Finlay Donovan is fabulous! What a fun book, a real breath of fresh air! Things are not going great for suspense writer Finlay Donovan. Her husband has left her, her new book seems to be going nowhere, and the bills keep piling up. So when she is mistaken for a higher killer while lunching at Panera with her agent she is tempted by the $$$. But the more Finlay tries to get out of this predicament the deeper she gets in.

   Finlay reminded me of Stephanie Plum if Stephanie were a struggling suspense Author turned hired killer. Although Finlay didn’t seem to be able to eat everything in sight and never gain an ounce. This was definitely a character driven mystery with a big splash of humor. Finlay was such a likable character even though she made bad choice after bad choice. I also really liked her psychic Vero and of course her kids. Angela Dawe does a remarkable job of narrating this audiobook. She brought the perfect voice to these colorful characters. The story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so I’m hoping this means there’s more to come!

This book in emojis   💸 🔪 🩸 ✉️ 🥂 🪢 🕶 

*** Big thank you to Minotaur & Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Admittedly, I didn’t read the synopsis before starting this one and was not expecting murder to be the central focus of this book. The entire plot is absolutely ridiculous, but in the best way! It was unexpectedly funny and sharp, and I was entertained the entire time. It’s Dexter meets Santa Clarita Diet and the first book in what I’m sure will be a hit series.

I loved this book!! I mean, it was a shit show of hilarity! A mom in the throes of toddlerhood being hired to kill an awful husband? Yes, please. Finlay is such a great character, with flaws that are super relatable, and actions that have you shaking your head and laughing at the same time. 

Also, I can’t explain the joy I felt at the end when I realized it may possibly have a sequel!!! Please, oh please! I need more Finlay and Vero in my life ❤️

From the very first sentence, I knew I was going to love this heroine, Finlay Donovan.  
Her life is a H-O-T M-E-S-S due to the following:
Currently going through a messy divorce.
In the red financially with past due bills piling up.
Two children running amok.
She is in jeopardy of not being able to meet the obligations of her book contract.
And that's just one day in her life.
While I couldn't relate to all of these issues, as a mother, I can certainly relate to those moments of feeling overwhelmed (I distinctly remember my daughter as a toddler running around the house naked for two hours refusing to keep clothes on, lol).

Everything changes for Finlay one day at Panera when a fellow patron misunderstands a conversion with her agent, Sylvia.  A normal person would ignore the odd proposal, but Finlay is desperate for a change, and makes a serious of decisions that put her square in the middle of a murder and later, an investigation.  Things go sideways even more when she teams up with her former nanny, Vero, in an elaborate plan to profit from the ordeal.  

The plot of this book was so unexpected and unpredictable, with a mix of humor and mystery that made this one a hard one to put down.  Think Murder, She Wrote combined with Laverne & Shirley.  

This book wasn't on my radar at all until I saw some reviews on bookstagram, and I was not disappointed.  This was a real treat, and I can't wait for more to come.

From page one, I fell in love with struggling suspense novelist and single mom Finlay Donovan. She's witty, clever and brave. Plus, she's real and responds in ways I secretly want to but don't because of propriety, my fear of jail and kindness.
When Finlay unwittingly becomes involved in a real-life murder investigation, the fun really begins. Will she and her friend/nanny Vero be able to solve the mystery and protect themselves?
I read this book in one sitting and can't wait for the next volume in the series! It's a fun, engaging and entertaining book that's a fast and pleasurable read.
Note: some sexual content and profanity

This book! That title and the cover go together perfectly!

That said, I really loved this snarky mystery. It has just the right amount of everything I look for in a mystery!

I found Cosimano's writing style to be well written, fast paced, and FUN!

I also found this book to be over the top in the best possible way and Finlay is freaking amazing!

Seriously, if you are looking for a fresh character and mystery you can't go wrong.

The ending wraps up nicely and I look forward to more books in this series (hooray!)

"It's a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight thirty AM on any given morning. On the particular morning of Tuesday, October eighth, I was ready by seven forty-five."

@ellecosimano had me hooked from the first lines of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. I curled up all day yesterday, ignored my kids and didn't budge until I finished and it was totally worth all of the chaos I now have to deal with today.

Finlay is a recently-divorced struggling mystery writer who is mistaken for a hit woman and gets caught up in a murder investigation that she has to solve before she ends up the prime suspect. It is a deliciously smart, outrageously funny and surprisingly heartwarming book that I didn't want to end. Yes, the murder is the central plot but it's also a story about friendships, marriage and trying to do it all. Cosimano writes characters that jump off the page and makes even the wildest twist work. I loved the banter (Finley's nanny/BFF Vero, in particular, lands some great lines) and the on-point observations about life in suburbia. 

This is a book I'll be recommending to all of my friends because even though none of us are mystery writers or hit-women (that I know of anyway), there's a lot I know they'll identify with in Finlay. And I don't know which I'm more excited for - a sequel to this book (the author posted the title page for her draft of Finlay Donovan Is Slaying It in her IG recently) or that it's been option for a TV series! Either way, I can't wait to have more Finlay in my life.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy to review.

4.5 stars

This has been getting a lot of praise early on, and it is well deserved. This is Elle Cosimano’s first novel written for adults and it’s funny, smart, and has a solid mystery.

Finlay Donovan, is a divorced, mother of two. Nothing is going right in her life. She is behind on all her bills, he ex wants to file for custody of their kids. She is a fledgling author, who is behind on due dates with her editor. After a chance encounter at a Panera Bread, Finlay is offered 50K to kill a man, for woman who she just met.

Of course, Finlay does not want to do this, but is intrigued by this woman’s request, what could her husband of done that is worth dying for. When they meet at a bar, she realizes this is not a nice guy, and she drugs him and takes him back to her house, with no intention of actually killing him. Things go array very quickly, and you guess it, he winds up dead.

This is as much as I will go into the plot of the book, but what the author gave us a humorous story of this single mom, just trying to survive. Yes, this is a mystery, and a very good one at that. However this story is so much more. You will love Finlay throughout the entire book. The author gave a very human woman, mistakes and all.

This is a fun ride, and I highly recommend this. While there is no cliffhanger, this is definitely being set up for a brand new series. Enjoy!

Thank you NetGalley and Minatour Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bills are piling up, her romantic suspense novel is sitting unwritten, and her ex husband is shacking up with their realtor and threatening to take custody of her kids. So when a woman eavesdrops and misunderstands a conversation with her literary agent and offers Finlay $50,000 to murder her husband, naturally she takes her up on her offer.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of this one but I ended up loving it! It was kooky and outlandish and over the top and the Dead to Me comparisons are spot on. Is it realistic? Not in the least bit. But it was entertaining as hell and I enjoyed every minute of it. And what an ending! I really hope we get to see more of Finlay in the future.

Mystery + Comedy + Romance
Fun and Creative
A page turner
For fans of the Netflix show Dead to Me

I loved this book. I went in expecting something fun and different and that is exactly what I got.  I was completely invested in the story and I didn’t know where it would end up at the end with all the twists and turns.  Plus - my romance loving self got a little love triangle on the side. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! 

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy

I knew that I was going to love this book from the first paragraph if not the first sentence. Finlay Donovan has a full plate, overflowing and no solutions on the horizon. Or maybe, just maybe there might be something to get her out of the big mess her life is - a jerk of an ex who is fighting for custody of the children, big time writers block, and so broke that she lets the bills just multiply like rabbits. When she meets with her agent to discuss her next book (or lack thereof due to that pesky writer's block) her situation takes a very strange twist and what a ride it is!
This is a laugh out loud funny with an edge. As Finlay gets sucked into a rabbit hole, she has help in the form of her nanny, Vero. Together they make an outlandish team. I won't divulge any more of the plot because I don't want to spoil any of the laughs and situations these two get into. This book was the perfect distraction to help me cope with Covid isolation. All I will say is this - how long do I have to wait for the next book?
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a fun, entertaining mystery/romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Finlay is a young mother of two getting divorced from her cheating husband. She's a struggling mystery/romance author who has writer's block and is in danger of having to return her meager book advance. She's in debt up to her eyeballs, her husband is fighting her for custody and she can't catch a break. A last minute change of plans has her meeting her book agent in a Panera restaurant sitting amongst a lunchtime throng. As she discusses the latest plot of her murder mystery, she senses the woman at the table next to her listening in and eyeing her.

The lady, thinking Finlay is a contract killer, asks Finlay to kill her husband for $50,000. Finlay tries to convince the woman that things aren't as they seem, but the woman won't be deterred. Curious, Finlay spies on the woman's husband and finds out he's a total creep and steps in to protect his next unsuspecting victim. When the husband turns up dead, Finlay's world spins out of control.

It's hard to review this book without spoilers, so I'm not going to try. The book is well written and the story just flows. The characters are fully developed and jump off the page. Finlay is a hot mess, but she's a funny, smart, hot mess and was fun to cheer on. Her nanny Vero is slick, smart, snarky and loads of fun to read. The plot is fast-paced and interesting. I haven't read this author before, but I will definitely read her future books. This is one of those rare books that you just want to read from start to finish in one sitting. It's a great combination of mystery/romance/humor and I highly recommend you read this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was so much more than I expected!! Following a spunky, badass duo (Finlay Donovan and her nanny Veronica) was a great time. The friendship and bit of romance included in the story were great additions to the murder mystery itself. I didn’t want the story to end and was so happy to see on Goodreads that this is the first book of a series by Elle Cosimano. I’m looking forward to reading more about Finlay’s kids and cop sister and (of course) seeing what happens with her and Nick or Julien. 

I would definitely recommend this people who are interested in mysteries, but don’t know where to start. This is a great introduction into the genre in a light and funny way!

I had a sample of this book from a 4-book "mystery/thriller" sampler and the few chapters that I had initially read were intriguing enough to want to read more!  This is the story of a down-on-her luck author who is broke, divorced with 2 small kids and broken in all possible ways.  Through a series of unfortunate and interesting events, her entire world changes.  Overall, this was quite a unique and interesting book and you can't help but to be rooting for Finlay (the main character).  And that ending ... the epilogue ... WOW!  GREAT ENDING!  And also GREAT set up for the next book!  

This review was also posted on Goodreads.

BOOK REVIEW: FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Drink rec: vodka tonic w/lime

I absolutely loved this twisty, fun, mystery! Finlay Donovan is a recently divorced mom who’s trying to make ends meet by writing a new novel, but she’s got some serious writers block. That is until a unique opportunity comes her way and she gets fully entangled in a real life murder investigation.

I loved the wild ride that this one was...just as Finlay got herself into more and more tricky situations, I couldn’t help but root for her!! Sometimes I’d be internally screaming at Finlay for some of the choices she made, but there were also tons of laugh out loud moments!

Cosimano totally nailed the setting with this one too! As a Northern VA native myself, I was fangirling over the locations mentioned in the book!!

I am hoping there will be a sequel and I also heard that FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT will be made into a show produced by Marlene King, who also produced PLL.🤩 If you’re looking for a fun and unique twisty thriller, definitely pick this one up!!

Thank you to @minotaur books for my gifted copy!  Keep an eye out for my review on my Instagram page @tipsybookreviews

TW: stalking, murder

Findlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Findlay is a single mom who is stressed out in her job and is a struggling novelist.

This was a very different, unreal, unbelievable story.  It started out fairly well and continued downhill.  A lot of twists and turns, death, and undesirable characters.

FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT Review⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5⁣
⁣
Ever heard a mysterday book described as fun? Yeah, me either, but this is IT! This is probably the most witty, laugh out loud mystery I have ever read and I am here for it👏🏼⁣
⁣
This reminded me so much of the Netflix show, Dead to Me, not in the sense that they have the same plot, but the fact that I constantly thought “alright how are they going to get out of this now”😂⁣
⁣
The plot progression was excellent, the characters were hilarious, and it kept my attention the whole way through ⁣
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You’re going to want to get your hands on this one because it comes out Tuesday, February 2nd🤗⁣
⁣
Thank you to @minotaurbooks for the #gifted copy

An innocent conversation in a Panera bread about book ideas, turns into someone mistaking the main character as an assassin for hire. The book is so funny watching a broke mother, trying to keep her cheating ex-husband from taking custody of her kids, make her way into the world of murder. I couldn't stop laughing at the conversations between Finlay and Vero. They were just too funny! It was refreshing to see a hot mess mom make tough decisions for the future of her and her children. It was so great and the ending has me dying to read book 2! I need that book in my hand right now!

Pandemic life getting you down? Want to escape into a twisted tale that is guaranteed to make you laugh and leave you with a smile? Finlay Donovan is a terrible partner in crime but the perfect choice for an immersive and super fun distraction. I was completely sucked in and could not stop reading to see what hilarious and outrageous activities Finlay would get up to next. The story is a little bit of mystery, a smidge of romance, a larger portion of crime, and a big dollop of comedy and laugh out loud humour.

Finlay is a sometimes infuriating but often delightful character; a single mother attempting to co-parent with her odious cheating ex, a not so successful suspense writer, driver of mini vans and wrangler of toddlers. Desperate for money to keep her lights on and her ex from taking the kids she frantically tries to complete her next novel but just can’t seem to get her hot mess of a life together enough to succeed. When she is mistaken for a contract killer and offered a large amount of money to carry out the murder, she can’t help but consider it, at least theoretically. Through a series of bad decisions and comical mishaps Finlay inadvertently finds herself with a body to bury and a crime to cover up. There are shootings, kidnappings, unexplained disappearances, in addition to the murders and it’s all a lot for Finlay to manage, especially with a looming book deadline and her baby on her hip!

The intense non-stop action and the cracking dark humour made for a quick and delicious read. It was just what I needed to brighten up my week. I cackled out loud like a wicked but entirely pleased witch at the ending which knocked my sock off. It makes me think we may hear more from Finlay Donovan in future and I am 100% here for it! I’ll ride shotgun in her Dodge minivan any day. Let’s try really hard not to kill anyone though, okay?

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

I was hoping to love this one more than I did.  It was an interesting concept and the characters were fun but something about it just didn't wow me. 

Finlay Donovan is not having a good time at the start of this book.  She is stressed, dealing with two young children, an ass of an ex husband and his former mistress now fiance, a stack of unpaid bills, and a looming deadline for her next suspense novel.  When she is mistaken for a contract killer after being overheard discussing her novel's premise with her agent, she is presented with an opportunity to take care of her mounting money issues.  Things just escalate from there.

This was a quick, funny, easy read and it had some fun twists although it didn't have me on the edge of my seat. I will definitely pick up the next book in the series!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy!