This book is a great continuation of the series. I’m always amazed to see the situations that Finlay and Vero find themselves in. The situations are absolutely wild and hard to believe but Elle Cosimano does an amazing job at finding the humor in wild and unbelievable situation that somehow feel believable.

I absolutely love this series! I have read all of them and suggest the audiobook form!

This is the 5th book so I won’t mention the plot. Each book builds on the last.

This is a cozy mystery, thriller series with comedy and an amazing cast of characters. While this one wasn’t as action packed as book 4, I still enjoyed it. It did feel like a filler book (so giving it 4 stars) but I love these characters so much I didn’t mind the less action. I highly recommend this series. Such a fun quick read. The audiobook narration is amazing as always with this series.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
Finlay Donovan series #5. Mystery, amateur sleuth with humor and toddlers.
Mrs Haggerty is the neighborhood busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. Needless to say, not in their best interest when disposing of dead bodies. However, Mrs Haggerty needs a bit of assistance now and Finlay and Vero step up to help. Or Mrs Haggerty barges her way in and demands it. Whatever works to smooth the way. It’s another murder case and refusing to help is just not in their nature. Because Mrs Haggerty may just know too much.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this story, performed by Angela Dawe who does the full series (except the novella). The voices of the characters are distinct and recognizable. The actions are heard, Vero is clearly a Jersey girl, and the children, while not quite realistic, are still laugh out loud amusing. The narrator gives these stories a unique edge consistently through the series. It helps put the reader immediately into the story and place from book to book. I did speed up the playback to 1.5 to match reading speed but could have slowed down, simple to enjoy a revisit to this world.

Reads a bit like a conclusion though I have no knowledge if it is or it isn’t.
Amusing and fun to revisit. These are like a sweet treat. You know it’s going to be a bit quirky with a body or two, neighbors, toddler antics and at least one pop up from the ex and the cop. And you look forward to all of it. That Finlay Donovan’s world.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

I am always so excited to see that a new book in this series has been created- the audio books are my absolute favourite series of all time to listen to -- the narrator is just so good. I love all the characters and wish I personally new them -- so much fun and I often find myself laughing out loud at their antics. I cannot say this is my favourite of the series, but it is still a very amusing ride! I am so happy that a follow-up will be coming after this one, and I can't wait to see what happens next. I cannot recommend these enough - Finlay is my hero!

I absolutely loved this audio book. The narrator is Angela Dawe...she definitely makes the book so good. I would say the audio book makes the story come to life.

Finlay and Vero are BACK!

This was my favorite books in this series. It was so good. Like all the books in this series it starts off right where book 4 left off.


"Finlay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet . . . but at least there's not a body in her backyard." Finlay and Vero are on the case to figure out who put the body in Mrs Haggerty's backyard.

This book ends with another cliff hanger and so excited that will be another adventure.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a fast paced action packed mystery with all of the elements at work to keep the reader riveted and unable to turn off the audio. I loved getting to know Mrs. Haggerty, the neighbor across the street, while Finlay and Vero’s characters just keep getting better with every chapter. Ms. Cosimano’s creation of Cam, the sidekick, and the larger than life agent, Sylvia, add humor and just the right amount of levity.

Angela Dawe, the narrator, is super talented and really presented Ms. Cosimano’s intricate and clever story exquisitely.

Thank you so much to Ms. Cosimano, NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this phenomenal book. I can’t wait for the next one in the series!

Elle Cosimano does it again! These novels keep getting better and the audiobooks and the narrator make my morning commute so much fun! Just when I think Finlay can not get herself in anymore trouble, she does! With the addition of a nosy neighbor (we all have one), Finlay and Vero continue their usual hijinks that had me literally laughing out loud on my commute. Just when I think I this series can't get any crazier, it always does and in a good way!

I think this 5th Finlay Donovan novel is one of the best!

Zach and Delia continue to be fun and precocious, and Vero continues to roast ex-husband Steven in the best possible way. Hot Cop Nick and Finlay up the relationship ante, and some threads from previous books are neatly tied up in this one. But the absolute star of the show was Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. She brought a breath of fresh air to the series when she is forced to move into Finlay's while her house becomes an active crime scene.

The audiobook continues to be top notch with the same narrator at the helm.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

What I love most about this author’s writing style is her ability to grab your attention from the very first paragraph. She has a knack for making you think one thing is happening when, in reality, something entirely different is going on. It’s a clever mind trick that keeps the story feeling fresh and unpredictable, setting the stage for plenty of twists and turns.

I was especially thrilled to see Mrs. Haggerty return in this fifth installment of the series. Her geriatric hijinks never fail to entertain—she’s the nosy neighborhood busybody and a delightful presence in every scene she’s in.

This plot was a wild ride from start to finish. A dead man turns up in Finlay’s backyard, kicking off an amateur investigation led by Finlay and her ever-resourceful sidekick, Vero—all while law enforcement is conducting their own inquiry. As if that weren’t enough, Finlay also has to juggle her kids’ antics, her ex-husband’s arrest, a know-it-all PTA mom, a women’s book club, and a fair share of romance. The signature chaos that defines this series is in full force, making for another fun and fast-paced read.

I also appreciate that the audiobook continues to feature the same narrator, who once again delivers an excellent performance, bringing the characters and their antics to life.

I think this is my favorite of the entire series! It gave me a lot of the same feelings I had back when I first started reading book one, back to a slightly less complicated plot.

It was easy to follow and fast paced and fun, I felt like we really got to see more of Finlay and Vero as characters and how they worked through situations vs lots of detailed plot points like a few of the other books.

The twists were interesting and not always expected, but not out of left field either. It felt more realistic (which I know isn’t always the point or fun of the series!), but did make it easier to have some character development.

And the cliffhanger! Does this mean we’re getting a book 6?!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with an advance advanced listener copy of this book!

Elle Cosimano delivers another irresistibly fun, fast-paced mystery with Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave! Packed with sharp humor, quirky characters, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this latest installment keeps readers entertained and guessing. Finlay and Vero’s antics are as hilarious as ever, and the twists will keep you guessing. If you love witty banter, chaotic crime-solving, and a dash of romance, this is a must-read. Cosimano continues to prove why Finlay Donovan is one of the most entertaining heroines in the genre!

Thank you Elle Cosimano, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

In the latest installment of Finlay Donovan we see Finlay and Vero take on more than they can handle. From running from the bad guys, trying to potty train Zach, Nick and Finlay's relationship and add in babysitting Mrs. Haggerty, this is a hilarious book from start to finish. You get everything you expect from a new Finlay book and maybe even a few surprises. Would recommend to friends.

At this point in the story, I will follow Finlay to the ends of the earth! These characters have become so near and dear to me and the hijinx remain endlessly entertaining.

Finlay's husband is accused and incarcerated when a missing man shows up buried in a neighbor's yard. While he's not a saint by any stretch and an everlasting pain in Finlay's life, she just can't believe he would do such a thing. Meanwhile, her agent is pushing for a TV or movie deal of Finlay's books and the potential for dots to be connected by police of Finlay's previous shenanigans is more than anyone wants to deal with.
While this isn't my favorite in the series, it certainly was a fun listen. I'm sure a physical read of this is just as good, but Angela Dawe continues to nail Finlay's character and bring out both the humor and the whodunnit feels in the best possible way. Highly recommend this (and the others in the series) on audio. It can be read as a standalone, but I do think reading the series in order would make the characters more lovable and more like that long lost friend you get a good long visit with as they publish.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the alc. All thoughts are my own.

Finlay and her sidekick Vero are back for another adventure. This time they are trying to solve the mystery of how a dead body ended up buried at their elderly and cranky neighbor, Mrs Haggerty's home. Once Mrs Hagerty is cleared for the crime (and moves in with Finlay) Stephen, Finlay's ex husband is accused of the murder and that's when Finlay and Vero step in to help solve the case.

I have now read all of these books. Some of the books are better than others (this series is definitely a case of bookstagram made me do it). I even debated not continuing the series but I am so glad that I did because this one was so much fun and was exactly the antidote needed for the swirling in my head of everything going on right now in the world. It was quick, it was fun, it made me smile and this is up there as one of my favorites of the series (battling it out with the first). If you were debating this newest installation, I say pick it up (but only if you've read the rest, as I learned the hard way, this is not a series you can step into without the earlier one). I mainly listened to the audio because I always love the audio for these books, the narrator adds an extra element of enjoyment for me because of the humor and chaos.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC to review

I have enjoyed all the books in this series, and this one was stellar.

We have now moved on from the MOB and now bodies are showing up in the neighborhood. Finlay and Vero are on the case when it appears that someone is setting up Finlay's ex-husband. Once again we are left with a cliffhanger!

Narrator Angela Dawe was wonderful as always!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

What does potty training, nosy neighbors, book club, and murders have in common? After the last book, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue with the series, but this one was fantastic! The humor, the crazy situations, and the romance combine to create a great escape.

Angela Dawe is an incredible narrator, one of the best I’ve ever heard.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook.

A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave delivers the perfect mix of chaos, crime-solving, and humor, with Finlay once again finding herself in a mess only she (and Vero) could get into. The twists kept me guessing, the banter had me laughing, and Angela Dawe’s narration made the audiobook an absolute must-listen. Whether you’re reading or listening, you’ll devour this one.

⭐ 4.5 stars! Highly recommended for fans of witty, fast-paced mysteries.

Want a full breakdown of what I loved (and what had me holding my breath)? Read my in-depth review here: https://thesoftandslowlife.com/finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-audiobook-review/

Finlay and Vero are back and this time they have an unwanted house guest, their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. They are trying to discover how a body ended up being buried in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. Inevitably the two end up way over their heads and must find a way out of another dangerous situation.

This series never gets old, between the snappy dialogue and the humor there is always a great mystery to be solved. This time it is a doozy!! The addition of Mrs Haggerty added another layer on to the chaotic life that Finlay has. I will read these as long as she continues to write them! So much fun!!

The narration for the audiobook was fantastic as always!!
4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review .

Perhaps my favorite of the Finlay Donovan series--so far. All my favorite characters were in this one, plus I'm now a big fan of Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody! Like the other Finlay Donovan books, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a fun read, perfect for when you're looking for something on the lighter side and you need some laughs. And that cliffhanger! Eagerly awaiting Finlay Donovan #6 to see what happens next!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.