Cozy mysteries with Finlay and Vero are the absolute best! I have loved every one of them, with this being no exception. This one involves Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay's spying neighbor across the street. The neighborhood is shocked when a body turns up in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard and Finlay knows she has to get to the bottom of this mystery before people she loves end up in prison!

I adore Finlay, her two kids and her chaotic crazy life. The whole band is together again, and I am here for it!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own

*post shared on IG as well

This is definitely the best book of the Finlay series! 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I do recommend reading the other books in this series and in order. Already looking forward to book #6 with Finlay and Vero!
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was an unexpected delight! It tied up some loose ends from book 4 while still providing a fresh and cleverly connected mystery. Kudos to Elle Cosimano for giving us a full recap on all the past plot twists and reminding us who’s who from the last four escapades. You could almost read this as a stand-alone novel. The sizzling romance between Finlay and Nick is never the main focus of the story but it fits perfectly in this series, and I never feel like I’m missing out. The highlight of the story, as always, is Finlay and Vero’s friendship! This new story introduces a fierce squad of ladies in this book, whose unwavering loyalty sometimes tiptoes into questionable territory. Mrs. Haggerty was pure comedic gold! She steals the spotlight, hands down! Just remember, with every Finlay Donovan novel, it’s only going to work if you’re able to suspend your disbelief for her wild antics! I’m glad I didn’t give up on this series and came along for the ride.

Another fantastic read by Elle Cosimano! This was so easy to sink into and such a pleasure to reconnect with the familiar characters. Starts with a bang and never lets up. So many secrets, lies and family ties. Thought provoking, tender and laugh out loud funny. Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Thank you NetGalley, Elle Cosimano and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this gem of a book.

The Finlay Donovan books fit into one of my favorite categories of mystery books: more-bonkers-than-cozy mysteries. They are kind of cozy -- they aren't spooky, there are no jump scares, they're not particularly gory -- but they are also just... bonkers. Finlay Donovan is like a modern-day Jessica Fletcher, if Jessica Fletcher had 2 small children, an incompetent and sometimes well-meaning ex-husband, a loyal babysitter on the run from something, and a hot cop boyfriend who is obsessed with Finlay even though surely a hot cop boyfriend should realize that there's a lot of fishy business happening with Finlay.

In this book, a body is discovered in Finlay's nosy neighbor's yard. The body has been there for five years, and after the elderly woman who lives there has been declared innocent, she returns to the neighborhood to live with Finlay and her kids. And wouldn't you know it, but Finlay's bumbling ex-husband looks good for the crime. But Finlay is pretty sure that even though her husband is a cheater, he's not a murderer. So, she sets out to prove his innocence and uncover the real killer. All the while trying to manage her household, this elderly woman, her hot cop boyfriend, and all the other chaotic cast members we've come to know during the series.

I actually really liked the ending of this one in terms of solving the mystery. It makes a lot of sense, and it ties together loose ends in a really interesting way. However, I had a really hard time getting past Finlay's hot cop boyfriend being okay with this. He seems like an upstanding honest moral kind of guy, and I'm just not sure that I think he's really be okay with all the things that go down in this book. But, hey, it's fiction, so sure.

This book series really is "I support women's rights, but I also support women's wrongs," and I'm here for it.

This was one of my favorites in the series. Finlay and Vero had me absolutely cackling from beginning to end. I also loved Mrs. Haggerty's role and how she was involved in some of the mysterious events. It was also great to see Nick and Finlay's relationship deepen in this installment. I think Finlay has really grown since book one. The best thing about this series is its silliness. I laughed out loud many times and couldn't put the book down. This is definitely one of my favorite lighthearted series, especially as someone who doesn't read a lot of mysteries. I'm always here for Finlay, and I can't wait for the next book because this one ended on a CLIFFHANGER!! Thank you to Minotaur Books for the ARC to read and review!

These are always super fun and never disappoint! Finlay Donovan never ceases to amaze me with her antics! Thank you to @netgalley for my copy!

This was another witty installment in the Finlay Donovan series. Picking up close to where the previous book left off, it was easy to jump back into Finlay's world that's still a little messy but just as entertaining.

Another great installment of the Finlay Donovan series. Although this one wasn't as intense as the others. A body is found buried in Finlay's nosey neighbor, Mrs Haggerty's backyard. When suspicion falls on her ex Steven, Finlay and Vero use their skills to find the real killer. Same great characters, same great humor and same way of both Finlay and Vero seem to get way over their heads! Loved reading this!

I felt Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave goes back to the roots and charm of the first book in the series. While it's mostly contained to be on their street, with a cast of characters we already know and tolerate, there are plenty of adventures left to be had.

Listen, I don’t know what’s more impressive: Finlay Donovan’s ability to stumble into crime like it’s an extreme sport or the fact that she hasn’t completely lost her mind yet. Because if I found a dead body in my nosy neighbor’s backyard, I’d be packing my bags and faking my own death before the police could even say, “We’d like to ask you a few questions.” But not Finlay and Vero—oh no, these two disaster magnets practically have a punch card for murder investigations at this point.

This time around, Finlay’s elderly, over-involved neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, gets a little too involved when a corpse turns up in her backyard. Suddenly, she’s crashing at Finlay’s house, which is already a circus, because Finlay and Vero are busy juggling work, children, and whatever fresh crime scene the universe has decided to give them this week. And let’s be real—at this point, I fully expect their next adventure to involve a high-speed car chase and a dramatic helicopter escape.

The best part? This book is hilarious. Finlay and Vero’s banter is comedic gold, and I lost count of how many times I actually laughed out loud. Whether it was their totally unhinged problem-solving skills (because obviously the best way to deal with a murder is to make increasingly bad decisions) or the sheer absurdity of their situation, every page had something that made me cackle.

Also, the romance. Finlay and Vero would love to be focusing on their love lives instead of crime scenes, but alas, murder keeps getting in the way. And let’s just say, if Finlay could spend as much time tangled up with a certain someone as she does tangled up in crime, she’d be thriving.

Final thoughts: If you’re looking for a gripping mystery with hilarious, barely-holding-it-together single mom energy, this is your book. And if you’ve ever had to potty train a toddler, just know—Finlay sees you. She is you. And she also deserves a nap and a very large drink.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go write a strongly worded letter to the author about the cruelty of having to wait for book six.

Elle Cosimano does it again with what I think might just be my favorite book in the Finlay Donovan series!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was laugh out loud funny. I mean all of Elle Cosimano's books in this series are hilarious, but there is even more comedy in this one. On top of that, I loved the characters so much (all of them!) and loved getting to know some of the secondary characters even better. Again, this book was left on a cliffhanger which only means another book is coming and I cannot wait to see where this cozy mystery series goes.

Highly recommended!

I’ve been a big fan of the Finlay Donovan books from the start. The mix of humor and hijinks in these books keep me engaged. This book felt a lot like the first with Finlay and Vero ending up in crime-adjacent situations without meaning to. This book was so fun and gives some added context to side characters in the series, like Mrs. Haggerty. This book was so fun!

The fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series did not disappoint. Not only was there the same quirky charm, but there were so many new and interesting characters. I loved learning about Donovan's neighbor Mrs.Haggerty and how their relationship developed. I loved hearing more about Cam and his relationship with elders. I loved how relatable Finlay's life actually is. The writing kept me engaged and kept the pages turning. I finished this book within a day's time. I will be recommending this book on my social media as well as to my friends and coworkers. I am a high school librarian and will be purchasing this latest book for my students. This book, filled with friendly hijinks, relatable content, and even a few sexy and spicy moments, this book should be flying off the shelves to anybody that promotes it.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This series is at the top of my favorite list! It doesn't take itself too seriously. It knows exactly what lane it is in and it has stayed true to that so far. That's what makes it so beloved to me. I will be on the Finlay train no matter where Elle decides to take her!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is such a good time! Nick is my favorite book boyfriend. Vero is my favorite sidekick. Finlay is my favorite FMC! As preposterous as these storylines always are, I can't help but love them to pieces! E.C. creates the best characters! This book is full of the usual Finlay/Vero shenanigans and ends on its usual cliffhanger! This one might be my favorite yet?

Anything related to Finlay Donovan is not only an auto-buy/auto-read for me now, it is one of the few series I will block off time to read ASAP.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave did not disappoint. Between the super hot cop (Nick), the (arguably) crazy old lady neighbor and the young hacker pseudo adopted teenager, Finlay has her hands full without considering her kids, writing deadlines, nanny, ex-husband or the rest of her family.

This seemed like the fastest-paced Finlay Donovan book to date. And this book seemed to be the most believable and not as far-fetched as the others. The cliffhanger ending left me wanting to know what happens next sooner rather than later, and I’ll most definitely be reading Cosimano’s next book in this series!

Read this in one day because it gave me the same magic as the first Finlay book! Definitely my second favorite book in the series but I don’t think I’ll be reading anymore after this one (7 are confirmed). Just didn’t really like the next cliff hanger/plot.

Finlay's life continues to be absolutely insane and I feel like she never took care of herself in this book. Also this book happened quickly after the last book and only took place over maybe a week? We haven't even been with Finlay for a year in her world on book 5 which is kind of crazy. But love all the side characters more and more as I go on.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an eARC, pub date is March 4th, 2025!

When teachers/staff at school and friends outside of school ask for adult recommendations, I'll be sure to send this series their way!
I have now read and loved all 5!

Like the first four, this one kept me entertained, intrigued and flipping the pages to find out what was going to happen next!
The characters are easy to get invested in and attached to. The plot lines are fun to follow!
The writing flows in such a way that you just don't want to put it down.

Thank you so much for the opportunity.to read this fun book.
When I read books with female characters.. I put myself there and I start having personal thoughts
Which is unfair of me That Nick man sure treats you like you are stupid and I wonder why you let him
I apologize:)
You are wonderful Thanks for taking me along on your journey.