The first book in the Finlay Donovan series was the most fun I'd had reading a book in a while. And now here we are on book five, and I'm still not tired of these characters and their storylines.

While the first book remains my favorite, this installment was right up there in readability. I flew through it, and I already can't wait for what comes next in book six.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Book 5, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was decent. It fell a bit short of all the prior books. This one just didn't have the same pizazz . One thing that I really loved about the prior books was all the humor. This one had humor, but I guess I just didn't connect with like the others.

This story picks up where we left off in the prior books with the aftermath of what happened at Mrs Haggarty's house. We see all our prior main characters. It looks like this one ends with a book 6, so stay tuned!! I did enjoy the backstory with Mrs. Haggarty after she gets out of jail and her stay with Finlay.

I'd like to thank netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Expected publication March, 4 2025.

Thank you so much to Minotaur Books & NetGalley for my ARC! I never want this series to end. I love every character so much and love all the work that Elle Cosimano put into their development. I laugh out loud constantly - especially with the banter between Finlay and Vero. Finlay and Steven's kiddos bring constant validation to parents and the presence of Mrs. Haggerty in this round of fun added so much. Mystery upon mystery, mishap upon mishap, the action never stops. I love that Nick and Finlay's relationship continues to evolve alongside the questions that grow between them as Finlay finds herself in yet another web of secrets. RUN - this one comes out March 4th and should definitely be high on your reading list.

Elle Cosimano writes the very best first chapters! It’s laugh out loud funny and sucks you right back into the hilarious world of Finlay and Vero. I look forward to every new book in this series and Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave did not disappoint.

Ah Finlay Donovan, such a fun cozy mystery series. I was so excited to get approved for an ARC of this one. This series is one I have read since the start, and greatly enjoyed all of them. I love the antics that Finlay and Vero get up to. In this one I enjoyed getting a little more of Nick and Mrs. Haggerty. I did feel like while this book hooked me right from the start, it was missing something that the others in the series had. In the prior books, Finaly and Vero have been directly involved in chaos, but that really wasn’t the case here. In this rendition, they are trying to help solve the mystery, though it doesn’t necessarily affect them (except Mrs. Haggerty is staying at the house). It was just an adjustment, and while I didn’t hate it, it lacked a little something that the others in the series had for me. I did appreciate the role that Steven played, and I liked his character development. Despite what he did to Finlay I am always happy to read about the relationship he and Finlay still have despite it all.

I’m excited to see where the next book goes, and to get more of Nick and Finaly’s relationship.

Another great Finley Donovan story. I love all the weird situations she encounters. I was so happy to see her love story come full circle. Can’t wait for the next one…

What a ride! It was great being back with Finlay, Vero, and the gang. In this fifth installment in the series, we have returned home to the Donovan house. Once again Finlay and Vero are making some pretty questionable choices and stirring up trouble in their neighborhood. That’s why we all love them both.

When a body turns up in her nosy elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty’s, back yard, Finlay finds herself both trying to solve a murder while juggling mom-life, with mixed success. As with the other books in the series, Finlay and Vero are working hard to figure out what is going on while the chaos of their lives surrounds them.

I enjoyed that this one was set back at her house with all the neighbors, shady accomplices, and hijinks. After the last couple of books being set out of town, I loved that this one was set back at her house. Finlay’s developing relationship with Nick was also explored and the appearances by Cam were pure comedic relief. If you’ve enjoyed the other books in the series, you’re sure to love this one.

Thank you to the publisher St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, author Elle Cosimano, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC to review in exchange for my honest review.

Book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series brings more chaos and craziness to Finlay and Vero. This time, Finlay’s ex is arrested for murder, the cranky old lady next door moves in, her daughter gets suspended, and her son keeps running around naked. Great cozy mystery to add to your TBR!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave to come out March 4, 2025.

This was pretty good, didn't figure it out, so that's a plus! Wairting on the next book. Cant wait for it to come out.

Finlay has her hands full this time. Again! An unwanted houseguest, Delia is suspended from school and Zach is potty training. And I don’t want to forget Book Club! Not to mention her ex gets arrested. I was laughing from the prologue. Finlay and Vero stumble through this mystery with all the laughs I’ve come to expect. Plus we get lots of Hot Cop time!! A must read if you love mystery, laughs, and romance.

3.5. I really wanted this book to be a 5 so much but the characters were so annoying to me. Mrs. Haggerty drove me up a wall and I feel like I’m left with so many questions. I have to admit I did enjoy the other aspects though. There were a couple of characters and topics that I kind of forgot and the author did such a great refreshing my memory without it feeling redundant or wordy. I love the way Elle Cosimano tells a story and her writing had me hooked all throughout. I could’ve put the book down because I wanted to know how it would end. Sadly I kind of feel like I knew what was going to happen every step of the way and that took off some points for me. I’m such a sucker for Nick and I loved that he got more attention and development. I wanted more of vero and javi especially because they have so much history. I don’t really know how many more books and plot lines will be used but I’m interested to see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC and allowing me to get my hands on this book early!!

Finlay and her nanny Vero are finally not actively involved in any dead bodies. But their neighbour has a dead body in her backyard and they must solve the mystery or risk their own secrets being disovered.

Love Finlay and Vero. More hilarious fun from the both of them. They are just as fresh as the first book. Love the cameos from the characters in the earlier books.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Who knew that a misunderstanding at a Panera would end up here, five books later? Five outstanding stars for what is now my favorite book in the series!

Finlay Donavan and her nanny Vero are trying to move on from their last adventure. Who knows, maybe they can get back to enjoying their lives with no drama.

That just doesn’t seem like it will ever be in the cards for Finlay Donavan.

The discovery of a body in her neighbor’s backyard across the street sets off a series of events that puts Finlay and Vero right smack in the middle of the drama. Finlay’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, comes to stay for an unexpected visit. This sets off a chain of events that Finlay and Vero have to piece together to solve the crime.

I have so much to say, but I refuse to spoil this for anyone!

Everyone is here for this book: Nick, Javi, Cam, Steven, Sylvia, Georgia, Finlay’s mom, and the kids. I feel like, at this point, these people are friends and family to me. I loved catching up with them.

As with every one of the fantastic books in this series, one thing always stands out: that ending! I’m looking forward to discussing this with all of the people I’ve recommended this series too. Elle Cosimano knows how to knock the breath out of you!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur books for the opportunity to read this one! It comes out on March 4th, 2025 - that gives you plenty of time to catch up on this series before this releases. And if I haven’t made this clear, I highly recommend this book!

Fantastic! Beautiful! And loads of fun!
This book, this series, & these characters have turned into family. This book picks up right after the events from the last book were solved, and we even get to see more of Finlays relationship with "the hot cop". Thankfully this was everything Finlays readers wished for, but more. For an entertaining sleuthing ride, hop on the Finlay Donovan bandwagon and brace your selves for a funtastic ride!

This talented author has written a page turner. Realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. The characters are quirky and entertaining. I didn’t t know what would happen next, or what they might say. Fun fiction. I like this author. I really like this author. This story was easy to read and so much fun. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you to the publisher Minotaur St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback. Immediately five stars. All. The. Way. Through. I devoured this book very fast even though I told myself slow and steady make it last. This one kept me guessing right till the end. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Out of the five in this series this one is my favourite without question. This series is wonderful and I highly recommend if you are fans of Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich! I am looking forward to the hardcover version of this book to add to the other four I have in this series.

I love the Finlay Donovan series so much and this book did not disappoint! Mrs. Haggerty makes more of an appearance in this story and I enjoyed hearing some of her backstory and getting to laugh at her unique way of taking care of the children. I also appreciate how Nick was not made out to be quite as naive as he has in the previous books. Cameron's relationship with Finlay also made my heart happy. Can't wait for the next one!

Elle Cosimano worked her magic again. From the moment I received my ARC, I could not put this book down and I finished it in less than a day. Finlay Donovan finds herself, yet again, in the center of a murder investigation. Despite everyone else's doubts, she knows in her gut that her ex is not the murderer everything thinks he is. With dogged determination, she balances mothering, the irresistible Nick, and her ever-present and overstepping nosy neighbor. Throughout the book, I laughed constantly, swooned over and over, and sniffled as Finlay came face-to-face with and overcame her emotional baggage. Every book in this series is better than the last and this may have been my favorite yet!

Finlay is a bright beacon in dark times.

In between the zany hijinks and the impossible-to-navigate situations, there is real heart behind the Finlay Donovan books, but it's especially apparent in Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave.

Nosy neighbors, potty training, pushy literary agents, unfaithful husbands, break-ins, and criminal masterminds are just the tip of the iceburg. Underneath it all is women supporting women, found family, and the kind of true friends (and hot book boyfriends!) we all deserve.

As with all the Finlay books, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave can be read as a stand-alone but I'd highly recommend starting from the beginning and indulging in the entire action-filled, laugh-out-loud, heartfelt series.

Another fun and flippant jaunt with Finlay Donovan! And this time Steven is in trouble again - another murder? And the not so sweet and innocent neighbor next door is up to something that includes squatting in Finlay’s house while the police investigate a body in her flower bed.