Elle Cosimano is back again with her amazing Finlay Donovan series. This time, in Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead , we start right where we left off. Finlay is struggling to finish her novel, with pressure from her agent becoming intense. At the same time, Finlay and her live-in nanny and cohort, Vero, find out that someone wants Finlay's ex-husband dead. As Finlay ventures deeper into a life of crime, she can't help but wonder why Steven has a hit out against him. What did he do? What world has Finlay invited into her life?

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead has the laugh out loud humor as its predecessor did. In fact, this book was more of a comedy than book 1 and I took the style of the storytelling in a different tone. We're reunited with the same cast of characters we fell in love with, but the story is definitely more intimate with Finlay and her decision making than ever before. Book 2 in a series always bridges the gap from books 1 and 3, so I tend to always be a bit more critical of their progression, but ultimately I really enjoyed this one. You can definitely see how this series will make for a perfect television series and I can't wait to see what's in store for Finlay Donovan Book 3.

Just when you think Finlay couldn’t possibly get into anymore trouble…..
The first Finlay Donovan book was silly. This second book, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘ Em Dead, is a also a fun read and even more silly!
Finlay gets herself into ridiculous situations but, given how well we know Finlay, they almost seem plausible. I loved it but missed the wig scarf.
Elle Cosimano has a flair for descriptive and humourous writing.
Move over Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich) Finlay Donovan is on the shelves. I can’t wait to find out what kind of trouble will find Finlay next!
Thank You to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and author, Elle Cosimano, for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

3.5 Stars. After totally loving the first Finlay book, I was so excited to get an early copy of the sequel! Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance read in exchange for review.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead picks up right where the first story left off, so you definitely need to read that book before diving into this one. But for those of you who did read it and need a refresher, I gotchu! These books follow Finlay Donovan, a struggling author and recently-divorced mom, who gets accidentally hired as a contract killer after explaining her mystery books plot out loud in front of a very vengeful wife. In the sequel, Finlay is still a lovable mess, but now with a love triangle, a custody battle, and… more bodies to hide. Oh, and the target this time?? Her ex-husband!

As much as this book was still a fun read, I unfortunately did not think it was as enjoyable as the first. Where it was easy to be charmed by the crazy coincidences at the start, it now feels almost too absurd and convoluted of a mystery to keep the fun and humor alive. I also felt like the stakes and tension fell a little flat as Finlay got out of so many wild situations whereas in the first there was always at least a small element of believability.

While the mystery in this one fell a little short, the best part of this series remains the characters (or at least the main ones-there are quite a few extras in the cast that could’ve probably been done without). They’re witty, relatable, and somehow still likable after making (so so many) ridiculous mistakes. I want nothing but the best for Finlay and love her bestie relationship with Vero and her two possible love interests in Jamie and Nick.

The first book for me was somewhere around a 4.5 star, and it made me sad that this one was a decline. However, I’m still definitely excited to see where Elle Cosimano takes us in the next one, so fingers crossed it’s a fun ride!!!

This book was witty and smart just like the previous one. I loved the continuation in the story and the characters in the story. The story kept me engaged and I can't wait to continue reading more from this author!

I absolutely loved the first book, so couldn’t wait to pick up the next installment of this series and follow Finlay and Vero’s adventures. While this one didn’t *quite* live up to the first one (there seemed to be way more moving parts in the second book), I still found it to be entertaining and a fun read. Can’t wait until the third!

“I knew, maybe better than anyone, that some stories had a way of getting stuck inside our heads. Usually, because we were afraid of what those stories revealed about us—our fears and our inadequacies, our mistakes and our failures. Sometimes, those stories needed a little nudging to come out.“

Finley Donovan is back again! And this time it’s her ex-husband‘s life on the line. We get appearances from the young cute lawyer and the hot cop, but let’s be honest - #TeamNick always. This book was filled with wit, humor, suspense, and a little romance. Through it all, Finlay is starting to own who she is and who she wants to become. I actually loved this book even more than book one. The twists were perfectly placed for me to want to keep reading, and I had a hard time guessing them. An absolutely perfect sequel!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Unexpected series - and a new favorite. Finlay combines the comedy of the early Stephaine Plum with a unique skill set. My new favorite hit woman with a conscious and a sense of the absurd. I gave copies of the first Finlay book to several friends and all eagerly await the release of this one. It is always a joy to find humourous mysteries with characters you look forward to getting to know better. In her second outing, Finlay doesn't disappoint..

Finlay Donovan is back! I absolutely adore this series. Finlay is smart, sarcastic, and hilarious. She keeps finding herself in scary situations and has to use her brain and charm to get out of trouble. I love the voice Elle Cosimano gives Finlay and Vero. Their banter is top notch and Vero's one liners are my favorite. I'm. already looking forward to book 3!

This novel is extremely well plotted and funny. Finlay is such a likeable character, and her nanny/accountant Vero is outspoken in a hilarious way. When Finlay discovers on a messaging board that someone wants to contract a hit on her ex-husband, she races to find out who wants him dead. Even though he can be despicable, she herself doesn’t actually want him dead, but she also needs to keep her children away from him lest they get in the line of fire. He thinks she’s just being dastardly by not allowing him to see his children. Meanwhile, she has a hot detective and a hot young law student who are hot for her—a little enviable even if she is racing against a book deadline, terrorist killers, and, invariably, discovering things she shouldn’t—like a dead body.

This is a wonderful second book in the series. Definitely read the first one before you enjoy this one. I look forward to Cosimano’s next book.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES FEBRURARY 1, 2022.

ARC provided by NetGalley in return for honest review.

Finlay has done it again. This time someone has put a hit out on her ex-husband Steven and Finlay and Vero are the only ones who know about it because Finlay is one of two people who have replied to the anonymous forum posting searching for someone to "take care" of Steven. Meanwhile, Steven is fighting Finlay for custody of the kids which clearly puts their lives at risk every time they're with their father but Finlay is running out of excuses to keep them away from him.

Instead, Finlay and Vero embark on a quest to figure out who posted the hit and who the other contract killer is who replied and the only way to do that is to get involved once again with Feliks Zhirov and Irina Borovkov, major players in Russian organized crime. Just to make things more complicated, Finlay's agent is breathing down her neck because book two is due, sexy Detective Nick is suddenly on her doorstep again, and her relationship with Julian the almost-lawyer has yet to be defined. Add to that a teenaged confidential information who has stolen Vero's car (which happens to have a little something extra in the trunk) and Steven's criminal ex-fiance and you've got a comedic romp that is sure to make you a Finlay fan for life.

Finlay Donovan sure gets into some really dangerous situations, but it's lots of fun to read her adventures. This is the second in the Finlay Donovan series and I enjoyed the first one so much I was happy to get my hands on this one.

Finlay is a recently divorced single mother of two. She's a struggling author dealing with writer's block and is working on what I think is her second book that involves murder and a hot police officer as a love interest (from the first book) and also, a hot attorney. Her live-in nanny, Vero (Veronica), is also her best friend and sidekick.

This adventure deals Finlay discovering an online women's forum where someone has posted a subtle message that sounds like someone wants Finlay's ex-husband, Steven, dead and is willing to pay a hundred grand to anyone willing to get rid of him. Finlay and Vero try to investigate under the radar and also keep the two children away from Steven while he is in danger. Finlay and Vero get into some really hairy situations during their investigation, and the tension builds.

It would really be good to read the first in this series in order to understand and appreciate this second book. It could be read as a stand alone, but I really don't recommend it. The book kept my interest and swung between tension and humor. Finlay is a great character and I hope to see more adventures for her - and maybe some more of the hot cop!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on February 1, 2022.

I am such a fan of the partnership of Finlay and Vero, and the crazy (and super unsafe) situations they find themselves in! This book digs deeper into their relationship, while still leaving some mystery (why does Vero never want to talk about her family?), which will bring me back to see what's up if there is a third book.

This one picks up a few months or so after the last one. Steven and his Theresa are separated, he is still farming, Finlay is working on the proposal for her second book. Whilst perusing the message boards, she sees that it appears that someone wants Steven killed, and so she and Vero must figure out who that is, prevent anyone from doing the job, and protect the kids. All while juggling deadlines and love interests!

This book was a fun read. I found it a little more exciting, with a few more twists, than FInlay 1, and look forward to reading more of Elle Cosimano's work in the future. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book!

Stay tuned for this sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, releasing Feb. 1/2022. If you loved the antics of Finlay and her sidekick Vero, you're going to enjoy this one just as much! The single mom turned accidental hit-woman gets into ALL of the trouble again as she tries to determine who has put a hit out on her ex-husband/father of her children. Throw in a couple of juicy love interests for Finlay (the hot cop and hot lawyer-to-be are back), several outrageous escapades, and you have a recipe for a fantastically entertaining, laugh out loud novel.

Second book in this series. Finlay Donovan is still in trouble with her publisher, her agent, her ex-husband, and the two men who like her: Julian the Law Student and Nick the Police Detective. (Personal opinion: go for Nick, girl!) She and her partner in the assassination business, Vero are now trying to find out who is trying to kill her ex-husband Steven. Reads very similar to early Janet Evanovitch with the wise cracking and antics. Quick read, enjoyable characters. Helps to have read the first book in the series, "Finlay Donovan is Killing It". I thank Netgalley and the author for the free ARC I received of this book, but as always, all opinions are my own.

THIS 👏🏻 IS 👏🏻 JUST 👏🏻 AS 👏🏻 AMAZING 👏🏻 AS 👏🏻 THE 👏🏻 FIRST

If you haven't read "Finlay Donovan is Killing It" yet, I highly suggest you do before next year specifically before February because you need these books in your life.

Dare I say, it's one of the best set of mystery books I've read this year!?!

Truly, I love these books...today I bought a copy of the OG and I am planning on pre-ordering a signed edition of the second ASAP! Thats just how much I adored them!

I just had to have my own physical copies to reread anytime but most importantly to force onto my unsuspecting friends and family *insert evil laugh here*

Finlay Donovan truly knocked me dead with an extremely entertaining story line full of endless hilarious moments and thrilling plot twists you'll NEVER SEE COMING. It is everything we loved from the first book but EVEN BETTER! We get more laughs, mystery, danger and... love triangles?

Seriously, just pre-order it now guys. You won't regret it at all.

I feel so unworthy for being granted early access to this amazing sequel.

Thank you so much Net Galley, Elle Cosimano, St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the ARC, I seriously am so grateful and happy that I was lucky to read this early.

I'm BEYOND excited for everyone to "FINLAY" read it next year (tehehe).

Pro tip: Ms. Cosimano has a link to pre-order personalized signed copies of both books on her Instagram so...I mean...you might as well mozy on over there now to add to your collection.

*whispers* seriously, you will fall in love with them!

I was so excited to reunite with my friends Finlay and Vero for next installment of adventures after we romped around in Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. In this book, my friends are I are intent on figuring out who wants to “erase” Finlay’s ex-husband Steven. Not that we think he is so great – but it’s for the kids… because without a doubt, every child deserves to have their Dad present in their lives. In order to further our research, we had to dig deeper into the Mom’s forum and find out who is behind the posting looking for someone to “take out” Steven.

Along the same lines as the previous book, Finlay and Vero band together to tackle Finlay’s kids, her life and her novel. As in the first book, Finlay is behind on her writing – I mean, she is living it out before she can write it so…give her some time! The lady is busy non-intently seducing her sister’s Police partner and trying to figure out where she and her law student “boy crush” stand, while simultaneously trying to prevent the murder of her ex-husband and find out who is behind the threat. I love the banter between Finlay and Vero. Vero is always exactly Vero. She does not mince words… but she may forget to reveal a few. The only thing that felt a tad missing in this book were the kiddos. They definitely took a back seat in this book.

Don’t go into this book thinking you are going to be reading a chilling thriller. That’s like thinking a Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy movie is going to be like Silence of the Lambs. Much like the movie The Heat, this book takes two loveable and funny characters, puts them in unbelievable situations and has you rooting for them to overcome. Are the situations totally believable? No. Does that make the book any less entertaining? Not in the slightest.

I loved reading this lighter, humorous read after some heavier thrillers. I personally love the over-the-top situations Finlay and Vero find themselves in as well as the many side characters full of personality that Elle always includes. I also love that there is sexual tension, but it never turns into steamy heat. Instead, it leaves the reader with a longing to see what will happen in the future. I can’t wait until the third installation in this series, as there was definitely a cliffhanger at the end.

Do I recommend? 100% Yes!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the advance copy to read and review. Pub date: 2.01.22

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Finlay and Vero...the trouble they get into together blows my mind!! Not only that, but how they manage to get out of trouble (most of the time) is beyond me! The second installment of their adventures is just as suspenseful, exciting, and entertaining as the first! What a fun series! The characters are funny, smart, and devious, which makes for a great mystery! I can see these books being made into movies! Definitely worth the read!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead picks up about a month after the ending of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. Finlay is once again struggling with a book deadline, though now she at least has her new best friend and literal partner-in-crime Vero to help her out. One of her distractions is a casual relationship with a certain hot bartender/law student named Julian. But her main distraction is that she believes she has stumbled across an online offer of $100,000 to someone who will kill Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven. Pretty soon, Finlay and Vero are once again neck deep in trouble, risking their own lives to try to save Steven’s.

The thing I did not realize going in, and kinda wish I did for expectation setting, is that Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is in many ways simply a continuation of the first book. Pretty much every character of any significance who survived the end of the first book is back: those named above, Teresa, Georgia, Russian mobster Feliks Zhirov, and most certainly hot Detective/potential love interest Nicolas Anthony. And given the way this book ends, I would not be surprised if that continuity will be true for the next book too.

As with the first book, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is not gritty, realistic crime fiction. Several characters make a decision or two that you just have to accept to get into the story. Some of the characters are still a bit one-dimensional and cliché. And I didn’t love the decision to give Vero a secret to be upset about throughout the story; it removed some of the humor and banter. But the story works because Finlay is a well-developed character who you can’t help but root for, and because the mystery stayed unpredictable through the finish.

Like its predecessor, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is a fun read, with lots of snarky banter and a fast-moving plot full of twists and turns. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.

I absolutely adored the sequel #finlaydonovanknocksemdead (and the first one, #finlaydonavaniskillingit )! These books are absolutely hilarious! The twists and the goggles are endless! @ellecosimano makes Murder mysteries endlessly fun and endearing! The second book is equally as great as the first and I hope there are more to come! If you haven’t read the first, pick it up now so you are ready for #finlaydonovanknocksemdead to hit stands on February 15, 2022! Huge thanks to the author, @minotaur_books, @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the #arc !!! #bookstagram #mysteries #booknerd #readingismyhappyplace #selfcare

I have to start this review by saying how completely fascinated I am by the way Elle Cosimano's mind works! Her stories are so interwoven and complex without being SEEMINGLY complex and they suck me in every time. I devour them. AND, I am absolutely head over heels in love with her main character Finlay Donovan, a quirky mystery writer and divorced mom of two. To say Finlay is a hot mess express would be an understatement. But she's also smart, funny, resourceful, passionate, brave, loyal and a little (okay, a lot) wreckless!

I first picked up the first book about Finlay because all my friends were recommending it. It totally lived up to the hype. So when I was able to get my hands on an ARC of Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, I was estatic. I was completely captivated by the story and the real-life mystery Finlay was trying to solve - who and why someone was out to kill her ex-husband...and it wasn't HER!

This novel leaves you guessing, always wondering what's coming around the corner, quite literally groaning out loud at some of the messes Finlay and friends get themselves into, and finding yourself finished with it before you hardly thought you started! It's definitely a must-read and I can't wait for Book #3 in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.