My goodness I never want this series to end. I LOVE Finlay & Vero and this one may be my second favorite (nothing will ever beat the first) of the series.

Finlay’s ex-husband Steven is suspected of murder after a body is found across the street from Finlay’s house, and she will do anything she can to prove his innocence. This one is LAUGH OUT LOUD funny and super entertaining.

It’s hard to say too much since this is book 5 and I don’t want to spoil anything but there are lots of cameos back to book one - some things I had forgotten and I love how she reiterates it just enough to spark a memory (it’s been a year since I read book 4 so minor details had been lost but came back to me 😜)

If you haven’t read this series yet, what are you waiting for?!

Elle, please never end this because I just love it so much.

HUGE thanks to MacMillan Audio & NetGalley for my ALC

#MacAudio2025

Finlay and Vero are back, and though this entry is a little less funny than previous ones, author Elle Cosimano goes a little deeper this time with the emotions as first Mrs. Haggerty then Finlay's ex Steven need the amateur sleuths' help.

Finlay and Vero have just returned from their adventures in Atlantic City, when their very nosy, elderly and unfriendly neighbour Mrs. Haggerty is arrested by police after a body is discovered in her backyard.

Once cleared by police, Mrs. Haggerty cannot return to her home as the heat is off, the grounds are a mess, and her home is still a crime scene, so Mrs. Haggerty's grandson begs Finlay to take his grandmother in, until he can get things fixed at her place.


Very, very reluctantly, Finlay agrees, and Mrs. Haggerty proceeds to take over Finlay's bedroom and life, forcing Finlay to take her to book club meetings, but Mrs. Haggerty also takes it upon herself to teach Delia (after an incident at school forces the principal to suspend Delia) and to potty train the younger Zach.

The book club meetings prove to be weirdly suspicious to Finlay, and once Steven is next seen as prime suspect, Finlay begins paying closer attention to Mrs. Haggerty's comings and goings, and to the members of the book club.

She's also come to a point in her relationship with Nick that she's wondering how she can continue to juggle all her lies and prevarications.

Though I said this was a little less funny than previous instalments, that doesn't mean this was boring or slow moving. Quite the contrary. Lots happens, and Finlay and Vero get themselves in and out of predicaments while Finlay is trying to prove Steven is not guilty of murdering then burying the man found in Mrs. Haggerty's yard.

In the process, we learn much more about Mrs. Haggerty, and she emerges as a smart, sympathetic character with rough edges.

What was surprising was I actually felt ever so slightly more sympathetic towards Steven by the end of this story, despite him still being a liar and cheater.

I also liked how Finlay resolved the dilemma she had about Nick; this sets the relationship on a slightly different course, but more stable.

The audiobook was a pleasure to listen to, and voice actor Angela Dawe keeps the characters' interactions amusing, but also brings the anger and sadness Finlay feels as she reexperiences how Steven broke her heart and trust and Dawe's interpretation of Mrs. Haggerty was such a hoot!

And that ending means Finlay has more sleuthing ahead of her. Can't wait!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read and review Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, a novel,
by Elle Cosimano on NetGalley.

Published: 03/04/25
Narrator: Angela Dawe

Stars: 4

Tying up loose ends with a twist while not advancing the characters storyline is how I would describe book #5.

The under story is clever and the ending impressed me. I was "oh my" when I figured out where the book was going. Cosimano drew me back into the craziness with opened eyes. I was waxing and waning and bored.

The bantering is okay, that is the style of Finlay Donovan; it's the cheating, the spousal ridiculousness, and playing the Detective for a fool that just doesn't sit well with me.

The ending went on into the epilogue and could have been reduced. They were both way too long.

Was this a necessary chapter in the Donovan series? I don't think so. This feels more like a striking while the iron is hot book.

The narrator works for me. I can keep up with the characters by her voice. She is the reason I will pick up book #6 (which is what I expected book #5 to be.)

A good mystery, but this is a middle of series entry and some of the plot points need explaining. The story does explain them, though, and it helps tie the previous books into this one. The MC has a nice circle of family and friends, and the obligatory evil ex husband. A crotchety neighbor provides some comic relief and there is plenty of investigatory sneaking around.

I enjoyed the narrator like I usually do! I will say that the production was a little bit different than before. It did not feel very smooth but rather a bit crunchy in my headphones and speaker. However, I loved all of the shenanigans that happened in this book. I could predict what was happening but that did not take away from my enjoyment. I cannot wait for the next one!

I loved the wild ride of the audio book! I've enjoyed the entire Finley Donovan series and the 5th book didn't disappoint. Things that set this book apart for me included more time with the kids, further developments in Finley's romantic life, and her evolving relationship with her ex husband. I found this one to have a slightly more realistic feel than some of the others and I really enjoyed that as well. Highly recommend!

📚🔍 Happy Pub Day to the Queen of Cozy Mysteries Elle Cosimano 🔎📚

Thank you, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the #gifted copies of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Is this latest adventure in the Finlayverse my favorite in the series? It's truly a close contender to the police academy moment in the third book.

There's just something extra fun about these characters creating havoc in their own neighborhood in this one. Maybe it's the nostalgia of the chaos that happened in the very first book that instantly flooded back into my soul.

Finlay books are the best kind of cozy and thrill ride that helps touch my funny bone yet makes me emotional all in three hundred plus pages. I love that we have powerful women sprinkled throughout the entire series. Even better... these fictional people will always feel like home.

Seriously, though... I don't know how to review this without spoiling all the goodness. To keep it vague. I appreciate the theme of friendship and women sticking together.

These books always bring me so much joy, and I am so grateful for Elle's imagination bringing Finlay and Vero into the world. They mean so much to a lot of us, and I am so happy that the chaos continues to unfold.

🎧 I always love listening to these audiobooks. The woman who narrates is perfect and never disappoints. She embodies Finlay and these stories so well... the Dani stamp of approval & recommendation has a permanent spot on these ear worms

I always know Finlay Donovan will deliver! This latest installment, once again, had me reaffirming just how much I love this series as I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book. Mrs Haggerty was the best character and though I doubted her at the start, I could only admire her by the end. Highly recommend listening to this book on audio if you can. The story brought to life just makes it all the more fun I think!

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to this audiobook ARC! These opinions are my own.

I devoured books 1 through 4 of the Finlay Donovan series in under a week and a half, so, of course, I did the same with this installment in about 2 days.

I highly recommend the audiobook editions; the narrator is absolutely incredible, & her performance really elevates the reading experience for me. She does an amazing job differentiating the characters and embodying their vibes.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was a bit more character driven than the first four books. The plot felt less intense, lower-stakes, and a bit more straightforward/predictable, especially given the larger plots & players introduced in Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (book 1) and wrapped up in Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (book 4). So there is a bit of a pacing shift here, especially given that we started out with [spoilers redacted]; this definitely feels like a de-escalation in comparison.

Book 5 focused a lot more on character relationships and development, and it has some really wholesome & precious moments 😭. I felt a lot more of a full found family vibe alongside themes of trust, connection, vulnerability, home, community, and safety. Plus, we see some true reflection from Finlay + growth in both Vero's and Finlay’s relationships with their respective partners.

Shoutout to Cam also -- I love his character.

I will definitely be continuing with this series (the audiobooks 100% — I love them)! I’m invested in the characters & the world, and I always have a fun time reading these books! I do hope the next installments have some higher-stakes/more intense/complex plots.

Regardless, I’m here for the fun humorous mystery vibes & the wholesome precious ones too!

Happy pub day to Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by @ellecosimano—the only series I read religiously! I’m so grateful to @minataur_books for a e-arc and to @macmillan.audio for an ALC of this one. If you’re a Finaly fan, you’re absolutely going to want to grab a copy. And if you’re not a fan yet, I’d still recommend grabbing a copy, but not until you’ve read the other books first.

It’s so hard to talk about this series without spoilers, but I’ll try to be as vague as possible. This installment of writer turned amateur detective Finlay and her best friend/nanny Vero involves a body found buried in their crochety neighbor’s Mrs. Haggerty’s back yard. When a person close them is suspected of being the killer, Finlay and Vero must figure out how to solve the case without drawing too much (or any) attention on their past crimes.

This book is just as funny as the rest of the series. We have Mrs. Haggerty—whose house is still a crime scene—moving in with Finlay and Vero. She criticizes everything they do, but is also surprisingly helpful with Finlay’s kids. We have all the usual antics that make this series so fun. Wigs, other disguises, breaking and entering, a book club, Finlay’s over-the-top agent Sylvia, run-ins with police from different departments. And we get a huge step forward in Finlay’s romance with hot cop Nick which I absolutely loved.

While this book really wouldn’t work well as a stand-alone, I also really appreciated that the central mystery in the story was pretty self-contained. I didn’t have to remember details from the other books to follow anything and the mystery wraps up at the end of the book perfectly. Which is not to say there isn’t the kind of cliffhanger I’ve come to expect from this series, because there absolutely is. And as soon as I finished the last page, I was already dying for book number six.

Angela Dawe is back narrating which is perfect because her voice has become synonymous with Finlay’s quick wit and worrying. This series is such a blast to listen to. I highly recommend the audiobook, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed however you read the newest installment.

I love the Finlay Donovan series. It never gets old and I’m always excited when a new book comes out. This one didn’t disappoint. Where it may have been a little less action packed than normal it was still every bit as interesting. Mrs. Haggerty is such a fun character. I was annoyed at first but I really did like her by the end.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for early (and pub day!) access in exchange for my honest opinions.
One of the times each year that I reflect on how long I’ve been reviewing books is when a new Finlay Donovan book releases. I remember reading and reviewing Finlay Donovan Is Killing It in 2021 and falling in love with the characters and revisiting the Loudoun County area, where the books are set and where I’d lived from 2005-2007. And I’m thrilled that my original book is now personalized and signed by the author, after meeting her about a year ago at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA!
I love the way Finlay and Vero care for each other and Finlay’s kids, and even Stephen, Finlay’s ex-husband. Although Vero is always making threats to hurt him, I still think she cares about their family unit and doing what’s best for the kids. And in this book, Finlay felt like even more of a mama bear, taking care of Cam along with her neighbor. But she still gets to have her fun, too! There is just as much hilarity and there are just as many hijinks as you’d expect in a Finlay book, but to me it seemed a bit more realistic and believable than some recent drama and shenanigans. I didn’t start reading my ebook until this past weekend, when I read the first 1/3 in one sitting, and I sadly figured I wouldn’t finish it by pub day, due to work obligations limited my reading during the week. I was so excited to receive gifted access to the audiobook version today, and I jumped right in listening on my walk home from work, and I finished while making dinner. I have listened to a few of the others, and Angela Dawe does a fantastic job again here. Do check this one out, especially if you’ve read the others - I think the whole series (5 books and 1 novella) is worth reading if you haven’t yet!

The series has been resuscitated!!! Girly was flatlining during books 3 and 4, but Elle Cosimano has brought it back to life! Finally, Vero and Finlay are back to their usual “whoops, how did we get here?” shenanigans instead of whatever confusing, fully questionable situations they were getting into in the last two books. I loved the murder mystery and was dying over the relationship developments for Finlay.

Elle Cosimano delivers another hilarious and fast-paced mystery as Finlay and Vero get dragged into yet another murder—this time involving their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. Determined to stay out of it, they’re forced to dive in when Finlay’s ex-husband becomes a suspect. Full of witty banter, unexpected twists, and laugh-out-loud chaos, this installment keeps the series fresh and entertaining. Fans will love the dynamic duo’s latest misadventures!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. I listened on audiobook and couldn’t stop listening. As a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, I was very much looking forward to another installment of laugh out loud moments, zany antics and pure fun. This audiobook did not disappoint. Elle Cosimano wrote another great story with all of the same great characters that have been in the Finlay Donovan series. Angela Dawe, as in past books, narrated with such great voices for these very unique characters. These books are just fun. If you haven’t read the previous books, a lot is explained in the first few chapters, but you are missing out on a fun series that is pure escapism. Read the series and just have fun with it.

I look forward to the.next installment of Finlay and Vero’s antics and adventures.

5⭐

Published today!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is the 5th book in the Finlay Donovan series. Although these books all have their own mysteries, there are larger overarching arcs, characters, and relationships that make it beneficial to read the books in order.

In this installment, the events pick up right after book 4 (Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice), where a body is discovered in her neighbour, Mrs. Haggerty's, backyard.
When Mrs. Haggerty is released from custody, and her house is still a crime scene, she decides that she will be moving in with Finlay.
When Steven becomes the prime suspect, Finlay and Vero have to investigate or potentially become suspects themselves.

This was a wonderful 'read', I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angela Dawe, who as always, did a wonderful job. Her character voices were consistent and largely distinct, and she has a beautiful voice and has a lovely cadence to her narration.
My top highlight is the development of Mrs. Haggerty's character, who up until now has been the nosy neighbour. Her interaction with Cam and Finlay's children were particularly amazing - who knew Mrs. Haggerty could be so charming!
Another highlight was seeing Nick and Finlay's relationship actually progressing! His interaction with Delia's interactions were adorable!

Length of audiobook: 9 hours 11 minutes
Ending: Cliffhanger

I'm very excited to see how Finlay and Vero are going to tackle the next challenge in book 6!

Thank you to Elle Cosmiano, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

I came across the Finlay Donovan series about this time last year and finished all the available books (in audio form) in just over a week. They are just a great entertaining read that’s not too serious but also has the listener wondering what on earth could Finlay and Vero get themselves into next. i’m curious what the next book (because there has to be with the ending) will expose. I didn’t expect the interesting twist that came about near the end of this book ...

Thank you @ellecosimano & @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC!

Book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series.

I've devoured this series over the past month and I'm really enjoying it. The previous books took us on some wild adventures, but this one brought us back to familiar territory, which I appreciated more. It had a relaxed vibe that enhanced the cozy mystery atmosphere.

This book features a storyline involving the elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. She is an absolute hoot. The connection Cam develops with her had me cackling.

I love witnessing the growth of all the characters throughout the series. This narrator floors me! She is every single one of these characters. Somehow she's able to bring them each to life and make them so distinctive with big personalities. She is killing it. And of course this one ends with a cliffhanger that is going to seamlessly throw us into the next of the series that I can't wait for.

The Finlay Donovan series never disappoints! This latest installment delivers everything I love about the series—sharp humor, engaging mystery, and the undeniable power of female friendships. Watching Finlay and Vero’s dynamic evolve, along with the growth of other familiar characters, makes for such an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for something modern, witty, and full of fun twists, this one is definitely worth picking up! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the opportunity to listen to this book!

In this fifth installment of the Finlay Donavan
series, Finlay's ex-husband has been
accused of murder and it's up to Finlay and
Vero to find the true culprit Surprises and
plenty of laugh out loud moments abound in
this edition


This book was a delight! In my opinion,
Finlay Donavan Digs Her Own Grave is the
best book in this series yet. Elle Cosimano
has quite outdone herself. Now that some of
the loose ends have been tied up and the
earlier mafia storylines have been resolved,
the focus shifts more to Finlay's personal life
and the people closest to her.


When a body is found in Mrs. Haggerty's
backyard the action is uncomfortably close
to home, and this time around, Finlay has
nothing to do with the murder. Trouble still
finds its way to her door. Steven ends up
being accused of murder, her nosy neighbor
Mrs. Haggerty moves in, Delia gets
suspended from school, and Zack hasn't
exactly made potty training easy. Finlay and
Vero have their hands full in this one.


I just loved this audiobook! Angela Dawe
does an amazing job bringing these
characters to life.


I'm looking forward to more adventures and
hopefully more romance for Finlay.


Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley,
for this ALC. Opinions expressed in this