A pretty solid sequel to the first book, Finlay Donovan is Killing it!

First, tell me how I did not write down a single thing about this book while reading it? Why am I the way that I am. BUT! This is the rare sequel that actually holds up pretty well to the original. Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead continued to keep me guessing and engaged, though I will still say I prefer the first due to the sheer absurdity.

Finlay Donovan is done being a contract killer after sort of accidentally doing it once but also not exactly? Except someone has put out a hit on her husband, and she’s been tipped off about it. So she can’t exactly do nothing, leaving her kids in danger while their father is targeted. So she tries to take the job, and find out who this other mysterious person trying to take him out is while also trying to figure out who put out the hit in the first place… and not get caught by the police officer who is hot on the trail and simultaneously very interested in her. Oh, and she has a hot younger boyfriend who is a lawyer.

So, there’s a lot going on. This book is twists and turns, just like the first one. I never quite knew what was going to happen or how she was going to make it out without getting in trouble! Finlay is hilarious, Vero is a badass, and Elle Cosimano did it again.

Elle does it again. Finlay was great but Vera… she deserved her own book. Can’t wait to read whatever Elle writes next.

Finlay Donovan is at it again! I enjoyed the first book in this series so I was eager to read this follow-up. It's a light, fun read, but I did find some of the scenarios to be quite outlandish - only in a book can you get away with some of the stuff Finlay gets away with! Nevertheless, the story was engaging and kept me reading. Of all the characters in these books, Vero hands down is my favorite!

I loved this one! I actually think this one topped the first one.
And the ending left it open for another one.
I cant get enough of finlay and her quirky sidekick vero.
These two always give me a good laugh, and the twist in the end had me like ...ooooh shit chuckling.
Good thing it was raspberry sauce 🤣
Thank you netgalley

Another smart madcap mystery featuring romance writer Finlay Donovan and her friend/accountant as they attempted to keep a hit from being taken on her ex-husband and juggles the hot cop and lawyer in training. Twists galore and just a ton of fun.

I was granted a free copy of this text by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was another fun read from Cosimano. I enjoyed the first Finlay Donovan novel, but she settles into her characters more in this one. Looking forward to seeing what is next for Donovan.

This title expired very quickly and I wasn’t able to read it in time! But if it’s anything like the first… I’d love it

Loved reading about Finlay's crazy adventures again! I laughed out loud several times reading. This one picks up right where book one left off, and the shenanigans of Finlay's life continue. The characters are flawed and fun, but also feel completely real. I loved the connection between Finn and Vero, and how the author showed how female friendships can truly be one of a kind, and even deeper than romantic relationships. Once again, I was completely engaged with the story, although specific part left me thinking, "That's it?" I won't say what it was for spoiler reasons, but even still, I enjoyed it as much as the first one and can't wait for book 3!

This series is so fun. I love reading about Finlay's adventures and her road to trying not to be a contract killer? This one had the same humor and wit as the first one and I loved it. How people aren't putting together that Finlay is really involved in this baffles me but I suppose that makes it more fun that way.
So excited to read the next book in the series!

For fans of Janet Evanovich, Finlay Donovan has some similar vibes to the Stephanie Plum series. Finlay, a writer who is struggling with writers block and who has been mistaken in the past for a hit woman, becomes concerned for her children’s safety after learning that a hit has been put out on her ex-husband. Facing a looming book deadline, a love triangle, money problems and the mob, Finlay and her friend Vero find themselves involved in reckless undertakings as they attempt to discover who put out the hit and who accepted it. Quirky characters and humor make this a fun and entertaining read.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY GOSH!!

Okay, first I want to say, I absolutely loved the first book so much!! That cliffhanger?? 🤯

As soon as this book became available on netgalley, I jumped at the opportunity to request it!! Spoiler alert: I FREAKING LOVED IT!!

FINLAY DONOVAN does it again!! This poor woman is trying to live her best life, but her ex-husband has a hit on him and Finlay has to figure out who wants him dead. There are times she thinks her life would be much easier if Steven wasn’t around, but he’s her kids father, which means Finlay is on the case.

Twists and turns and mistakes are made, but in the end it was a wild ride I’d happily take again. I honestly didn’t see the twist of who FEDUP was!! AND AGAIN with that cliffhanger, WHAT?! I can’t wait to read the next one!!

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books and the amazing Elle Cosimano for the opportunity to read and review this book early in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan strikes again! I *love* this series so much. Elle Cosimano writes the most compelling, page-turner that has me regularly laughing out loud. I loved this sequel to Finlay’s story and was so glad when I read that there are books 3 and 4 coming in the next two years. I never want to get off this ride. I loved that more of Finlay and Vero’s relationships were explored in this book - Finlay’s mom and ex, Vero’s family and past. These are characters I keep rooting for and also sitting back with my mouth agape how they’re still standing. Thank you Net Galley and Minotaur books for the e-galley.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for advanced ebook and audiobook copies of this title.

This book is the second in a new and humorous mystery series. Finlay Donovan is a single mom and author who always seems to be chasing a book deadline. Her ex-husband is a bit of a low-life but even she doesn't want him dead. So who does? Finlay and her live-in nanny/BFF Vero are on the case. As in the first book (Finlay Donovan is Killing It), the pair encounter dead bodies, the Russian mafia, and danger at every turn. There are a lot of humorous misunderstandings and some romance along the way, too. These books are great for anyone looking for a lighthearted, twisty mystery where a badass mom is the star.

Finlay Donovan Knocks Them Dead pick up right where Finlay Donovan Is Killing It left off. Someone wants her ex-husband murdered. Not that Finlay has not been tempted but she really wants to be off the list of professional assassins. She might be angry with the louse, but she sets out to identify the person seeking a contract killer.

Meanwhile, her romantic life is getting complicated since the last person a professional assassin should date is a cop, right? And then, why is her partner in crime acting strange? And why are people looking for assassins in a mommy forum? And how does she deal with the Russian mob?

Finlay has a lot of cups in the air. Can she keep them spinning?



I enjoyed Finlay Donovan Knocks Them Dead very much though it was less fresh and exciting than her first book in the series. It was at times hilarious, but if you think about it, the mistake people made about her is very similar to the mistakes some people make about someone else in this book. That’s okay, it was funny. But let’s not see that kind of misunderstanding for a third time in the next in the series. There had better be a third in the works.

I received an e-galley of Finlay Donovan Knocks Them Dead from the publisher through NetGalley.

Finlay Donovan Knocks Them Dead at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan
Elle Cosimano author site
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It review

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest review.*

Elle Cosimano has done it again! Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is a smart, sassy, and superb read! I loved the first book so much and was very hopeful that this book would be just as good and it did not disappoint me. At all!!

Finlay is still faking her career as a hired killer, but now is trying to figure out what is going on with her nanny, Vero, and keep someone from killing her pain in the rear ex-husband, Steven, without taking the fall for the attempts on his life. The situations Finlay gets herself into are so unbelievable yet so hilarious that you have to keep reading to see what is next.

I have recommended this book and the first book to so many people and they have all loved the books! If you have been on the fence, don't hesitate and read them today!

And Elle Cosimano, I can't wait for the next book!!!

Finlay Donovan is back for another adventure! She's still just as much of a hot mess, she's still got Vero by her side, and she's still not making much progress on her new novel. But she has plenty to keep her busy; in addition to being a single mom to two young kids and juggling a couple of love interests, she's also trying to find the identity of the person who put out a hit on her ex-husband's life on a mommy message board. Let the calamity commence!

I don't envy Elle Cosimano's position at all; after the fresh, fun, fabulousness of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, it would be hard to keep up the momentum with a follow-up. But Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is a great book in its own right -- maybe not quite on the level of its predecessor, but pretty damn close. Not only is Finlay the most lovable hot mess ever, her relationship with Vero is so special, and the situations the duo gets into are quirky and hilarious. This book is a total genre-bending adventure pulling in elements of romance, crime thriller, police procedural, cozy mystery, and comedy. The plot gets a bit convoluted at times -- there are a lot of characters to keep straight -- but it's still pure fun all the way through, and I will read books about Finlay as long as Cosimano writes them.

Plus, this book includes the word "velocirapterotica." Need I say more?

In the second Finlay Donovan installment, Finlay and Vero find themselves trying to figure out who put a hit on Finn's ex-husband. And more importantly, who has agreed to take on her ex-husband as their mark?

Just as silly and over the top as its predecessor, I actually enjoyed <u>Knocks 'Em Dead</u> more! I think Finn's character grew on me a little bit (she didn't come off as hopeless/clueless/whiny, etc.-I enjoyed seeing her character development). While the love triangle trope was as strong as ever, I didn't mind it as much because I found this mystery to be much more intriguing. I also am now more excited for the next book because the cliffhanger ending for this one was very enticing! Hoping Vero gets a more prominent role in the third book as she was obviously a little more distant in this one.

This series is so delightful and fun. I love all of the characters, and Finlay feels so real in that if I was in these kinds of crazy situations, I would absolutely be doing the same dumb stuff.

It also kills me how the book that she is writing intersects with her own life. Vero is so intriguing and you will NEED to know what she is hiding - and every side character in this has so much depth!

Delightful!

I was scared that this book wasn't going to live it up to the first book BUT I feel like it did. I had such a good time laughing with Finally and Vero! I LOVED this second book almost as much as the first!!!

I appreciated that Finlay Knocks "Em Dead picked up right where the first book left off! I love to laugh especially when it's character's sassy banter that makes me laugh and Elle Cosimano delivers on the banter and the antics!!!

I do think you have to read the first book before you read this one. But do yourselves a favor and just read them and ENJOY them. This series is charming, witty, laugh out loud funny and Elle keeps it real...parenting wise!!!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is a delightful follow-up to Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

It’s strange to say “delightful” about a book that involved murder but that’s just what this book is. It’s a funny cozy mystery that kept me chuckling as we joined Finlay in figuring out a dark web identity and who killed who this time around.

I enjoyed Finlay and Vero’s antics in this sequel. Their friendship might be my favorite part of these books. There’s a bit of romance, with the same players from the first book. I wanted a little bit more romance and had to keep reminding myself that the book isn’t a romcom. 😆

If you liked the first Finlay, you’re sure to enjoy this one! I think the first is my favorite, but the sequel is still a solid 4 stars.