WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR TO READ THE NEXT BOOK?!?!?

I don't know if it's just my seasonal depression making me weepy, or if this book just hit the right emotional strings but I was teary-eyed by the end of this book.

I am SO happy that I have found this series and am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to read this book early. I have a hardcover pre-ordered for March and can't wait to add it to my shelf with all my Finlay books!

The Finlay Donovan series has quickly moved its way up to one of my absolute favorite series of all time and this 5th installment is so much fun! In this book, we pick up where 4 left off -- Finlay and Vero have a new murder to solve. Gildford Dupree, whose body was exhumed from Mrs. Haggerty's yard, was killed and no one knows who did it. The one person who Finlay doesn't want taking the blame is her ex-husband Steven, since any thorough investigation into Steven could lead to a thorough investigation into Finlay and she has lots of secrets to hide.

Similar to the other books in this series, we get to see the hijinks of Finlay and Vero as they try to figure out who killed Gilford while clearing Steven's name. We also get to see Finlay and Nick's relationship blossom, which I personally loved. Of course, the end leaves us on a cliffhanger to prepare for the SIXTH installment. I am SO here for the continuation of this series and am so happy we get a book 6 and 7. I will be so upset when this series ends.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the e-galley in exchange for an honest review. And to Elle Cosimano, PLEASE NEVER STOP WRITING THESE! Even 7 books will not be nearly enough of these characters.

Everyone’s favorite accidental hit-woman, Finlay Donovan is back! The latest installment of this suburban single mom’s crazy life with her unconventional nanny (and partner in crime), Vero, who’s got her own secrets, is just as action-packed and zany as the previous installments. When a body turns up in Finlay’s nosy neighbor’s rose garden, the police presence starts making Finlay antsy about what they might find out about her own nefarious activities. But the real surprise happens when the investigation narrows to focus on her ex-husband, Steven, potentially unearthing inconvenient questions about an investigation that had already closed.

With Finlay’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, now living at Finlay’s house, Finlay’s son in the thick of potty training, her agent trying to work yet another outlandish deal, and Finlay’s relationship with the handsome detective, Nick, moving toward a potentially devastating turning point, Finlay has a lot to juggle while she tries to find the real killer and clear Steven’s name, as well as ensure no one looks too closely at previous murder cases.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advance reader’s copy.

Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and MacMillan Audio for the digital copy of this book and audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily. Really, I need to thank the publisher for the entire Finlay Donovan series, which was offered with this forthcoming novel. It was great to read the back catalog to a series I was always curious about.

This is such a weirdly fun series, even though it usually involves murder. And even though I think this book could be enjoyed without having read the previous books, you should at least read the prior novel, because this book picks up immediately after the end of that book.

This time around, Finlay is trying to prove her ex-husband’s innocence in a murder. The body was found in the yard of Mrs. Haggerty, the neighborhood Gladys Kravitz (people of a certain age will get that reference), and at first, police suspect the old lady, then shift their focus to Steve, who, quite frankly, has done some shady stuff in his past. Because the neighbor’s house is a crime scene, she has nowhere to go, so Finlay takes Mrs. Haggerty in despite her misgivings. The lady keeps notebooks of the goings-on in the neighborhood. Yeah. Finlay, you better watch your back!

All the characters from the prior books are back for this installment, including Finlay’s younger sidekick, Veronica Ruiz, as well as her little kids, who make for some interesting scenes. Also back is Finlay’s police officer boyfriend, Nick.

Probably the best thing about this book is that the overarching theme is about women who get revenge on the men who give them the shaft. And if you’ve read the previous Finlay Donovan books, you know that both she and Vero know plenty about that topic. Women are just not going to put up with that stuff any longer.

Angela Dawe is back as the audiobook narrator and as always, does an excellent job. She really has the characters’ personalities down by this point, so it was a delight to listen to while following along with the ebook.

Fair warning: the book ends on a cliffhanger, so expect more from Finlay, Vero, and the rest, in another installment of this series in the future.

This was a fun, fast-paced addition to the series. If you’ve enjoyed the books so far, you will also love the return of our bumbling duo, Finlay and Vero, in this newest story.

This was my first Finlay Donovan book even though it’s the 5th in the series. I received an ALC and ARC from NetGalley so I listened to and read the book together.

The audiobook was really good! The narrator did a great job!

I loved the Donovan family right away!! Finlay at the school with her daughter who stood up to a bully and did some serious damage! The whole thing was hilarious! Humor was sprinkled throughout the book. But there was a murder and a body found in a neighbors yard. Finlay and Vero, her nanny and sleuthing partner, are on the case! Such a fun and engaging read!

I am definitely going to read the previous books!

I absolutely adore this series. I never saw myself as a reader who would be interested in a multi mystery book series, but the Finaly Donovan series has me hooked. The laughs, the suspense, action, romance, friendships, and mystery all work in such a fun way. I love this series and I can't wait to see where it goes.

This was another great book in the Finlay Donovan series. It's such a fun series to read. I love the friendship between Finlay and her nanny Vero - they always manage to get into trouble in such a hilarious way. The kids are a riot too - not the most well-behaved kids, so they continue to make me happy I don't have kids.

In this book, Finlay's neighbor Mrs. Donovan is suspected of murder when a body is found buried in her backyard. Mrs. Donovan is a nosy busy body and insists on staying with Finlay. Then when Finlay's ex-husband is arrested for the murder, Finlay is determined to find out what really happened... so she starts digging. Which always gets her in a heap of trouble.

The antics of this group are always on the cusp of unbelievability but are still fun to read. An entertaining, hilarious book which ends leaving the door open for another book in the series.

Another fantastic Finlay installment! No spoilers, but I am SO EXCITED to finally dig into Vero's past. Cannot wait to get my hands on the next in the series.

Such a fun, page-turning read. Love seeing old characters pop up.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

I love these crazy books. If you want to be taken away from reality for a little fun then I highly recommend this series. Finlay and Vero are not your average Mom and Nanny. Well, at least I hope they aren't.
This book I would say is my second favorite in this series. The first book is hard to beat. I liked that this book has many of the loose ends tied up and Nick and Finlay seem to be on a good road together by the end of the book. I see that the ending has a little opening for the next book in the series and I look forward to how they solve this up-and-coming problem.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC

Finlay and partner in crime Vero are back at it, investigating a murder. The body was found in the neighborhoods no it all, Ms. Haggerty’s back yard. When that keeps Ms. Haggerty’s house and yard as a a crime scene and guess where Ms. Haggerty is staying, yep Finlay’s house. While Finlay and Vero are investigating Ms. Haggerty is laying down the law at the Donovan house, keeping clothes on the little one and teaching the older who is suspended from school, oh and playing video games.
I can not get enough Finlay Donovan, she is so funny and how does one keep having to do the police’s work for them so no one else gets hurt. There is always the huge suspense as in the other books and of course would there be a book without the action the two sleuths find themselves wrapped up in. The only bad part of these books is now we have to wait a while for the next one.

This was such a fun one! So many laughs and I didn't expect the twists! A great murder mystery for sure!

This book (and all of the Finlay Donovan novels) is a damn delight. There are scenes that are laugh out loud funny and so relatable as a mom with small kids. It complements the previous books in the series and is an easy read with a smaller cast of characters. Many thanks to Minotaur and to NetGalley for this ARC for review.

I just love this series. This story picks up a week after "Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice" and follows Finlay and Vero as they try to solve the muder of a body that was found in the garden of Finlay's nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty - who coincidentaly has temporarily moved in with them.

This book has everything I love about Elle Cosimano's books: complex, witty female characters; healthy female friendships; hilarious hijinx; nuanced, heavy subject matter that is handled with care; a lovable crew of side characters; a hot cop who will do anything for our girl, Finlay.

I ate this up.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
This is a great addition to the Finlay series. I may be biased because there is a quirky book club involved, and I really enjoyed it!
Mrs. Haggerty, the neighborhood gate keeper, is at the center of this debacle. A dead body is found buried in her yard. She is the first suspect and when she is cleared, the only place to go is to room with Finlay and Vero. Of course Stephen, Finalay's ex, shows up in the suspect list because of his past.
There is a load of humor in this one! A buried body, a quirky book club with questionable activities, and an ongoing love interest with Nick, will have you glued to this volume!
I will admit I laughed out loud a few times. I love how Elle Cosimano tied the previous volumes into this one and pulled things together.
You'll have to read this one!
This was just good writing, the characters are likeable and entertaining. The story makes you laugh and feel like you are with the characters. The author invites you in from the first page and just carries you through with Finlay and Vero on another hysterical adventure.
It was a pleasure to review an ARC from NetGalley. The whole series is just wonderful. It's not serious, it's entertaining and that's the best part of enjoying a story! 5/5⭐

I was happy I got an ARC of the latest book in the Finlay Donovan series. I enjoy this series because it's fun and quirky and you just never know what kind of mess Finlay and Vero are going to get into. That being said this wasn't my favorite in the series, it seemed to have less action and near misses than the previous four, however, I still really enjoyed it! The way this book played out though I wonder if Elle Cosimano is done with Finlay and moving onto Vero as the main character in a (hopefully) new series.

In this fifth installment of Finlay Donovan’s very twisty, and at times unbelievable, story, I wasn’t sure Cosimano would be able to keep the plot fresh and readers invested. Yet somehow she made it work! We are picking up the story 5 months after the events of the first book. The cliffhanger at the end leaves it open for more books, which honestly feels like a little much at this point. I’m invested at this point, so I’m sure I’ll read the next one to see what kind of shenanigans Finlay and Vero get themselves into!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

I love the Finlay Donovan series, and I always recommend this one for people who prefer humorous mysteries and wild characters. I found it to be a great read alike for Stephanie Plum fans - different characters, but similar vibes. This might also be for cozy mystery fans who want a little more bite, but the satisfaction of knowing that the protagonist is going to survive helps readers feel comfortable - this series becomes a best friend quickly.
Consistently good plot, fun characters- it may get a little zany, but it is a super popcorn mystery series- very entertaining and never lets the reader down.

Elle Cosimano does it again! I absolutely love this series, and this latest installment had me laughing from start to finish. Just when I thought Finlay and Vero couldn’t possibly get into more trouble, they find themselves right in the middle of chaos once again.

Vero’s jabs at Steven had me laughing out loud as always, but the addition of Mrs. Haggerty brings even more dimension, mystery, and hilarious moments to the story. I adore Finlay and Vero’s friendship—it’s grown so much over the series, and at this point, they truly feel like sisters.

I was also thrilled to see the romance between Nick and Finlay bloom even more in this book—because let’s be real, who doesn’t love a man in uniform? Their dynamic added just the right amount of swoon-worthy moments amidst all the chaos.

If you haven’t read the Finlay Donovan series yet, I highly recommend diving in. You won’t regret it!

This book is just pure fun! I have loved the books in the series and the antics continue in this one! This story just had me laughing at the challenges/obstacles Vero and Finlay faced. The neighbor Mrs. Haggerty brings her own drama and situations to this book! Overall I am so glad that I read it! This is book 5 in the series and I will continue reading the books as long as the author keeps writing them!