I love this series so much. I want to be BFFs with Finlay and Vero! I cannot count the amount of times I laughed out loud at the witty comments. This might be my favorite of the series. Of course the ending makes you want the next one in the series right away! Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Finlay Donvoan Digs Her Own Grave brings back the dynamic duo of Finlay and Vero, only this time the trouble isn't aimed at them. When Finlay's husband is blamed for a murder she's willing to do almost anything to get to the truth. I've really enjoyed all of the books in this series so far, the way Finlay and Vero get into trouble and the insane ways they manage to escape. This story was a bit different in that it wasn't Finlay and Vero's neck on the line but her husband's and so the "will they be able to get out of this" tension in previous books felt like it was missing here. There are plenty of fun and surprising elements in the story and character growth but I'd say most of the antics come toward the end, giving readers what they love most about these two heroines. And then that knock on the door happens...looking forward to the next book!

I always thoroughly enjoy the Finlay books. I laughed out loud many times. This was a good mystery with good characters and a lot of humor. Looking forward to the next in series.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

When I first stumbled across Finlay Donovan in 2021, it was everything that I needed. Coming off of the pandemic, I was reading avidly and Elle Cosimano provided this delightful, unpredictable, fun loving character in slapstick, laugh out loud situations. I was hooked, and have followed this series since then. Obviously, when I was chosen to read an early review copy of Finlay Digs Her Own Grave from NetGalley and Minotaur Books I was beyond thrilled. (So huge shout out of thanks to them!). I got so excited that I read Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave before reading Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice. There were quite a few references to book 4 in book 5. So that initially took away some from the book. My fault, totally, I get it. I went back and read book 4, the re-read book 5 and now, here I am to share my thoughts.

First of all, this is a series that needs to be read in order. This is no stand alone. It isn't meant to be. If you're just seeing this, go get the first book Finlay Donovan is Killing It. Trust me, it's worth it. In this book is the same Finlay and Vero and all of the characters we've come to know and love. Some of the same hijinks are happening. What changes most this time is the return of Mrs. Haggerty. Do you remember Mrs. Haggerty? She's from way back in the first book. The nosy next door neighbor. She's back, and she's staying with Finlay. And boy is she a doozy! She is demanding and takes over the house and sends Finlay on grocery runs and bosses her around. But she's also fun, hilarious, and entertaining (and great with the kids). I don't think I can share much more without letting a spoiler drop and I don't want to do that. I'll just say, that Mrs Haggerty is 1000% what makes the latest Finlay book worth it. I would love to know how she is read on audiobook because I'm guessing that would be even funnier than reading it on a page. Definitely recommend as a continuation for long time fans. And for anyone new, start at the beginning. It will be worth it!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave delivers another wildly entertaining mix of mystery, humor, and chaos as Finlay finds herself entangled in yet another accidental crime caper. Elle Cosimano’s sharp writing and fast-paced plot keep the stakes high while maintaining the series’ signature wit. The characters remain as lovable and unpredictable as ever, though some plot points stretch believability. Overall, it’s a fun, twisty ride that will leave fans eager for Finlay’s next misadventure.

"Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" delivers the signature humor and chaotic charm that fans of the series have come to love. Finlay and Vero’s antics are as entertaining as ever, and Mrs. Haggerty adds a fun new dynamic to the mix. The story moves quickly, with plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting.

However, this installment doesn’t quite hit the same mark as the earlier books. The mystery feels a bit scattered at times, and some of the plot developments lean more on convenience than cleverness. While the banter is enjoyable, the stakes don’t feel as high, making the story less engaging than previous adventures.

Overall, it’s a fun read, but not the strongest in the series. If you enjoy Finlay and Vero’s wild ride, you’ll likely still have a good time—but it may not be the most memorable installment.

The fifth installment of this series did not disappoint! I love Finlay and Vero, their hijinks are always top notch., and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the character development for Mrs. Haggerty in the upcoming books!

We all knew Finlay Donovan would never be able to keep to the straight and narrow, but she makes a pretty good effort at the start of this latest installment. Instead of just jumping straight in with pure insanity, this book takes a moment at the beginning to build the characters a little bit, including Finlay's relationship with Nick, which I appreciated. I still don't quite understand why he puts up with so much yo-yoing and craziness from her, but I enjoyed their scenes together more than I have in the past.

But let's get down to the real star of the show, Mrs. Haggerty. If Grandma Mazur is your favorite character of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series (and let's be real, she's everyone's favorite character), then this is for you. Finlay Donovan and Stephanie Plum have always given similar vibes, but never more so than in this book, where the cast of kookie side characters gets kookier and larger than ever before. We see the return of several favorites, such as Cam, but the introduction of some new faces as well.

While I still feel that the first book is the best in this series, I enjoyed reading this one and will definitely be glad to recommend it to anyone looking for something light-hearted.

This was standard Finlay. I loved Zach's potty training and sexy Nick and kind Julian and crazy Vero and Javi. It ended on a cliff hanger which is fun for this series.

Finlay and Vero are back again. Who knew a suburban mom and author could find herself in the midst of so much drama? This book reminds me of Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money series, which was a favorite of mine growing up.

Not only can Elle Cosamino make you laugh out loud, but you will turn each page wondering how she’ll get herself out of this mess (again)!

Highly recommend! This was definitely one of my favorite in the series!

The end of this series (or is it) goes out with a bang...and I truly enjoyed the ride!

Finlay and Vero find themselves entangled in the investigation of another buried dead body BUT this time, they didn't put it there.

The Finlay Donovan series is the most fun you can have with a cozy mystery. Think of the duo as Thelma and Louise who always seem to find themselves in some sort of trouble with dead bodies. You definitely have to suspend reality with their antics but it's part of the entertainment. I love that the shenanigans in FINLAY DIGS HER OWN GRAVE weren't as off the rails as books 3 and 4. Finlay's nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, is back and she steals the show! It's so easy to fall in love with these characters and their larger-than-life drama. The action and laughs are non-stop. There aren't as many characters to keep up with so that made the audiobook even more enticing.

After the first book, this one is definitely one of my favorites of all five. I do recommend reading them in order because they all end in a cliffhanger with a storyline that continues. I thought this was the final adventure for Finlay and Vero BUT we're left with another shocking ending...

I’ve been a ride or die Finlay and Vero fan since book 1, and I keep waiting for the series to lose its originality or spark, but somehow Cosimano continues to deliver!

Readers like me or have been shipping Finlay and Nick for BOOKS will love this latest installment. The actual mystery takes a bit of a back seat to the development of their relationship. There is still plenty of hilarity with potty training adventures, Mrs. Haggerty moving in as a temporary roommate, weed brownies, and Cam’s new eggplant colored suped up car, but the best part for me was watching Finlay finally make moves to come clean about her past in the hopes for real intimacy. The murder mystery portion also nicely closed the story arc from previous books, leaving Cosimano the freedom to potentially give Vero more time to shine in the next book. There is a delightful conclusion/cliffhanger that always makes me wish the next book was already ready for release!

I love that all the main characters are back for this! We have Finlay, Vero and Javi along with some more familiar characters.

Mrs. Haggerty is the president of the neighborhood watch and Finlay’s neighbor. We find out that a dead body is discovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. She really needs Finlay and Vero’s help before the police show up but they both don’t want to have to deal with another case since they have dealt with so much over the last few months.

This story is filled with the perfect amount of mystery and comedic relief that we all know and love from this series.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is book 5 in the series. It can be read as a standalone but I suggest reading them in order. You love the characters even more when you do.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay is one of my favorite characters! I have enjoyed all of her previous books, and this one was no exception. Ms. Cosimano's writing style keeps me turning the pages and devouring her books quickly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this newest installment early.

Finlay has no plans to get involved in another murder case she but when her ex-husband become a prime suspect she knows that she has to at least for her kid's sake to clear his name. I enjoyed this one. I just hope its not the last one in the series.

Okay, I really need to stop reading this series and hopefully this is the last of the series. This book was a rough one to get through. These books are just too monotonous and getting more “fillery” feeling as they go on. I didn’t really see the fascination with the added cop romance and the characters are just falling flat more and more. It’s time for me to put an end to this series, personally.

I am truly a Finlay fan for life. While it’s true what others are saying - these books are starting to feel a bit formulaic - the characters SHINE and make each installment a truly joyful and fun reading experience for me. I will adore Finlay and Vera until the end of time and am already excited to reread this one on audio after it’s published for the spectacular audio performances of the narrator. When the world feels burny around you, there are few joys better than a comforting book with familiar characters that is guaranteed to be a romp - and that’s Finlay Donovan in a nutshell.

I was very excited to read this book. It is the 5th book in the Finlay Donovan series. This book did a great job tying up some plots from the previous books. The the book ended with something that makes me very excited to see how the series continues. I am excited that there will be more of Finlay and Vera in my future! If you haven't read this series before, then I highly recommend starting with the first book. But this is a must read series!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series.

I'm going to be real...how have we had five books in this series? While I really enjoyed the fourth book, the fifth book is making me think maybe it's time for Finlay to just stick to writing and nothing more. The books are very formulaic, which I know some really enjoy, but for me it's starting to feel like a slog. This book didn't feel like it really added anything to the story. Once again we are left with a kind-of cliffhanger ending to get us into the sixth book. I think it might be time for me and Finlay to part ways with the way this one ended. Even a very handsome Nick couldn't save this one.

Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

This book was fantastic. It had all the same humor and entertainment that made all the previous books so fantastic. I love how right yet wrong Finlay is all the time in her investigations. I cannot wait for the next one, especially if we finally get to solve Vera's mystery!