Finlay Donovan is Killing It is the first book in the Finlay Donovan mystery series. A stressed out struggling writer and single mom with too much on her plate, Finlay Donovan isn’t sure where to go from here. The bills are piling up and her book is no closer to being finished than a month ago when a case of mistaken identity has a job as a hit woman falling into her lap. A job she inadvertently accepts. Now what is she to do? This money will solve all of her problems but she isn’t a hit woman and could never be. As Finlay accidentally becomes tangled in a real web of murder, lies and deceit it’s all she can do to keep herself out of trouble. Will she be able to untangle the web before it’s too late or will she be the one ending up behind bars?

After seeing this book multiple times and reading the description I knew I had to read it. I am a mystery fan and love a good comedy tied in with the mystery. This book delivers both! It was so easy to get pulled into this story and I couldn’t help from laughing along as Finlay got up to her crazy antics. The humor was fun and really helped drive this story. Everywhere Finlay turns she’s getting in more accidental trouble and it makes for an entertaining read. I’m excited to see what comes in the next book and think this is a great series for mystery lovers who want a good laugh.

This book is just a hoot. Finlay Donovan finds herself in a pickle when someone over hears her talking about her next book plot and someone offers her cash to off her husband. I loved all the characters, and because the book was so fun and funny to read, I finished it up in no time. I can’t wait to five into book 2.

Thanks to NetGalley for supplying this book with my agreement to review. Finlay is an author with a writer’s block and is in financial straights with an exhusband who is threatening to stop financial assistance and wants to gain custody of their two children. Finlay meets with her agent at Panera to try and get an extension on the completion of her book. During which time a note is placed in her bag offering her financial freedom amounting to $75,000 but she has to kill this woman’s husband. From this point on we have a hilarious romp wondering how she’s going to get herself out of the mess she’s gotten herself in to, a case where doing the right thing can go oh so wrong. She does get assistance from her nanny and two gorgeous hunks. Read the book to see if she succeeds. I’m looking forward to the authors next book

What can I say? I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Elle Cosimano crafted a main character--Finlay Donvan--who is incredibly likable, funny, and utterly self-aware. It is so refreshing. Finlay, a newly divorced after her husband cheated on her mother of two, is cash strapped and finds herself in a situation based upon a misunderstanding. Yet, she goes with it and makes hilarious choices along the way. It was so fun to see a mystery unravel in this way, with a self-deprecating narrator, who you can't help but root for. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book! Many thanks to NetGalley and Elle Cosimano for making this title available.

I'm not immune to a book where the main character is a writer - they're just always very fun to me! Really engaging, well-paced, and the humor really lands, which is rare for me. I'm not too big of a fan of the romance, and I think the plot is a bit contrived in parts (like the author has gone out of their way to make Finlay a Good Person instead of allowing her to exist in shades of grey), but nonetheless a very fun story. Love the dynamic between Finlay and Vero; Vero has potential to be the best character in the series, in my opinion.

Finlay is that train wreck you just can't look away from. This was really enjoyable from the opening scene all the way through. Great characters and just enough mystery to keep you guessing. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Darkly funny and not too serious. It’s like a cozy mystery but a bit more over the top. I actually really enjoyed this book and love this series.

Finlay Donovan is Killing it and Knocks ‘em Dead (Books 1 and 2) by Elle Cosimano
Writing: A-
Story: A-
Characters: A
Setting: A-
Best Aspect: Well done story that is farfetched but totally believable.
Worst Aspect: Could you a little more emotion from each character.
Recommend: Yes.

The first in this wildly popular series is a laugh-out-loud funny. While being a hell of a thriller. Single mom and author Finlay Donovan is mistaken as a hit-woman by a woman who overhears her talking about the plot of her next novel. This leads to the accidental death of the supposed target—the woman’s husband—in the back on Finlay’s vehicle. Then the story gets crazy. The characters are engaging, the plot all over the place—in a good way—and the writing is excellent. Jump on the Finlay train., You’ll be glad you did.

DP Lyle, award-winning author, lecturer, story consultant

This was such a funny murder mystery. It gave me Stephanie Plum vibes and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC to read and give my honest review. This is my first book by this author. It’s about a single Mom struggling to raise her two children and trying to write a book that she has promised to her agent like yesterday. To say her life is chaotic would be a real understatement. It seems everywhere she turns there seems to be chaos. I did enjoy the story as it was definitely mysterious and somewhat humorous.

There is only so often that a book will make you laugh til you cry. And this, was one. I absolutely loved reading the first in this series, and it has become a fast favorite. The concept of the story itself was a winner, the typical Mom being mistaken for a contract killer, and then becoming mixed up with the mob, genius. I absolutely enjoyed the humor and mystery/crime aspect that were involved in the story. The humor was spot on. The characters and cliffhangers were fantastic. I cannot wait to see what shenanigans Finlay ends up involved in for the future books!

This was a case of just not for me. I really wanted to get into this beloved cozy mystery series. I've had it on my tbr for so long. But as much as I want to love it, the vibes of this subgenre just don't work for me, sadly. I can absolutely see why this series is so popular, and I'll definitely recommend it to readers who I know would love this type of story.

So funny! Someone overhears a conversation about a book plot, thinks it is real and offers big money to have Finlay kill her husband. Most of us would laugh it off and say no. Not Finlay! She needs money. Bills are piling up and the van needs work. How does she figure out what to do? And how can this woman have that kind of cash laying around? Finlay is a hoot. Loved the story.

Finlay Donovan was all I heard it was and more. It was funny and charming. I love a plot based on a series of comedic errors. I breezed right through it. It set up the next book perfectly. i can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Don’t you hate it when someone overhears you and your editor discussing that suspense novel that’s overdue and, believing you to be an assassin-for-hire instead of the broke, single mom you are, offers you $50,000 to kill her abusive husband?

On the other hand, don’t you love the shenanigans that follow?

In a nutshell, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is outlandish and delightful, a true caper novel tailor-made for readers practiced in the art of suspending disbelief. So basically, any reader who occasionally enjoys binge-watching Psych.

A ridiculous plot in the best way possible. Loved the characters and can't wait to continue the series! Just a really great time!

This was SUCH a good read, I can’t even contain myself! Loved it wholeheartedly and can’t wait till the second one comes out. Please, if you haven’t read it, run to your nearest bookstore, library, or app and get it ASAP!

Finlay Donovan is a divorced mother of two who is struggling to make ends meet. On top of the bills she’s months behind on, her ex is trying to take the kids and she doesn’t have the capital to take him on. Oh, and he’s engaged to the woman he was cheating on her with. So to say Finlay is down in her luck is an understatement.

But, when her discussion with her agent is overheard and misinterpreted, Finlay is offered a way to make a lot of cash, and quick: become a contract killer. And what happens after that spirals and twists in a gloriously entertaining way.

I only put it down once because, with an 11 month old, sleep is precious. But I laughed and smiled through this whole book. If you like thrillers, enjoy shows like Brooklyn 99, or are a mom at her wits end, you’ll find a heroine in Finlay Donovan!

This was so fun, I can see why people love the Finley Donovan series! I was so curious how it was going to unfold and why were multiple love interests introduced?? I really enjoyed the ride and look forward to the rest.

A fun little read! Great characters and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and reading! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the gifted copy.