Voicey, fun, and fast-paced. A recommended purchase for collections where female-driven mysteries are popular.

From the first sentence of Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, I could tell this book was witty and wry. Finlay is a recently divorced single mom with a book contract hanging in the balance. She's struggling to write her next romantic suspense novel when she gets mistaken for a hitman and seriously considers the job and the $50,000 that goes with it.

This is Cosimano's first book for adults, which is a departure from her previous young adult novels. I think this is why the book comes across so youthful and light in places. It definitely doesn't have that dark sinisterness of other thrillers and mysteries, which is a nice break. However, the plausibility of the plot is a little questionable. What starts out as a funny mistake turns into something much more involved and I wonder how realistic the story seems. That being said, it is very entertaining.

The characters are well developed and I felt invested in what happens to them, but the plot was a bit slow at points, especially towards the middle. It also seemed like the romantic element could have been more detailed. I think it would have been better if there was one love interest instead of two, or really three. We had Nick, the cop, Julian, the bartender, and Steven, the ex-husband. I liked the romantic element, but didn't really like that there were multiple guys Finlay vacillated between.

I did really enjoy that the main character is a strong female and not one that needed rescuing. Often in thrillers, the main character is trapped or kidnapped and needs rescuing by a man in the story. In this one, it turned that trope on its head as we followed a fully capable female character. I'm assuming that this may be the first in a series, although I can't be sure, but it seemed like there were loose threads at the end that could easily translate into another book. All in all, I enjoyed this book for the suspense, strong female characters, and romantic element.

What when you accidentally agree to murder someone? Finlay Donovan is Killing It was a funny, easy mystery. If you like the Stephanie Plum series by Evanovich, you'll love this one. I liked the strong female friendship and the high-jinx throughout the story. Definitely recommended.

“Edgar-nominated author Elle Cosimano’s adult debut has everything I love—a plucky protagonist, perfect plot twists and Panera! Finlay Donovan is not only killing it—she just may be my new favorite character. You won’t be disappointed.”

Completely unexpected! I loved the different take on the story of a struggling writer turned "hit woman." All through a simple misunderstanding. It was funny and relatable! I'll definitely recommend to the library!

This was so much fun. It was dark and thrilling but also very funny. I thought this book was extremely clever. I can't wait for it to come out and for everyone to read it!

I stayed up WAY too late to finish this book. I just had to find out what happened and what better time than when everyone else in my house is asleep. I loved this! The mystery is so good and I found myself laughing and on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out how Finlay and Vero were going to get out of their spiraling “situation” And the ending! The second book needs to come out in Feb too!

This book was such a fun mystery/thriller that was very unlike others I have read. It was laugh-out-loud funny and featured a cast of characters you would never expect to be involved in a murder investigation. Finlay was such a fun character. She was quirky, funny, and smart and, overall, extremely relatable. It was admirable how much she was juggling and working to keep her kids happy. Vero was Finlay's former nanny that turned out to be her right-hand-woman. There relationship was really fun and it was cool to see how much they were able to help each other. You should read this if you love thrillers, but do not want a dark and scary book. This is light-hearted, but keeps you guessing throughout. This book is also the first in a series and wow the ending made me so excited for the second book!

Finlay Donovan is a not-so-successful writer that is juggling her wild children and recovering from a recent divorce that left her without much money. When a woman in a local restaurant overhears a conversation between Finlay and her publisher about an upcoming novel, she thinks Finlay is plotting a murder and does not realize it is fictional. When this woman offers Finlay money to take care of her husband, it becomes very hard to pass up since she is so desperate for money to keep herself afloat and to keep her husband from getting custody of her kids.

I did not care for the romance aspects in the book, but I am very interested to see if/how they are pursued in the next book.

This is the first book I’ve ever read from Elle Cosimano. For whatever reason, I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. The story kept me hooked the entire time and I never lost interest. I definitely recommend this book, and will check out her other novels.

Starting the book I found it to be extremely fast paced and I didn't realize how fast I was reading it. From about 40%-60% I found myself getting bored and then the end of the book rushed by.

Finlay a divorced mom of 2 young kids who is a struggling author finds herself in an interesting...predicament while eating lunch at a Panera. After over-hearing Finlay's conversation with her agent, a woman mistakes Finaly's conversation for one of her being a "hit woman" and gives her a proposition that is hard for a mother in need of money to resist.

This book was funny, witty, fun, and quick but a little bit outlandish for me.

The epilogue was a MUST and now I am extremely excited for the next book!!

I started Finlay Donovan is Killing It with high hopes. I very nearly gave it up after the first couple of chapters, thinking it was going to be too much, too unbelievable, too far-fetched. For anyone else feeling the same, I say: Stick with it! I am so glad I continued because I soon found that the drama became less perilous and more humorous. There are real deaths, yes, but it all feels a bit like an episode of "I Love Lucy", which turned out to be just what I needed it to be. My only frustration was with Finlay, who needed to grow up and get it together much sooner than she did.

All in all, this was a great read and I will be recommending it for purchase by my library.

This is an absolutely hilarious and clever mystery novel. Finlay Donovan is a struggling single mom who accidentally falls into the “contract killing” line of work.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It was a fast-paced book that kept me hooked with its dark humor and original storyline. I can’t wait to find out what’s next for Finn, as the author seems to have set it up to be a series!

This book is perfect for anyone who loves mysteries and comedy.

Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martins Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Super fun book! Move over Stephanie Plum! Thoroughly enjoyed this fast read with engaging, relatable characters. Was so happy to see room for a sequel. Will definitely recommend to readers who enjoy a cozy romance/mystery.

A fun read. This has many Pugh out loud moments. Some parts are hard to believe but a good read all the same.

Finlay, a recently divorced mother of two young children, is beset by problems. She’s late turning in her unwritten novel to her agent, unpaid bills are piling up and her cheating ex-husband lives down the street with his fiancée. A stranger overhears a conversation at a restaurant and misunderstands, kicking off a madcap caper with laugh-out-loud moments, ending with a surprise. If you like fast-moving, fun frolicking mysteries with strong female characters, make sure you read this book. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan is more than killing it. Divorced from an arrogant philanderer, Fin is trying to keep her family fed while writing a murder mystery that is past due, like all of her bills. A woman passes Finlay a note at a local establishment that sets her into a tailspin into a crime scene. Suddenly the book starts writing itself as well as the real like criminal story. Is Fin over her head?

Finlay Donovan is Killing it is a fresh and funny satire. The dark humor and quick pace surprisingly kept me wanting to read more. I enjoyed reading this novel and look forwards to what the author will come up with next!

What a blast! Finlay Donovan is Killing It is a fun, quick read that keeps you guessing! Finlay is so relatable! I loved every second, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I would describe Finlay Donovan Is Killing It as a mash-up of romantic suspense and chick lit, with a dash of 1930s screwball comedies thrown in—it brought to mind some of Jennifer Crusie’s novels, but with a bit more snark. In short, this hybrid genre novel packs a lot into it, and to very entertaining effect.

It took me a while to warm to Finn (when the story began, I wasn’t sure about her scruples or common sense and neither was she), but the plot gripped me from page one and midway through I was invested not only in “whodunnit,” but also the fates and interpersonal relationships of Finn, Julian, Nick and even Steven. There’s some really lovely shading with the three male characters, one of my favorite aspects of the book.

The story does require suspension of disbelief several times, especially during the climactic scene at the sod farm (yes, the sod farm!), but it’s a fun ride and an entertaining first installment to a series I will definitely continue.

Oh boy, this book was NOT what my anxiety needed right now. The mere mention of sticky fingers and surfaces sent my heart racing (and I can’t afford unwarranted heart racing’s in the midst of a pandemic)

This was just so much fun. You can’t do much better than a murder mystery where the author becomes part of the story with non-stop comedy and even a splash of romance. It had the feel of Dead To Me or Why Women Kill, but possibly even more over the top and it had me gasping and squealing at the twists and turns. Just when I thought everything was wrapping up, that shocking ending snuck up on me. I need more Finlay!