages to keep things suspenseful without ever taking itself too seriously. Grab this book if you want a good mystery that’ll make you laugh while keeping you on the edge of your seat.

A body is found on the grounds of their neighbor Mrs. Haggerty and when Steve become a suspect, Finn and Vero are on the case in their own formidable way causing havoc along the way. In between Delia’s school situation and Zach’s toilet training, a few welcome and familiar faces play a pivotal role in this hilarious caper when the strangeness of Mrs. Haggerty perks the women and how she figures into the whole situation. I love the antics that the women find themselves in as they try to find the clues to prove Steve innocence and bring the guilty party to justice. The more things came to fruition, the more we got to know Mrs. Haggerty and her part in all of this. I like how the relationship between Nick and Finn is moving along. This is one of the best books in this delightfully entertaining series and I can’t wait to see what Finn and Vero get into next.

4 stars for the latest installment of the Finlay & Vero show - "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" which is Book 5. I enjoyed watching the shenanigans of our dynamic duo again, with all their snark & crazy, and I really enjoyed how this one pulled in the nasty, busybody neighbor, Mrs. Haggarty, who's got a dead body in her backyard!! Always so FUN & sort of silly and escapist, I enjoyed it a lot. Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for my advance reader's copy - quite fun to read & review :)

Book Review: “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun” by Elle Cosimano

Elle Cosimano delivers another hilarious and page-turning installment in the Finlay Donovan series with Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun. This book takes the story in a slightly different direction than its predecessors, but the beloved, quirky cast of characters—especially the lovable Finlay—keeps readers laughing from start to finish. Along with a dash of swoon-worthy romance and the unforgettable antics of a spunky older lady and her feisty book club pals, Cosimano has crafted a delightful and unpredictable story that’s hard to put down. Fans of the series will enjoy the familiar charm, while newcomers will be swept up in the humor and heart of this irresistible read.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book.

Book review 📖

📜Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
✍️Elle Cosimano
📠St. Martin’s Press
📚Mystery/Thriller Fiction
🗓️Pub date: March 4, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

✨Thank you @NetGalley and @stmartinspress for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

✨Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay Donovan’s elderly neighbor and busybody, is wrongfully accused of murder as a dead body is discovered buried in her yard. Even though Finlay and her nanny, Vero, don’t exactly get along with Mrs. Haggerty, she needs their help and ends up on Finlay’s doorstep.

✨Finlay and Vero don’t want any part of the investigation, but once Mrs. Haggerty is cleared and Finlay’s ex-husband becomes entangled as a suspect in the investigation, Finlay and Vero have no choice but to get close to the old woman.

✨Finlay and Vero have enough murders and dead bodies under their belts than to get wrapped up in a new case, but they race to solve the case before any of their own dark secrets become uncovered.

✨ I typically prefer crime thrillers with a serious side, however, as a cozy mystery genre and whodunit plot, I loved the light and funny atmosphere of this book. Finlay Donovan will never cease to crack me up. I liked this book and will always recommend this series!

#netgalley #finlaydonovandigsherowngrave#ellecosimano #stmartinspress #advancedreadercopy #arc #bookreview #bookstagrammer #winterreleases #cozymystery

Another great addition to the Finlay Donovan series! This book, and the series as a whole, are great cozy reads for anyone who enjoys a lighter read or needs a palette cleanser.

I have loved all the Finlay Donovan books and this newest addition did not disappoint. I love that this book adds more depth to a character that was previously only a side character. It seems that each book in the series adds more depth to a character that you wouldn’t expect to take center stage.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is steadily-paced, keeps you guessing, and is very well written. I am always recommending this series and this newest book will not be an exception.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.
I have loved the entire the Finlay Donovan series. This one was also great. The characters never disappoint. A fast-paced laugh out loud book. Highly recommend.

I’ve read all the Finlay Donovan books and this one did not disappoint! Many laugh out loud moments. I love these characters. The plot kept me engaged and excited to see what comes next. The story unfolded with steady pacing and managed to surprise me. I highly recommend this series for a light hearted, funny and cozy read.