This one was a little less zany and outlandish than some of the previous installments, yet somehow felt less believable. It was also a bit predictable. That being said, there was of character work I really liked here. It was nice to get more of the kids again after so long. I like that Cam is becoming a bigger presence as well. The biggest standout is Mrs Haggarty- she stole every scene. Nick and Finn got some answers on the future of their relationship. The only thing missing was more Vero time.

I really enjoyed this next book in the Finlay Donovan series. These books are quick, fun, and easy to read. Finlay and Vero are always in the thick of some kind of mystery and getting in and out of strange and hilarious situations. Thanks to @netgalley for the advanced ebook.

After last book’s cliffhanger I was so happy to have this one to pick up right where we left off. I think this is my most favorite from the first. I thought the road trip one was a good filler but this is even more entertaining.

Finlay and Vero are extremely motivated to help solve an old murder when their neighbor Mrs. Hagerty comes to live with them after a dead body is found in her yard. To get her out of the house, they start looking into the past and it isn't long before they uncover that Finlay's ex-husband was also mixed up with the dead man. It will take all of their detecting skills to figure who is really to blame and to get their lives back to normal. This is a light hearted mystery that will keep you entertained to the end!

Once again, Finlay finds herself in over her head—but what else is new when chaos is just part of your everyday life?

This time, there may not be a body in Finlay’s backyard, but there is one in her neighbor’s, Mrs. Haggerty. Mrs. Haggerty steals the show for me with her senior sass, stubborn charm, and surprising heart. Every scene with her is a gem—I laughed out loud more than once. I loved every minute of her!!

But don’t worry—Mrs. Haggerty hasn’t replaced Vero. She's back and just as mischievous and loyal as ever. It’s also great to see more of her love interest, Javier, appear in this story.

The chemistry between Nick and Finlay is definitely heating up, and I love how their relationship is developing—sweet, swoony, and full of potential. Of course, we still get a few glimpses of Julian, just enough to stir up memories of their old spark.

Angela Dawe continues to shine as the voice of Finlay in the audiobook. She is Finlay at this point—her narration perfectly captures the chaos, wit, and heart that define the series.

If you’re already a fan of Finlay Donovan, this book won’t disappoint - a good mystery with laughs, heart, and a little romance!

Finlay and Vero are back and this book adds to why I love this series. A mashup of genres of mystery, romance, and humor. These books are so entertaining.

A solid choice as always! An excellent addition to the series. If you love this series you won’t be disappointed! The audiobook is 10/10 per usual.

4.5 stars - I don't read a ton of series, but this one has been so much fun. This is Book 5, and Cosimano answered my plea with the last few books that it was necessary to do more of a recap. I felt fully up to speed within a chapter or two, so I definitely wasn't as confused as with the other two books. This book has all the silly capers of the past books, but there's also a more serious thread towards the end that I really appreciated. And, of course, the cliffhanger ending ensured that another book will be on the way. I love these characters, and this book finally felt like there was some official forward movement with their development. I'll for sure be checking out Book 6 when it arrives.

The book is written in the spirit of the previous books in the series. It is fun and lighthearted. It is not a high literature, but it isn't trying to be it. It is easy to read, the story flows fast, there is some mischief and fun. It is a great choice when you need something fun and easy.

Another great adventure for this great cast of characters! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope to see more in this series. The plot was clear, without being boring. The characters are humorous and relatable. Just when I think I have the mystery all figured out, there's a plot twist that is unexpected and yet so fitting for the plot structure. I have yet to be able to put one of the books in this series down so that I can go to sleep...that's how enjoyable they are!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave might be the best book in the series. Drawing on the humor we have all come to know and love, Elle Cosimano delivers a wildly entertaining story that draws us back into the crazy antics of Finlay and Vero. This time, nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty is deeply involved after a dead body is found buried in her backyard. The suspicion quickly shifts to Finlay's cheating ex Stephen and she and Vero set out to prove his innocence.
I could not put this book down. I found this installment easier to follow (no russian mob needed). What makes these stories so relatable is Finlay and her struggles as a single mom of young children. The potty training hilarity, her young daughter suspended from school for defending herself add to the story and make it all the more hilarious. I can't get enough of this series and I can't wait to see what happens next now that Vero has been arrested.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this title.

Another fun edition to a fun mystery series which focuses on Finlay, a single mom who writes suspense romance novels. In the first book she finds herself wrapped up in crime and that continues in new ways in this edition, this time involving her elderly next door neighbor. There was a good balance of mystery, humor, and romance in this book, which is something the author excels at throughout this series. What makes this book stand out among the series is that her mistakes are getting harder to hide from her loved ones and the law.

This is definitely a great pick for lovers of mystery who enjoy added elements to the plot and morally grey characters. Be sure to read the series in order, as the plots link together.

The twists and turns just keep getting better! I’m so glad Mrs.Haggerty got a redemption arc and I loved learning more about her book club! And the development between Finlay and nick! Very happy about that and choosing to turn a blind eye to how unrealistic it is 😆

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy!

As a mom to two little kids I always look forward to the opening scene of these books, wondering what on earth Finlay's kids are up to because I will absolutely be able to relate to it! I enjoyed this book a lot, I think it was less extreme and 'out there' than the others. Which isn't totally true but some of the things Finlay gets up to are pretty crazy! I loved getting to know Mrs. Haggerty better, she is such a great character!!

As a huge fan of the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano, I was super excited to receive a free copy of the latest installment (Book 5 if you're counting!) through NetGalley.

This time, Finlay Donovan's got a dead body in the neighbor’s backyard, a neighborhood watchdog-turned-houseguest, and more drama than a suburban PTA meeting. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave serves up the usual blend of chaos, crime, and junk food—with a generous side of reluctant sleuthing from Finlay and her ride-or-die nanny Vero.

The highlight this time around? The gloriously grumpy Mrs. Haggerty. Watching her shuffle into Finlay’s home and upend everyone’s sanity is oddly delightful, and she adds a fresh (and cranky) dynamic that the series needed. Less delightful, unfortunately, is the murder mystery itself, which leans more "meh" than "mind-blowing." Maybe it was just me, but I suspect the reveal won't have you gasping into your wine glass.

Longtime fans will definitely enjoy revisiting the tangled web of past and present love interests and references to earlier adventures. Five books in, however, the series is starting to show signs of fatigue—Finlay and Vero deserve a spa day, or at least a book off from tripping over corpses.

Bottom line: it’s a fun read with a few laughs and a standout side character, but it’s starting to feel like maybe this series is starting to run out of steam. I'd love to see a fresh series from author Elle Cosimano.

If you know me, you know how much I love this series, so getting an ARC for this book was a massive honor. And a good addition to the series, no less!

When a body turns up in her neighbor’s backyard, Finlay ends up taking that neighbor in until her house is cleared to live in again (after the neighbor’s name is cleared from the suspect list, of course). Finlay has no interest in getting back into the hidden body game, especially after she finally has left her mafia murder train in the past, but when Finlay’s ex-husband rises to the top of the suspect list, she has to dust off her investigative skills to try and clear his name.

I am always impressed when a series continues to get better as the books go on, and this series definitely is one that improves book over book. The benefit here is we get an (almost) entirely different plot line than the earlier three, so it feels like a fresh start to some of the action. And it’s also a little less chaotic (and some what far-fetched) of a story than what we’re used to, which I appreciated.

Who knows how long Elle Cosimano plans to continue this series, but she has a loyal fan out of me, and I’ll read any adventure that Finaly goes on!

I absolutely devoured this book! The shenanigans that Finlay and Vero get themselves into crack me up and stress me out in the best way🤣🤣 this whole series is so binge able and hilarious! Highly recommend buddy reading with one of your besties

Finlay and Vero are back in this funny mystery. Fortunately they’re not involved in anything shady this time, until a body is discovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s back yard. She lives across the street from Finlay, and is the neighborhood busy body, with notebooks that document all the things she’s seen. In this case, she implicates Finlay’s ex, Stephen, in the murder and he’s arrested.
Her house is considered a crime scene, and with nowhere else to go, Mrs. Haggerty moves into Finlay’s house and her bedroom!
Finlay and Vero want to solve the crime. Finlay wants to clear the father of her children, and she wants Mrs. Haggerty to move home. Of course, it’s not that simple, because everything is not as it seems on the surface.
This is an entertaining book, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Finlay and Vero are back again! However, this time a dead body is found in her neighbors backyard and poor Mrs. Haggerty has no where to stay except for Finlay's house. Don't worry though, Finlay and Vero are on the case to figure out who killed the man in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard.

I love Finlay and Vero, they are funny, witty, smart, and get into and out of trouble so easily! The Finlay Donovan series are fast paced, laugh out loud funny, and the addition of Mrs. Haggerty into their life was chef's kiss so good! I cannot wait for another Finlay book!

Thank you Elle Cosimano and Minotaur Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will read anything that Elle Cosimano writes and I love the Finlay Donovan series! I have really enjoyed seeing this series develop over the last five books. Finlay is just as funny and relatable in book five as she was in book 1. Another hit!