I can not get enough of the Finlay Donovan series. I sure hope there is more to come. I just love the humor and the way Finlay always seems to get herself caught up into something. I wish there had been more Vero in this one. It seemed she was featured less in this one, and I missed their shenanigans together. I can't wait to hear it on audio when it comes out. Please keep this series going!!! Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this return to Finlay and Vero’s wacky antics. While books 3 & 3.5 fell a bit flat for me, book 5 in this series felt true to the first few books that kept my attention and made me laugh out loud along the way.

While book 4 took the entourage on the road to Atlantic City, book 5 returns to the home and neighborhood readers are familiar with. Nosy Mrs. Haggerty across the street, ex-husband Steven, and hot cop Nick return as main characters along with a sprinkling of cameos from previous books. It’s a great addition to the series and left the door open for book 6 at the end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series and I would highly recommend reading the preceding books first because a lot of backstory is assumed.

Finlay Donovan is back and for the first time doesn’t find herself in trouble. When a body is discovered buried in her busybody neighbor’s backyard, her philandering ex-husband becomes the prime suspect. Finlay is positive that Stephen is innocent and she and her best friend Vero take it upon themselves to prove it. Hot-cop Nick, teenage tech whiz Cam, bartender-turned-law student Julian, and Finlay’s agent Sylvia all make memorable appearances and a few new characters round out the novel.

If you've made it to book five then you are a true Finlay fan and know exactly what to expect from the latest installment of this deliciously ridiculous series. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave features all the over-the-top characters and plot points we know and want from this humorous mystery series.

While book five perhaps contains less action than the previous books, it's still just as bingeable as the rest. Once again, a dead body shows up a little too close to home for Finlay and now she's been forced to take in her nosy, elderly neighbour, Mrs. Haggerty. While I didn't initially love this plot point (the scene where Mrs. Haggerty moves in felt a little forced, even for Finlay standards) the story quickly grew on me and, as usual, I couldn't put it down.

This book is a cozy, fast-paced read full of Finlay and Vero's usual hijinks and penchant for trouble. (Seriously, can we get a TV series yet?) While there were plenty of twists and side-quests, the mystery itself was fairly simple but no less entertaining. The epilogue gives us a lovely lead-up for the next book (and features a plot point that I think most Finlay fans will be excited by!) and I loved the developments with Finlay and Nick.

The series hit a rough patch for me with book three, but I think we're getting back on track and I can't wait to continue on with the journey! Fans of Finlay Donovan should definitely make room for this book in 2025!

Book 4 was my least favorite of the series, but this one (book5) was great. I had a really good time with this and enjoyed the progression of Finlay’s relationship with Nick. The addition of Mrs. Haggerty to the house was a lot of fun, and I was glad to see Cam come back. This was a quick read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I enjoy the Finlay Donovan series. They are fun quick reads. The story is unbelievable and you have to suspend disbelief but I don’t mind that. Finlay and Vero are both likable characters. I’ll read the rest of the books the author writes in this series.

After binge reading the first part of this series I've been anxiously awaiting this book and it did not disappoint. Just as much hijinks and fun as the first four books! Hurrah! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced review copy.

This was a great book! The story was very interesting and the plot was very well thought out and the cliffhanger was so good!

Books 2 & 3 weren't the best for me but 4 & 5 came out swinging! I enjoyed the intrigue, the new characters (love me some feisty old ladies!) and the arcs of known characters. Would have liked to see a little more Javi but I'm guessing he will come more into play in the next one. It's going to be hard to wait for #6!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC! I love, love , love Finlay Donovan! I also love Vero. I am so attached to these characters and their distinct personalities that when I get a new book I feel like home. I’m not joking, there is something so comforting and relatable about these characters and the mishaps they get into! I am constantly recommending this series to my customers with “Image your wealthy husband cheats and leaves you with nothing and two kids to support. While you’re trying to write your first novel, you accidentally become a hit man”!

I also never disliked Mrs. Haggerty. Sure she’s a busy body.. but she knows when to keep her mouth shut. And she’s kind of a girls-girl.

I thought this was a great story. If I hadn’t gotten around the Holidays, I probably would’ve read it much faster! Trying to read between work/kids/Holiday is hard! Finlay would understand!!

5 stars!! Oh, the bittersweet of having to wait another year for the next book!

This book was like coming home to a warm Finlay Hug. After the last two books were spent at the police academy and Atlantic City, we return to the chaos and familiarity of Finlay’s home- something I was craving!

After the nosy Mrs. Haggerty was found with a dead body in her backyard, Finlay’s life seems to unravel yet again when the father of her children is accused of murder. Finlay knows he’s innocent, but will she be able to prove it?

Finlay and her trusty side-kick and babysitter, Vero, do their best snooping to solve the case.

I loved this latest installment of Finlay Donovan!

Wow, wow, wow! Elle Cosimano has done it again! I just adore everything Finlay Donovan. She always seems to find herself in the wrong place and the wrong time, or maybe it’s the right place at just the right time. The right mix of fun, funny, and suspenseful. I sure hope this won’t be the last of Finlay!

Finlay Donovan is at it again in this latest installment in the series. Finlay and Vero have always had a complicated relationship with their neighbor Mrs. Haggerty, the president of the neighborhood watch. But Mrs. Haggerty needs their help because a dead body has been discovered in her backyard. Mrs. Haggerty is obviously a suspect but is then cleared by the police. Unfortunately, Mrs. Haggerty’s house remains a crime scene, so she has nowhere to go but Finlay’s house. Finlay and Vero must figure out who disposed of the dead body in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard so that she can go back to her own house.

Elle Cosimano has done it again with the fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series! Her writing is witty and keeps you wanting more. I couldn’t put this one down. The twists and turns and laugh-out-loud moments kept me wanting more. The book ended on a cliffhanger, so here’s to hoping for book six. I give this one 4/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for giving me access to an eARC of this book.

If you haven't read the rest of the series, and intend to, do not start with this one. If you want to skip the others and jump in? You can, as they spoil and explain things from past books within this one.

In this installment we tackle the issue/cliff-hanger from the last, involving what may be one of my favourite characters in the series: Mrs Haggerty, she elderly and cranky nosy neighbour. She plays a larger role in this than the kids do, and while I really enjoyed all the page time and interactions we got with her I also missed having the kids and general mess of trying to juggle parenting, work, and everything else.

The kids are here. They're just often easily handed off and I wanted there to be more mess and tension involving them, though I understand that may be difficult to write without losing other plot threads.

I enjoyed Finlay, Vero, Mrs Haggerty, Nick, the kids, and Steven in this one. It was mostly fantastic, and barring the first is my favourite in the series. This mystery is different but gave me a lot of golden age vibes, and I ate it up. I hope we see Mrs Haggerty in another installment, as I adored her and learning about her in this one.

Cosimano has done it again with her next installment of the Finlay Donovan series! Brimming with humor and a few twists, readers will devour Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This time the likeable protagonist and her nanny-turned-sidekick Vero must work together to clear Finlay's ex-husband of murder charges before the investigation threatens to reveal the skeletons in Finlay's own closet. This novel is the perfect beach read for those who like their mysteries paired with a healthy dose of humor!

I have had multiple recommend this series to me and decided it was time to jump in. This might be my favorite of the series.

I have read this entire series and I think this was my favorite so far! It was the right mix of funny and mystery. It wasn’t as far-fetched as some of Findlay’s past adventures. I love the characters and the whole family! It ended on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait to see what’s next.

I really enjoyed this book as I always do, but parts of theIs book felt repetitive. Also poaching an egg… it is boiled not put in a pan with butter.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

Dear Reader,

WAIT!

While this book can absolutely stand alone, I highly recommend reading the Finlay Donovan Books in order:

1. FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT
2. FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS ‘EM DEAD
3. FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN
3.5. VERONICA RUIZ BREAKS THE BANK
4. FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE
5. FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE

A genre bender, Finlay Donovan, consistently brings us mystery, suspense, romance, comedy, and family drama!

You will fawn over Julian, fall for Nick - “The Hot Cop”, laugh at Vero ripping on Steven, love the littles - Delia and Zach, dig Mrs. H, be lookin’ out for Cam, and have a special place in your heart for Finlay’s Parents and Sister.

Trouble has a way of finding Finlay and Finlay had a way of digging herself out of the most bizarre predicaments. From the first page of the first book, you will be hooked, I guarantee it!

Enjoy!

By book five do I need to tell you to read this? 2024 was the year I finally picked up this series and I have enjoyed every one of 'em. They aren't the best written, in terms of my mind getting blown. They are fun though. They're the perfect thing I need when I'm coming off a bad book or nervous because I just finished something really great and don't want to ruin the momentum. Here particularly I was happy with how the implications of the last book were dealt with. I like the characters and seeing them interact. I don't know how many Cosimano is gonna write but I'll happily read 20 of these bad boys.