4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this advanced audiobook! I have not been as invested and captivated by a Finlay Donovan book since the first one, but I was all in for this one!!

I loved getting more from all the favs - Nick, Vero, Javi, of course Finlay… but also a lot more from Mrs. Haggerty! The romance went up a bit more between Nick & Finlay and I’m all for it! There wasn’t as much Vero, but she still played a decent role in the goings on. The antics were a bit more believable in this one, which I appreciated. Some of the other books went a little off the rails.

Of course the ending perfectly sets up for a future book 6, in typical Finlay Donovan fashion. I’ll absolutely be finishing this series. This one was a pleasure to read!

Available March 4, 2025!

I absolutely love this series, thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in advance. The narrators are perfect. They really make the story! This time Finlay is out to save her ex-husband Stephen from being wrongly accused of a murder. Throw in the nosy neighbor and her book club for a wild ride. This story really makes you think about how you never really know what someone else is going through. Finlay and Vero's banter and antics continue, laugh out loud moments. Swoon worthy moments with Finlay and Nick. I hope this series continues, I will buy every book. The audiobook was great, if you have never listened to an audiobook you are missing out.

Finley Donovan Digs Her Grave is a witty and unpredictable addition to the Finley Donovan series. Elle Cosimano has truly raised the stakes in this installment, creating a perfect mix of humor, suspense, and unexpected twists. This book might just be one of the best in the series so far.

Finlay Donovan and her loyal, quirky nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, are once again thrust into a murder investigation when a body turns up in the backyard of their cantankerous neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. As the neighborhood busybody and president of the neighborhood watch, Mrs. Haggerty is hardly someone Finlay or Vero want to get involved with—but when her home becomes a crime scene, she has nowhere to go except across the street to Finlay’s house.

What makes this installment particularly engaging is the fantastic dynamic between Finlay and Vero. Their banter is sharp and full of dark humor, yet their growing camaraderie and determination to solve the case keeps the stakes high and the tension palpable. The investigation is as much about uncovering secrets as it is about surviving each other's company—and sometimes, finding out what makes Mrs. Haggerty tick is just as complicated as unraveling the mystery at hand.

The story's pacing is excellent, with Cosimano balancing the quirky character moments with plenty of plot twists. I’m definitely looking forward to more.

Thank you Netgalley & Macmillan audio for an ALC of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano! I absolutely love Finlay and Vero, and was so thrilled when this book was announced. As always, I flew through this audio which provided the mystery feel with laugh-out-loud humor. That being said, I'm wondering how many more books we can get out of this series, as all good things must come to an end. It feels that there will be another based on how this one ended.

Love that this one includes Finlay's elderly neighbor Mrs. Haggerty again - She's a great character that brought a lot to the audio and storyline here. This community busybody is up to a whole lot more than just neighborhood watch, and when she's cleared by the police needs a place to stay, essentially squatting at Finlay's house and bringing a whole load of drama with her.

Yes, more Nick. Yes, more Finlay and Vero antics. What's next?

I absolutely loved it!!! The narrator Angela Dawe is one of my favorites. The story was funny and kept me interested in the fact that you wanted to know what is going to happen next. I loved getting in the storyline of Mrs. Haggerty. I cannot wait for the next book in the storyline.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC audiobook. This is another fantastic book in the Finlay series. Again Finlay and Vero get themselves involved in ridiculous and hilarious capers and need to find answers and get themselves and others out of trouble. This series is always a fast and fun read and guaranteed to bring laughter. Always fun to see what kind of trouble Finley is going to get herself in and what hot sexy time she will get in with Nick.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano, narrated by Angela Dawe, is an absolute gem! The series just keeps getting better and better, and this installment is my favorite yet. The fun twist of Mrs. Haggerty staying with Finlay added so much humor and charm to the story. Angela Dawe’s narration is spot-on, bringing the characters to life with such realism that you feel like you're right there with them. (I received an advance listener copy and all opinions are my own.) A thrilling, witty, and engaging read that I couldn’t put down! Highly recommend for fans of cozy mysteries and great storytelling.

It’s best to leave real-life expectations at the door when you pick up this book and simply enjoy the pure entertainment these characters bring to the table. Elle Cosimano delivers everything I’ve come to love about the Finlay Donovan series: shenanigans, old friends, sharp-witted dialogue, and a plot that delightfully abandons realism (which, let’s be honest, has been part of the charm since book one).

This fifth installment is just as fun and engaging as ever. For me, the true highlight remains the female friendship between Finlay and Vero. Their dynamic is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, making them the emotional core of the story. The support network of women in this book, in particular, really warmed my heart—even when their loyalty veers into, let’s say, “morally questionable” territory (yes, I’m talking about murder—oops!).

The romance between Finlay and Nick still warms my heart and satisfies my romantic side. It’s not, and never will be, the main focus of these books—it’s more like a sexy afterthought. But for this series, it works perfectly, and I never feel like I’m missing anything.

And Mrs. Haggerty? An absolute hoot. She steals every scene she’s in and adds even more joy to the chaos.

Now, about the audiobook—it’s just the icing on the cake. Honestly, I could never go back to reading the old-fashioned way. The narration elevates the hilarity and overall entertainment to a whole new level. Bravo to the narrator for bringing these characters to life so vividly!

If you’re after a book full of humor, hijinks, heartfelt connections, and just the right sprinkle of romance, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a must-read—and even better as a must-listen!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is the fifth installment in the Finlay Donovan series, and it continues to deliver on the humor, suspense, and chaos that fans have come to love.
The narration is spot-on, with a perfect balance of wit and drama that elevates the experience. I actually enjoy listening to this particular series more then reading it.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this audio ARC.
Publisher date: 3-4-25

Finlay and Vero are back! There is just something about this duo that keeps me turning the pages. While not my favorite of the bunch (I think Killing It will always be my favorite), this was so much fun. I especially liked getting more of Mrs. Haggerty, Sylvia, and Cam. They add so much to the story, and I love the found family vibes.

Nick and Finlay fans will be in Heaven as their romance gets more page time. While I enjoy their relationship and romance, the mystery and Vero are pushed to the wayside (just a bit), and I think the mystery suffers a little. It took some time to get into the meat of the mystery, and I never felt like Finlay and Vero were involved enough.

Digs Her Own Grave feels like the end of an arc, which is good. It will be fun to see where the duo goes from here. Of course, the ending sets up the future story, and I can't wait to see how they get out of this one.

Angela Dawe is once again fantastic as the cast of characters. She brings each character to life.

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

4.5 stars

One of my favorites of the series! In this installment, we get to spend a lot more time with Finlay's neighbor Mrs. Haggarty, who finds herself a murder suspect when a body is discovered in her backyard. With her home an active crime scene, Mrs. Haggerty insists on staying with Finlay and Vero so she can maintain her neighborhood watch duties. This book has all of the humor and banter we've come to expect from a Finlay Donovan story, with all of the favorite characters returning to solve another murder mystery. I really enjoyed the Agatha Christie vibes of this story, it was fun to see more aspects of Mrs. Haggarty's personality, and I always enjoy the crazy situations Finlay and Vero get themselves into!

The audiobook (9h 11m), narrated by Angela Dawe, is fantastic! She voices all of the characters with so much humor and emotion; she really brings the story to life. I am amazed by how much range she has with her voices.

I love this series and can't wait for more adventures with Finlay and Vero!

I will share a review on Instagram closer to the publication date and will update my feedback with a link to that review once available.

Finlay Donovan is back, and chaos follows her like a stray dog with a vendetta. In Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, our favorite accidental hitwoman-turned-detective finds herself in yet another disaster—this time, with a body in her nosy neighbor’s yard and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

As always, Finlay and her ride-or-die, Vero, fumble their way through crime-solving with a mix of bad decisions, wild schemes, and just enough luck to keep them alive (barely). The tension is high, the banter is top-tier, and the twists will keep you guessing. This series just gets better, and if you love murder with a side of absolute chaos, you’re in for a treat.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, the author and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

#bookstagram @macmillan.audio @ellecosimano #finlaydonovandigsherowngrave @netgalley

I can’t remember if all the books are fade to black @ellecosimano are they?

This one is hilarious, I don’t know if it’s too soon to read again but I am so tempted. Elle always makes me cackle and I just love books that make me feel this way!

This is an adult humorous fiction so there is adult jokes and innuendos. I love so many characters in this series and I even fell in love with a very nosy neighbor in this one! Book 1: Finlay Donovan is killing it - start here!

Thank you @ellecosimano and @netgalley for this amazing ARC!

This series is my absolute favorite. The narrator is perfection. The writing amazing.
I will admit this was my least favorite of the 5 but only because it seemed to lack some of the exciting pace until the very end. I am curious about book 6 because I feel like the last couple have ended with a cliffhanger and this one didn’t. So where too next?? Wherever it is, I’m going!

I have enjoyed this series!!! Excited to see the entire gang is back in action - this time it stays close to home with a body found in the neighborhood. Finlay. Vero are thrusted into the mystery and need to help in hopes of covering up any of their past mistakes.

I thought it was such a fun read, book four was a little slow for me, this one is back into the fun of the earlier books of Finlay Donovan.

5 ⭐️ The fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series is almost here!

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner in crime Vero are finally done with murderers. That is until their neighbor from across Mrs. Haggerty the street is arrested after a body is discovered buried in her backyard.

The police quickly clear her, but her house is still an active crime scene. As the neighborhood busybody, Mrs. Haggerty needs to stay close to her house to keep an eye on things. So who does she stay with? Neither Finlay nor Vero are thrilled to have another house guest, but she’s moving in, and with that comes trouble.

My thoughts: I have not enjoyed a Finlay Donovan book this much since the very first book. I loved seeing all of our recurring characters come back in different ways. I loved how much of Nick we get in this book. I loved how much we got to learn about Mrs. Haggerty. It’s all just so fun.

Angela Dawe is a fantastic narrator. She knows these characters inside and out, and I love how unique her voice is for each one.

Overall, this book was fantastic! It leaves you on a cliffhanger, as per usual for this series. I cannot wait to see what the next installment of this amazing series will hold! 5 stars.

Angel Dawe does it again with another great narration of our favorite characters in the Finlay Donovan universe. This is definitely a series and should be read in order. It's also a good choice for audiobook listening- Angela Dawe gives distinct voice to each character, the plot pacing is just right, and there's an appropriate number of characters to follow.

Fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series would likely enjoy the Finlay Donovan series. There's a hot cop, a dynamic duo of female leads with a strong and enviable friendship, mystery, and humor. And just like the Plum series, there's the meta-story of the main characters lives that does progress from book to book, albeit a bit too slow.

Book Review: Finley Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

Elle Cosimano delivers yet another fantastic installment in the Finley Donovan series, and Finley Donovan Digs Her Own Grave might just be the best one yet. Packed with humor, suspense, and the kind of chaotic charm that makes this series so addicting, this book had me hooked from start to finish.

One of the standout elements of this installment was getting to see more of Miss Hagerty. Her expanded role brought a new layer to the story, and it was fascinating to get a deeper look into her character. She’s always been an intriguing presence, but this time, she truly shines.

Delia and Zach continue to be chef’s kiss perfection. Their sibling antics feel so authentic and entertaining—Cosimano captures the essence of young kids and their never-ending ability to create the greatest (and most hilarious) problems.

And of course, Finley and Vero remain an unbeatable duo. Their partnership is the heart of the series, and once again, their misadventures had me laughing out loud. The blend of crime, comedy, and camaraderie is perfectly executed, making their dynamic as fun as ever.

With its sharp wit, lovable characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, Finley Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is an absolute must-read. I’m already counting down the days until the next book—because if this series has taught us anything, it’s that Finley’s troubles (and our entertainment) are far from over!

There's a dead body buried in Finlay's neighbors yard, and everyone in her circle is a suspect (including Finlay). Finlay and Vero work together to help find the killer in between tending to their busy-body neighbor, dodging Finlay's literary agent, and potty training.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is quite possibly my favorite book in the series. I never tire of Finlay and Vero's adventures and have so much fun putting the clues together. I found the scenes with Nick and Finlay quite entertaining and it's wonderful to see these two get closer and closer. This book had me laughing out loud and on the edge of my seat!

I enjoyed this on audio and can't say enough about Angela Dawe's narration. This is the first book in the series that I've utilized the audio version and now I feel like I need to go back to the beginning because of how effective Angela is!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio / Minotaur Books for this advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano Narrated by Angela Dawe in exchange for an honest review. It publishes March 4, 2025.
First off, I always enjoy Angela Dawe’s work, bringing Finlay and the crew to life!
This was an excellent installment in this series, the character development was so good, and it definitely keeps me coming back for more!
I really enjoyed the overall mystery, and getting to know more of neighbors and friends was great! If you’ve enjoyed any of the other books in the series, you’ll love this one, too!