Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano is a humorous cozy mystery and the second in the series.

NetGalley offered the entire series as Read Now for 24 hours so I grabbed them all and read the first two books within 48 hours. This one is set around the holiday season and actually ends at Christmas, so I picked the right time of year to read it!

I continued to enjoy the author's prose here, and I think our titular Finlay and her nanny/assistant Vero are both adorable messes that you just want to root for. In this book, they're trying to figure out who may have attempted to put out a hit on Finlay's ex-husband (a dirtbag who is still a good father).

The love triangle that started in the first book has a bit of movement in this installment. There's some kissing scenes, but it's mostly closed door otherwise. The love triangle is still going, though there are a few twists and turns as she tries to sort out who might be the right man for her.

If you're not into madcap shenanigans, you probably won't like this series, but I do and I'm having fun reading them. I mentioned in my review for the first book that this series would be great for fans of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, and I absolutely still stand by that recommendation.

3.5/5

This sequel was also so much fun! And the premise of this one alone made me laugh.

Kind of spoiler for the very end of the first book but not really because it's the literal blurb of this book:

At the end of the first/previous book, Finlay gets asked to kill her ex-husband. And that is where the main drama/plot of this book comes from. Isn't that so good? So silly goofy? Love it.

In this book, Finlay is also caught up in far more drama, including mobs, detectives, and so much more. That definitely adds to the chaos that is Finley's life. And chaos is fun. Makes for a good book.

This book wasn't as captivating as the first book or as I wanted it to be. I think because I thought the idea of being hired to take out you ex was so good and funny that I set my expectations (maybe) a bit too high.

This one wasn't quite as funny or light-hearted as the previous book in this series, but it was still a fun little murder mystery adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

What another great book! Elle Cosimano is knocking me dead with this series! I need more now! She is a single mom who is killing it in all departments of life. Now if her love life can follow with everything else she will be knock'em died! Another great book Ms. Cosimano!

Murders and mishaps, oh my! Finlay Donovan is back and tangled in more accidental murders and investigations. I liked how the character arcs are beginning to take shape and this installment is just as funny as the first. There’s a lot of characters and more hijinks than I could have imagined. It’s all over the top, but in a mostly fun way. Some of the things that happen are just unbelievable but again it suits the tone of the book and the series. This isn’t my favourite mystery series I’ve ever read but it seems like it’ll be something I pick up when I need a bit of a pallet cleanser

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this e-arc

This was every bit as good as the first book!

Finlay, the accidental hitwoman who still hasn’t actually killed anyone, goes to great lengths to protect the father of her children, who refuses to believe that anyone is out to get him.

Let me tell you, when the big reveal hits at the end, you’re going to be in absolute shock. I did not see that one coming at allllllllll.

Excited to read books 3&4!!

I have been waiting for this book since finishing the last one almost a year ago. This did not disappoint. There is so much going on in this book that you can’t help but devour it all in one sitting. I love the characters, the setting, the witty dialogue, and the situations they find themselves in. This book had me laughing through some scenes, had my heart racing through others, and just glued to it until the satisfying ending. Highly recommended.

Another knockout with Finlay - the chaos ensues and Finlay keeps scraping by by the skin of her teeth!

This series is one of my favorite reads of the year! it is such a perfect blend of mystery, comedy, and romance. The characters are so lovable and I found myself rooting for them even as they did some morally questionable things. If you are looking for something laugh out loud funny with a lot of heart and a delightfully twisty plot, I would highly recommend picking up this book!

4.75 stars! The first one was better imo, but only by a hair.
Cosimano is BRILLIANT. The mystery, the humor, the romance, the characterization. These are so expertly done, and have quickly become one of my favorite series. The audiobooks are amazing, Angela Dawe captures the essence so well. What are you waiting for? Read these already.

Second novel in the series of struggling single mom and writer of Finlay Donovan that unexpectedly pulls inspiration for her books from her own chaotic life and unexpected events.
Elle Cosimano delivers another great book in the series that will keep you reading.
It’s a fast read that will keep you up and then make you sad it’s over.

I love Finlay! She's so relatable and hilarious. I want to be her bestie!! I can't wait to continue this series.

Love this book and continue to love this series! Finlay Donovan is so refreshing and keeps me laughing.

Finlay Donovan is at it again. This time someone (not her ironically) wants her ex-husband dead. She does what she can to keep the father of her children alive while trying to figure out what vero is hiding from her.

“But just because you can survive alone doesn’t mean you should have to.”

I love when a fun book has some deep truths to it too, and this one contains both in spades.

Some things I loved:

👊 The friendship between Finlay and Vero just gets better and better, and they compliment each other so well.

🤛 There is fast-paced drama, fun suspense, and some people getting what they deserved.

🤜 Outlandish escapades that at times made me laugh aloud.

👊 A mother trying to do the right thing, even though things keep getting more and more unhinged.

FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS ‘EM DEAD

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ MUST READ if you want a mystery that makes you laugh
🌶️ innuendo
🤬🤬🤬

I love Finlay Donovan! She is such a relatable character. The situations she finds herself in are hilarious. Even more humorous is how she avoids culpability while solving crimes she is very much a part of. I don’t read very many mysteries but I can’t get enough of this funny series!

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the second in the series and it's just as good as the first! Fin and Vero are back, but this time there is a hit out on Finlay's ex-husband, Steven. While Steven was not a good husband, he is the father of her children so she is on a mission to investigate who wants him dead. While doing so, she gets thrown into a complicated mess with the Russian mafia that'll keep you on your toes.

If you liked Finlay Donovan is Killing It, you'll also enjoy the second book! Who doesn't want more Fin and Vero shenanigans? Definitely recommend reading in order as this is a continuation of the first book.

Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead
4.25⭐️

This one started a little but more relaxed but it could be because I was more used to the plot. But that feeling didn't last very long. The anxiety picked up again because Fin and Vero were making terrible choices 😐 Like, I get it but oh gosh, the risks they took! The writing style was pretty consistent between books 1 and 2. And the mystery! I definitely was thrown around about who "Fed Up" actually is. Now, I loved Nick more and was definitely skewing towards him for Fin. The ending was so good that I started the next one asap! Again, nail-biting series!

Not as good as the first BUT still a highly recommended series. This cast of characters just keeps getting better and the plot continued to throw curves I don’t see coming. I cannot wait to read the next!

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Why is Finlay so relatable!!! I love her humor and her personality. The banter between her and Vero was hilarious and I just couldn’t put this book down. Hit women, law breaking, sidekicks? This book has everything!

This was just as fun and twisty as the first! Finlay and Vero really find themselves in some trouble here and of course hilarity ensues and the twist at the end got me!