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Member Reviews

The second in the delightfully zany Finlay Donovan series picks up a month after the conclusion of the wild events of the first book. While the first book set the stage for Finlay's foray into amateur sleuthing, the second book centers around the next case she stumbles upon while perusing a woman's forum. At first glance a post could be taken to be just what it appears to be; one woman complaining about her boyfriend and another offering her condolences. However to Finlay's well trained eye, it is clearly a request to have the subject, Finlay's ex-husband, killed and an offer to ensure the request is fulfilled. Finlay has a lengthy list of examples that prove her ex-husband is a horrible excuse for a human being however he is the father of her children and she would like for them to grow up with a father figure in their lives. Finlay is struggling once again to meet her deadline to her publisher however it looks like life will once again provide the inspiration she most desperately needs for her next novel.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is just as entertaining and humorous as the first in the series. To fully enjoy the story and the characters, I find it is best to read the first one before diving into this new adventure. There is much to love in this follow up with a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a whole lot of high jinx. Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is full of twists and turns and wild escapades. Finlay and her sidekick/nanny/best friend Vero are a delightful duo and their witty banter exchanges keep the story rolling along at a fast clip. Finlay attracts trouble and Vero is along for the ride and I for one cannot wait to see what is in story next for the pair.

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I love Finlay Donovan and was not disappointed in this installment. it was engaging and fun to read. I love Elle Cosimano's writing style and it makes the story that much better!

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The Finlay Donovan series is perfect for reluctant readers. It would be tough to follow up the success of Finlay Donovan is Killing It, but Elle Cosimano does a great job of bringing back the madcap situations that Finlay finds herself in, while adding more to the story of her friend and partner-in-crime Vero. The tension between the two new men in Finlay's life builds throughout the book, keeping readers hanging on to see what could possibly happen next!

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Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is a thrilling rollercoaster of suspense, humor, and heart that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. This second installment in the Finlay Donovan series is a four-star knockout!

Once again, we find Finlay Donovan navigating the treacherous waters of single motherhood, struggling to balance her roles as a writer, mom, and reluctant amateur sleuth. With her trusty sidekick, Vero, by her side, she faces the challenges of everyday life, from looming deadlines to dead goldfish (and possibly ex-husbands).

The plot is as twisted and entertaining as ever, with Finlay stumbling into a dangerous game involving hit-women, the Russian mob, and a hot cop from her past. The stakes are high as Finlay races against time to protect her family and keep her ex-husband alive, even if it means bending a few rules along the way.

I particularly enjoyed the witty dialogue and the complex, relatable characters. Finlay is a protagonist you can't help but root for, with her sharp wit and fierce determination. And Vero adds an extra layer of depth with her own secrets and struggles.

Overall, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is a gripping and satisfying read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.

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I absolutely loved this read! It was funny, captivating and the perfect balance of mystery and goofy. Elle Cosimano is always an auto buy author for me now.

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I am obsessed with the Finlay Donovan books and I'm excited to read the rest in the series. The first 3 books i've read with the Read Rover book club and we all have enjoyed the journey they have taken us on.

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Finlay is at it again! This time undercover at a police academy…oh the trouble she can get in!

[Spoiler alert] My only disappointment…I hate cliffhangers.

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Elle Cosimano knocks this one out of the park! Loved following Finlay and her crew on her journey again in this one. I love reading about other moms who don’t have their life all picture perfect together. As always, I’m all about the drama in Finlay’s life and the turns I never see coming. So happy there was a cliff hanger for another book!

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Thank you for the gifted book Macmillan Audio. All opinions are my own.

Picking up just after the drama of book 1, Finlay is struggling to meet her book deadline and now trying to figure out who has put out a hit on her ex-husband. Still in cahoots with her nanny and partner in crime (literally) Vero, she is just trying to have a normal life, but circumstances are giving her a life that is worthy of the pages of her novels instead.

I thought this was such a fun jump back into Finlay's world. I love how Cosimano has constructed this world full of amusing and intriguing characters that have chemistry that just compels you to keep reading. Yes the circumstances are a bit unrealistic, but they feel read when you are reading and that's all that matters to me. This book leaves you satisfied enough with the ending, but also will make you very glad that there is book 3 (and 4 coming!) so that you get to keep experiencing these characters.

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Finlay + Vero are my absolute two favorite partners in crime.
And they’re up to even more crazy shenanigans in this book (believe it or not)!
The story is full of mystery, suspense and of course with also plenty of humor thrown in throughout.
if you loved the first Finlay Donovan book then I know you’ll love this one and I know I’ll without a doubt love and enjoy the third and fourth books as well!

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I loved this book and this entire series! If you liked the Netflix series Dead to Me, this would be a perfect series for you - but even a little lighter than the tv series. It's a lot of fun.

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Loved this one it was a great set up to the first and I didn't feel like it had the sophomore slump like many books in a series do.
I love that these books are very easy to follow what is going on, Which for how crazy things get it would be easy to get lost. But with short chapters and an author who can make things flow like no other it will keep readers on track. It is lighthearted and funny and will keep readers wanting number three!

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It is rare that I find myself enjoying a sequel even more than the original, but Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead was such a fun read that I definitely found myself enjoying Finlay even more the second time around. It feels like Elle Cosimano hit her stride with this book - Finlay's character was so well developed throughout the first book that this second book felt like she had really hit her stride. It was a fun and compelling plot, Finlay and Vero were the perfect duo, and I found myself alternating between laughing and holding my breath as I followed along. Looking forward to reading book #3 to see what misadventures Finlay gets up to next!

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Finlay Donovan is one of the best cozy mystery book series that I've read in a long time! I am reading this book series with my cozy mystery book club and we're all enjoying it. I highly recommend it to anyone who reads cozy mystery and/or mystery books or those wanting to start reading this genre.

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I think this is a great sequel to the first story. I think it carries the story along well and I’m happy to see what comes next for this mystery duo! I was a little disappointed in who the mystery person behind FedUp, but that’s ok. Still a four star read overall.

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This series has quickly become my favorite, and so much of it lives rent free in my head. I truly enjoy reading about the adventures/misadventures of Finn and Vero, and almost feel as though they could be friends of mine in real life. I laugh out loud a lot while reading these books, and I'm going to be devastated if /when the author wraps up the series. Definitely a must read for anyone looking for a little mystery, a little comic relief and a little romance all wrapped up in one book (series).

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A heart-racing second book in the series! Finlay Donovan is fun, accessible, and relatable - a great book club option.

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"Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead" by Elle Cosimano is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to the charm and humor of the first book. The plot feels unbelievable and the humor falls flat, making for a disappointing read.

The characters, who were a highlight of the first book, feel flat and underdeveloped in this installment. Finlay, in particular, comes across as more irritating than endearing, with her quirkiness and impulsiveness feeling forced rather than organic to her character.

The humor, which was a major selling point of the first book, also falls flat in "Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead". The jokes and one-liners feel forced and predictable, lacking the wit and charm that made the first book so enjoyable.

Overall, "Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead" is a disappointing sequel that fails to capture the charm and humor of the first book. The plot is unbelievable and the humor falls flat, making for a lackluster read. Fans of the first book may be disappointed by this installment, and new readers are better off stopping after the first book in the series.

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This is the second book in the Finlay Donovan series and has a lot of familiar characters. In the first book, Finlay had such a huge character arc that brought so much to the story, especially the comedy. In the second book her character seems a bit flat and although she does some wild things, it has lost a bit of the thrill of the first one. Having said that, the story is still well written and fun with lots of twists and turns.

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4 Stars!

I enjoyed this one even more than the first book. This would make such a great Netflix show or movie.

I absolutely loved diving back into Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero’s world full of chaos, laughter, and mystery. This tag team brought it all back in Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead with their witty banter, crazy ideas, and outlandish escapades.

This second book in the series was just as fast paced and crazy as the first, and I had the best time reading it with my gal pals, Kaley and Jenny. It was so fun to discuss, laugh together, berate characters, and toss out our theories as we read together. I also enjoyed getting to know Vero’s character and a bit more of her backstory in this book too!

As for the ending…hold on to your hats, folks! I can’t wait to see what the power team of Finlay and Vero get up to in the next book, and hopefully many more after that!

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