Another fun book in this series. At this point Finlay and Vero feel like family at this point so I'm always happy to be back with their schemes and laughs. As usual this book cracked me up the entire time. It didn't feel as high stakes as usual, maybe because they have cleared a lot of their past or because I really don't care about Steven, but I kind of liked it. The ending had a lot of good and shocking twists and I loooooove seeing how Finlay and Nick's relationship is evolving! And of course another shocker cliff hanger to keep us excited for the next book.

Note: As usual, I listened to the audiobook and it was great.

Binged while painting and honestly was the perfect low stakes binge. These books are so silly and goofy and funny and I always have a great time reading them. Definitely very predictable but I liked the premise of this one a lot! Audio was spectacular as always and made the reason experience so good!

I've been dying to know more about Mrs. Haggerty since book and we finally have some answers here!
This is yet another delightful turn for Finlay, Vero, and company. As always, things quick off right from where the last book left us. Did Mrs. Haggerty murder someone?? Through a series of unfortunate events, Mrs. Haggerty ends up staying with Finlay and a highlight of this particular book for me was the dynamic that develops between Mrs. Haggerty and the kids. Hysterical! Many of our favorite characters are back in this installment, though some get less screen time than I would've liked. Notably less on screen were Javi and Georgia. But, we got some great Cam monents and saw the return of Julian (very interesting dynamic there). Additionally, I never would have guessed that I would enjoy Steven's character when reading the first book and yet here we are.

The overall mystery was just okay for me and a little heavy-handed at times, but since I am in it for so much more than just that I didn't mind. One added bonus of this particular storyline is that it led to an actual discussion between Finlay and Nick, our dreamboat cop. No spoilers, but it was pretty great.

**This one does end on a cliffhanger, so expect more hijinks in the future! And to my great relief, probably more Javi!!

I was surprised when I saw there was going to be another Finlay Donovan book because I thought it was a 4 book series. I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline being as engaging as the original four books. It reminds me of the Janet Evanovich books, but a little darker.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advance reader copy and to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

She's back! This is the fifth Finlay Donovan novel. And I think it's my favorite since the first.

We're back with Finlay, Vero, and all their crime solving antics. I think this series works best in order because we get lots of cameos from previous characters, and it helps to know who they are. I loved the way some long running story arcs were revealed.

And the ending set up something really interesting for where we go next. I'm thrilled to feel the series is back in the groove that made me love it. It feels like a mom who gets caught up in a mystery through no fault of her own. And I enjoy that feeling of it could happen to me.

Angela Dawe narrated the audiobook well. I especially prefer the audio format for this series.

The 5th installment of Finlay Donovan series by @ellecosimano is here! I was so excited to get an ARC of this book. I have loved this series since the very first book and book 5– FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE — might be my favorite!

As always, Finlay and Vero are trying to keep themselves out of trouble but find themselves in the center of it instead. After Finlay’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, is cleared of murdering the man found in her garden, she has to stay with Finlay for a bit. I absolutely loved Mrs. Haggerty in this one. For Finlay & Nick fans, don’t worry— Nick is still there and loved where this book took them.

This book would be best reading all of the previous books first, but I feel like it could possibly work as a standalone being it’s a new adventure and the author gives explanations of who the characters are. It’s just much funnier if you know all of their past exploits. Thank you @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for a physical ARC and listening copy! Angela Dawe narrates this one again as she did the previous books and I really can’t hear any other voice for these books. Fantastic job!

Read Completed 3/10/25 | 2 stars | Read #31 of 2025

This was my fault... I just have to stop reading these. I had a terrible time trying to stay focused. I just didn’t care at all. I don't really have a ton to say about it. I just haven't been interested in the plots of these books because it's just the same thing over and over again, but I'm not really feeling any momentum with the characters. It all went downhill from the police academy because I still think that was so stupid. If you see book 6 on my TBR, don't let me read it!! 😂 I think I'm done now.

Another 5 star Finlay Donovan read. I love the cast of characters, humor, and mystery so much and I am always thrilled to see a new release in the series. This was no exception! In addition, I appreciate the consistency in narrator and believe she voices each character uniquely and I really appreciate it.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the read.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was as hilarious as all of Ella Cosimano’s previous books.
The nosey neighbor that lives across the street as a problem with a dead body appearing in her backyard. She decides that she will come live with Finlay until everything is resolved.
This is a quick, fun, entertaining read that I recommend.

Finlay Donovan is a fantastic character. I enjoy everything Cosimano puts these characters through. We pick right up where the last book left off and follow Finlay and Vero as they are yet again thrown into another whirlwind murder case. I do love that Mrs. Haggerty has a bigger role in this book. She livened things up when she had to move in with Finlay and Vero. As always full of humor and enough mystery to keep you wondering what's going to happen yet. I am glad they have stuck with the same narrator throughout the series. She is Finlay to me and I really enjoy the way she reads the story.

Another crazy adventure with Finlay and her crew! I didn’t love the last book in this series, but I feel like FD Digs Her Own Grave makes up for it. The audiobook is easy to listen to and follow. This is such a fun series!

3.5

I have enjoyed this series from the start. It had been funny, full of energy, and filled with action. I do think this has been my least favorite book in the series so far.
I felt like the fun action sequences were missing, the stakes were so low in this one. Little to no threat of being caught or turned in, almost no blackmail.
I enjoyed it, it was just was missing *something.*
From the beginning, I haven’t been a fan of Nick’s, I feel like their relationship seems forced, no way you can keep this much from a partner and yet you’re still this close/in love. Also he must be a pretty awful detective if he’s missing that his girlfriend is the one committing these crimes. I just think he’s a character that the series could do without 😬

The indomitable Finlay Donovan is back and better than ever in the series' fifth installment Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. The book picks up right where the last book left off with Finlay and her best friend Vero freshly returned from some shenanigans in Atlantic City only to find that their nosy, elderly neighbor Mrs. Hagerty has been arrested for murder because there was a random dead body buried in her flower bed. Oops. When Mrs. H is cleared by the police, her house still an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go and the only logical place for her to stay is Finlay's. To get their unwelcome houseguest out, the dynamic duo must discover who the real killer is.

You know how you sometimes cringe and yell at the main characters in a book "No!!! Why are you doing that? This will not end well!"? Finlay and Vero are the queens of bad decisions. And it's fabulous. All of Elle Cosimano's books are easy to read, absolutely hilarious, and addictingly compelling. Her cast of supporting characters is the best. Cosimano's character development is one of my very favorite things about her writing. Not a tired trope among them.

My favorite thing about this book was the visible character growth. Many similar series become so formulaic over time that you feel like you're reading the same book over and over, but these books just keep getting better and better. I have recommended this series so many times, I have started my own little Finlay Donovan book cult. But like a good cult, you know? I listened to the audio version narrated by Angela Dawe and she does a great job of making the characters jump off the proverbial page.

Now I am sad because I have to begin the long wait for book 6. If you haven't read this series yet, you are missing out. Just do it. You can thank me later.

Shout out to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a preview copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan is truly one of those characters you can’t help but root for!

I’ve read every book in the series and while each one has had something enjoyable, this latest installment really ties everything together in a way that’s incredibly satisfying.

Not only do we get a much deeper understanding of the side characters, but the book also provides answers to so many lingering questions that have been building up throughout the series. It’s like the puzzle pieces finally click into place.

This one definitely stands out as one of my favorites!

I love these books so much! It’s the perfect mix of mystery, humor, and romance blended into one super charged murder mystery.

Finlay and Vero always find themselves in the most over the top, sticky situations. The side characters are excellent, you can’t help but love them all. Anyone else picture Steven as Roy from The Office?!

If you haven’t read any of the Finally Donovan books yet I recommend that you start with book 1 and read them in order. Each book ends on a cliff hanger so this book picks up where the 4th book ended.

I highly recommend this series, you will not be disappointed. I personally prefer the audiobook as Angela Dawe does an amazing job narrating!

Reading in Between the Wines book review #27/125 for 2025:
Rating: 3 🍷🍷🍷
Book: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
Author: Elle Cosimano
AVAILABLE NOW!!!

Sipping thoughts: Finlay has gotten into it again. This time, her annoying neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty is along for the ride. I love that this one digs a little deeper into both Finlay and Vero’s love life. I hope there are many more to come in this series.

Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @MacmillanAudio for an advanced copy of @FinlayDonovanDigsHerOwnGrave.

#FinlayDonovanDigsHerOwnGrave #ElleCosimano #MacmillanAudio #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

4.5 ⭐

I really enjoyed the fifth installment in the Finlay Donovan series. The past couple of books have not been quite as good but "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" by Elle Cosimano was very engaging.

Synopsis:

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, have not always gotten along with Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. But when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go . . . except Finlay’s house, right across the street.

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case—or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they’ve dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else.

I loved getting to know Finlay's nemesis Mrs. Hagerty more and the scenes with her and Finlay's children were hilarious. I also enjoy Finlay and Vero's camaraderie and all of their shenanigans. These books will definitely take you away and lighten your load!

Angela Dawe is always excellent as the narrator of all of the characters in the audiobook. This series is highly recommended in the audiobook format.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook.

Overall the Finlay Donovan books are quirky and pretty well written but I'm at the point with the series that I'm questioning if this book and any future additional are really necessary to the series. It's become a series where I'd have to be really in the mood to pick up the next book and it's not something I would immediately seek out and read. This isn't to say this specific book is bad or not enjoyable, but I think the series has run it's course. Otherwise I enjoyed this installment, I liked that we are following someone who up until this point has been a background character, so getting the additional time with her was great.

I just wasn't the biggest fan of this one. The Finlay Donovan series is humorous but the balance of humor and mystery just doesn't sit right for me. I wanted to love this series so bad since everyone raves about it, but its just not for me.

I love this series! It's so funny and just unhinged. It makes me laugh out loud all the time while reading. If you're in a reading slump, please try this series! It's just so good. I love the characters and the mayhem that seems to follow them. The narrator is just amazing and is the voice of Finlay, I couldn't hear it any other way.