You would think that after all that went down in Atlantic City, things would finally be a bit quieter for Finlay and Vero, but alas, it seems that while they were gone, drama was brewing back in their own neighborhood.

A dead body has been discovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard—yes, that Mrs. Haggerty of the detailed notebooks and neighborhood watch—and while the busybody herself has been cleared by the police, her house is a still-active crime scene. With the aim of keeping an eye on her own home at all times, she forces Finlay and Vero to take her in. Pair that with a preschooler home on suspension and a potty-training toddler, and it’s never a dull moment in the Donovan household.

I just adore this series, y’all. This book was the perfect escape right when I needed it. Filled with the parenting moments, humor, romance, madcap sleuthing and screwball crime scenes that we’ve come to expect from this series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another hit.

I especially liked the relationship development between Finlay and her cop beau Nick in this one.

4.75⭐️

I received an advance copy of the ebook from Minotaur Books. All review opinions are my own.

4.5 stars! I loved this one. It was fun to have all the original characters back and have more of Finleys home life. The two before this felt a bit repetitive and the same to me but this one really pulled me back into the series. The shenanigans in this book will make you laugh out loud and wonder how they continue to find the trouble they do! I would recommend this one! Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

OMG, Finlay goes straight with Nick. He is such a sweet hottie!

Finlay's neighbor was a hoot and certainly had a lot of depth. And those kids they are so adorable and funny.

I think after book 1, this may have been my next favorite. It was funny, fast-paced, and the mystery was pretty exciting.

#netgalley #FinlayDonovanDigsHerOwnGrave

🪦 Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - Elle Cosimano

4 ⭐️ - Ah yes, my favorite series is back! I love being in the world of Finlay Donovan and spending time with Vero, Nick, and the kids. This series warms my heart, makes me laugh, and quenches my mystery thirst!

Finlay, and her nanny/friend Vero, haven’t always gotten along with their neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. But when a dead body is discovered in her yard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. Declared a suspect and later released, Mrs. Haggerty had nowhere to go, except to Finlay’s house. Finlay and Vero have no interest in being involved, especially after all the murders they’ve dealt with in the last four months, but somehow they can’t stay away.

If you haven’t jumped into the adventures of Finlay and Vero, tell me what you’re waiting for! This one has more cozy murder vibes than the adventure in books 3&4, but I loved it just the same. The characters are funny and relatable. I loved that Delia got more book time! The bookclub and neighborhood watch aspects brought the connectivity of the characters to life. I’m sad it’s already over but I cannot wait for more!

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin Press for the early ARC and audio! Finlay’s fifth book hits shelves on 3/4!

This series just has my whole heart! Loved every page. I love her writing and the clever quips from Vero. Book number 5 is just as good as the first. Can’t wait for the next one!!

This has been my favorite Finlay novel yet!
For once Finlay was ACTUALLY solving a crime and not actively committing crimes while she was at it 🤣
Her neighbor was a bit annoying and I know I NEVER would have put up with her, but it did make for some good laugh out loud moments 😂
Finlay was on the case when her cheating ex was accused of having another affair that led to a "crime of passion". Nick isn't too happy with the secrets Finlay is keeping but he's also super supportive and of course, as always, Vero has her back 😎
The mystery actually surprised me! Didn't really see it coming when the whole thing was revealed 😅
I had guessed some of it but wow.....this went beyond and not sure how I felt about the outcome to be honest. BUT still gave it 5 stars because in my opinion it had the best plot and character development in the entire series! Love that Nick and Finlay could FINALLY be open with each other 😍

A great addition to this series, fans of the previous books will be happy to read!

Packed with the humor & cozy mystery you’d hope for, this next installment in the series doesn’t disappoint. Finlay Donovan is a perfect read for anyone looking for something more lighthearted but will keep you hooked.

I look forward to this series continuing!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth title in the series. I've read the entire series and really enjoy these books. This installment finds Finlay and Vero trying to solve the murder of Gilford Dupree, whose body was found across the street in Mrs Haggerty's yard. Initially a suspect, Mrs Haggerty finds herself cleared of suspicion but without a place to stay. She ends up at Finlay's house and Finlay and Vero find themselves drawn into a murder investigation they didn't really want to get involved in.

I liked this book a lot better than the last one. This one felt more like the atmosphere of the first book with naughty children, meddling neighbors and hijinks all around. There was more humor and the plot was less convoluted and easier to follow. If you're already a fan of the series, I think you'll love this. If you're new to the series, don't start here even though it's a great book. It's much better to start at the beginning.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

not the best of the series but still good! it was a little weird mystery solution and i wish it was talked about more but i’ll take the book club. there wasn’t like a murder that finlay and vero caused which was what made it boring-er

Elle Cosimano delivers yet another entertaining installment in the Finlay Donovan series with Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. As always, the book is filled with humor, quirky situations, and a full cast of beloved characters. This time, there’s a particular focus on Ms. Haggarty, whose role adds an extra layer of intrigue and humor to the story.

One of the strengths of the novel is its comedic timing—Cosimano has a talent for balancing suspense with laugh-out-loud moments. I enjoyed the return of the full cast of familiar characters and the continuation of the overarching storyline. However, compared to its predecessors, this book has a slightly slower pace and feels less chaotic. While this shift may make it feel less action-packed, it does allow for a satisfying development of key storylines, setting the stage for a few resolutions. The ending, however, is where things get interesting. Just when it seems like the series might be wrapping up, Cosimano leaves readers with a cliffhanger, raising the question—will there be more Finlay Donovan books? Or Vero's?

Overall, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a worthy addition to the series—funny, engaging, and a must-read for those who have followed Finlay’s wild and unpredictable journey from the start.

If Elle Cosimano writes it, I’m gonna read it. The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorite ever. I own every book and have already pre-ordered book 5 because I will need it for my shelf. The books in this series just get better and better. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave did not disappoint. The comedy, the mystery…everything was *chefs kiss* as usual. I recommend this series to anyone who will listen to me.

In "Finley Donovan Digs Her Own Grave," we dive deeper into Finley Donovan’s life as she navigates the challenges of being a single mother and a struggling writer. The novel brilliantly captures her chaotic world, where parenting, deadlines, and unexpected murder mysteries collide.

After a chance encounter at a café, Finley is mistaken for a hitwoman, leading her into a series of outrageous situations that are both thrilling and hilarious. As she tries to clear her name and protect her family, she finds herself unraveling a much larger conspiracy that involves her friends and the community around her.

The character development is particularly noteworthy; Finley evolves from an overwhelmed mother into a resourceful and determined protagonist. The supporting cast, including her quirky friends and family, adds depth and humor to the narrative.

Cosimano’s writing is engaging, filled with clever dialogue and relatable moments that resonate with readers. The blend of mystery, humor, and heart makes this installment in the series both entertaining and thought-provoking. Whether you're a fan of cozy mysteries or simply looking for a lighthearted read, "Finley Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" offers a captivating escape into a world where chaos reigns but friendship and resilience shine through.

The newest Finlay Donovan doesn't disappoint.

Finlay sets out to prove her ex husband's innocence in a cold case. In the process she and Vero get in over there heads and attract the attention of some more people up to no good.

She’s back. They’re all back in Book 5! Finlay, Vero, Javi, Nick, Steven, and even the annoyingly cranky neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty!

While Mrs. Haggerty isn’t exactly the first person Finlay would go to for a cup of sugar, when a body turns up in her backyard, Finlay’s experience makes her the perfect one to help out while the area remains an active crime scene.

But who is the body? Who’s responsible? Definitely not the elderly Mrs. Haggerty, right? Then, suddenly, all eyes turn to Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, even she actually doesn’t think he could... how much does Mrs. Haggerty know..

This installment was more endearing for me, especially with the themes of womanhood and community. Cheers to #5 Elle!

Finlay Donovan is my Ride-or-Die series. The only thing I don’t like about it is that I have to wait a year or more between books.

This is book 5, and seriously people, if you haven’t even read book 1 yet, you are so lucky to dive in now. Once you start, you get to binge through all of them without waiting. And trust me, you won’t want to wait because this series is addictive. I rarely ever read series, yet I keep coming back for more of this one.

In Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, she and Vero are back in the thick of it when a dead body is unearthed in her snoopy neighbor’s yard. The author weaves in a brief refresher on who’s who and what’s happened up to this point which I really appreciated. Then I’m buckled in to enjoy another bumpy ride with my favorite book duo. I can’t name another author that blends mystery, humor, and romance as seamlessly as Elle Cosimano.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Another solid installment of the Finlay Donovan series. This series is so much fun and the perfect slump-buster. Are there plot holes and too convenient coincidences? Sure, but I don’t think anything about these stories are meant to be realistic.

Finlay Donovan is just shenanigans. The book is the perfect genre bend of cozy mystery and rom-com. This series keeps getting better the deeper into it I go. Do not expect depth and hard hitting plot points. Expect a quick two to three day read that will leave you feeling light and airy. 

Cosimano opens this book right after the conclusion of the last and keeps the ball rolling with Finlay and Vero getting dragged into Mrs. Haggerty's investigation. Nick the sexy cop and Steven the sleezy (but maybe redeemable?) ex-husband make appearances while Delia and Zach provide endless comic relief. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC

All the mayhem, ridiculousness, and laughs that we can count on from Finlay, Vera, and their crew of oddballs. Fans of the series won't be disappointed! Great lighthearted read for when you're ready to take a break from your ordinary calm life!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC of this title.

Finlay never disappoints and this book was no exception. I love the references from book one! I never want to this series and.

Another great book in the series! I think Cosimano has really found her groove with the cast of characters and stories. We needed more Nick in this book but hopefully moving forward we will. The cliffhanger made me so excited for the next book. Ot was a fun and quick read!