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Member Reviews

The third installment in the Finlay Donovan series does not disappoint! It’s just as hilarious as the first two, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. I loved how it provided a nice refresher of the earlier books without feeling repetitive—perfect for diving back into Finlay’s chaotic world. The themes of friendship and romance were spot on, adding warmth and depth to the story. And the police academy setting? Such a fun and unique twist! This series just keeps delivering, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

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Another fantastic Fin and Vero adventure for the books! While this is my least favorite of the series, I still really enjoyed it. The story starts off with a bang, an absolutely hilarious scene that had me laughing so hard I was crying. Not many books accomplish that so again, bravo to Elle for always nailing such a great combo of comedy with my 2 favorite genres of suspense and romance!

In book 3, Finlay and Vero get roped into attending a Citizen’s Police Academy. As usual, Vero bites off more than she can chew and Fin makes more of a mess of things while trying to get back on track. I found the whole academy scene so entertaining; I really love stories with a camp-like setting so this one really delivered for me. It’s such a fun twist on what we’ve come to find as Fin and Vero’s unique talent of flying *just barely* under the radar. Nothing like unintentionally finding yourselves in a murder-for-hire situation while being under 24 hour surveillance at cop school 🤣 There are lots of unrealistic shenanigans, more cameos from our favorites Mrs. Haggerty and Cam, and best of all plenty of time with our favorite Thelma and Louise duo. I’m obsessed with this series; something about it always hits the spot and I hope we get a lot more!

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Another exciting adventure with Finlay and Vero! Just when I think I have things figured out, I get thrown for a loop!

Cannot wait to continue on this journey in the next book!

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Following up a slower book two this book is tied for my favorite with the first in the series. The action flows consistently with new characters introduced to keep things interesting. I would love to see this brought to the screen. The action and humor rival any sitcom I’ve watched. I can’t wait for the next one.

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There is nothing like the mayhem and shenanigans that reigns whenever Finlay and Vero get caught up in whatever new adventure has them scrambling to set things right in their world. Their time at a citizen’s police academy is the perfect backdrop for their struggle to solve who the bad guy is this time around. The romance remains on the edges even though it’s definitely kicked up a notch, the humor is perfectly layered throughout, and the mystery is smartly developed.

I’m definitely recommending that you read the previous books in this series prior to this one. I didn’t feel it was necessary to read book 1, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, prior to book 2, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, but this one definitely pulls on details from them for this story.

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Finlay and Vero are at it again! I so enjoy the antics these two get up to! It keeps me turning. The pages and looking for the next book!!! I do not think you would go wrong with a book in this series!

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If you've read my review for the previous book in the Finlay Donovan series, then you will know I'm a fan of this humorous and fun series. I prefered Jumps the Gun over Knocks 'Em Dead, and I'm not sure that I can pinpoint why...although I can say it certainly didn't hurt that Finlay FINALLY got together with Nick! I still argue that this book series should be turned into a TV show! I am just about to start #3.5 in the series and can't wait to read Rolls the Dice and Digs Her Own Grave.

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Elle Cosimano does it again with Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun! This third installment in the series brings back all the chaos, laughs, and high-stakes drama that fans of Finlay and Vero have come to adore. Once again, these two amateur sleuths find themselves in over their heads, and I couldn’t be happier to tag along for the ride.

This time, Finlay and Vero end up at a civilian police academy run by none other than Nick, the charming cop who’s also Finlay’s complicated love interest. Watching her try to navigate Nick’s sharp eye while keeping her involvement with the Russian mob under wraps is both tense and hilarious. Add to that Vero’s run-in with a loan shark, Finlay’s juggling act as a mom and novelist, and the ever-present shadow of Feliks’s demands, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mystery.

I especially loved how we finally get more of Vero’s backstory—it adds depth to her character and makes her bond with Finlay even more meaningful. And her interactions with Javi? Pure gold! The friendship between Finlay and Vero remains the heart of the series, and it’s as strong as ever here. Their antics, banter, and loyalty to each other keep me hooked.

While the mystery kept me guessing, it’s the humor and sheer absurdity of their situations that make this book shine. Whether it's dodging bullets or trying to keep their secrets from unravelling, Finlay and Vero are endlessly entertaining. By the end, I was already itching for the next book—this series just gets better and better!

If you haven’t started the Finlay Donovan series yet, what are you waiting for? Cozy mystery fans and lovers of chaotic humor will adore these books.

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This one is my favorite of the series so far! This was so fun with the police academy!

If you're not for a wild, out there, convoluted mystery this series might not be for you but I'm loving this series. Finlay and Vero have to figure out yet another mystery to save themselves and their families. This is as tense, funny, adventurous and mysterious as the previous installments in the series. The police academy gives us a different setting and perspective as Finlay and Vero are learning police procedures and their ways of acting and thinking. I loved this aspect of this next book!

TECHNICALLY you don't have to read the books in this series in order but for maximum enjoyment and storytelling do yourself the favor and read books 1 and 2 prior to this one :)

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Finlay and Vero return with all the madcap madness their life is. Except this time the Russian mafia is involved. Finlay has borrowed an alfa Romeo from the dealer and somehow, it’s become bullet riddled. The mob clears the debt but now Finlay owes the mob. The duo somehow find themselves signed up for police boot camp. It’s a sleepover camp with all sorts of training. As an added plus their elderly, nosy neighbor is also attending. Somehow the mob manages to sneak in and once again their more craziness than you can imagine. Funny, enjoyable read. #netgalley

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Another great book. I cannot get enough of finlay donovan. This one had a lot of twists and turns that surprised me. I thought I was going to get some and I was wrong. Looking forward to the next one in the series!!

I received a copy from netgalley and the publisher.

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Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun takes the chaos and charm of this series to a whole new level! The budding romance between Finlay and Nick is such a joy to watch unfold. Their chemistry adds the perfect touch of sweetness amidst all the wild antics, and I’m fully invested in seeing where their relationship goes next.

The twists and turns in this book had me completely hooked—I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Elle Cosimano knows how to keep readers guessing, and I was left in total shock at the ending. I’m ready to jump into the next installment because I need to know what happens next!

This series just keeps getting better, and I’m loving every unpredictable moment with Finlay, Vero, and the ever-growing chaos they find themselves in.

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Finlay Donovan is hands down one of my favourite book characters, as a suburban Mom/sort-of-but-not-actually-accidental-hit-woman. She’s hilarious, messy, intelligent and very, very real. I love how all the stories tie together and I find her relationships, both platonic (Veronica!), and romantic, to be so well written. She is clearly intelligent and adept at thinking on her feet to get out of the numerous situations she finds herself in.

In this book (third in the series, but I highly recommend starting at the beginning. Trust me, it’s worth it), Finlay and Veronica find themselves in big trouble, once again, and the safest and most logical place to hide is the seemingly counter intuitive police camp, where civilians who want a taste of police life have a mock training camp.

4.5 stars rounded up.

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Finlay Donovan is my hero. I love this series and the latest installment of Finlay's antics had me giggling. The humor, the screwball plot lines, the mysteries, and above all the cast: the friendship between Vero and Finlay is one for the ages. Highly recommend

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This is the first time I’ve read a Finlay Donovan book and I am so pleased that I have the opportunity to read the whole series. So funny with great twists! I’m so looking forward to the next book!

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Have I said how much I’m loving this series? Well, in case you missed it, I’m loving it. There is some language and sexual references and is fade to black.

I’ve enjoyed how these books complement each other. And how the big mess that started in book one is still causing concerns. There are resolutions, which are central to each book, but bigger problems linger. I’ve enjoyed the relationship that is blooming in this book, as the stakes and danger elevates with each book.

Finlay and Vero are still fantastic and Nick is dashing. This book brings in some interesting situations for Vero that I’m excited to explore in VERONICA RUIZ BREAKS THE BANK, and then in the next book for Finlay.

Huge thank you to the publisher for the Read Now option for the series. All views are my own.

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" is an exhilarating dive into the world of crime fiction, wrapped in humor and peppered with unexpected twists. Elle Cosimano delivers another rollicking installment in her Finlay Donovan series, proving once again that she’s a master of blending suspense with comedy.

In this latest adventure, we find our plucky protagonist, Finlay Donovan, a single mom and struggling author, entangled in a web of crime and chaos. Cosimano’s skillful storytelling ensures that the plot moves at breakneck speed, with enough laugh-out-loud moments to keep readers thoroughly entertained. The novel's charm lies in its ability to balance the absurd with the believable, making for a read as heartwarming as it is thrilling.

Finlay’s character continues to evolve in this book, and readers will appreciate her growth and the depth added to her relationships, particularly with her sidekick Vero. The dynamic between them is a delightful mix of friendship and camaraderie, with a healthy dose of misadventure thrown in.

Cosimano’s writing is sharp, witty, and highly engaging. The dialogue is snappy and authentic, bringing each character to life in a way that makes them feel like old friends. The pacing is impeccable, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment, while also allowing for some introspective pauses that add emotional weight to the narrative.

In Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun the author maintains her ability to surprise. Just when you think you’ve got the plot figured out, Cosimano throws in a curveball that keeps you on your toes. This unpredictability is one of the book’s greatest strengths, making it a genuine page-turner.

"Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and comedy alike. Elle Cosimano has crafted a novel that is both hilarious and heart-pounding, with a protagonist who is impossible not to root for. It’s a refreshing take on the genre, and a testament to Cosimano’s talent as a storyteller.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you laughing and guessing until the very end, this one’s for you.

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In book 3 of this series, Finlay continues to do her "research" for her crime romance mysteries that she is writing all the while becoming immersed in murder and mob connected crimes. Her romance with the hot cop Nick starts to get hot, even though she has to hide what she is really doing. Finn and her partner in crime, Vero still need to find the contract killer who wanted to off her ex-husband, but now it's a directive from the Russian mob boss who is in jail for murder. And Finn needs to do this because she is beholden to him as he paid off her debt for "borrowing" a high priced car to save her ex-husband but damaged the car with a few little bullet holes. Some humor and twists and turns made this a delightful read. The more this story unfolds, the juicier the stories that Finn writes which is a delight to her editor. Just a fun book. Looking forward to the next as the story continues.Many thanks to #NetGalley, #finlaydonovanjumpsthegun #ellecosimano #stmartinspress for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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In Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, we follow Finlay and Vero to an unlikely location to settle their debts, and solve the mystery lingering from FD Knock's 'Em Dead - Who is EasyClean?

This third installment of the Finlay Donovan story does a great job of keeping the momentum of the series, without feeling repetitive or predictable. While there are added complexities to each scenario, we're able to see Finlay and Vero both grow through them & show up for each other every time. This book is packed with actual laugh out loud moments and, as usual, a well-written action-packed ending that will get your adrenaline up.

This series has done a wonderful job of introducing new characters without it feeling overwhelming, and developing the old characters so well that I can predict their responses and think "wow, that's so them" when something happens. Second to the primary storyline of murder mystery and organized crime is a story of love & relationships- SO many types of relationships. We see Finlay with her parents, sister, children and even ex-husband give excellent portrayals of familial love. We're able to watch Finlay and Nick with their budding romance, while Javi and Vero keep us all crossing our fingers for a second-chance love story. Then last, but certainly not least, is the love between Finlay and Vero that show us that the love you find in friendship is just as important as the love you find anywhere else.

Highly recommend picking this one up!

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3.5/5

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" is a fun addition to the series, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The police academy setting had potential, but a lot of the escapades felt way too unbelievable, even for Finlay’s usual chaos. The over-the-top situations were entertaining at first, but they started to feel a little much, making it harder to stay invested. That said, Finlay’s charm and humor are still there, and it’s an easy, fun read if you’re already a fan.

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