
Member Reviews

What a fun little mystery book. I’ve had these on my shelf for a while so when I saw that they were available, and I knew I had to snatch them up! Can’t wait to read the next one.

Enjoyed this read! It was a fun, cozy mystery that left me on the edge of my seat. I love that this book went from a light-hearted crime to a darker, more suspenseful read that kept me engaged the entire time. I also loved how relatable our FMC was!

I thought this book was a fun read. I found myself chuckling at just how much a hot mess Finlay is. It was easy to read and enjoyable. I enjoyed the different characters and I will be reading more of the series. I do wish there was more character development, but I also recognize that this is a series and there is plenty of set up for future books in that regard.

This was a really fun book to read. It kept me interested throughout. One of the ways I rate a book is on its predictability, and I had no idea how this was going to end right up to the last scene. I loved it! Finlay seemed to get herself into situations you see no way out, and yet she scrapes through unharmed (mostly). The character is relatable, the kind that wants to do the right thing, but still finds herself in the wrong places. I just really loved it, and look forward to the next book in the series.

What a fabulous book! Everybody should have a Finlay Donovan in their lives. Finlay is the type of person we can empathize with. She’s super likable, funny, trying to do it all but struggling. And despite her desire to live a “normal” life, she finds herself dangerously involved in some criminal activities. The book is light, comedic and yet serious all at the same time. If you like Stephanie Plum or Riley Thorn, you’ll like Finlay! It’s such an enjoyable read! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the digital ARC.

So this kept me engaged and hype & I was rooting for our girl Finlay the WHOLE time. Some questionable choices made, but I didn’t waver.
I need to thank the publisher, author, & NetGalley for allowing me access to this whole series to promote the upcoming release of a new book to the series lineup!

This has been on my TBR listen for a very long time. I loved it. The characters are great and the story was fun. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

This book isn't for me. I really liked Finlay and the writing, but I found that the dark humor just wasn't for me and didn't finish the book.

I loved this book. The plot, the characters, the laughs.
It was a well written, just right paced book to enjoy.

OK, I get it now. This was very entertaining and I had a few laughs thanks to Finlay and Vero. I am looking forward to continuing the rest of the series.

This is literally just such a fun first book in a series. This is absolutely insane, but in the best way possible. I love when a book doesn’t take itself too seriously and can have fun along with the reader.

A lot of books in the mystery genre blur together, so Finlay Donovan is Killing It is a breath of fresh air in the genre.
I was so captivated by this story from the very first page. Elle Cosimano has a hilarious writing style that manages to capture both the happiness and the horror of being the primary parent of two young children. I'm not a mother myself, but I imagine a lot of readers will take comfort in Finlay's honestness about the love, discomfort, and stress in each and every day.
The characters are fleshed out and well described. It took me a while to understand what the main point of this story is because there's a lot of background information that needs to be relayed before the main story can begin. But that's fine because the backstory is so darn entertaining. I could not stop laughing at the opening scene of Finlay trying to get her kids ready before she headed to her morning meeting.
I'm going to be honest. If you're the kind of person who wants your mysteries to seem realistic, this is not the book for you. A lot of this story is very farfetched, but I think that's what makes it so entertaining. Add in some awesome side characters like Finlay's old sister, her kids nanny Vero, and an attractive lawyer-to-be who seems fascinated by Finlay? Well, that makes for a very interesting story indeed.
If you like mysteries that have a lot of twists and turns (as well as a lot of humor), I think you'll want to check this book out. There are more books in the series which is great, because I can't wait to find out what's in store for these characters next.

I am late to the game on the Finlay Donovan series but I am so glad I discovered it! What a fun read with great characters! Elle Cosimano has written a relatable tale of Finlay a newly divorced mom of 2 kids under 5 who is struggling with money and her ex husband and his new fiance. It seems poor Finlay just cant catch a break until an opportunity falls in her lap at a Panera. She is mistaken for a killer for hire while discussing her new book idea with her editor. This opportunity could solve all her money worries and more, will Finlay do it?
This is a must read that will keep you engaged until the very end and up way past your bedtime because you simply cant put it down!

This was unexpectedly so much fun! Why isn't everyone talking about this series??? It’s somehow lighthearted and funny while being about the mob and death. It follows Finlay who is writer that is recently divorced and has 2 young children. She is struggling to pay the bills and with the help of her babysitter she unwittingly becomes a contract killer. Finlay has to be one of my fav FMCs now.
I’m excited to see where the romance from this book leads to as well. I can’t wait to read book two!!

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano is a witty, fast-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable mystery with a touch of humor and heart. The story follows Finlay Donovan, a struggling writer and single mom, who finds herself mistakenly caught up in a murder-for-hire scheme after a chance encounter. What starts as a case of mistaken identity quickly escalates into a wild adventure filled with quirky characters, unexpected twists, and hilarious situations.
Cosimano’s writing is sharp and engaging, with a perfect blend of suspense and comedy. Finlay is a relatable and flawed protagonist, juggling the pressures of her personal and professional life, while also navigating the bizarre situation she’s been thrust into. The plot moves at a steady pace, keeping readers on their toes as Finlay balances crime-solving with the chaos of motherhood.
The book’s humor adds a refreshing lightness to the darker elements of the plot, and the strong character development, especially of Finlay, makes the story even more engaging. It’s an entertaining read that has just the right amount of tension and laughs to keep you hooked until the very end.
Overall, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is an engaging, fun mystery that mixes suspense with humor in a unique way. Fans of cozy mysteries with strong, relatable leads will love this one. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of Finlay's adventures!

Such a fun book! It has the feel of a 2000s rom-com action movie (the killers, Mr & Mrs Smith etc) and was just such a fun read! Definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

This was so fun! I’m late to the party on this one and had no idea what I was missing. It was crazy and unbelievable and I loved every second. On to read the rest of the series and make sure everyone I know is grabbing this one!

This book was cute! Definitely not anything groundbreaking here, but I'm always a fan of quirky women stumbling into situations they weren't anticipating. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

4.5- this was so much fun! Plucky single mom heroine who stumbles her way into a variety of insane situations that get progressively more and more insane as the novel goes on. I loved the tone of this novel, the right combination of funny, witty, and mysterious! I loved the pacing of this novel, it kept me engaged and guessing the whole time. I loved the development of the relationship between Finley and Vero and how it demonstrates that support and community are really what help you heal and move on from major life changes. And that cliffhanger??? HELLO???? So excited to get to the next one!
Thank you to St. Martin’s press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

This book was witty, chaotic and a ton of fun! From one misunderstanding to the next, it is a comedy of errors.
While I never thought of Panera as a perfect place to order a hit, one woman realized otherwise. While the beginning of the book had a few obvious steps, by the time it got to the middle I was no longer sure I knew where everyone was going to end up. I think if you’re looking for a funny murder mystery, this definitely fit the bill for me.