Cover Image: Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

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I had really high hopes for the second Finlay book, and I think that's tough. I loved the first book, and I'm not sure if it's how it was tee'd up or if it was a time of life thing, but everything hit just right. But unfortunately book #2 feels forced. The relationship between Finlay, Vero, Julian, Nick, Steven, and all the side characters came across wooden. I wasn't nearly as invested in the plot or any of the relationships this time around, and I thought there were parts of Vero's story that took a bit of a turn in an odd direction. This also lacked the humor that came about so naturally in the first book.

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First of all, Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead in exchange for an honest review.

Publishing Date: February 1st, 2022.

Finlay Donovan is Killing it was one of my favorite books of 2021 and made me discover that I love the mystery genre, especially when there is humor and romance intertwined. I had high expectations for the second book, Finlay Donovan Knocks em’ Dead and it truly lived up to the hype. I was in a slump before I picked this up and it immediately cured me.

We get to follow the same hilarious characters, Finlay and Vero, in their murderous escapades once again getting themselves tangled up in bad things by accident. It was the perfect sequel to keep the first book of high jinks going especially one that ended on a cliffhanger.

If you haven't picked up the first book you have plenty of time to pick it up before the second one comes out on February 1st, 2022. I was just so excited to read it I truly could not wait.

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Another hilariously messy adventure for Finlay and Vero. This time the murder is way close to home then either of them would like. I couldn't get enough of the surprising twists and turns at every corner. Finlay is yet again under a massive deadline for her book and its not coming along like shed hope, but also she as to run around protecting her ex from the hit someone has on him. I liked the more of Veros story is coming out, but just enough for you to start questioning things more. I have grown so attached to these characters and the love and devotion these two women have for each other, they are family now. The messes they seem to get into, you just have to laugh. The way they land into shoot outs, massive online fronts, body parts, and police around every corner.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for my copy for honest review!

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I LOVED THIS SEQUEL! Seeing more into the life of Finlay and getting the answers we needed after the cliff-hanger of book one was everything! I can't wait for the next one and this one isn't even published yet.

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f you want a light and fast-paced mystery with a lovable heroine, look no further than Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, the follow-up novel to Finlay Donovan is Killing It. Elle Cosimano delivers an entertaining ride and the novel give readers the thrill without getting into dark matter.

Finlay is back and faces a new mystery after just getting out of her predicament in the first book. Someone posted what seems like an ad in a women’s forum for someone to kill Finlay’s ex-husband Stephen. Finlay, scared for her kids’ safety, especially after someone responds to the ad to take the job, must learn the identity of the poster and the assassin. Besides that, she’s torn between two live interests: Nick, the cop who she always comes to a head with during her adventures and Julian, the law student/bartender whose lifestyle seems to conflict with Finlay’s.

I really enjoyed the first book and found it hilarious. While this second book isn’t as funny, I still liked reading about Finlay again because she’s such a likeable character. Finlay is resourceful and independent and someone that you can’t help root for. Besides Finlay, her sidekick Vero is also likeable and this book compels you to want to learn more about her especially what compelled her to help Finlay and seek money. Their alliance is so unlikely but it’s such a strong bond that is easy to appreciate.

Apart from the characters, the plot was interesting and the reveal at the end was pretty funny and clever. It looks like these books will be part of a series, and I thought the author did a great job of setting up the next novel at the end. I do wish some chapters allowed the reader to breathe and pause. There is so much going on with the plot that other than Finlay and Vero to an extent, the characters in the book feel one-dimensional. Especially the villains who fall into stereotypical tropes.

Despite the drawbacks, I still love this series and look forward to the next book. I recommend people look into these novels for an entertaining read.

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This was such a fun read. I fell in love with Finlay and Vero earlier this year when I read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and was SO excited to get a chance to read the sequel.

I feel like it's so hard for a second book in a series to live up the excitement and enjoyment of the first but I really love spending more time in Finlay's world and revisiting characters from the first book because I just wasn't ready to let them go.

When you're in series-territory it's always hard to talk plot without giving too much of the previous book away, but suffice to say I am so happy to dig deeper into the characters we met in Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. I still have the same Dead To Me vibes and Iove seeing how Finlay gets herself in and out of trouble. There's just something about a "regular" person finding themselves in insane circumstances that I love.

She's relatable. She's funny.. She's smart. She's witty, She's human. She's struggled but succeeding. She's a girl's girl. And I just love her to pieces.

I can't recommend this book enough. Elle Cosimano has really struck a chord with Finlay as a character. The writing style is great and I was for sure hooked from the get go. It definitely walks a line of light and dark and I just cheer these ladies on. Don't sleep on this one. I'm already auto buying it so it can live on my shelf and I can read it again!

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Elle Cosimano is such an amazing writer! I loved her first book FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT. She has such a way of storytelling that sucks you in!

This newest book literally picks right back up hours after the first book ends, which was a great change up to a sequel. All of your favorite (and no so favorite *cough* Stephen) characters are present as Finlay and Vera pop in and out of back to back craziness.

And that big reveal at the end? I can honestly say I did not see that coming!

So while I did absolutely adored this book - and it was a SUPER quick read - it definitely left me wanting, craving, and praying for a book 3. I appreciated this book was very driven by mystery solving and friendship building but I found myself missing more of the romance factor.

If you read and loved Finlay as much as I did, you HAVE to check this one out!

Thank you @netgalley and author @ellecosimano for this #giftedbook

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Finlay is the absolute best! This book made me laugh out loud and kept me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend for the second book of this series!

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I just love these characters so so much and I loved being back in their world. I definitely forgot some of the details and was a little confused trying to remember who was who. I liked the mystery and how fast paced it was, but it just got a little confusing with so many different people and the different screen names and everything. The love triangle with Finlay felt better in this book than the last for me. I did want a little more information on Vero since it really felt like there was a lot about her we didn’t know. I think the author set the book up well for another book in the series so fingers crossed! This was such a fast read and I would definitely recommend this series to anyone!

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If you have a Stephanie Plum shaped hole in your heart, this series is for you. And I'm not embarrassed to say that early Stephanie Plum books were my go to feel good mystery read. Theres differences ofcourse (Stephanie had a hamster and a crazy gun toting grandmother, Finlay has two kids and her sister legally totes a gun as a cop) but similar set up and antics and chemistry between the leads. Definitely a fun series to keep an eye out for as the mystery just is getting started.

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What I liked: The sequel is just as fun, ridiculous and silly as the first. Vero and Finlay make insane decision after insane decision, but they’ll have you laughing each step of the way. This is a delightful read that lets you escape reality for a bit. So many *ludicrous* things happen, but it’s all in good fun. The love triangle adds just a hint of spice that will leave you wanting more!

What I didn’t like: Sometimes the many subplots were all over the place and hard to track. But if you can turn your brain off and just enjoy the ride, it’s a fun one. I went into this knowing how outlandish it would be, so I think I was able to appreciate the sequel more than the first.

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I was absolutely hooked on Finlay Donovan after book one, so I was so excited Cosimano was continuing her story. Book two did not disappoint! I had so much fun reading the continued misadventures of Finlay with Vero by her side. Hopefully we'll get even more in the future!

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Another great tale of Finlay Donovan and her assistant/side kick Vero. These books are so well-written with great characters, plot, and humor. This was just as sharp as the original and sets up a third one perfectly! You can't help but cheer on Finlay Donovan!

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This is the second book of the series. We do not know how many more will be. I know the author got the second book deal when she was writing the first one. I could not stop myself comparing this one to the first one. Definitely second book was not funny as the first one. It seems like main plot which is someone trying to kill Finlay’s ex-husband was not strong and there were so many side plots and distractions. The story most of the time was dragging. In my opinion it could be much shorter. I believe if the second one became movie too. It will do better than the book.
I couldn’t find this one funny. There is a part where they have to deal with dead body (as we get used from the first book) was not believable at all. How they hide, how long and even many people been around the discomposing body, nobody will smell it wtf. I hope the third one do better with this misunderstanding plot than the second one. Because it definitely make me feel it is written to be written.

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Finlay Donovan does it again! Wow what a sequel! I absolutely adore this series it’s so fun and witty. The first book really drew me in and I’m glad to say that the sequel is just as good. I loved the expansion on all of our favorite characters especially Vero I love her. I hope we get to learn more about her in the next book.
This book was full of twists and turns and a few of them were SO surprising. I’m usually pretty good at spotting twists but this book has some genuine surprises which was great.
As much as Steven is scummy I really enjoy his relationship with Finlay they have such good banter. I’d love more scenes of them together just going back and forth.
The romance was more secondary in this one but I liked it because the main story took up so much attention that delving too far into the romance would have felt a bit forced. I like that Finlay isn’t focused on finding a man it makes her more relatable as a character because there’s just so much going on and any sane person would focus more on all that than falling for some guy. Plus she has Vero and those two make an amazing team!
This whole series is a 5/5 for me. It’s entertaining, it’s well written, the characters are great, I really have no complaints!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins a press for an advanced copy!

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I adored the first Finlay Donovan book and this sequel brought all the humor, mystery, action, and sizzle back for a fast and deliciously entertaining read!

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I was thrilled to find out Finlay Donovan was back at it! I'm giving this book 4 stars only because it wasn't as funny as the first. The author did write this in a pandemic so huge kudos for finding humor to put in this book at all.
I will be waiting on pins and needles for the third book!
Finlay is a sort of assassin for hire in the middle of a love triangle. She is my favorite literary character lf all time!

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I loved the first Finlay Donovan book and was so excited to receive an ARC of "Finlay Donvan Knocks 'Em Dead." Our favorite accidental hitwoman is back in this book, which brings more laughs than a book about murder should. I'm awe of Cosimano's ability to jump back and forth between Finlay's love life, parental problems and a hit man's attempt to kill her ex-husband without missing a beat. It's so impressive and am already looking forward to book three!

I would love to interview Ms. Cosimano for my newsletter (I regularly feature Q&As) if she's interested. We could time the interview to the publication of the book.

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This second book is as much fun and as funny as the first, plus the author does a great job of catching new readers up without boring those who are already familiar with this outrageously funny character. I look forward to recommending this book to readers who enjoy mysteries with some heart and humor.

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I have been so excited to read this sequel because Finlay Donovan Is Killing it had such a cliffhanger for an ending! Needless to say that you must read the first one before reading this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this in advance. Cannot wait to get a physical copy!

I’m not one to enjoy sequels very much, but the plot to this one is so good. Not the kind to make you feel like the story is being dragged on for too long or the plot and twists getting too forced. Finlay’s story is just too good (and funny) to keep going!

The story picks up from the last book when we find that her ex-husband is on a kill list. Being a hit woman herself, she was determined to find out who wanted to kill him, why and keep her family safe. All the while trying to keep up with her upcoming sequel to her novel’s deadline and her double life.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. I really enjoyed this more than the first one! I think it’s cause Finlay is more confident and sure of herself in this book that she already knew what she was doing. It was just as action-packed and hilarious as the first. It was excellent in squeezing in details from the previous book that instantly refreshes your memory on what had happened then. I personally loved it because that’s what makes sequels hard for me to read. Despite the convenience of it all and the plot being very unrealistic, it continues to work and be very entertaining. The twist at the end got me good on this one, and I’m pretty sure that book 3 is already under way. I highly recommend if you read the first one, you will for surely love this one just as much.

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