Finlay Donovan, for those who haven’t yet “met” her, is a novelist who was meeting with her agent and discussing the plot of her latest book at a Panera when a middle-aged woman next to her overheard, believed, and hired Finlay to kill her husband. This was 2 books ago, and Finlay is still in waaay over her head!

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun opens with Finlay and her nanny/partner (as in crime, not romantic) Vera still deep in debt to the Russian mob. The mob boss has a simple job for the duo: find out the contract killer, who called himself (or herself) “Easyclean” in an online forum, or pay up. Finlay suspects the killer may be a cop, one in the same precinct as her sister, Georgia.

Luckily for Finlay, hot cop Nick (sorry, but that’s what she calls him) is running a week-long class for civilians. Finlay arranges for her ex to watch her two kids, and she and Vera engage in a lot of rule breaking, digging up bodies, “borrowing” cop cars, and more, in one adventure after another. In between they attend seminars and spy on the various police officers running the academy, in an attempt to figure out who is betraying his or her oath.

The Finlay Donovan books are fun. Vera continues to consistently amuse, and the kids are always good for a laugh. The tension between Finlay and Nick continues to ratchet up, and the plot contains enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. You’ll want to read the books in order, but don’t worry–this one ends with enough open ends to ensure that we’ll be reading more about this novelist/crime fighter/single mom in the future.

Another thrilling, fun-filled, action packed, over-the-top adventure with my favorite gal pals, Finlay and Vero!!

In this 3rd-installment of the beloved Finlay Donovan Mystery series, Finlay and Vero pack their bags and head to a recently developed Citizen's Police Academy. Nick, Finlay's potential love interest, is the cop in charge of the program and many of his departmental friends are there acting as instructors. Finlay is under the guise of researching her next book, but we all know how true that is.

She's actually there to try to find the mysterious character, Easy Clean. But like, yeah, she does actually need to finish that book. Will her protagonist get together with the cop?

As you can imagine, Finlay and Vero's time living in dorms, attending classes where they get put through police training along with Finlay's elderly neighbor, some over-enthusiastic podcasters and others, will not be without its hijinks. There's so much going on in this one. Finlay's ex-husband is circling around, trying to make amends, which Finlay wants no part of. Vero's past gets brought up in a big way and mob boss, Feliks isn't quite done with the ladies yet.

The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorite Cozy Mystery series ever. The main reasons for that are the characters and the humor. Finlay has such a dry sense of humor. I absolutely love the way she describes everything going on around her and her feelings about it. I'm seriously in stitches half the time.

I have listened to the entire series on audio and definitely recommend that medium. At this point, the narrator, Angela Dawe, is Finlay Donovan to me. Her voice-work in that role is top notch!

The relationship between Finlay and Vero is perfect as well. They're so in deep together at this point. I love how even though, they are pretty different when you think about it, they are fully committed to one another and their friendship benefits them both equally.

The ending of this leads me to believe there will absolutely be a fourth installment. I'm not sure how many books are slated to be in this series, but I will be reading them all. Each and every one. Happily and with excitement.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I have been so excited for this release and it definitely didn't disappoint.

Mini synopsis: after accidentally becoming a hit woman, Finlay along with her accountant/partner in crime Vero find themselves deep in the murder for hire business. All accidentally of course! This time the pair has made it into a police academy, all research for Finlay’s next book (or for that hit for hire business 🤷🏻‍♀️)

In preparing to read this book, I reread the first 2 books in the series. And what I’ll say from that experience is that it just gets better for me! I loved that we pick up right where we left off: with a luxury car, a shell company, and a business proposal from Feliks. I love this series bc it’s so ridiculous but fun all the same. The scene with the mock trial had me literally laughing out loud bc of course the lawyer is gonna be Julian and the cop is gonna be Nick 😂 what could possibly go wrong with both your love interests on trial?

This series flawlessly introduces characters at the right moments & it doesn’t feel like they are just there to advance the plot. There’s a lot of people and moving parts, but they are all distinct enough to keep track of. I loved that we got more about Vero & her past and her motivations to continue to help Finlay. They are friendship goals!! I mean Vero finally has a stocking on the fireplace! 🥰

I just wanna mention the audiobook for a sec too bc it’s fantastic! The narrator does different voices and inflections for different characters effortlessly (& in a non annoying way!)

An easy 5 stars & im so happy there’s more to this series!!

happy #pubday to the third book of the #finlaydonovan series! 🎉

Finlay & her nanny, Vero, always seem to find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Finlay, a suspense writer and now-single mother of 2, roped herself in with a Russian mob, who is now expecting payment in return for a previous favor. meanwhile, Vero is desperately trying to pay back a Jersey loan shark before his people come searching for her.

the two friends work together to come up with Vero’s money while simultaneously fulfilling the mob’s request: find a contract killer before the cops do. Finlay & Vero find themselves enrolling in a citizen police academy thanks to Finlay’s cop sister & colleagues, one of whom is Finlay’s love interest. together, Finlay & Vero use what they learn in the police academy (along with their previous experience in crime) to find the contact killer, a person who is closer than they think.

i can definitely see why people rave about these books! a super light-hearted & fast read, it was easy to fall in love with Finlay and Vero; the two are hilarious together! while the events in the story lend itself to a suspense, I thought the tone of the story was more comical than anything. Finlay & Vero always seem to find themselves in the worst situations, with their friend Javi constantly stepping in at the wrong time and unknowingly getting the brunt of their actions.

i think I would have enjoyed this book more if i had read the first two books prior to reading this one. they refer back to a lot of events that clearly took place in the previous books, and while they were detailed enough that I eventually got the general idea, I was still frustrated over missing so many details (but that’s on me 🤦🏼‍♀️).

if you’re planning to check this one out, I would definitely suggest reading the series in order! and for all you Finlay Donovan lovers, this book ends on a cliffhanger, which means there will be more to love coming soon! ☺️

thanks to @netgalley, @stmartinspress & @ellecosimano for my #advancedreaderscopy of this book!

Well I had a fantastic time reading this book! This series is wild and crazy, and the satiations that Finlay gets into-half the fun is seeing her get into them, the other half is seeing her get out! This was another really entertaining, hilarious read in the series!

There are two external pressure points on Finlay. The debt owed to Feliks and what he wants her do to, and the lost casino chip. And oh, the developments going on there! So many chances for screw ups! But the internal pressure? Her romantic feelings, because oh boy, does she spend a lot of time with Nick in this book!

Finally this is the book that we learned more about Vero. She's played an integral part, and we really knew very little about her. So getting these new pieces of information, things are starting to make a lot more sense, and I'm glad that we learned them!

And oh, the way that things ended? Yeah, that was hard to put into words about how I feel about it. Especially since I don't know if there's going to be a 4th book. I mean, there has to be, it can't just end like that, I need to know what's going to happen next!

Loved this book, and I really hope that we get a book 4!

Happy pub day!!!! 🥳

Good Lord do I love me some Finlay and Vero! The insane shenanigans they get themselves into are a hoot to read! It makes me both want to be their best friend and stay far away all at the same time 😂 They are a hot mess in the best way possible.

This is one of my favorite series to dive into when I want a mystery to try to figure out, but also be entertained and laugh a lot. I really hope this series never ends because I need these two in my life!

The endings of the books always leave me like 😳 I’m so ready for the road trip they are about to embark on!

I am really excited to see this series as a show! It’s going to translate great to TV!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the arc and @macmillan.audio for the audio!! I loved listening while reading along.

Finlay Donovan is back and better than ever! This is the third book in the series, and it does stand on its own, but the books are so much better if you start at the beginning. All the characters are great and the dialogue between them is on point and will have you laughing out loud. It's crazy fun and unbelievable at times, yet the author does such a wonderful job pulling you in that you set aside the outlandish incidents and just enjoy the ride. I can't wait to see where the author takes us next.

2023 came in hot with some incredible book releases and January’s ending on an especially high note: any new Finlay Donovan novel is cause for celebration and I am rejoicing from the rooftops today!

When readers were first introduced to Finlay, she was a newly-divorced woman and mother of two young children, a romantic suspense author whose meeting with her agent over lunch one day leads to being mistaken for a hit woman-for-hire.

Unfortunately for Finn, things went from bad to worse: bodies (not all of them in one piece) pile up, she’s suddenly on a first-name basis with the Russian mob, someone wants their $200,000 back, and the guy she’s interested in? A cop, naturally.

FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN kicks off shortly after book two ends, just weeks into the new year. Though Feliks is awaiting trial behind bars, the mob boss is still very much in charge and has a job for Finlay: locate a contract killer before the police. The only problem is that EasyClean just might be an officer themselves.

After caving to pressure from both hot cop Nick (forever #teamhotcop) and her agent, Finlay finds herself signed up for a week-long citizen’s police academy along with her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero. Will they be able to sleuth out the real killer or are they walking right into a trap of their own making?

This series is such a blast and book three is no exception! At just under 300 pages, FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN tears along at a blinding pace, its short chapters and high action making this an extremely quick read. The only downside? Now it’s over and the wait for Elle’s next book begins 😭! Highly, highly recommended for any reader looking for a wildly fun, easy escape!

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

This is book #3 in the Finlay Donovan series. The first step I took when I got this book was to read the first two books. This is a must to get the vibe of the main characters in the story. Finlay Donovan who is a writer who gets involved with solving cases with her nanny Vero. The two women are the type that make you laugh out loud with the banter they have with each other. I believe this is what makes this series so fun is the banter the women share with each other. The mystery part of the story usually is farfetched for the reader to have to suspend belief to go along with the story.

I really just enjoy Finlay and Vero together they are crazy funny and the antics they get involved in is just nuts at times but that is what makes so many of us love this series so good. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then this one will be one to read it is a must read. Especially if you love good banter between the crime solvers.

The story starts off with Finlay crawling around the bathroom floor of the men's bathroom trying to get to her son. Yes, that is gross but only Finlay can find herself in this situation. To finally get him out she has to pull out a snack to get his attention to get ahold of him and get him out of the bathroom. This is Finlay's type of luck with her kids, her books, her ex-husband and lovers. I don't know if I should feel sorry for her or just plain laugh how bizarre her life is.

Narrated by Angela Dawe who does an amazing job bringing life to Finlay and Vero as well as other characters making listening to the story so enjoyable. I highly recommend this series and listening to it on audio is superb.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan audio and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions of this review are my own.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is an edge-of-your-seat, fun, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud read that defies categorization. Spanning multiple genres, this novel will draw readers in for an unforgettable adventure. Elle Cosimano is a masterful wordsmith, weaving together an enthralling narrative that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. With each book in this series, the stakes are raised and the excitement is palpable. I could not put this book down!

Many thanks to my partners @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies.

Laugh out loud hysterical. Over the top fun.

There aren’t many things I look forward to in winter. Not the cold temps. Not the lack of sunshine. And definitely not the snow.

But the one thing I can count on in the midst of the bleakness… Finlay Donovan!

Each year, Cosimano delivers the exact serotonin punch I need in the form of outrageous hijinks and hysterical shenanigans as Finlay and Vero sleuth out another mystery.

This book picks up right where the last left off… Finlay and Vero need to unmask Easy Clean, a contract killer with possible ties to the police. With mob boss Feliks looming over their shoulders and demanding answers, they get up close and personal with all the possible suspects at… the citizens police academy.

<enter 300ish pages of belly laughs with a side of 🔥 whenever hot cop Nick shows up>

Like the other two installments, this fast paced book is a total laugh out loud binge read. With a completely implausible plot, we find Finlay and Vero in the most absurd situations. Yet that is exactly what keeps me coming back. Just *what* will they get up to next?!

Since each book in this series is a continuation of the previous, I recommend starting with the first book and reading them in order.

Looking for a pick me up? This pure escapist read with the perfect mix of humor and sizzle is just the book to do it.

🎧 I went back and forth between the print and audio version on this one, and I really enjoyed Angela Dawe’s continued portrayal of Finlay.

Finlay Donovan is back again and the stakes are even higher and more ridiculous! Finlay is still in debt to Russian mob boss Feliks. Meanwhile her next book is due and her editor wants lots of changes, especially involving the main character and the "hot cop". Since Finlay left it up in the air with sexy detective Nick in her personal life, she is having a mental block writing scenes involving her assassin and the "hot cop." When Feliks contacts Finlay and Vero to pay up their debt by identifying a meddling contract killer named "Easy Clean," they put everything together and realize he/she may also be a cop. In order to get more intel, they join a citizens police academy run by none other than Finlay's love interest, Detective Nick; whom she's been avoiding. From here hilarious shenanigans ensue how they usually do when Finlay and Vero are involved.

If you are looking for a hilarious, feel good read, I really recommend this series! I especially love Vero's character! The stakes seem to get higher and higher with each installment and I don't see how Finlay and Vero are going to keep avoiding detainment. Also, I don't know why I thought this book was going to be the finale but I was happily surprised when it ended in a way that hints we will be seeing more of FInlay Donovan! Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the gifted eARC!

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Mystery
Format: Kindle eBook and Audiobook
Date Published: 1/31/23
Author: Elle Cosimano
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio
Narrator: Angela Dawe
GR: 4.05

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

My Thoughts: I LOVE LOVE LOVE Finlay Donovan and her trusty sidekick, Vero. The story is narrated by Finlay Donovan. This is the third book in the series, Finlay Donovan and does NOT disappoint! The opening scene was hysterical. As the mystery is unfolding, I am laughing, gasping, and cheering, and even at times scratching my head wondering how she gets herself involved in these messes. My favorite five star read this year. While this is the third in a series, it could be read as a stand alone, however, the characters are fully explored in the first two books. The plot is a continuing plot, sort of.

Finlay has gotten herself into another heap of trouble with the Russian mob, again. This wouldn’t be a Finlay book without creating enemies along the way. Then her ex-husband, what a piece of work he is. I have not been a fan of his from the start. I do love her sidekick, Vero. Finlay and Vero attend firearm training, and forensic classes created for citizens, which helps them find the contract killer, who may be among the cops. Add in Vero’s past that is disclosed a little more and you have yourself the perfect mystery. The over the top antics is top notch in this installment. The characters were continued to be developed, well fleshed out, witty, mysterious, creative, and brilliantly done. The author’s writing style is complex, multifaceted, top notch, humorous, suspenseful, and absolutely keeps you engaged.

This book is full of non-stop action. Have I not said enough to convince you? Stop what you are doing right now and go BUY this book! Also buy the other books, as they are SOOO worth the investment! This series has a little of mystery and a lot of humor. I do highly, highly recommend picking up. I cannot wait for the next book!

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in the Finlay Donovan series, and it’s a blast. Finlay and Vero are back and once again they find themselves wrapped up another insane adventure, this time around trying to track down a contract killer. I just love these characters and the over the top crazy situations they get into. In a number of ways these books remind me of Evanovich’s Stephanie Plume series…and that is most definitely a compliment. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Finally Donovan Jumps the Gun.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1JXAGZNVFVSE3/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I find myself easily getting lost in the pages of a Finlay Donovan book - it’s so fun and, after this third book, the characters just feel like my friends.

The characters are so relatable and funny!

I love the lusty tension between Finlay and Nick, the lists tension between Vero and Javi, and the playful banter between Finlay and Vero. It makes for a great story!

Plus, there’s always a fun mystery. This one’s basis is that Finlay and Vero need to find out who “EasyClean” is before someone else does! Of course, going to Citizen’s Police Academy is the answer to everything!

I enjoyed this third book in the series and can’t wait for the next book!

Finlay Donovan is still a hot mess, and I am here for it.

After loving the first book in the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, I was a little disappointed in the second book. While the newest installment is better than the last, I think the first book is still the best of the bunch.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is an over-the-top mystery novel featuring a modern-day Laverne and Shirley. After originally stumbling into becoming a contract killer, single mom and novelist Finlay Donovan is dealing with the fallout of getting some help from the Russian mob, which did not come free.

The opening scene kicks this book off with a bang. It is hilarious, absurd, and suspenseful. I was so excited to fully dive in after the first few pages.

I thought the plot of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun was unique and a bit unexpected in some ways. Without a doubt, the plot is creative. But if you are unable to suspend belief and just have fun with it, this is likely not the series for you. Not every event or plot points is plausible, but the ridiculousness is part of the enjoyment.

After being a little let down by the second book, I was happy to see that Cosimano found the same tone as the initial book. That is, the humor returned to the page. While it could of course have been funnier, I was pleased to find a couple laugh out loud moments.

My biggest critique of this installment is that it lacked continued character development. While most the characters have been previously introduced to readers, I want Cosimano to keep building depth to them. As I read each book, I do not feel like I necessarily get to know them more and more. For example, I thought Finlay’s love plot line could have used for this purpose. Instead, it is unclear exactly what is holding Finlay back from jumping into a relationship with the hot cop. Similarly, I thought there was ample opportunity to dig more into Vero’s past and her motivations, but instead, we are left with loose ends in Vero’s storyline.

My only other issue was that there was a little villainizing of certain foods. Although this is common in society at large, please can books set an example?

Overall, I really enjoyed Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun. It was the light, playful book I needed. I plan to keep reading this series while I search for my own Vero. I highly recommend these books if you are looking for a silly, yet relatable mystery series. I have pushed these books on both my mom and sister, who now love them. We could not be more different, but we have bonded over these books.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in the Finlay Donovan series. Finlay and Vero have been tasked with uncovering the identity of the contract killer known as EasyClean. Finlay already suspects that EasyClean is a cop so when Nick assembles a citizens police academy they sign up. What ensues are more hilarious, over-the-top antics...especially the opening scene!

While I did enjoy this, it's not my favorite of the series. It wasn't as engaging as the first two books and it's starting to feel like Finlay's ordeal is just being drawn out. I was hoping for more of a resolution to the current storyline so that the next book could feature something new so I can't help but feel a little disappointed.

On another note, I am very glad the love triangle (or square?) finally seems to be resolved and I'm excited to see how the romance develops!

This ends on a cliffhanger that sets things up nicely for book four and I can't wait to find out what happens next for Finlay!

In the third installment of the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay and her sidekick/nanny/accountant, Vero, find themselves trying to extricate Vero from some unsavory characters while also determining the identity the person responsible for the attempted murder of Finlay’s ex-husband. Not only is she looking for this killer, but a Russian mobster has given her an ultimatum and she has no choice.

Okay, if this brief plot synopsis sounds a bit over-the-top you aren’t wrong. It’s actually a lot over-the-top and wacky, and silly. So, the first thing the reader must do is suspend belief and just go with the story. There are good characters, some good dialogue, and some fast-paced action. Overall, this is a fun series and it’s especially good if you’re looking for something light and easy to read.

But, this is the problem I had with book #3 – it has very little backstory and takes up where the second book left off. Even though I read the previous books, I struggled to get up to speed with this one. It would have been much more enjoyable if there was a (brief) recap of the relevant parts from book one and two. I think there was an attempt to incorporate some backstory, but for me it just wasn’t enough. My other complaint is that the book literally ended without an ending. I really don’t like books that just abruptly stop. Obviously, the next book will start at this point and I hope there is more reference to events that have occurred previously than there was in this book.

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

4.25

FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano is the third instalment in the series and it continues to be fun and funny — laugh-out-loud and thigh-slapping hilarious!

In order to avoid spoilers for those who haven’t read books 1 & 2, I won’t say anything about the plot except – WHY have you not read books 1 & 2 as yet?!

What I can say is that the shenanigans are back! The banter between Finlay and Vero is back and they are as funny as ever! That opening scene is comedy gold and had me laughing right from the start! I enjoyed the new setting of the citizens’ police academy and Mrs. Haggerty had me in stitches! Cosimano’s humour is top notch. She writes children into the storyline in a natural way that is effortless and humorous. I am glad that we got more about Vero’s past and cheers to Finlay for getting some Dessert! 😉 😉

Recommend to a friend? Yes. Is it over the top? Yes. Is it also highly entertaining? Yes!

Loved this more than book 2, but less than book 1.
Book 1 – 5 ⭐️
Book 2 – 3.5 ⭐️
Book 3 (this one) – 4.25 ⭐️

In case you’re wondering, the answer is yes – you need to read the first 2 books before this one.

Thank you to @minotaur_books, @ellecosimano and @netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy and for the coolest Finlay Donovan sunglasses! 🕶️

Happy Pub Day!
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Often by the third book in a series things are just not as good anymore, but this isn't the case for Finlay Donovan. This series does a great job of keeping the energy up throughout. If you liked book 1 and 2, I think you will love this one!
A light and easy read, with a somewhat ridiculous plot, Finlay finds herself at citizens police academy, trying to find out who Easyclean is, while simultaniously trying to keep her nanny/ accountant/ partner in crime out of trouble, and trying to decide if she should let things get to the next level between her and the hot cop who's been into her since book 1.
If I was to nit pick, I think the pacing was a little slow at times, but nothing a little over the top dramatics, Laverne and Shirley style can't make up for. I was laughing right from the opening scene, which found Finlay chasing her toddler around a men's public washroom and into a very awkward position.
If you haven't read the first 2 books in the series, don't try to start with this one, but if you have, you won't want to miss this one.