Finlay Donovan Digs her Own Grave is the Fifth installment in author Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series. Finn and Vero are back from Atlantic City ready to get back into routine, potty training Zach and keeping Delia out of trouble at school after she encounters a bully. The story really kicks off when Finlay Donovan's already hectic life is upended by the discovery of a dead body in her nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. Mrs. Haggerty, the self-appointed neighborhood watch president and a longtime thorn in Finlay’s side, is briefly a suspect before being cleared by the police.

With her house declared a crime scene, Mrs. Haggerty has nowhere to go—except Finlay’s place, right across the street. Cue the reluctant hospitality as Finlay and her nanny-turned-partner-in-crime, Vero, are forced to share their space with the cantankerous old lady. At first, Finlay and Vero want nothing to do with another murder investigation—they’ve had their fill of corpses over the past four months, thank you very much. However, when the police investigation shifts focus to Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, who has a long history of making enemies and cheating on Finlay, the duo has no choice but to dive in.

The three have many secrets between them, but which one will solve the mystery of murder? What follows is a hilarious and suspenseful journey as they team up with Mrs. Haggerty to unravel a web of secrets, including a mysterious book club that might be more dangerous than it seems, and harkens back to another group that wanted a certain cheating husband dead. Along the way, Cosimano expertly balances slapstick comedy with genuine emotional depth, particularly in Finlay’s evolving relationship with Detective Nick Anthony and the surprising layers peeled back from Mrs. Haggerty’s character.

Finlay has grown from the frazzled everywoman of the first book into a more confident, if still hilariously flawed, protagonist. Even though it seems as though she's made a mark as a writer, she's still unsure of her future. Her dynamic with Vero remains the beating heart of the series—their banter is razor-sharp, and their loyalty is unshakable. Mrs. Haggerty, previously a one-note busybody, emerges as a standout here, revealing unexpected depth and even a knack for video games that had me chuckling out loud. The supporting cast, from Finlay’s kids to tech-savvy Cameron, adds warmth and chaos in equal measure.

The mystery itself is engaging, with twists that keep you guessing, though it’s the journey—not the destination—that truly captivates. That said, the romance between Finlay and Nick takes a slight backseat this time—fans of Vero and Javi’s budding relationship or Finlay and Nick’s slow burn might feel a tad shortchanged—but the trade-off is a tighter focus on the central plot and character interplay. The book mixes mystery, humor, and heartwarming moments, often compared to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series for its suspense and comedy. Oh, and don't even start with that ending! Do I really have to wait an entire year for the sequel to find out what happens?

Elle Cosimano has such a witty way of writing that keeps you constantly entertained and begging for more. I’ve loved every Finlay book even more than the one before it. This is no exception

I think this has been my favorite Finlay Donovan book - and I truly love them all! Finlay’s character has grown so much and it is so apparent in this latest book. I love the shenanigans, Finlay & Vero’s friendship, the mystery, the comedy, and the emotions!! I felt like this book went a little deeper into Finlay’s emotions and struggles in a really open and relatable way. I also loved seeing more of Mrs. Haggerty and Nick in this book - the characters are all a cast that I can’t wait to dive back into the story with. Elle Cosimano hit it out of the park with this one - and I can’t wait to see what Finlay (& Vero) get into next!

Another funny and entertaining instalment of this series, and I loved it! I liked seeing more of Finlay's family life, and the interactions between Finlay and Nick. The characters are the real stars, while the mystery can take second place a little bit, in terms of what keeps the pages turning. This one felt slightly cozier than the last one, and I liked the change of pace and keeping things close to Finlay's home. This was another fantastic read from Elle Cosimano, and I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Finlay and Vero are in the thick of it again. When a body is found in her neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty's yard, her house becomes a crime scene. With no place to go, she moves in with Finlay, Vero and the kids. The good news is the focus shifts away from Mrs. Haggerty. The bad news is it shifts onto Finlay's ex-husband, Stephen,

This installment allows us to get to know the kids a bit more as well as more of the Nick and Finlay relationship. There is still chaos, funny moments but the murder seemed a bit easily wrapped up. That doesn't mean you don't enjoy the ride - not to mention that it is left in a cliffhanger. I will still be waiting for the final book to see who, if anyone, lives happily every after.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. in exchange for my honest review.

Finley Donovan is back at it again, and I couldn’t be more entertained! This latest installment is another wild ride filled with misunderstandings, chaos, and Finley’s signature knack for getting herself into trouble. With her ever-loyal (and slightly scheming) nanny by her side, she juggles everything from crime-solving antics to book deadlines—all while trying to keep her kids out of the crossfire. Whether it’s bending the truth, making questionable choices, or stumbling into even bigger messes, every twist had me laughing out loud.

From writing her next book (and, maybe turning it into a series) to falling even harder for her favorite cop, Finley’s journey is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. The mix of mystery, humor, and just the right amount of romance keeps this series feeling fresh and fun. If you love fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mysteries with a lovable but chaotic heroine, this series is a must-read!

I always love a good Finlay novel and this one starts out with a hilarious scene featuring all of our favourite Finlay characters. After feeling like the third and fourth book were getting a bit repetitive, the fifth book in the series refreshes some new life by including Finlay's grumpy and nosy neighbour. Finlay and Vero continue to be my favourite ride or die BFFs, but I do enjoy how some of the other characters are growing as well. If you like the Finlay series, you will enjoy this laugh out loud book.

I love this series so much! This was one of my favorites of the series yet. I love following Finlay and Vero on their escapades and I loved the addition of new characters in this one. I enjoyed the connection growing between Finlay and Anthony and the honesty she was able to share with him. The kids are always the best too! It's also so fun for me to read these because I live in the area where the. books take place! Elle Cosimano has such a great sense of humor and I adore coming back to this series each time. I highly recommend reading on audio as well!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

Finlay and Vero are back, and somehow, they’ve managed to get wrapped up in another murder mystery—this time with a dead body in the neighbor’s backyard. Between crime scene chaos, nosy neighbors, and their usual shenanigans, these two can’t catch a break (but it sure is fun to watch them try).

I love this series! It’s such an easy, bingeable read (especially on audio), and Finlay’s knack for stumbling into trouble never gets old. She and Vero are the ultimate chaotic duo, and I could read about their antics forever.

I love Finlay Donovan. I’m not sure why but the book before this one I didn’t love as much and I couldn’t put my finger on why (could have been a me thing!). But this one felt like it brought all the wit and humor back and I was so happy to jump back in.

I officially have a new favorite in the series!

I will never not be along for the ride when it comes to Finlay Donovan. I love the way Elle Cosimano creates these insane situations for Fin and Vero while still keeping Finlay’s “normal” life so relatable. At the end of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, I was extremely curious about where things were going to go. A body in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard was not what I was expecting. But the addition of Mrs. Haggerty to the household only made things funnier—especially watching her handle homeschooling and potty training. A true highlight.

Once again, the plot kept me on my toes until the very end. While I had bits and pieces kind of right, I’m never able to fully figure out what’s going to happen—which is another thing that keeps me coming back for more.

I’m also pleased to say that I’m finally turning into Team Nick. For the first time, I actually felt like he cared about Finlay—not just that he was hanging around to further a case. I still think they don’t quite know each other well enough, but I’m on board for them to get there. Also, I am so proud of Fin for sharing her story with him.

This book also gave some much-deserved spotlight to a few background characters, which only made the story better and more fun. I loved seeing more of Sylvia and can’t wait to see where this new book deal will lead.

Out of all the books in the series, this one is my favorite because it brought together the last four books perfectly while still driving the story forward. I wasn’t sure if this would be the end of the series, so I was thrilled at the ending—because there has to be more!

If you haven’t started this series yet, now’s the time. Would absolutely recommend!

The Mafia is gone, Finlay and Vero are home, and there's a body in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard that Steven is being framed for murdering.
This book is a bit calmer and more home focused than the previous one, as Mrs. Haggerty moves in with Finlay and Vero, and Finlay makes it her mission to prove her gut feeling that Steven has nothing to do with the body.
Delia and Zach continue to be hilarious, and I loved their interactions with Mrs. Haggerty, plus the relationship she built with Cam. Nick and Finlay's relationship grows. We see more of Sylvia, the agent, which is hilarious.
Looking forward to the next book, because cliffhanger!

Findlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
By: Elle Cosimano
4 stars

WOW! I cannot believe we are on book 5 of Finlay and her wild adventures! This series truly is just a fun one that guarantees to entertain no matter what. While I thought this was a way more believable story than book 4, this was still full of the classic Finlay and Vero on-liners, shit stirring, and barely squeaking by criminal activity.

I loved that we get our nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty as a main character in this one. She’s always been there lurking behind the window curtain throughout the series so for her to be brought into the fold on book 4, despite a dead body being found in her rose garden, I was delighted! And this story tied together some loose ends from previous books which was rewarding as a longtime reader of the series.

Mrs. H moving in with Finlay after being cleared as a suspect for the dead man in her backyard had me cracking up! She was the perfect pseudo-grandmother helping Delilah with school work and teaching Zach to be properly potty trained. It was a great humorous blend to her after-dark activities which cause Finlay and Vero to keep close tabs on her. While being a demanding guest in Finlay’s house, she continues her life as planned, making Finlay be her chauffeur to her regular book club meetings. All this despite Steven being accused of murdering the dead man in the garden and having another affair scandal on his hands. As Finlay tries to clear Steven’s name, keep tabs on Mrs. Haggerty, keep Cam from committing any crimes, and manage Sylvia, she also has to finally decide whether or not she can trust Nick with her secrets.

I had a great time with this one and couldn’t put the book down with the short chapters and endless cliffhangers, begging me to read one more chapter before bed. I cannot believe we are going to have a 6th book!! I’ll read anything about Finlay and I hope that we get a lot more of her and Nick in the next and PLEASE Elle!! Give this girl her happily ever after!

Finlay Donovan does it again. I have read this whole series and they continue to be delightful. At the beginning of the series, the plot twists seemed less plausible, but they are coming together now. I love that we are getting to know Finlay's editor better, and that Julian is still around, even though Finlay's romantic interest is fully on Nick now. Veronica is, as ever, delightful.

not the strongest installment in the series but solid nonetheless. really appreciated the long-awaited truth sharing with nick! and that cliffhanger, omg!

I approached the fifth installment in Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series with a mix of excitement and a bit of worry. Could this wild, zany storyline continue to hold its sparkle without feeling repetitive? I'm thrilled to report that Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave not only stayed the course - it delivered another hilarious, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining ride!
Once again, we're thrown into the chaotic world of Finlay and her ride-or-die partner-in-crime, Vero, along with the usual suspects: Finlay's ex-husband Steven, her ever-patient boyfriend Nick, and the delightfully meddlesome Mrs. Haggerty - who, this time, finds herself at the center of the latest neighborhood scandal. When a dead body is discovered in Mrs.
Haggerty's backyard, all bets are off. While the nosy neighborhood watch president is quickly cleared of the crime, Finlay and Vero can't help but get tangled up in the mystery, leading to another round of over-the-top (but oh-so-fun) antics.
What I love most about this series is how Cosimano balances the absurdity of Finlay's misadventures with genuine heart. The characters feel like old friends at this point - flawed, funny, and endlessly endearing.
And just when you think things might be wrapping up, the final moments hit you with yet another cliffhanger a perfect tease that left me scrambling flipping through the last pages, convinced it was the end of the line for Finlay's story (spoiler: it's not!).
Fast-paced, laugh-out-loud funny, and brimming with lovable characters, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave proves there's still plenty of life (and mischief) left in this series.

I don’t want to give too much away since this is actually the fifth book in the series so I’m just going to say that the focus this time is actually on Mrs. Haggerty, resident busybody and constant thorn in Finlay and Vero’s backsides, and also an all around fabulous side character in the earlier books.

When a dead body is found in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, at first Mrs. Haggerty is considered to be a suspect. Once she is cleared, she needs a place to live while her house is considered a crime scene and moves in with Finlay and Vero. If you’re familiar with Finlay and Vero, you know chaos ensues and that as much as they want to stay far away from whatever is going on at Mrs. Haggerty’s house, trouble will somehow find its way to them, as it always does.

I honestly don’t think I’m ever going to get tired of this series! I adore the entire cast of characters, even the ones we’re probably not supposed to like, and I just can’t get enough of the hilarious and absurd situations they get themselves into in each book.

Every time a new book comes out, I binge read it in a day and just cackle to myself the entire time and, even five books in, my experience was exactly the same! I also love that even with all of the hilarity, the mystery element is always strong, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing.

Elle Cosimano did it again. I can never get enough of this series. The characters are addictive as well as the crimes to be solved. So many loose ends tied together this time and I loved the twists. Mrs. Haggarty's book clubbed Finlay's confessions along with a heavy dose of sneaking and sleuthing kept me coming back for more. Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Arc of the 5th Finlay Donovan installment.
As always I enjoy the relationship between Vero and Finn. If you are looking for a cozy mystery book, with humour look no further. I enjoyed this story more than the 4th book and I read them back to back! The ending has gotten me excited for the next book! Can't wait!

Thank you again!

I love coming back to this universe again and again! I'll truly miss it when it's over. Book 5 has less action (I mean finally no mafia), but I love that the plot revolved around Finlay's little neighborhood and characters introduced from previous books!