We jump right into the story as Finlay Donovan finds herself using the skills she's learned as a mystery author and contract killer (mistaken, but effective) to track down the person who's offering a lot of money to take out her scumbag ex-husband. Things get dire when the mafia pops up once again and everyone's a suspect. Not to mention that her best friend/nanny Vero is suddenly acting strange, the sexy law student/bartender she's dating is incommunicado, and the hot cop her sister insists she date is the on the case.
There's a lot going on, but Cosimano keeps things always moving and expertly paced to keep this reader's interest from beginning to a very surprising and unexpected end.
This is very much a continuation of the previous volume, which means that it might be hard for someone to jump in with this volume. Cosimano depends on you to know the characters and how they relate to each other already, so there's almost no setups or introductions. You're going to have to have read book 1 to fully appreciate and understand book 2.
I really enjoyed this adventure and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Finlay Donovan.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the riveting read!

Finlay Donovan is back and this time she is trying to stop someone from murdering her ex. On the women's message board it appears that someone has taken a hit out on Finlay's ex and after several weeks it appears that a hit man has taken up the commission. Now Finlay needs to keep Steven alive while protecting her children, finding out who the assassin is and all while keeping Steven in the dark. Our bad guys and our love interests are back from last time with the introduction of some new potential villains and some redemption of old ones.

This was just as enjoyable to read as the first book and just as crazy. Everything is so convoluted and fun at the same time. I suggest you pick up the first book and then follow it up with Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead.

Reading Between the Wines book review #26/135 for 2022:
Rating: 4 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book 🎧: Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
Author: Elle Cosimano
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Available now!

Sipping thoughts: Finlay is just as crazy, reckless, and brave in the second installment. It is so laughable at all the silly predicaments she gets herself into. This book also followed the murder for hire storyline. I made one guess on who wanted her husband dead, and I was correct. This book had more characters, some new and some old, which creates a long list of suspects. I enjoyed watching Finlay and Vero try to solve the case while trying to keep themselves out of trouble. I hope there is a third book and can’t wait for it to come out.

Cheers and thank you to @StMartinsPress and @NetGalley for an advanced copy of @FinlayDonovanKnocksEmDead.

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Last year, I read and reviewed the first book in this series, and I gave it 5 stars, which most of you know is *not* typical for me. It was perhaps a case of “right book, right time,” since the story had flaws that normally I’d point out and reflect in my rating. But the concept was *so great* and it was so much fun!

Well, I’m happy to say I wasn’t completely delusional and think FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS ‘EM DEAD is even *better* than the first book. (No, I’m not giving it 5 stars. If I re-rated Book 1, I’d give it 4 stars too, although that one would be a solid B.)

It’s still zany and outrageous, but the plot is less ludicrous than last time. Or maybe the mystery is just tighter. Finlay and her sidekick (and nanny), Vero, seem to be more in control this time, but the layers of mystery and suspense keep them (and the reader) backpedaling and realizing they don’t.

Of course, my favorite part of the story is Detective Nick, who always seems to be in the right place at the wrong time. The tension between Finlay and Nick is written *soooooo* well!

If you’re looking for a light, laugh-out-loud, fun read, I highly recommend this series! Of course it’s ridiculous and unrealistic, but not taking itself seriously is half the fun.

RATING: A-/B+ (4½ stars)

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the second installment within the Finlay Donovan series. Just like the first book, I devoured this within one sitting. There's just something about Finlay that is so easy to get along with. Even though she seems to magically get her way in some absurd scenarios. For example, getting into jail without a valid ID? Doesn't really seem possible to me but I've never to gone to see someone in jail before either.

Other than that, I really liked her and Vero trying to solve crimes again. I just love their chemistry and friendship. I'll also admit that I didn't really like Finlay with Julian. It was just weird to me because I really want her with Nick instead. Then there's Steven who seriously needs to stop bothering Finlay and get a new life.

In the end, I really enjoyed the heck out of this sequel. I'm also really excited for the next book and crime solving adventure to come my way. Mostly because I really need to know who is behind it all. We got little clues in this one but I'm still not sure who it is!

I received the audio of Finlay Donovan Knock ‘Em Dead from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t read the first Finlay Donovan book so I wasn’t familiar with the characters or their backstory. I plowed through this audio. For me it just didn’t flow. The characters weren’t likable. It was too long and the ending wasn’t satisfying I give this book 1star. I’m sure there will be many capers for Finlay and Vero bi will not be reading them.

This one was just as good as the first! Elle Cosimano does an amazing job at balancing the humor and suspense, and I never want to put her books down!

I loved this book so much. A book that can suspend reality and make me laugh out loud is such a gift and I can’t wait for more Finlay.

I loved this one just as much as I loved the first one!! It was very action packed and I could not put it down. All the starts to Finlay!!

4/5

Book Two in the Finlay Donovan Saga does not disappoint! This sequel solidified Finlay as one of my favorite fictional characters and this series as one of my comfort reads. There is something about stepping back into the lives of Finlay and Vero that is reminiscent of watching complete and utter chaos ensue and yet somehow, I find it comforting. The humor in this dialogue is everything of the sort! The banter between not only Vero and Finlay but all of the characters is highly entertaining, and has you feeling like a fly on the wall for all of Miss Donovan's zany adventures.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead picks up a month after the first book, and while it may seem that not much has changed for the mistaken assassin, not everything is as it seems! Finlay finds herself enveloped in an online forum where she comes across a request for a new hit, but this time the potential victim is someone she knows, her ex-husband Steven. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have much compassion for Steven and his cheating ways, but I wouldn't necessarily wish death upon him.... and neither does Finlay. This means, someone else is out to get Steven and Finlay will do whatever it takes to ensure her children are kept safe, especially now that Steven is in their lives more.

This is a great installment to the life and times of Finlay Donovan, while the first book remains my favorite so far, this is a must read for fans of Finlay and Vero!

Hilarious and heartwarming, I enjoyed this book so much. I love Finlay and all of her insane shenanigans. Must read and can’t wait for more.

I was so pleased to discover that this sequel was every bit of fun as the first book! I just love Cosimano's way of infusing humor into her mystery plots - there's so much silliness that feels fresh and delightful.

Finlay and her sidekick, Vero, are back at it again trying to solve who wants her ex-husband dead. Of course, Finlay gets involved in many hijinks (including running up against the Russian mob) and there's also some fun distractions from a hot cop and a hot lawyer!

There were several twists I just didn't see coming and I loved the way Cosimano set up plenty of intrigue for the next book in the series. Can't wait for book number three!

Finlay Donovan is one of my favorite sleuths over the last couple of years! I love her determination, resourcefulness, her life that seems to be a never-ending comedy of errors, and her knack for solving crimes. This sophomore entry to the series was just as hilarious as I expected and even gave me some heart-pounding moments that I didn't. Can't wait to see what case Finlay gets involved in next!

I almost feel bad reviewing this book because I think the fact of the matter is that books like this are not for me. I WANT them to be for me and I get really sucked into the hype surrounding them, the fun covers, etc. But I have so much trouble suspending disbelief and so many ridiculous things happen in this book that I just can't get fully immersed in it.

The book picks up nicely where the last one ended and fans of Finlay will likely enjoy this one, too. There is a certain amount of fun to it and I do like the characters of Finlay and Vero. But their escapades are so ridiculous and sloppy and the cops are so dumb that I just couldn't truly enjoy it. There's nothing realistic about it. And while I get that it's a fun work of fiction and I should just chill out and enjoy it, my brain literally won't let me.

Will I read the third book? Ugh. I probably won't because I honestly just don't care very much what happens to any of the characters. I know I'll be tempted to (also, I'm a completionist and hate leaving series unfinished!), but with so many books in the world that ARE for me, I should just leave these ones alone.

Finlay Donovan was one of my favorite books of last year so I couldn’t wait to read the sequel! In this one Finlay is, as usual, struggling to write her next book and survive as a single mom. She’s also learned that someone wants her ex-husband, Steven, dead. She takes it into her own hands to see that this doesn’t happen and goes to crazy lengths to make sure of it.

This book was just as enjoyable as the first one. Finlay and Vero are the perfect friends with such great banter and chemistry, I love reading about their adventures. I also love how Finlay comes up with the plots of her books! She’s a great character who is so witty and makes me wish I could parent like her sometimes.

Thank you to Minotaur and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

No sophomore slump here! Finlay is back and this time, the target of an alleged hit is her ex-husband Steven. Finlay juggles a new book deadline, trying to keep Steven and her kids safe, and a secretive nanny. Cosimano keeps the mystery fresh and the reader on their toes, while maintaining the wit and charm that had us not-so-patiently waiting for this book to publish. If you haven't read Finlay Donovan is Killing It, you're definitely going to want to pick that one up first.

Absolutely adored this book! The banter between Finlay and Vero is just perfection. Such a fun, easy read that will completely captivate you. Personally, I loved Finlay #1 more but this one was SO enjoyable!

I'm not usually a big fan of cozy mysteries but this series is an absolute delight. I loved the slapstick humor and hijinks Finlay and Vero get themselves into. What I love most of all is the female friendship portrayed in these stories. There's no competition, no sabotage, just true friendship and respect, and a wish the see the other succeed. It's refreshing to see an author get female friendship so right. I personally enjoy the hints at romance without anything too graphic being thrown in my face. It's fun to see an adult woman, mother of 2 small children, still acknowledged as a sexual being. I look forward to more adventures for Finlay and Vero.

A fun follow up to the first Finlay! I'm kinda done with hot mess moms but it is good and fans may like this one.

Finlay Donovan is a single mother as well as an author who is struggling to finish her second book. Sometimes life isn’t easy but she has her live-in nanny, Vero, who is also a good friend and sidekick. All seems to fairly well until Findlay discovers that someone is trying to kill her ex-husband. On top of that (if that isn’t enough), Vero is keeping secrets and a cute detective is still showing an interest in Findlay.

Findlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is the second book in this quirky and refreshing series. There is humor, suspense, and mystery, with good characters to boot. I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment of this series, but the second book didn’t seem quite as sharp to me. It has a lot of moving parts and it is somewhat slow at times. However, it is a promising series that I think will only get better and for that reason, it deserves 3.5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.