Favorite Quotes:

I’d made some observations after all the time I’d spent with my mother and Mrs. Haggerty over the last few weeks, and getting old seemed a little like going through adolescence backward.

“Why won’t he keep his pants on?” my father asked. “Probably something to do with the apple and the tree.

He couldn’t get out of here fast enough. The guy laid enough rubber in the street to outfit the whole tire department at Costco.

A quiet two-year-old was rarely a good thing. Last time Zach had been alone and quiet in the bathroom, he’d been finger-painting the walls with his own poop.

‘He’s a really good cop!” Vero called out over the women as they started to argue. “The best! He’s like John McClane in Die Hard, but with better hair. And a lot more backup!”


My Review:

I gleefully bounced in my chair and frequently laughed aloud while I inhaled this amusing and cleverly penned series. I loved every well-chosen arrangement of words. Elle Cosimano is absolutely brilliant, and her Finaly Donovan creation is a gift. Poor Finaly, she was a semi-successful writer who had an ex-husband who couldn’t keep it in his pants and a toddler who refused to keep his pants on, or toilet train. Finaly was a hot mess.

Her adventures started with an inadvertent slip of paper on a Panera tray, which eventually led her to helping various women living in difficult situations who were “seeking a specialist with a certain skill set.” Finaly didn’t actually have the skill set, but she and Vero, her ever helpful nanny, kept managing to accidentally kill bad people, some they were supposed to, others just had the bad luck to die in their vicinity.

The engaging storylines were active, eventful, smartly plotted, and populated with a colorful cast of oddly compelling characters, many of whom were unlikable, yet quirkily and knowingly drawn. I downed six in a row and finished the last one hoping there are more to come.

Love this whole series so much and this one did not disappoint. Laugh out loud funny. Great storyline. Loved the new characters introduced. Can’t wait for the next one.

I've enjoyed all of the Finlay Donovan books but this one was one of my favorites. It was fun without too much going on. 4 stars!

Reading Finlay again is like putting on a comfy sweater. My favourite cardigan. Finlay, Nick, and Vero are back for more fun in this novel. But to me Mrs haggerty was the one who stole the whole story!

Mrs Haggerty is staying with Finlay after getting out of jail. Finlay begrudgingly takes her in. She bosses everyone around and is one of my favorite grumpy characters of all time. With a heart of gold.

Finlay ex husband Steven is accused of murder. Finlay knows in her bones he didn't do it. Can Finlay prove he didn't? It's up to her with the help of her trusty sidekicks to make it happen.

My other favourite part of this story is the Nick and Finlay love story. It is actually heart warming and I couldn't wait for the next part in the story they were together.

An overall fun and enjoyable read as always! Get your copy today. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc

**4.5 stars

Thank you to Elle Cosimano & Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! I mixed that up with the audio version from my library because I absolutely love this narrator.

As much as I've loved this series, I think this might have been favorite book so far. We get the insanity, the mystery, and the romance that we love from this series, but I feel like it's just extra special in this one. Between Mrs. Haggerty being a main character of this book and all her shenanigans, Nick finally calling Finlay out for her trust issues, and trying to figure out which sketchy character was the murderer, I couldn't put this book down.

Like I mentioned above, I love this narrator. Angela Dawe brings all of these characters to life so well. Her voice for Nick? Perfect. And there's one part where she does a little giggle for Vero - it was amazing. I was chuckling so much. She even got to give Zach a voice this time. I'm laughing now just thinking about it. I'm always going to recommend this series on audio. It's a fun and easy listen that you just can't pass up.

So I am totally convinced this series will go on forever lol & I'm here for it!

This book picks up immediately after the events of the fourth book, in which a body was found in Finlay's neighbor (Mrs. Haggerty's) yard. After the discovery of the body, Mrs.Haggerty's home becomes an active crimescene and she is displaced.... and winds up moving in with Finn & Vero.
Finlay & Vero think after the events in Atlantic City their involvements in ANYMORE murders is over, until Finn's ex husband, Steven, is suspected of the crime.
What happens is only a story fit for Finlay and Vero.

So this might be one of my fav's in the Finlay Donovan series. At first I seriously side-eyed Mrs.Haggerty, just because she was always that nosy unlikable neighbor who seemed to have it out for Finlay. However, she became my favorite character in this book.
The book itself is a bit predictable but I actually did find myself laughing at some parts.

I can't wait to read the 6th book because I just love how the books pick up right after each other so you have to read the series in order to appreciate it.

I absolutely LOVED this book. This series seems to be only getting better. I thought at first this was going to be the final book. But then Elle pulls out that ending. Oh I cannot wait for book six.

Like all the other Finlay Donovan books, I enjoyed this very much. The characters are deeper as the series goes, and the story richer. The situations that Finlay gets her into is just hilarious.

I started this series at Christmas and plowed through them. This one was so funny and I loved how we got to learn more about her neighbor. The romance was so nice too.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for providing me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book had a Stephanie Plum feel to it. I ended up getting book 5 without having read the first 4. That being said, it was easy to follow along and it did elude to the other books in the series. I want to read those just so I can see the relationships between the characters.

This was a fun, humorous mystery from the start. I think Finlay and Vero are my new favorite duo at solving crimes.

I was a bit apprehensive diving into the fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series, wondering if the charm was wearing thin. But Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave quickly put those fears to rest. Elle Cosimano delivers another delightful blend of humor, mystery, and chaos that made me fall in love with the series all over again.

This time around, the ever-nosy Mrs. Haggerty finds herself at the center of the drama when a dead body is discovered in her backyard. With her home turned into a crime scene, she moves in with Finlay, much to Finlay and Vero's dismay. As the investigation unfolds, Finlay's ex-husband becomes a suspect, pulling her deeper into the mystery.

The pacing is spot-on, with twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. While some suspension of disbelief is required—much like an action-packed movie—the story's energy and wit make it a thoroughly enjoyable ride. Mrs. Haggerty's expanded role adds a fresh dynamic, and the ending hints at more adventures to come, which I eagerly anticipate.

Another fun and mysterious Finlay Donovan novel. Humorous and a bit far fetched, this is a quick and enjoyable read. Crime, murder, friends, and family, it's all here!

**A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

Listen, if you’ve enjoyed the ridiculous and chaotic hijinks of Finlay and Vero so far you’re going to love this one. It’s very much same day, different murder. I know some people don’t like that but the Finlay series has become one of my comfort reads. Just like the others in the series so many issues in this story could’ve been solved through basic communication and a bit of common sense, but where’s the fun in that?! The plot of this one was fun but predictable, I figured out the twist fairly early on but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. However, if you’re someone who reads a lot of mysteries and wants stories that surprise the hell out of you this isn’t your book. I think the most shocking part was that my favorite thing about this book was Mrs. Haggerty! She’s such a great character and she provided quite a few unexpected laughs. Her relationship with Cam and the kids was particularly endearing! And based on the ending it’s safe to say there will be another book and it’s going to revolve around a story I’m sure all Finlay and Vero fans have been waiting for!

The latest Finlay Donovan novel stays closer to home and it's better than the last couple of entries. Finlay tries to clear her ex husband's name after he is accused of murder when a body is found in the neighbor's back yard.

this is not my normal genre of book, and due to my own ignorance i started here versus the beginning of the series… however!!!! this does allow me to say, that the book is still incredibly enjoyable and gives enough background that in my opinion you can pick up anywhere! i am tempted to go back and dig into it more. maybe when my tbr is shorter?

anyway, this review is thanks to net galley who offered it for a fair review!

our fmc’s life is, overwhelming, issues from her past keep popping up, two young kids cause chaos, and a nosey domineering old neighbor moves in. think if grumpy the dwarf and ms marple were squished together? yeah.

you follow the mystery of the killer husband, the cheating husband, a book club that never seems to read anything, and the constant chaos of real life.

there’s a good romance aspect to this as well, and i left the book utterly charmed by its main and side characters!

4.25 🌟

I really enjoyed this latest installment of the Finlay Donovan more than most of the recent books. I liked that this was a bit more slower paced and more believable story that seemed to be a bit of a transition novel before the next one in the series. It wasn’t as action filled but more character development. I appreciated it but I can see how some fans might be disappointed. Overall, still loving this series and it’s wonderful on audio! Still one of my favorite series to recommend as there is really nothing like it!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this title!

This one hits close to home for Finlay. Literally. When a body if found buried in her elderly neighbor’s yard, Finlay’s involved on multiple fronts-suspicion fall to her ex and the cranky nosy neighbor moves in. Finlay needs to solve the mystery of that body before she loses her mind!

We follow Finlay & Vero as they try to clear Finlay's ex-husband's name from murder. This one was so fun! It felt like the first book. The mystery was great & kept me on my toes. The situations they got themselves into were hilarious.

Hilarious, fun, witty, and mysterious. This book was a wild ride in the best possible way. Finlay Donovan can do no wrong!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy.

I love this series and this book was no exception. The conflict was fresh and kept me guessing, even if the circumstances were a little too convenient sometimes. Some of the characters didn't get much play on this novel, especially Georgia, Finlay's sister. I've become so attached to Finlay and Vero, so I was happy to see the setup for the next installment in the series.