Finlay and Vero are like a current day Lucy and Ethel. In this book, Finlay is once again trying to solve and crime. What I love is that we're learning more a bit more about characters we've met earlier in the previous books. This book made me laugh as usual and I thought I knew where it was going pretty early and was so very wrong. Finlay despite her best intentions can't seem to escape having crime and drama follow her as she tries to protect those closest to her. It's an easy, comfortable read. It's like curling with with a cup of hot cocoa and catching up with an old friend who always has an unbelievable story to tell you.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Though one or two of the books in this series were a little lacking, this book definitely picked it up again. It was a delightful read full of fun characters as usual and I enjoyed that it connected with the first book in the series. There were a few minimal pieces that felt unanswered, but it didn't bother me especially since the big Vero Mystery is finally coming to an end now that the cliffhanger at the end happened. I've been dying to know the story behind that and I'm so glad it's finally happening.

Another Finlay Donovan book! Yay! I was a little worried because sometimes when series go on this long, it becomes too much. But I actually loved this one, even more than the last 2. Finlay and Vero's adventures are always so fun to read about! I really liked this book. And it ended on a cliffhanger so naturally, I need more!

I just love every single one of these books in the Finlay Donovan series!!
Each one takes us on such an adventure and I loved Mrs. H being in this one more!!
I cannot wait for the next one already!!

What can I say? Another great addition to one of the best new series out there. This time, Finlay’s ex-husband is suspected of murder and she’s on a mission to prove his innocence. This book is hilarious! Truly laugh out loud, people will stare at you in public, hilarious! The series is not losing steam at all and I can’t wait for the next one!

Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

4.25 rounded up - I loved this one - definitely super cozy 💕 Thanks to Netgalley for an e-arc of this installment!

Finlay and Vero are in deep shit once again… figuratively and thanks to Zach…literally 😂

Definitely excited to see everyone’s reactions once this is officially released! 4.25⭐️ from me!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
By: Elle Cosimano
Pub Date: March, 4, 2025
Publisher Minotaur

I absolutely love this series. This is #5 in the series and I can see more as the ending left a cliffhanger and “what if”.
Finlay and her partner-in-crime Vero are at it again. This time there is a nosey neighbor, a dead body, new love, a book club and a set-up. Finlay’s ex is also in this and finds himself on the other side of the law.
This novel is just as fun/juicy and witty as all the others. Thank you Minotaur books for this advanced copy.

This will never get old. I love these books and cast of characters so very much. And Julian is back!

My goodness I never want this series to end. I LOVE Finlay & Vero and this one may be my second favorite (nothing will ever beat the first) of the series.

Finlay’s ex-husband Steven is suspected of murder after a body is found across the street from Finlay’s house, and she will do anything she can to prove his innocence. This one is LAUGH OUT LOUD funny and super entertaining.

It’s hard to say too much since this is book 5 and I don’t want to spoil anything but there are lots of cameos back to book one - some things I had forgotten and I love how she reiterates it just enough to spark a memory (it’s been a year since I read book 4 so minor details had been lost but came back to me 😜)

If you haven’t read this series yet, what are you waiting for?!

Elle, please never end this series because I just love it so much.

HUGE thanks to Minotaur Books & NetGalley for my ARC!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a thrilling ride from start to finish! The plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the humor woven throughout gave it a fun and unique flair. Finlay’s character is both relatable and endearing, making her escapades all the more enjoyable. A must read for fans of mystery and comedy!
Thank you NetGalley and Elle Cosimano for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan and her sidekick and nanny Vero are back for another adventure. This time, a body is discovered buried in the yard of her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. It's not long before suspicion falls on Finlay's philandering ex-husband Steven as being involved. The body was discovered due to a water leak at Mrs. Haggerty's, and since there are problems with the utilities (as well as a police investigation) at her house, Finlay reluctantly agrees to allow Mrs. Haggerty to stay at her house for a few days. This turns out to be a bit of a blessing in disguise because although Mrs. Haggerty commandeers Finlay's bedroom instead of the proposed sofa, she brings some much-needed structure and grandma energy to the lives of Finlay's two children. Her daughter Delia is happy to play school since she's been suspended from her regular school due to beating up a boy who was harassing her. At the same time, Finlay's literary agent Sylvia is in town pressuring Finlay to sign the rights to turn one of her books into a TV series. While this would normally be good news, Finlay is a bit worried that her "based on a true story" book might cause unwanted scrutiny from the police in general and her cop boyfriend Nick in particular. Once Steven is arrested in connection with the dead body found across the street, Finlay and Vero have their hands full in trying to figure out who was really responsible for the putting the dead man there.

I really enjoyed this outing with Finlay. She's always frazzled and yet manages to keep all her plates spinning with help from supernanny Vero. The affectionate relationship between the crotchety Mrs. Haggerty and former juvenile delinquent Cam is also endearing. As the book ended on something of a cliffhanger, I'm looking forward to finding out how Finlay and Vero get out of the next mess.

This might be my favorite Finlay Donovan book yet! I’ve always hoped to get more of Mrs. Haggerty, and I’m happy to say, we get a whole lot of her! Staying true to form, the 5th installment in the Finlay series is hilarious! The friendships are so genuine and the trouble Finlay and Vero get into is hysterical!

I can't recommend this series enough. It has witty banter, plenty of humor, a mystery to solve and strong female friendships.

I have laughed my way through this whole series and it just keeps getting better. This time Finlay and Vero realize that a body was discovered in their neighbors back yard. It has to be the neighborhood busy body who keeps writing in her neighborhood watch everything going on in the neighborhood. Mrs Haggerty gets arrested but then released because she has no connection to the body in her backyard. She has no place to go so she ends up staying at Finlay's house and in her room.

Mrs Haggerty was hilarious with her home schooling the children, potty training Zac, book club meeting, the eggplant car. Everyone thinks she is a sweet little old lady but she has plenty of secrets she is keeping. She is one neighbor you don't want to mess with.

Finlay and Vero are putting the pieces together to solve the mystery of who the murder is. These books are funny, witty and just so entertaining.

I am soooo relieved that we're finally done with the mobs and crime syndicates. I think I will enjoy this series much better with just the standard murder mystery that resolves by the end of each book.

The plot is intricately woven, keeping you guessing at every turn, with sharp wit layered over the suspense that makes the book a true page-turner. As the clues unfold and secrets are revealed, I was left breathless, eagerly anticipating each twist. It’s a captivating blend of mystery and humor, and I’m already itching for the next installment in this series.

Really like this one!!!
As in the previous volumes, it is fun and easy to read.
But in this one I have enjoyed it again as in the first two.
I really enjoyed the mystery and I adore the complicity between Finlay and Veronica.
I can't believe I'm already up to date with the series, I'm going to miss them so much.

This book had my blood pressure and adrenaline high!
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the next installment in Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Series. While I feel that it this point of a series I would be exhausted and stop reading but not with the Finlay Donovan series. I’ve grown to enjoy these books and these characters - it’s funny, witty, silly and unrealistic but good for my soul.
I was worried I wasn’t going to enjoy this book as much as the previous one. After the bad third book and a good fourth book, I can confidently say that this book, the fifth of the series, is so much better. It truly feels like the first book and I enjoyed it so much!

Review: As always, I absolutely loved this book. I literally texted my friends who've also read this series and said that i'd forgotten just how funny these are - I was actually laughing out loud and the relationship between Finlay and Vero makes me think of the dynamic between my best friends and I. I will read these books as long as Elle is writing them

Synopsis: 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 simple call to a plumber turns into the discovery of a dead body in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help.

The police take Mrs. Haggerty in for questioning and, though she swears she’s innocent, it’s clear to everyone she’s keeping a secret . . . but whose? With her house now an active crime scene, she’s released from custody with nowhere to go. Her concerned grandson, Brendan, an aspiring politician, doesn’t have room in his one-bedroom apartment for her and appeals to Finlay to let her stay at her place until the investigation is over.

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case—or sacrificing either of their bedrooms so they’d have to share. After all, they’ve dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else. But when the focus of the investigation widens to include Mrs. Haggerty’s neighbors, Finn and Vero are left with little choice but to uncover the woman’s secrets before the police start digging up theirs.

Desperate to clear his grandmother’s name before his upcoming campaign for local office, Brendan Haggerty makes Finlay and Vero an offer that seems too tempting to give their grandmother a place to stay under their watchful eyes and he’ll help Finlay and Vero find a killer. But who will solve the mystery first? And will the name Brendan turns over to the police exonerate or implicate them?

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is another hilarious mystery with Finlay Donovan and her savvy sidekick, Vero. This time they face a murder a little too close to home, as the crime scene is in their neighborhood busybody Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. When Mrs. Haggert sets up camp at Finlay’s house, chaos ensues. This novel blends humor with suspense as Finlay and Vero scramble to untangle a web of secrets. With twists and laugh out loud moments this book was hard to put down!

I love the Finlay series. It is humorous and entertaining. While some of the story is repetitive it holds my interest and makes me smile. Overall I am grateful for more books in the series.