This fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series switches up on us in just the right away. We open this story right on the heels of what felt like a really good conclusion- loose ends are tied up and all of the chaos of book 1-4 appears to be settled. Except, it's not- it never is. Just across the street are the stirrings of another crime that Finlay and Vero simply can't escape. While this isn't as edge-of-your-seat as FD Rolls the Dice, it's still a great book that keeps its pace, and keeps you guessing everyones next move until the very end. This was a one-sitting binge read a great way to spend an evening.

What I love most about this book (and the series as a whole) are the changes we keep following in each characters personal life. The action-packed chapters are bookended by chapters of growth and development for our main cast of characters. The kids are growing, the relationships are evolving, and the family dynamics are changing in healthy ways.

I'll be honest, I don't know what I'll do the day these books don't end with a cliff hanger. I could follow Finlay and Vero's mishaps to the ends of the earth. The ending of this one finally addresses a long-standing conflict which, hopefully, means we'll be getting closure that we've needed for a long time. Cannot wait for FD6.

I found this book totally entertaining! Who would take in the nosy neighbor? And the neighbor's book club..what a hoot. The detective gives the book a sexy touch. But all the dead bodies does add a mystery. The kids are fun too. Why keep on clothes, right? I don't know how she has time to write. She spends so much time in her minivan.
Loved the book!

I highly enjoy the Finlay Donovan books. While I teach elementary school, I would recommend the series to high school students.

The humor is great and the plots move along at a great pace. This is an excellent addition to the series.

Good ole Mrs Haggerty is finally getting main character spotlight! Not that Finlay and Vero aren't entertaining on their own but I enjoyed seeing more of the nosy neighbor in Cosimano's latest tale of intrigue, suspense, and murder!!

I have usually enjoyed this series. Initially, the books were quite funny. However, over time, the humor has faded and the ridiculousness of the plots has increased. This was a quick read, but I just couldn't get into the story. It was obvious to me from the very beginning where the story was going to go and sadly, I was right. It was just terribly predictable.

This review was also posted on Goodreads.

Another great chapter in the Finley series. This series is always outlandish and silly and addictive. I love all the characters and their ridiculous adventures. I think that this may have been my favorite installment and I hope there are many more to come.

Finlay Donovan… at this point I feel like I’m part of her kooky family. This is the fifth book in the series, and I just keep coming back for more! In the middle of the series I kind of thought things were going downhill, but then book four was so good and it wasn’t a fluke. This book was also great!

I loved that all of my favorite characters were back! Things were messy and funny and ridiculous and everything I’ve grown to love and expect from Finlay and her crew. It almost plays out like a silly sitcom. I have a love/hate relationship with books ending on a cliffhanger, but in this case I am absolutely okay with it. It means there will most likely be a sixth book, and you already know I will be grabbing it up.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

If there is one thing that is guaranteed to happen, it is Finlay and Vero getting into trouble. It starts with Mrs. Haggerty moving in temporarily, which turns out to be a lot less temporary than they were led to believe. During her stay a lot of shady things are happening, and as usual the ladies investigate. This was such a fun read, I had so many feelings! And the ending?? I already need the next book!

A continuation of the action and mischief we’ve come to expect from Finlay with Vero by her side. This story brings back characters (Steven, Nick, Cam, Mrs. Haggerty and more) from previous books in the series with new twists adding to what we think we already know about them. Another entertaining read with another cliff hanger keeps me waiting for the next book.

Suspenseful,funny and quirky just like all Finlay Donovan books. Finlay comedy keeps the read wanting more and her non traditional family is funny.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of this book. Holy smokes. This book was another rollicking ride. The fun and intrigue continued and I loved every bit of it. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. That cliffhanger at the end has left me wanting more and yet I know I won't get another for who knows how long. This series is one of the best.

Elle does it again! I’m never disappointed with Finley and really enjoyed this latest installment! If you haven’t been introduced to the series yet, start now!!!!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is the 5th book in the Finlay Donovan series.

"Finlay's neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, has been cleared of charges relating to the body found in her garden. After her release she shows up at Finlay's door to stay with her until her house is ready. When the detectives start looking at Finlay's ex-husband, Steven, though, Finlay and Vero must discover Mrs. Haggerty's secrets...before the police find theirs."

This story starts off a little slower than previous books. There is still the family chaos with both kids. Finlay is still trying to figure out how much to tell Detective Hottie. Vero is spending more time with Javi. When Finlay discovers the book club, things pick up. The story takes a big turn and gets typical Finlay nuts. Wild ending. Surprises with Finlay and Nick. And Elle - how could you leave us with Vero like that?

Finlay fans will enjoy this one. Lots of humor and insane situations - and be nice to your senior neighbors.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I think this might be my favorite so far in the series. Not only was it fun, but we got to see a little more growth in the characters. Even this many books in, I"m not tired of their story yet!

OMG, I just finished this book, and it was hysterical! I very rarely laugh out loud, and I laughed so hard at this in places, my husband even said something! Not only that, I love the characters, the plot, and of course the writing. Is this perfect? Absolutely not, but anything that makes me laugh out loud is a very good thing. Besides, it’s perfect enough that I hope that there are many more in the series. This one didn’t weave together other books, which is fine as I think there are so many strings to tie together from other subplots, including how this one ended. I just love this series, and I am waiting with bated breath for the next one. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this new book in the series. This may be my favorite book in the Finlay series. I liked how everything wasn’t as predictable to me as some of the previous books and how at the end (without giving any spoilers) there is room for another book. Also I love how I was able to listen to the ebook with the read aloud option.

Totally entertaining and engaging - this series is one of the best on the market. I am a big fan of Finlay and Vero and love all that they get involved in. Must-read!

Finlay Donovan is back! There are not enough words to express how much I love this series. And this latest installment doesn't disappoint. Equal parts mystery, romance, and laughs. Don't pass on this one!

This is one of my favorite series, and I think this book is Elle Cosimano’s best one yet! It is such a perfect blend of mystery, comedy, and romance. The characters are so lovable and I found myself rooting for them even as they did some morally questionable things. If you are looking for something laugh out loud funny with a lot of heart and a delightfully twisty plot, I would highly recommend picking up this book!

Finlay Donovan manages to escape from one slightly questionable, possibly illegal situation and lands in the middle of another. Again. She and her best friend/nanny/accountant Vero have slept one night since the escapades of the police citizens academy training. They want a break from the drama but their break is quickly interrupted by the discovery of a body in their neighbor’s backyard and subsequent arrest of Mrs. Haggerty by local police. Finlay’s and Vero’s relationship with Mrs. Haggerty has always been tense and somewhat adversarial. To make matters worse, her grandson, Brendan Haggerty, has dumped his grandmother on Finlay for safe keeping while he arranges for the repairs needed to his grandmother’s home. Oh my, how frustrating! When Finlay’s ex husband Stephen is arrested for his potential involvement in the murder, the drama increases again. Finlay believes in Stephen’s innocence despite all his past infidelities and the gossamer threads connecting him to both the site of the victim’s grave and the wife of the victim. But as Finlay and Vero spend time with Mrs. Haggerty, they discover she has her own secrets. Now she has to work fast to prove Stephen’s innocence and keep her life from completely falling apart.

This series is absolutely fantastic! Reading books one through four will increase your understanding of the relationships and dynamics at play in this fifth book in the series. These books are fast paced and quick reads. Truly a guilty pleasure to lose yourself in this series of books.