family-dynamics, friendship, suspense, situational-humor, verbal-humor, mystery, mystery-writer

I was thinking about The Housewife Assassin when I saw this one, but this is even funnier because the assassination was so weird. The whole tale is so convoluted and funny that I can't recap it without being afraid of doing a spoiler. Come for the suspense and you'll definitely stay for all the situational humor. I sure did!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you to both NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance copy of Elle Cosimano’s first adult novel, Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

I am not familiar with any of Cosimano’s YA works, but after finishing Finlay Donovan is Killing It overnight, I am already looking forward to her next adult novel. The story opens with what would normally be a humdrum scene—two screaming kids at a breakfast table and a parent who is at their wit’s end—yet somehow Cosimano’s writing makes it sparkle. Yes, it is true: I have finally discovered a book blurb that lives up to its description!

The novel maintains its fast-pace and witty banter throughout the entire story; not once did the momentum falter or the words become filler. The author truly makes every detail and description count, so pay close attention! By chapter 3, which is around 20 pages, the plot is in full swing. Though I do not want to spoil anything here, I am happy to announce that the majority of twists I predicted did not materialize. In fact, readers who love mysteries and crime novels will be pleasantly surprised.

My one gripe is that some of the side characters could have been better developed (e.g., Steven, Theresa, Georgia, etc.), but that probably would have detracted from the pacing and the much more exciting storyline. Also, you guys, I cannot believe I am writing these words, but readers actually get a satisfying ending! (Unless, of course, you are a reader who enjoys ambiguous endings).

Apologies, for rambling. I am sleep deprived from not being able to put this down. Anyway, back to the plot: our protagonist, Finn, is a single mom whose husband cheated on her with their realtor and is now fighting for custody of her two kids. She is also an author who has had some meager success writing romance novels, but is now on the hook for spending the advance she received to write her current book, which is overdue. Initially, Finn is so strapped for cash that the utilities company shuts off her electricity and stacks of bills pile up on her front steps.

To put this into perspective about how dire her situation is, here are all the debts she is saddled with when the reader is first introduced to her: maxed out credit cards, past due bills, royalties that barely pay for groceries, a mortgage that her ex-husband had to refinance to become her landlord, and a car that needs serious repairs. Plus, her husband cut her off from funds, she breached her book contract, and spent her entire advance with no draft to show for it.

This situation and a few mishaps along the way are what drive her to follow through with committing murder. She meets with her book agent in an attempt to negotiate another advance. They link up at the local Panera where a patron overhears their conversation and mistakenly believes Finn is a hitman. The patron proceeds to leave a note with a promise of $50K if Finn “takes care” of her husband.

From that moment on, the wild ride begins and we are introduced to some crazy, but smart and well-woven plot lines. Her kids’ babysitter, Vero, follows her down the rabbit hole and becomes her literal “partner-in-crime.”

If you are searching for a fun murder mystery, I highly recommend this book. It is entertaining, well-written, and reads as if it will soon be adapted into a screenplay.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to review this book.

Excellent book! I loved all the characters. There are some definite laugh out loud moments, which is always a great thing in a book. I can't wait to read more by this author.

While Finlay Donovan was killing it in this story, Elle Cosimano killed it with this book.

I LOVED this book. I repeat: I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The plot was interesting from the very start, and I knew immediately that this was a book that I wasn’t going to be able to put down. There was never a dull moment to be found, and I found myself laughing out loud more times than I can remember. If not for life getting in the way, I most definitely would have read this book in one sitting, no doubt about it. I did manage to finish it in a few hours though, because it was just that good!

Reading this book was the most fun reading experience that i’ve had in 2020, and I seriously hope that there will be more books in this series because I am going through major withdrawals after having finished this one.

This book was fresh, clever, fun, twisty, quirky, and just so damn entertaining!

I loved Finlay as a main character, and I can honestly say she is at the top of my list of favorite female characters of 2020. She always ended up in ridiculous situations that she had to find her way out of and she cracked me up on nearly every page.

I also loved the friendship between Finlay and Vero, and the crazy shenanigans they got into together were some of my favorite moments in the book. Their banter is hilarious and I am dying to see what they get themselves into next!

This book didn’t have the darkness that many other thrillers/mysteries out on the market right now do, and while I love my dark mysteries, I found that to be a plus with this book, a much needed breath of fresh air. I very much enjoyed the humor and lightness to it. It was exactly what I needed in the midst of all the darkness currently taking place in the real world right now. Plus, it just worked in this book.

This book had the perfect blend of mystery, humor, family drama, with a dash of romance added in.

I was completely engaged in the story the entire way through, and the ending was perfect, as it paved the way for a second book. (Please let there be a second book!)

This was an engaging, thrilling, hilarious book with lovable characters and hysterical situations that will keep your eyes glued to the pages from start to finish.

If you love dark humor and mysteries, pick this one up!

Oh my goodness! This story is a comedy of errors!

How can a mistaken identity lead to life threatening circumstances and avoiding the cops?

Finn is put in a precarious predicament when something overheard is taken out of context and wrongly interpreted. What follows is a wild roller coaster ride of emotions and a bit of hilarity.

A definite must read!

I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Finlay is so likeable and relatable and kept me laughing. I look forward to reading more by this author and hope the Finlay Donovan story continues.

From the first sentence of Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, I could tell this book was going to be great! Finlay Donovan is a divorced mom of two who writes crime novels for a living. She has writer’s block, is struggling financially and in a custody battle with her ex and his new fiancée. When she's mistaken for a hit woman for hire at a Panera she gets pulled into the world of crime and is in over her head before she knows it. Together with her babysitter Vero, Finlay needs to solve this crime before the wrong person is accused. The plot was interesting right from the very first chapter. I was immediately drawn in and couldn't put the book down. The twists and turns were surprising and I kept guessing who the murderer was. Finlay and Vero’s banter is hilarious and crazy and they work so well together. They’re like Thelma and Louise.

It definitely doesn't have that darkness of other thrillers and mysteries, which is a nice break. This book had the right amount of murder mystery and romance, while also being very humorous. The two love interests were a nice side plot and Finlay kept me on my toes throughout the whole book. She was an engaging character and I loved all the antics she got up to. She was always in a ridiculous situation and had to get herself out of it. She is reminiscent of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, but I like Finlay much better. I was always left guessing and there was just enough suspense to make the book interesting. The ending was perfect but left more to the imagination and I hope that this is the start of a new series. Overall, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a thrilling, hilarious, lovable murder-mystery suspense you won't want to put down. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves dark humor and mysteries.

Finlay Donovan: Single mother. Broke, semi-successful author. Hit woman?

Finlay is having a terrible day when her children’s nanny, Vero, doesn’t show up and she’s running late to a fancy brunch meeting with her agent...to discuss a book that is way behind schedule. One thing leads to another, and they end up meeting at Panera instead. Finlay wears her blonde wig scarf, dark red lipstick, and huge sunglasses to disguise herself after being banned from that particular Panera (it’s a long story).

Due to the nature of the discussion (discussing book plots), Finlay is mistaken for a hit woman and offered $50,000 to kill someone. Obviously, this is crazy and Finlay isn’t going to do it...Right?! Every decision she makes at this point may put her life in grave danger.

This is a fun, comedic mystery! I laughed throughout, and also had major anxiety throughout as Finlay got herself into deeper waters from one ridiculous situation to the next. The story isn’t completely realistic, but it’s always entertaining. If you enjoy likable and well-developed leads, a bit of murder, a little romantic tension, and some laughs...then I recommend this book. The ending has a major OMG moment, and I will be (im)patiently waiting for a sequel.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, author Elle Cosimano, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining, fast read. Finley reminds me of a single mom version of Stephanie Plum. It’s one kind of slapstick-y thing after another as she and her sidekick, Vero, kind of inadvertently become paid assassins and find themselves too close for comfort to the Russian mob. Their ill-advised antics lead them into suspenseful, uncomfortable situations. While I was often thinking, “No. Really??”, I read on. It was a fast-paced crazy ride. The ending leaves the door wide open for a second book. I’ll be looking for it.

Finlay Donovan is having a rough time. Her husband Stephen has run off with their real estate agent, Theresa. She has two children under the age of five and Stephen has fired Vero, the nanny. She had already spent the advance she got from her agent for a book that was supposed to have been finished already -- but ideas are hard to come by amidst all the chaos of her daily life. Unable to avoid the questions from her agent any longer, she agrees to meet up for coffee at a busy coffee shop (Finlay was banned from the shop after a previous incident, but she's going to wear her "author disguise" and hope for the best).

Sitting with her agent at a table, Finlay begins to discuss possible plot points for her latest mystery novel. Sylvia, her agent, can't understand why Finlay is having problems delivering the story, since it should follow a predictable pattern: a woman in distress is rescued from a bad man (who is "taken care of"). When that happens (and the book is delivered) Finlay will get the rest of her money.

Because they are having a discussion in a public place, Finlay doesn't realize someone at a neighboring table has been listening to the conversation. The eavesdropper puts a note in Finlay's bag offering to hire her as a hitwoman to get rid of her troublesome husband in exchange for a large sum of money. Finlay is equal parts horrified and intrigued. Taking on this job would solve all of her money woes, but she won't really do it . . . will she?

This book is a humorous murder mystery with some slight romantic elements thrown in. Finlay and her side-kick, super nanny Vero (who keeps the house spotless, entertains the kids, prepares gourmet meals, and studies for a degree, all without breaking a sweat) get into lots of scrapes and have to think of their feet to stay one step ahead of the police and the bad guys. I sometimes had a little trouble following the logic when Finlay was discussing possible explanations for who was doing what in the story. Overall, however, I enjoyed the resolution and cliffhanger that ended the book. I hope this will be the start of more adventures in the life of Finlay Donovan.

One of my rare 5-star reviews for 2020!
This novel is so much fun. It’s a solid mystery that keeps you on edge and guessing. It’s a story of growth. And most important... it will keep you laughing for over 300 pages. I think we all could use a lot of that!

This fun, nail-biter of a book by Elle Cosimano was an interesting read. I enjoyed it from start to finish and found Finlay to be so relatable. Finlay is a struggling single mom, trying to get her act together, and find the motivation to finish her book and start making money again after divorce. Due to a misunderstanding, she finds herself way too close to dealings with the Russian Mafia. How she navigates events with her nanny, Vero, is entertaining and sometimes a little uncomfortable. I could definitely read more about them and hope there will be a sequel.

5 stars for this amazing murder mystery! I loved every minute of this over the top and hilarious crime novel. I hope there's a sequel, give me all the Finlay Donovan books!

Finlay Donovan is a divorced mom of two who writes crime novels for a living. She's struggling financially and in a custody battle with her ex. But when she's mistaken for a hit woman for hire at a Panera she gets pulled into the world of crime and is in over her head before she knows it. Together with her babysitter Finlay needs to solve this crime before the wrong person is accused. I loved that the plot got interesting right from the first chapter, immediately I was drawn in and couldn't put the book down. The twists and turns were surprising and I kept guessing who the murderer was.

This book was just the right amount murder mystery and romance, while being funny. The two love interests were a nice side plot and Finlay kept me on my toes throughout the whole book. She was an engaging character and I loved all the antics she got up to, she was always in a ridiculous situation and had to get herself out of it. I was always left guessing and there was just enough suspense. I loved how things kept escalating and Finlay was drawn into the murder investigation. The ending was perfect but left more to the imagination and I hope there will be a second book. This is the best book I've read in awhile and hope to get more.

Overall I adored Finlay Donovan is Killing It and you should get a copy of it! Anyone who enjoys mysteries will love this and even if you don't like mysteries you'll probably enjoy this.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.

This is one of the best books I read this year. So delightful and enjoyable in a way I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it.

I loved Elle Cosimano's YA mysteries, and her adult debut is no exception. This book is hilarious and fast-paced and will appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich. There are a dearth of single mothers in crime fiction, and Cosimano deftly portrays domestic disasters alongside murder and conspiracy. The ending is rife for a sequel and I can't wait to read more of Finlay's adventures.

A light murder mystery with likeable characters and a fun plot. This book really reminded me of the Netflix series “Dead To Me” (which i love). The way the author tied everything together was clever and different! Really enjoyed this one.

Once I started I spent the afternoon and evening devouring this book. Dishes still in the sink, dogs weren’t walked, tv stayed off until I finished. And what a fun ride!
Finlay Donovan is months behind on her new book with the meager advance spent. There’s no money to pay bills, her cheating louse of an ex-husband loves to throw her failures in her face and threatens to sue for full custody of their children, he’s fired the babysitter behind her back but balks at watching the children. Her life is a mess of a train wreck. Meeting her editor at Panera’s to discuss her murder mystery she sets her open diaper bag on the floor which for odd reasons has a roll of duct and a knife in full view of the woman at the next table. Finlay finds a strange note under her cup from the woman that gives her husbands name, where he’ll be that night, and a $50,000 figure. Finlay realizes this woman is asking her to kill her husband. A preposterous idea, yes, but then there’s the $50,000 which would go a long way to easing her burden. It wouldn’t hurt Finlay to stake out where he’s going to be that night so she can see what he looks like, would it?
Great premise, great writing that maintains a level of fun the whole way through. Elle Cosimano reminds me of the wonderful writer Susan Isaacs. A fun read you really shouldn’t miss. #Netgalley #St.MartinsPress

Thanks to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early. Findlay is an author who’s books aren’t exactly on the best seller list. Crazy events lead her to being asked to kill a man. Finn is going through a messy divorce, her nanny has quit, and she can’t get over her writer’s block. Now that she is a reluctant hit woman, things get even crazier in her life. This is a fast read. The ending was great and I hope to see more of Finn and her great sidekick, Vero.

For someone who reads alot of mysteries, it is often hard to find something that feels really original, but Finlay Donovan does that and more! With a lovable, sarcastic protagonist, and an offbeat, fearless babysitter/accountant sidekick, this is one thoroughly enjoyable read. And one of the best epilogues I've read lately. I only hope this is the start of a series as I want to spend more time with Finlay and Vero.

Finlay Donovan is a hot mess. Her ex-husband is getting remarried and suing for custody. Her bills haven't been paid in months. Her book--the one she's already spent the advance for--is going nowhere. So when a woman in Panera confuses the murder mystery author for someone willing to do wet work for pay, Finlay finds herself at a bizarre--but well-paying--crossroads. And it just might be interesting enough for a new book.
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When you're reading a book at 3am because your toddler is convinced the sun won't come up unless you're next to him, watching him sleep, and the first line in that book is "It's a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight-thirty am on any given morning" you know you've found a fictional kindred spirit.

I loved everything about this book. From the outlandish plot to the oafish villains to the hot mess mom turned reluctant hit-woman with her nanny sidekick.

This is a darkly comedic mystery that you'll love if you were a fan of Netflix's Dead to Me.

I just hope there's going to be a sequel.