I love this series so much. It's definitely one of my favorites. This one was a fun romp where we get to see a bit more of Mrs. Haggerty, which was great. We're familiar with the cast of characters by now (and their antics), but it was enjoyable to see them up to their typical shenanigans. I also recommend this book on audio.

4.5 stars!!

First things first, I was given a copy of this book as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review. A big thank-you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Elle Cosimano for allowing me to be an early reader.

This book is the 5th book in the “Finlay Donovan” series, and it is told in the perspective of Finlay, herself.

This book is a combination of humour and mystery in the best way possible. Without spoiling what happened in the previous books, this book surrounds a murder that has occurred. The body of the deceased has ended up in Finlay’s neighbour’s backyard. Now, Finlay and Vero, her babysitter and best friend, are trying to uncover the mystery. Oh and the cherry on top? Finlay’s neighbour, Mrs. Haggerty is living with Finlay in the meantime!

There were so many moments in this book that made me crack up! And I loved how it also kept me on my toes.

If you’re looking for a mystery book, especially if you’ve read other books in the “Finlay Donovan” series, then I highly recommend checking this out. Releasing in March of this year! x

I enjoyed this more than number 4 in the series! It tied together things very nicely and loved that we got to see more of Mrs. Haggerty. In the vein of the rest of the series, this book had comedy along with crime and I’ll definitely stay tuned for a sixth in the series!

This latest installment in the Finlay Donovan series is a delightful addition that is sure to please long-time fans and new readers alike. With its charming blend of witty humor and engaging cozy mystery elements, this book captures the essence of what makes this series so enjoyable.

The protagonist, Finlay Donovan, continues to navigate her chaotic life with a refreshing mix of resilience and charm, drawing readers into her quirky adventures and misadventures. The storytelling is both captivating and lighthearted, making it the perfect escape for those seeking a fun yet intriguing plot.

I am eagerly anticipating the future of this series and can't wait to see where the author takes Finlay next. A heartfelt thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced reader's copy—it truly makes for a delightful reading experience!

4.5 stars
I love these characters so much! This book was a fun addition to the series. The mystery was well done and I enjoyed the comedy. Zach being unable to keep his clothes on took me back to when one of my boys was that age and had the same problem 😂 I also loved that this story featured the nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty! It was fun getting to know her and learning her backstory. I highly recommend this book but start at the beginning if you have not read any in the series. After that ending, I can’t wait for the next one!

Love the Finlay Donovan series! They're the perfect mix of mystery & humor. Can't wait to read about Finlay's next adventure!

I think this might have been my favorite Finlay book to date. It was funny, made character progress, included some of the old favorite characters. Plenty of Fin and Vero stumbling into problems and getting themselves out. I hate/loved Mrs. Haggerty by the end of it all. Lots of red herrings, and generally just a fun cast, with interesting mysteries. I've been a really big fan of this series, recommending it to friends. It's the perfect middle to a psychological mystery thrilled and a cozy mystery. As a mother its so relatable to see the children's antics and Fin's struggle between finding herself as a mom and a general adult. Can't wait for the next installment.

But why do I love this series so much?! Truly the most un-stressful/non-anxiety-inducing mystery series ever, so funny and also a bit of romance… just the all around perfect series to binge. Okay so book FIVE in particular, this one is probably the most calm and least chaotic of all the books so far, Finlay and Vero manage to keep themselves (mostly) out of harms way, but still stick their foot into a mess. I was in fits of giggles about their unexpected houseguest and her old lady sass. I am so invested in these characters, from Finlay and Vero to Nick, Javi, Cam, Joey, and even annoying ol’ Steven. FD Digs Her Own Grave was a quick read and another wonderful addition to the series! But the ending 🥸 I need answers!! This one hasn’t even officially released and I am definitely looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Spotted: Our favorite chaos magnet, Finlay Donovan, digging herself into yet another grave—this time, in the most spectacular way possible. And who’s behind this literary masterpiece? None other than Elle Cosimano, the queen of fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mayhem. XOXO.

But wait—what’s this? A background player from books past stepping into the spotlight? Talk about a glow-up. Cosimano plucks a once-forgettable character from the shadows and gives her the ultimate main character moment. And trust me, darlings, it works. Think of it like discovering your quietest friend has a double life as an international spy—unexpected, thrilling, and oh-so-satisfying.

Naturally, Finlay and Vero remain the undisputed dynamic duo of absolute chaos. The antics? Unmatched. The trouble? Iconic. The laugh-out-loud moments? So frequent I nearly spilled my latte (twice). Yet beneath the madness, Cosimano never loses sight of the heart—friendship, family, and the art of surviving the most absurd situations with style.

If you’re craving a read as sharp as a perfectly executed plot twist and as fizzy as your favorite cocktail, this one’s for you. Elle Cosimano, keep serving up the brilliance—we’ll always be hungry for more.

Until the next scandalous chapter… XOXO,
Inkwell Rebel

I love this series, I love these characters and I can't wait for more adventures to come! Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio for the early audiobook listen and Minotaur Books for the ARC!

I love the experience of reading the book and listening along for the FULL Finlay and Vero experience. And this one? Ends on a cliffhanger (YAY for more books!).

After each book in the series, I always say this one might be my favorite so... This might be my favorite in the series (which I never thought possible after books 3 & 4). Mrs. Haggerty takes center stage—no longer just the nosy neighbor, she’s now in Finlay’s house. Trustworthy? Debatable. Hilarious? Absolutely.

The story is fantastic— a little less chaos (barely), more crime-solving antics, and plenty of tension (hello, hot cop Detective Anthony!). I devoured it and was so sad when it ended.

Angela Dawe nails the narration as always—her voices are perfection. If she ever stops narrating this series, I will riot (LOL). Grab the audiobook if you can—it's completely engrossing! Elle Cosimano always does such a great job of making Finlay such a relatable and real character and I think that's why I love her so much!

I adore this series, it is so much fun. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave begins with police investigating a body found in Finlay's nosey neighbour's, Mrs. Haggarty's backyard. The trouble is Finlay's husband did landscaping on that yard and is a suspect in the murder. It's up to Finlay and Vero to prove Steven is innocent. This was a great story, it kept me laughing and guessing. Mrs. Haggarty really added to all of the hijinks.

Thank you to St. Marins press for the advanced reader copy. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it. 4.5 stars

Pubs March 4th! Finlay and Vero are BAAAACK!

Big thanks to the author and Minotaur for putting this entire series on Read Now a while back!

(Okay, okay, enough exclamation points lady, sheesh, hehe)

Technically each story can be read as a standalone, there is enough back story included that you're not lost, but I'd recommend reading the whole series for the FULL Finlay and Vero experience. This one ends on a cliffhanger so it seems like we will be getting more of them in the future! (YAY!)

This was SO good and probably my favorite of the series so far (didn't think another could take the place of books 3 & 4)! Mrs. Haggerty takes a more central role in this story, she's no longer JUST the meddling, nosy neighbor across the street....she's now the meddling, nosy neighbor staying in Finlay's bedroom! We can't tell if she's to be trusted or not... I mean, the lady WAS questioned regarding the DE@D BODY found buried in her backyard! The scenes with Mrs. Haggerty are simultaneously infuriating and HILARIOUS.

This was such a good storyline. Finlay and Vero manage to cause less trouble in this one but they're not done with their amateur crime-solving antics. I won't lie -- Detective Anthony was a big part of why I loved this one so much. As always, there is lots of tension, especially as Finlay and Vero sort of, kind of, maybe bend the law a few times. Those thrilling moments will keep readers turning pages in a rush to find out what will happen! I couldn't get through this fast enough but then felt sad it was over :-)

I think that this is one of the best books in the series!

I really enjoy the Finlay Donovan series, but the last few books have been 4/4.5 stars for mw (still good but not top of my list good). This book seems to have gone back to more of the story's original roots - Finlay juggling her career & mom life, with the help of Vero, while also ending up having to clean up Steven's 'messes'. I felt like we were back in the comfort of Finlay's life instead of Finlay being off in other scenarios. This brought us back to the feeling of the first book and I think that is what really made me love this one so much.

This book has a lot of familiar characters that we have seen throughout the series. There are a few side characters that are starting to have a bigger role in Finlay's life and antics and it is really fun to still see some threads from book one being connected.

I knew that a new Finlay Donovan book would certainly be a top read for the month but I just didn't expect it to have me feeling so nostalgic and comforted. I did not want to put this down and fortunately I was gifted the audiobook copy as well so I could keep listening on the go.

If you haven't read this series yet and are a fan of softer (not gory or dark) mysteries, then I recommend checking this series out! This book & series is full of relatable #momlife moments, neighborhood watch drama, and friends that stick by your side through thick and thin. It has always been a top series for me because it is so fun and full of laugh out loud moments. It feels so wholesome at times despite being about a few murders. Elle Cosimano never fails to put a smile on my face with these characters and I cannot wait to hopefully devour more of these books in the future!

This is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series and my 1st
I definitely felt like I missed out and need to start from one to get the whole background of everything but I really enjoyed it besides that!!

This is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series and my first foray into it. After hearing so much about it, I decided it was finally time to dive in. Though I liked it, I didn't love it as I had hoped. A tiny morsel may he because I am late to the series but more so, the connection just wasn't there. I was amused and entertained but felt no sense of urgency or race to get to the end. The mystery itself to me was secondary to the characters.

Many aspects are great, such as the writing, wit and general quirkiness. Chaotic households are normal and realistic, including Finlay's with her two young energetic children. Her friend and babysitter and new detective boyfriend add sparks of interest. Elderly and sharp neighbour Margaret Haggerty is a riot. I like the premise and writing style, too. In future I will try further books in this series...sometimes subsequent reads tug like crazy!

Finlay doesn't always get along with her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, but when a body is discovered in her neighbor's yard, the house becomes an active crime scene. Quickly cleared as a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty has nowhere to go and shows up on Finlay's doorstep. Finlay and Vero get pulled into solving the mystery when Finlay's ex-husband is taken into custody. But, it turns out Mrs. Haggerty is keeping some secrets of her own.

Thoughts 💭
This is the fifth book in the series, not counting a short story about Vero (Finlay's bestie and babysitter). I highly recommend checking them out. They are all really fun stories. They do give a little summary to help you keep up with events in previous books, but I think you will get the most out of starting from the beginning.

This story is full of fun and quirky characters, including Finlay's best friend, ex-husband, and current boyfriend, along with her two young children. I love seeing the progression of Finlay's relationship with Nick and her friendship with Vero (talk about a ride or die). There is plenty of drama as Finlay's ex-husband becomes a suspect, and she tries to help him even as his murky past keeps getting pushed in her face. Mrs. Haggerty has always been an interesting character, but this shows a different side to her. She doesn't make things easy on Finlay and is more complex than she initially seems. This book has the whit and laughs all wrapped in a fun mystery that this series is known for.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I went into this book mildly uneasy, as I wasn’t a huge fan of the novella.

I needn’t have worried.

I love revisiting familiar characters, and I particularly love a curmudgeon, so, after Vero and Fin, Mrs. Haggarty was my favourite.

The best part of this series is, and will always be, the female friendships.

Romance is good, but WOMANCE is ESSENTIAL.

I’m also thrilled about the return of the original narrator. GOAT.

Also: Should I be concerned about how UNconcerned I am about all the vigilantism?

Just when you think Finlay is going to get to enjoy her new life, more things happen. I love, love, love this series! So as much as I would love for poor Finlay to get her happily ever after, I would rather she didn't...yet. In this book we get a lot happening at once, including Mrs. Haggerty and her 'friends.'
Thank you NetGalley, Ms. Cosimano and Minotaur Books!

Finlay and Vero are back! It's hard to believe we've been following their misadventures through five books now. In my opinion, this series is still going strong! I'm going to be totally honest and say the first half had me annoyed but the second half made up for any negative thoughts I had.

Finlay thinks she can finally relax just a little bit since she's finished the book she was working on. And all the illegal situations in which she found herself in books 1-4 have yet to come back on her. But Finlay's life is never without complications!

Her nosy neighbor comes to stay with her. Mrs. Haggarty is a brutally honest and assertive person. Nothing escapes her notice and Finlay is certain she must know everything Finlay has done. She wants her back in her own home as soon as possible but of course Mrs. Haggarty's grandson is nowhere to be found after promising it would only be a couple days.

Finlay tries to find him while also trying to get her garbage ex-husband out of his latest jam. Steven is just the worst but he was actually the least annoying this time, haha. She also takes Mrs. Haggarty to her book club meetings and let's just say this book club is very unique.

It's hard to describe the plot beyond that without spoiling any of the previous books. But you should obviously start from the beginning if you haven't already or you will be kind of lost. You could still follow the plot and enjoy it. You just won't really know who everyone is and all that Finlay is trying to hide exactly. This book does call back to the first and connect things in new ways which I loved. And you'll appreciate it more if you've read the first four.

There's also a cliffhanger and it is a major one! I need the next book already! I recommend the Finlay Donovan series if you like a lot of humor with your murder. It's such a unique series. It's zany, addictive and so much fun.

Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

There isn't much better than a cozy mystery with these girls. Vero + Finlay are goals.
The budding romance and a nice little cliff hanger for what I assume is another book, is everything I could ask for.
"I am Batman" - damn hilarious