A really nice follow-up to the series opener. Cosimano surprises me with her capability to juggle a large cast and keeping their characterizations (mostly) consistent while unweaving the tangled web of the mystery - but I do wish that certain characters would get just a little more development. I wanted more from Vero throughout book one, and while I enjoyed the deeper, fleeting glimpses provided in this one, it's just a little frustrating to have those plot threads introduced and teased but not explored further. I get that there was a lot going on plot-wise and trying to also delve into Vero's backstory might have overwhelmed the narrative, but since I found it difficult to care about Finlay's attempts to save Steven/have any sympathy for him at all (because why should I care whether he lives or dies when he attempted to assault Vero?), I just couldn't help but find myself wishing this book had been about Vero's plot instead of him.

I really don't like how Steven is portrayed in this book. I don't like how his attempt to coerce Vero into sleeping with him feels glossed over because "he wants to be a good father, as if doing the bare minimum for his children negates the potential/attempted abuse? It makes it difficult to get invested in Finlay's drive to save his life. Frankly, I don't understand why she would want a man like that around her kids at all.

I'm still not a huge fan of the romance, and most of it comes down to Nick more than anything. Julian is actually interesting and has a personality; Nick is just reduced to "hot cop" and it's frustrating. I didn't understand why so much of his attractiveness seemed linked to his profession in book one, and that persists here - and personally, I don't care for the uncritical presentation of law enforcement in these books, which also sours my opinion of him. He's still little more than The Hot Cop and lacks the necessary depth to make him a compelling love interest. It doesn't help that he bends the rules because of his attraction to Finlay; I really don't find the whole, "He won't arrest you because he likes you" thing to be particularly romantic (again, this circles back to the uncritical presentation of the law). I just don't see much chemistry between them, mostly because everyone in Finlay's life seems to be pushing her towards him because he's a cop and "Stable" instead of like. because she has feelings??? Whereas with Julian, it seems like she ACTUALLY wants to be with him, but is holding herself back solely because of the age gap - which hardly feels that big to me. Isn't she only 31?

But the ending was promising, to a degree. There seemed to be a setup for Vero to play a far more prominent role in the mystery, and maybe with the whole crooked-cop-assassin thing we'll dig into law enforcement and its role in the series. That's my hope, anyway.

I could not stop reading!!! I loved the way this character was written because I was most looking forward to their story.

Read the first book in the series and thought it was OK. A very popular series, so I thought I'd try the second book and it was about as good as the first one which is just OK. I have the other books to read, but I'm going to read some other books first. I think that I just don't like the characters. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Now that I know that this series is meant to be humorous (funny?), I have a bit of a different opinion. Finlay is again making bad choices and getting herself into ridiculous situations, but I kind of like all the characters. As exasperated as I get with Finlay, she is likable. Vero is probably the most annoying since she is constantly getting Finlay into messes. This time there's a killer for hire after Finlay's ex, a Russian mobster, and some guys from Atlantic City. Some, but not all, ll is resolved by the end, setting up the next book in the series. These books are a fun diversion. Not great literature by any means, but a quick, and sometimes hilarious, read. I think the key is to look at the entire series not as individual books, but just one LONG story broken into several pieces.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Another crazy ride with Finlay Donovan! In the second book of the series, Finlay tries to figure out who put a contract out on her ex-husband’s head, all while trying to balance motherhood, book deadlines, and complicated feelings for the two men in her life.

Just as in the first book, there were so many twists and turns along the way and Finlay got herself into some incredibly sticky situations. Yes, for many of these situations you need to suspend belief, because she should have been in major trouble so many times, but it’s such a fun ride that it’s easy to do! The ending of this book left me reaching for book three, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here!

Thanks, Minotaur Books, for the book!

I’m so happy the sequel lived up to the first one. Finlay and Vero have the best friendship. I laughed so much. These books bring me joy. Elle Cosimano does an excellent job of wrapping up the story of this book and leaving us with a fantastic cliffhanger that is so surprising for the following book!

I recently received an email about the newest book in the Finlay Donovan series and was surprised I had never heard of it before! It sounded like something I’d enjoy, so naturally, I had to start at the beginning with Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. I read the first book in about 4 days and couldn't put it down so now I am on to the next in the series- Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead.

Finlay and Vero are back with new adventures in a continuation to the first book. Yes, some of the situations again are not realistic but I'm reading this for fun not as some great piece of literary fiction. I also liked getting to know Vero a little better in this book. I will be continueing the series.

I received this series in exchange for my review. I enjoyed parts of the book and related to the struggling mom characteristics however just couldn't get into the murder plot line. Not for me.

This book is very easy to read. It’s quick with short chapters and the plot moves pretty quickly. She’s a single mom but I feel like the kids are barely spoke about. I know it’s not really about them but just seems a bit strange to me. Also everything is too easy for her like everything falls into her lap. However I still enjoyed it.

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.

This, the second Finlay Donovan adventure begins when she finds out someone has put a hit out on her ex-husband. Her attempts to protect him and solve the mystery of who wanted him dead lead her into wild and outrageous escapades, which is what Finlay’s world is all about. Another wonderful and hilarious story.

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

In this follow-up to Elle Cosimano's hilarious and whipsmart mystery series Finlay Donovan is Killing It, Finlay and her nanny bestie Vero are back at it again, this time protecting Finlay's ex husband from contract killer.

Picking up right where the the first book ended, Cosimano wastes no time bringing the action and a bit of romance. This one is strictly a cozy mystery, despite the body count. The romance is white girl spicy in that there is some kissing and implied sexy time, but nothing is descriptive. At all. That being said, the storyline more than makes up for the multiple love interests. I read this one in a day and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the revolving cast of characters and getting more background information on Vero. Their friendship is adorable in how supportive the two are of one another despite their criminal tendencies.

What I appreciate about Cosimano is that she alludes to actions in previous books, but we don't have an entire chapter devoted to basic background details like some mystery authors do (looking at those whose character may or may not have the last name of a fruit). There is just enough of a reminder in a sentence or two of what happened in the previous novel, but then quickly moves on to the main plotline. I'm hoping the trend continues and I won't have to adjust my take in future reviews.

Is the sequel as good as the first book, well...no. There are some jumping the shark plot points that seemed too neat and tidy for my liking, but this is a cozy mystery and it doesn't all have to logic. It just has to be entertaining and on that spectrum, Finlay Donovan defiinitely delivers the goods.

Recommended for fans of quirky, fun mysteries with little to no romance as of the second book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Elle Cosimano for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

A solid second book, but not as fun and exciting as book #1. I'll continue the series because I love Finlay's calamities and Vero.

The second in the series, this one keeps up with the humor while Finlay tries to find out who ordered a hit on her ex-husband.

I enjoyed this book almost as much as the first. Finlay & Vero are just as entertaining as ever, I enjoyed how the dynamics with Steven ended up. Something about this one didn’t hold my interest as well as the first book, but that’s okay. Looking forward to reading the next one.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the second book in Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series. I listened to this book on audio and I think I even enjoyed it more than the first one. As with the first book, much of the storyline is so far-fetched that much of it is unbelievable but it is still entertaining and enjoyable. I laughed out loud several times. This is a great escape from everyday life and once again I was rooting for Finlay.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always enjoy reading books about books being written. This edition of Finlay was another home run. The humor, the mystery and the crime involved were perfection. I always find myself laughing out loud when I am reading Finlay books.

Finlay Donovan is back, & this time she’s got to prevent a murder.

Intercepting whoever wants her ex-husband dead is a big addition to the To Do List of a single mom/author, but since a hit was put out on him & she’d rather not have her kids lose their father, she & her live-in nanny/BFF Vero set out to save Steven…

This follow-up to the start of the series featured many returning characters (including the mob) & an equally unbelievable series of events, but was a fun ride! There were some parallels when you hold this one up to the first that I really liked (but no spoilers!). I enjoy reading a thriller infused with aspects of a rom-com, & am looking forward to continuing to follow along with the adventures & impossible situations our lovable MC finds herself in.

Thank you very much to NetGalley & Minotaur for making the entire series (thus far) briefly available for download in exchange for honest reviews!

In the second book of Elle Cosimano's *Finlay Donovan* series, our determined heroine, Finlay Donovan, is still trying to make her mark as an author. She's also caught up in a tricky romance with a young law student while doing her best to be a great mom to her kids. And just when you think her life couldn't get any more complicated, she learns there's a hit out on her ex-husband.

This book is pure escapism, packed with crazy twists and fun absurdities. It's the perfect read for anyone willing to leave common sense at the door and enjoy the ride.

Finlay Donovan is a hoot! I read two books in a row: Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead and Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice. They follow each other in time which was lovely. Finlay is a divorced mom of two, a writer who is always behind on deadlines and when she does write, uses her own crazy, sexy life for inspiration. She is one of those women who is street smart and dumb with men--until this last book (we hope!) Her ex is unbelievably
obnoxious and stupid and one wonders how she ever.....If she says 'boo', he is suspicious of her motive.

She has managed to get mixed up with the mob in three books, finagles her way out of being killed many times, often with the aid of her 'babysitter/nanny' who she knows little about but has a temper on her that could set a house of fire. The two are 'bad buddies' like Robert Redford and Paul Newman. One can only hope they have a better future.

These books are well written and fun to read. Perfect for an evening when you want to forget the world and step off. The plots are good and you don't care that they often don't make sense because Finlay is fun and the books are fun.