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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What a great follow-up sequel for Finlay Donovan! I am shocked to say actually think I liked this one even better than the first! I just love the duo of Finlay and Vero and I could watch them get themselves into trouble all day. They were so adorably naive sometimes and their antics really get them in some hot water. I really like all of the characters in this but felt they all could have used a little more development. This was a bit hard to keep track of the long list of characters in the audiobook but I slowed down the narration to really grasp all of the twists and turns and found this much more enjoyable after that. This set Finlay up for another escapade perfectly and I'm looking forward to seeing what else happens to Finlay!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another fantastic read and audiobook! I liked the banter between Finlay, her sister Georgia, and their mom. Listening to this book makes me wonder if conversations between writers and agents were as exciting in real life as in this story! That scene where Finlay was with Nick at Delia’s school was cute. Again I love the humor and banter in this story. I enjoyed Vero and Finlay’s strategy discussions. There were some good twists I was not expecting. All well developed characters. There’s friendship and family in this book that was not taken lightly.


This book started with Christopher’s passing. Christopher was Delia’s pet fish. Finlay said her ex-husband wanted to fight with her on custody battle of their kids because he strongly believed she couldn’t take care of them. Now the pet fish is dead was just another reason to prove him correct. Then the story began with Finlay actively investigating on who would want her ex-husband, Steven, dead. Her ex-husband was back on custody battle with Finlay now because he knew she’s dating a younger guy. He’s also bitter after his fallout with his fiancé, Theresa, and the failure of his farm after 5 bodies were found buried there. Knowing that someone wanted her ex-husband dead, she couldn’t just let her kids go with Steven alone so she and Vero tailed him. Finlay and Vero couldn’t tell Steven about his situation and couldn’t ask for her cop sister, Georgia, for help because she couldn’t risk her involvement to come out. The note to inform her about Steven’s situation mentioned that it was originated from an online forum. Finlay and Vero kept up combing the forum for more clues. When one night Steven and his kids were out Christmas tree shopping, he was attacked. Finlay was there to help and Steven was upset, thought that Finlay didn’t trust him alone with their kids. After that incident, the thread on the online forum escalated and Finlay was forced to join in on the forum pretending to be interested in the hit job.


Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead was well written and narrated. I liked the narrator and the accents were my weakness. I liked Julian so hopefully he will be in book 3 too. There’s book 3 because this book 2 ended with another cliffhanger. The ending was good. A good reminder about how innocent online forums with simple terms can be misunderstood into life and death situations. Another good reminder about husbands and men. One part I was confused on was Finlay’s missing phone. She lost after her parcel drop off at Theresa’s house but at the end of the book, Nick said the phone was found after the shootout at Mrs. Westover’s house. There were some thrilling parts in this story I enjoyed a lot. I was disappointed it took Finlay and Vero into the entire book to find out the identity for only one forum user. I’m excited for book 3 nonetheless, so I still recommend everyone to read this series!

xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an audiobook and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

Loved this book so much, maybe not quite as much as the first, but loved. This book is darkly funny and I adore the writing. Finlay is such a likable, unusual heroine and I can’t wait for more!

This was definitely not my favorite book. I felt that there was a lot going on yet nothing really happened. Finlay is not the most likable character and throughout this story, she came off as very annoying. I found most of the characters dislikable and the majority of the story very unrealistic. That being said it was a good continuation of book 1.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am obsessed with Finlay and Vero. I adore them so much! These books are so much fun. They are witty, funny and clever. I am hoping for many more volumes of "Finlay Donovan..." as she has become my newest guilty pleasure. The antics the two of them get themselves into are just hilarious, but at the core, their friendship is so authentic and heartfelt. I could only dream of having a friend like Vero. A true "ride or die".

Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead is the perfect sequel to Finlay Donovan is Killing it. And, the ending was left open-ended enough that I'm sure we have more Finlay and Vero in our near futures. And you better believe I will devour anything written about these two. Such a fun friendship. All of this is wrapped up in a really good mystery. I'm normally not a fan of these "cozy mysteries", but Elle Cosimano has knocked it out of the park with these two books.

The narrator was fabulous. Her Russian accents were fantastic and she really brought Finlay to life. I read the print copy of Finlay Donovan is Killing it and I am now planning on revisiting it on audio. The audio brought something different to it that I really enjoyed with the second novel. All in all 4.5 stars!

Just as entertaining as the first one! Fun romance/crime plot that keeps you guessing. I hope the author writes a third one!

I’ve finally caught up to the rest of the book world and devoured the Finlay Donovan series this last week.

Finlay and Vero are back for more shenanigans in Finlay Knocks ‘Em Dead. Finlay receives an offer to get rid of her ex for good. Now she is on the hunt to find out who wants him dead before someone else takes the job.

The Finlay-Vero duo is fantastically hilarious! These books remind me a bit of the Stephanie Plum series, but I enjoyed the Finlay character more. She’s relatable as a mom juggling young kids, career, and trying to make ends meet. I loved these books and can’t wait for book three!

Many thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this audio copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved Finlay Donovan as soon as I met her in the first book. This series is great because it has hilarious moments, mystery, and sometimes outrageous circumstances. It’s so refreshing and is unique in that it spans multiple genres. But as much as I loved the first in the series, I only liked this second book. It still has the elements that I loved from the first book, but it didn’t quite charm me in the same way. I liked the audio, but I kind of wish I read the physical book. It’s easier for me to go at my own pace and imagine the story which I think may be so important with this series. If you liked the first book, I still think it’s worth it to continue with the series!

Fun romp of a book! There are times when you just need to read some well-written silliness. The Finlay Donovan series is just that. This title is the second one in the series. 'Finlay Donovan Is Killing It' is the first. While it is not necessary, I think it is best to read this series in order. You get a fuller understanding of the characters and the reasons behind their actions. The character development is great even with all of their quirkiness or perhaps because of it! I love that Finlay is an author. She has a lot of writers block. It is only when her reality goes off the deep-end and she is pressed to turn in some of her recent chapters that she finds herself in a dither and spews out her reality as her fictional novel. It is comparable to watching/reading a ROM-COM only with contract killers and dead bodies - along side kids and diaper bags. Enjoyable reading with many laugh out loud moments! I am waiting for the next in the series with a smile! I listened to the audio book for this second of the series and loved the narrator - she does an excellent job with the different voices.

What's not to love about Finlay Donovan! I am so glad this series is back with a new book and am already eagerly anticipating the next one. Cosimano;s writing is witty and compelling; I love that this book offers an interesting mystery on top of the humor and hijinks. Not to mention the very hunky detective, Nick, who Finlay needs to put the moves on. I absolutely love Angela Dawe's narration, especially her version of my favorite, Vero! I have recommended this to so many people and the consensus so far is the same - these books rock and the only problem with them is that Cosimano needs to write faster ;)

Thanks to Netagalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a fun and propulsive read, even if a touch ridiculous. I don't think this quite lived up to the first one, but I thoroughly enjoyed being back with the characters. Because it's a sequel I won't speak to the plot directly, but here's a few thoughts I have about this one. I still love Finlay and Vero's friendship and the way they strengthen each other. The dialogue was quick and punchy. Finlay was still so chaotic and yet a lovable character. I did feel like some of the storylines were a bit weaker than the first book and I didn't get as much resolution as I was hoping for. I'm not a huge fan of a love triangle so the romantic parts of this one weren't my favorites, but did think the chemistry between Finlay and her men was written really well. I do have a clear preference for one of themen even though I'm not sure how it would work out. Overall I thought this was a completely enjoyable read. I will definitely pick up the next one to see this story continue to play out.

These books are so campy & funny! I loved the ride, & I hope there’s a 3rd book! The narration is great!

MY QUICK BITS
-30 something problems
-Bumbling hit-woman
-Humorous predicament
-Love triangle
-How'd we end up here?

MY FULL REVIEW
Anyone else get super excited when they read the first book in a series without knowing its going to be a series?

Reading Finlay Donovan #1 was such a fresh experience with its biting humor and surprising mystery/murder for hire setup.

I found much of the same in Finlay Donovan #2! We pick up right where we left off in book one as Finlay squirms to stop yet another hit job.

A book that doesn't take itself too seriously as Finlay's commentary on the book she's writing mirrors the book you are already reading.

I found myself having a little bit more trouble getting into Kocks 'Em Dead in the first half in comparison to book one, but cruised to the end in the second half.

The ending leaves you with a few surprises, new questions needing to be answered, and Finlay in yet another predicament...to be answered in book 3?

MY RATINGS
2.00/5.00 SOS Rating
4.25/5.00 Overall Rating

i really enjoyed the first finlay book and was super happy to discover that i finished it like a week before this one published! happy accident. i ended up enjoying this one just as much! love this author. the narrator was fantastic.

I didn't realize this was a series! Definitely going to go back and read the rest. It's a fun romp and Finlay Donovan is a realistic character with a wild life!

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first one in the series, however I will say this one was much more enjoyable. Maybe he’s because I listened to this one rather then e-reading.

This was a fun thriller and great recommendation for a quick read.

I love, love, loved it! I read this book in tandem to listening to the audiobook and I have to say that I preferred the audiobook. The narrator is excellent and I was impressed with the the voices and accents she did. Like the first book in the series, this one focuses on Finlay and her family. I liked that her husband got more of his comeuppance and I liked that we got to know Vero better, especially some of her back story. In general, the whole cast of characters was very well-fleshed out and likeable. The pacing was excellent and I loved the way the mystery was resolved, I can't wait for the next one!

I loved this book! Can’t wait for the next one!
Interestingly enough, when I got the approval to review this book, I had not known there was a book one. On the plus side, you can actually just dive right into this book without being completely lost - which is a plus if your TBR pile is as huge as mine.
I devoured this audiobook in two days; listening to it every second that I could. I was hooked from the very start. The narrator was excellent. She did a great job with the voices for different characters, making it easier to follow along. The narration also gave a great sense of the personality of each of the characters.
The plot was fantastic - outrageous too! Which really keeps the reader intrigued. A long the way, you are reminded of the antics of the first book, since some do follow the events of that book, which ensures that as a late comer to the series you won’t feel lost.
The relationship between Vero and Finlay is probably my favorite part of the story. If you like a love triangle, there may be a little something in here for you too 😉. The love interests are both great, which makes it hard for even the reader to choose. The author portrayed the children age appropriately, which I feel the need to mention, since I have come across adult books that make 5 year olds seem like they should actually be 10.
There were so many elements to the sorry that I loved. This book was a wild ride and I will definitely go read that first book now to get the full story of what happened there, since we only get glimpses (and I just want more Fin and Co.). I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is the kind of mystery I like- murder, mystery, suspense, and humor. When you can write them all together, that's a really special mix. Elle Cosimano did just that, and it made it so much fun to keep up with Finlay. It doesn't hurt for a smart woman to be chased by two hot men. There's something for everyone here- but mostly everything is for me! I'm excited to see what else Cosimano will do with Finlay.