Narrated once again by the amazing Angela Dawes! This series is dynamite! This time, Finlay and Vero get caught p with resident busy-body neighbor, Margaret Hagerty. There seems to have been a body found in her rosebushes. However, things really take a turn when Finlay's ex-husband, Steven, is charged with the murder. Getting out of sticky situations seems to be Finlay's forte and this mystery is no different.
Luckily for us Finlay fans, this series will definitely be continuing. Next up, getting Vero out of trouble!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

Book 5 in the Finlay Donovan Series continues as has her earlier ones, right where the previous book left off. Her neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty has been arrested after a body was found buried in her backyard. She is the neighborhood busy body, watcher of all that is going on and quite cranky. But when she turns to Finlay for help, how could Finlay say no. Well she tired will little success.

This book had a different feel than the previous ones in this series. The previous ones sometimes had a outrageous convoluted feel with too much suspending of belief while at the same time still being entertaining. With Digs Her Own Grave, it is a story that had relevant and poignant themes while still being mysterious and humorous.

I was given the audio, which is how I have read the other books. The reader is Angela Dawe who again delivered an awesome performance. She brings the book and characters to life. If you haven’t read any of the series, I highly suggest you start at the beginning otherwise nothing really is going to make sense.

Digs Her Own Grave shows a side of Mrs. Haggerty that no one expects.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

3.5 stars. This was my first time reading/listening to a Finlay Donovan book (at the time I chose it, I didn't realize it was the 5th book of the series) and I really enjoyed it. It is a cozy comical mystery that keeps you entertained. It's a quick, easy read/listen and the characters are fun, quirky, and relatable.

The audio narration was easy to follow along and listen to. The voices fit the characters and were easy to distinguish. I will definitely be going back to read/listen to the first book. Each novel ends with a cliffhanger that leads you into the next, which I find to be a fun element of this series.

A cozy mystery isn't my typical genre which is why I gave it 3.5 stars but I would recommend this audiobook to others (although I'd probably recommend starting with the first book). While this can be read/listened to as a stand alone, I'm under the impression that there is character development that builds in the first 4 novels and carries through to this. I am already planning to read/listen the 6th book whenever it is published (2026) to find out what happens next! Below I've listed the order in which the series should be read.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (2021)

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead (2022)

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (2023)

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (2024)

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (2025)


Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for allowing me the opportunity to read/listen and review this book.

i was NOT expecting that twist, it was so good! i can’t wait for the next book in the series

i want to do a ride along with finlay and vero i love them so muchhhhhhh

Have I said that I love Finlay Donovan before? Because I freakin' love Finlay Donovan! She always finds a way to get herself into some precarious situations that end up being absolutely hilarious!

In the 5th installment in the series, Mrs. Haggerty was arrested for murder when they found a body buried in her backyard. She has since been released, but the power is shut off to her house, leaving her with nowhere to stay. Her grandson Brendan drops her off on Finlay's doorstep and she moves herself into Finlay's bedroom for the weekend (cough, cough). If Mrs. H didn't murder the man in her backyard, who did?

Things progress and fingers start being pointed at Stephen. How is Stephen always the bad guy? I mean, he is, but still lol. But Finlay knows deep down that Stephen didn't kill this man. It's up to her and Vero to step in and prove that he isn't the murderer. With the help of Hot Cop Nick, Cam and his Purple Eggplant, Mrs. H and her book club, the chaos ensues.

I really enjoyed this book and am so glad that the author has kept this series going! This one was a lot more believable and less far fetched than the last few installments. I absolutely loved the scenes with Mrs. H homeschooling Delia and Zac. The potty training scenes were laugh-out-loud hilarious. The Purple Eggplant, too funny! And the way Cam is with his dog, precious! And don't even get me started on Mrs. H's book club! That sounds like the type of book club that I want to be a member of (no shade to my own book club). This motley crew is to die for. 4.5 stars for FD Digs Her Own Grave. I can't wait to see what Cosimano has in store for #6!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

I love the Finlay Donovan series and was so excited to get an advanced copy of the latest story, book 5. This story is just what I expected - funny, hijinks, and a good mystery.

This story starts right where the last book ended, which admittedly did take me a minute to remember where we left off. I love that things keep rolling, but I almost need an "in the last episode" reminder when I go so long between books.

The story is funny and has a few new characters. There is also an ongoing romance. I would not recommend reading this as a standalone, the books need to be read in order for everything to make sense. The narration is fabulous, and I love returning to Finlay's crazy life.

Finlay Donovan has done it again, somehow stumbled into another mess of murder and mystery.

This time she's positive Steven had nothing to do with the body found at their neighbors, despite evidence to the contrary. Nick is trying his best to keep he out of trouble, and is hoping to help her, even despite Finalys reservations. Her nosy neighbor, Ms Haggerty, lands at her house and manages to become a part of the family, by homeschooling Delia and potty training Zach. However, as she soon discovers Ms. Haggerty is more than a busy body next door, she has her own secrets and plenty of them.

As always Vero and Finaly stumble through and manage to come out realively unscathed. Just when you think they both might be getting their happily ever after, Vero's past comes back to haunt her.

The narration, as always, is on point. Angela Dawes really makes Finlay and Vero come to life.

Another fun adventure with Finlay Donovan! These books are so much fun to read. I love how light-hearted this series is, while still being engaging. I enjoyed bringing back and learning more about previous characters, such as Cam and Ms. Haggerty. This series is best if read in order because there are so many characters and plot lines that are repeated throughout. I think my interest in the series had been waning and this book got me right back into it.. I am looking forward to the next one!

Angela Dawe is a fabulous narrator, as always.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

It has been such a long time since I've binged a series!

Finlay Donovan is such a fun ride... and after finishing this one, I wish I could keep binging this series forever! It's so much fun, crazy escapades, mob drama, and a solid amount of hijinks. Finlay and Vero are such a great team and the whole concept of this series is ridiculously fun.

The way this book ended though.... CRIMINAL. Straight to jail Elle Cosimano! And no cops like Nick to save you!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

This was my favorite Finlay Donovan since the first! Full of the same, adored characters, this story felt more balanced and less absurd than some of the last few. The subplot with Nick also finally felt like it was moving in a logical way.

Loved this installment and can’t wait for the next!

Finlay is ready for a weekend in her pajamas, eating pizza, and binge watching TV after the craziness of the last few months.
But when a body is found in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard and her ex-husband, Steven, is arrested as a suspect, Finlay’s plans change.
Finlay, Vero, and the gang are at it again as they try to find the real murderer and get Steven cleared as a suspect.
How hard can it be given the events of Finlay’s life the past six months? I mean, all she has to do is track down a murderer, clear her ex-husband’s name, deal with Delia’s two week school suspension, Zach’s refusal to keep his pants on while potty training, come to terms with her feelings toward Nick, and Mrs.Haggerty moving in while her house is being repaired. Oh, and don’t forget her publishing agent, Sylvia, who is determined to get Finlay’s books on the big screen!
If anyone can do it, it’s Finlay Donovan!

While the pacing of this one was a bit slower, I enjoyed getting to know the characters at a deeper level. The story kept me glued from beginning to end in a way that Elle Cosimano has mastered with her writing. I have listened to all of the books in this series and love how the talented voice actress, Angela Dawe, beautifully brings to the story and characters to life!

While this is the fifth book in a series, I feel you could jump into this one and understand what is going on. However, since this is such an incredible series, I would absolutely recommend binging all of them!

Thank you NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, and St.Martin’s Press for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, ahead of its proposed release date, in exchange for a candid review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Finlay Donovan is my guilty pleasure. I don’t know what I’ll ever do if this suburban single mom doesn’t keep finding herself surrounded by dead bodies. I know we are supposed to hate the pesky Mrs. Kravitz doppelgänger but I just can’t. Hot Cop grew on me in this one too. Vero as usual keeps us laughing. Counting down the days until info on # 6 drops!

Angela Dawe was perfection on audio as usual.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book through NetGalley. I was able to get the e-read and the audio, audio being my preferred reading method for the Finlay Donovan series.

This is my favorite Finlay book in the series so far! I was positive this would be the final book in the series, but I am no longer convinced and that makes me excited.

Finlay is back and so are her counterparts- Vero, Nick, Mrs. Haggerty, and more. Like usual, so much nonsense is taking place and in the end, I side with Mrs. Haggerty (who would have thought the day would come?).

Dear Elle,

Don't make us wait too long to see what Finlay and Vero do next, okay?

Sincerely,

Elle Mick

Another amazing installment in the Finlay Donovan series! I can't believe we're already up to #5 and they just Keep Getting BETTER! If you haven't read book 1 - Finlay Donovan Is Killing It - You should! I can't recommend it enough! Hilarious and endearing. Although the mystery starts and ends in one book, the continued stories and threads would make starting with this one tough, so I recommend starting with Book1 and enjoying them all!

This one finds Finlay in the midst of things finally settling down and her trying to sort life and get her youngest potty trained and wearing pants consistently. When, much to her horror, a body is found in her neighbor's yard! Not only that, but a yard that her ex-husband did landscaping for - around that time - and suddenly they are all back on the detective's radars again!

Still funny, full of lively characters, humor that had me giggling and a mystery that kept me hooked to the page. I love Vero and Finlay, the love interests and the kids. I loved the twists in this one and the conclusion was so so good. And YES! This one leaves the reader wanting more! We're definitely getting another installment and I'm so so excited!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Once again Finlay and Vero get themselves into a few dicey spots.

I love the interaction with the kids as they are growing up and developing.

Looking forward to the next one.

This series just gets better and better. We're back with Finlay and Vero as a body is found just across the street. Their very nosy, elderly neighbor is suspect number one until she gets quickly released and Finlay's ex is picked up. The neighbor somehow moves in with Finlay, Finlay is working to clear her ex of any wrongdoing, and a neighborhood book club becomes the gossip group of the town. It's all more than Finlay can handle but handle it she does. The humor and wit of this book made me laugh out loud. Angela Dawe is back as the narrator which makes it all the better. Her performance of this crew is perfection. I love every second of it. I fall more in love with these characters with every release. While it is a ton of fun to catch inside jokes and little snippets from earlier books, you can definitely read each one as a standalone. I inhale these books as each comes out and immediately want the next. They are the perfect amount of lighthearted fun that the world needs right now. I highly recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a little escape and a lot of laughter.

4.5 stars

This series continues to be one of my favorites to listen to. The mix of humor, mystery, and romance keep the series interesting. This installment focuses on Finlay’s nosy elderly neighbor Mrs. Haggerty and the discovery of a a body in her garden.

I find this narrator to be perfect in this role with her different voices and delivery. There is always at least one laugh out loud moment. I am looking forward to the next one which seems to be starring nanny Vero.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth book in the Finley Donovan series with all the cast characters we have come to know. Finlay and Vero are back along with Finlay’s love interest Nick, ex-husband Steve and their two children Delia and Zach; Javi, Vero’s husband or is he just her fiancé and of course the annoying and very nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty!

When a dead body is discovered in a grave in the back garden at Mrs. Haggerty’s house, she becomes the first suspect. With no place to go and even knowing that she is not a welcomed neighbor in the Donovan household, once cleared and release Mrs. Haggerty decided the best place to be .. right across the street with Finlay.

So, who was the guilty person that was responsible for the dead body showing up in Mrs. Haggerty’s new garden. Finlay’s ex-husband Steve becomes the newest suspect since he had just finish creating that new garden. Finaly’s just know it is not her ex.

Between getting Mrs. Haggerty out of her house and clearing ex-husband Steven as a suspect is a real motive for Finlay and Vero to solve this mystery.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was a fun quick story filled with humor and undercover sneaking around as the ladies unravel who was the real killer and why Mrs. Haggerty’s back yard was used. In the end will Finlay finally come clean to Nick about her past and will they finally commit to a real relationship? Will Steve be exonerated? Will Mrs. Haggerty leave the Donovan household. So many questions to be answered and once more we are left with another cliffhanger.

This was my first of this series I did by audiobook, Angela Dawe has narrated the entire series. I thought she was fantastic.

Thank you, Elle Cosimano, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I'm not kidding when I say I was GIDDY reading the prologue in this book. I love this series so incredibly much and Cosimano always finds a way to make Finlay and Vero's hijinks entertaining and unputdownable.

After a body is dug up in the queen of the neighborhood watch, Mrs. Haggerty's yard, and Finlay's ex-husband Steven becomes the chief suspect, Finlay and Vero embark on another amateur detective adventure to clear his name. I have to say I am very glad that this story didn't focus on Finlay and Vero being almost criminals, but rather their sleuthing skills.

Mrs. Haggerty is definitely the star of this show, and I found this book just as good as the previous four in the series. AND it ends on a cliffhanger, so I'm praying we get more Finlay and Vero in the future.

As always, Angela Dawe does a great job narrating these books.

FIVE STARS. Easy. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

I just love Finlay and this book was probably my favorite so far. In this book Finlay comes home from Atlantic City to find that her "favorite" neighbor Mrs. Haggerty has been convicted of a crime and she is being release from jail. Of course, the woman's house is now a mess and she has no where to go, but Finlay's house. Not only does Mrs. Haggerty make herself at home in Finlay's house, she suspiciously takes walks through the neighborhood leaving a note in someone's mail box.
While this book has many of the charms of the other books, it does not have all of the hair pulling, teeth biting cringe moments that the other books had. I also love that it pulls together a theme that we have been seeing in many of the other novels.
I listened to this book, as I have with all the others, and I think that Angela Dawe does a great job with the narration. To me she is Finlay and I think she carputers her and the other characters so well.