Loved this book! It might actually be impossible not to giggle at the antics Finlay and Vero get up to. Every time I think, "wow, this is insane and they will never get out of this jam," Cosimano creates a believable solution. Mrs. Haggerty might be my new favorite character! I love that the Finlay Donovan series doesn't take itself too seriously. It's definitely a comfort series for me.

Finlay and Vero are at it again! Potty training a toddler, trying to wrangle a rough and tumble kindergartener who's been suspended from school, dealing with her ex when he's arrested, all while trying to navigate her relationship with hot cop Nick, Finlay's hands are full to say the least. As she tries to figure out her life with the new stages of life she is in, she and Vero continue to get in trouble when their elderly nosebag neighbor moves in!

I love this cozy mystery series, and I've loved the ride I've been on with Finlay and Vero.

I was happy to finally get my eyes on Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano. Finlay is one of my favorite characters and I really enjoyed her latest escapade solving crime while writing a novel and trying to keep pants on her toddler!
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It is bad that I enjoy how messed up Finlay’s life can become? Finlay and her nanny, Vero, can’t seem to avoid trouble. Sometimes it even moves in with them in the form of the nosy neighbor from across the street.
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When a body is discovered buried in that neighbor’s rose garden, she is arrested but finally released and dropped off at Finlay’s until she can get back into her own house. In order to get old Mrs. Haggerty out of their house and keep the investigation from uncovering some of their own skeletons, Finlay and Donovan are determined to figure out who the actual murderer is.
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This latest novel in the Finlay Donovan series hit the shelves this week and I already cannot wait for the next one! You can enjoy this book without having read the previous books, but I highly recommend you read and enjoy them all!!

What do you get when you combine Finlay, Vero, AND Mrs. Haggerty??? The fifth main book in the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano, but of course!

This one was the most straightforward of the five (six, with the novella) plots, but that made it the funnest to follow along with! (I felt so proud of myself to have kind of figured it all out.) And heck yes to the entertaining and twisty addition of Mrs. Haggerty! So many dots in this mystery connected back to previous books, and my hat goes off to Cosimano for creating such a web of clever layers!

Speaking of, I think this book would work well for a standalone (although, just like, don't read it that way, since you'll miss out on all the hi-jinx that are Finlay and Vero)! Everything is explained so well (though not overdone) within this book to provide the map to not get lost, and remind you of past books in the most perfect way!

Now... the best part of this series! Audiobook narrator Angela Dawe! I have mentioned before that Dawe simply MAKES this series (minus the novella, since she didn't narrate it, but we won't talk about that). There's a reason Dawe is one of my favourite narrators - the different voices she uses really add an extra layer to this story, specifically for Vero! Basically, just listen to these audiobooks!

As this one ends on another cliffhanger, I'll just be over here waiting for the next book in the series to release - no big deal!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

I LOVE this series so much! Elle Cosimano just brings these characters to life so well. I laugh so hard reading these books. The antics, the hijinx, everything. I can't wait to see what's next for my favorite murder crew.

I'm going to be honest, Elle Cosimano is an automatic pre-order for me. I'm excited for each book in the Finlay Donovan series. I was a huge Janet Evanovich fan, however Evanovich's books started to become a bit too formulaic for me and I've been searching for similar series to read. Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series has scratched that itch for me. While I read many different kinds and genres of books, the cozy mystery style books are ones I love to return to (cozy mystery my definition, there are some spicy scenes in this book).

I'm a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, as it does describe what the life of a working mom, a single working mom at that, can be like. She keeps stumbling across an interesting string of situations that lead her to many questionable situations. The potty training in this book reminded me of my own experiences with potty training. The book was a reminder that you can have the most terrible stressful things going on in your life, and your children will still be there... needing their parents to fulfill their day to day emotional and physical needs and that will be the driving force for the parents' actions.

I really liked the evolution of Finlay and Steven's relationship as they both come to terms with their divorce and what that means outside of the contention they both experienced. I'm also a fan of her relationship with Nick and how it grew throughout the book. I won't give a way spoilers, but I love how Finlay dealt with everything at the end of the book. And Maggie... what to say about Maggie. This book hit me square in the feels about what women deal with every day in their relationships, and how older generations try to help other women not go through what they have gone through. Again, not giving away spoilers, but there are more ways than just physical and verbal abuse for relationships to be unsatisfactory and leave people with diminished senses of self. I think that's what struck me most and stayed with me about this book, was not even the antics Vera and Finlay got up to, but the themes of what women across generations have expereinced in relationships and how it's held them back from finding out who they really are. As you can guess, I recommend not just this book but the series.

Please be advised I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm hooked on this series. The 5th book, Finlay Digs Her Own Grave, perfectly continues Finlay Donovan's story. Finlay and Veronica always find trouble despite their good intentions. This time, Finlay has her neighbor living with her after a dead body is found in her backyard. Finlay’s ex-husband, with his shady history, is accused of being involved with why the dead body is there and Finlay is sure that he is not guilty.

The relationship between Finlay and Nick is developing. Nick, a cop, and Finlay, who often ends up in challenging situations, have an intriguing dynamic. They may not seem like a perfect match, but they complement each other well. I look forward to more of their story in the next book.

Okay Finlay is back! These are such easy reads and they're such wild rides but so fun! This one might be one of my favorites of the five, and I'll definitely be picking up the next one!

🎧: I absolutely love the life that Angela Dawe brings to this series. I always start a new book by reading on my Kindle and while good I find myself gravitating to the audiobook which I like even more. I’ve listened along to Dawe during the Finlay journey and cannot wait for more.

As for the storyline itself, I really enjoyed it. The previous books carry wild - mafia moments while this one stuck with characters those closer to home while folding in all the chaos of characters we’re already familiar with. I’ve enjoyed seeing Finlay’s found family grow and only look forward to what’s yet to come. Love that Cosimano is maintaining fabulous momentum and creates seamless builds for what we’ll see in the future.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle! 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🪦🩸😆

– Another Hilarious, Action-Packed Ride

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing Finlay fans to get ARCs of this book and free ebook copies of all the other books in the series. Such a great way to promote the book! In exchange, here is my honest review.

Elle Cosimano delivers again with Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, the fifth installment in this laugh-out-loud, twisty, and utterly chaotic series. While nothing will quite top the iconic police academy or Atlantic City, this book is another wildly entertaining ride that had me cackling, gasping, and frantically turning pages.

From the very first chapter, where Finlay’s kids are as always up to mischief, the book sets the tone for the perfect blend of domestic disaster and criminal mayhem. This time, a new source of chaos enters the picture: Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay’s nosy, over-the-top neighbor who gets arrested when a dead body turns up in her yard. Somehow, she ends up crashing at Finlay’s house, bringing a whole new level of absurdity. A modern-day Gladys Kravitz, Haggerty is a menace in the best way. Her attempts to homeschool Delia and take over Zach’s potty training had me in stitches.

Meanwhile, Haggerty’s book club, disguised as a small-town gossip hub but hiding secrets of its own, adds another layer of intrigue. Seeing Finlay and Vero navigate this while interrogating people, dodging danger, and somehow still handling everyday life is what makes this series so ridiculously fun. The little details, like Haggerty naming her purple car Eggplant, had me grinning, and seeing familiar faces from book one was such a treat. Cam hanging out at the Donovan house like an honorary teenage brother was another great touch, and Javi’s brief but memorable appearances had me on high alert.

One of my favorite parts of this book was Nick. Finlay and Nick are spicing things up in their relationship, and I love how much they are working together now. Their dynamic continues to evolve in a way that adds depth while keeping that signature tension alive.

And then that ending. That cliffhanger. I need answers immediately!!

Cosimano continues to masterfully balance humor, mystery, and just the right amount of chaos. While this one didn’t quite top my personal favorites, hello Atlantic City, it is still an absolute blast and a must-read for fans of the series. If you love Finlay Donovan, buckle up because this book digs deep into all the messy, unpredictable, and absolutely hilarious antics we know and love.

Can’t wait for book six!

I would have thought I’d be tired of this series by now but it honestly #5 is just as fun as the first book!

I really enjoyed the latest installment of Finley Donovan. After searching for a good summary of the last books and not finding one, I was worried I would be lost since it has been a year since the last book. However, the author does a nice job reminding the reader of plot points and this one relied much less on the previous books’ plots and instead had a plot that felt more separate. However, I would 100% read these in order!

I thought this one might be the last at end but the author leaves it open for another and honestly I’m here for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave mostly delivered on everything I love about this series—witty commentary, fun odes to motherhood, and Vero’s ever-entertaining personality. It had a nostalgic feel, reminding me of what initially drew me to Finlay’s chaotic world. After the third book fell flat for me, I wasn’t sure I’d continue the series, but book four and now this one have been pleasant surprises. While not without its over-the-top moments, it kept me engaged and entertained, making for an enjoyable read. Fans of the series will appreciate the humor and fast-paced plot!

4.5 stars. Finlay & Vero at it again. I just love these books! They’re so fun and silly and over the top and I’m just such a fan.

I didn’t expect to love Mrs. Haggerty, but here we are 🤣🙌

My love for Detective Nick continues.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the chance to review an advance copy!

I love this series so much! Elle Cosimano has such a sharp sense of humor and the banter between her characters flows so easily. It’s always such a fun read and I’m never disappointed.

I really grew to love Mrs. Haggarty in this book, I know we didn’t see much of her other than being Finlay’s nosy neighbor but I really loved how everything ended up with her character. I also loved her little friendship with Cam, the kid’s an icon and I love him.

Super excited to see what happens in the next one!

I was not familiar with this series or the author. This probably impacts my review as the book felt very disjointed. Maybe if I had read the books in order, some of the confusion would not exist. I enjoy murder mysteries. This book felt more like a frantic Lucy and Ethel episode. This type of slap stick action is not my favorite.

Finlay and Vero are friends who seem to find themselves in a pickle. The author eluded to prior books where this is a common theme. Finlay is a murder mystery writer and Vero is wanted in another state.

For such a short book, I was not drawn into the characters or the plot. It was easy to put it down and grab a different book.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Sharp, witty and strong, Finlay and Vero make every single entry a home run! Once I start reading a book in this series it’s hard to put it down until I turn that very last page.

I absolutely love this series! The fifth installment might just be one of my favorites yet. I enjoyed getting to know the new supporting characters just as much as reconnecting with the familiar faces we've grown to love. I'm already looking forward to the next adventure!

Another fun installment with Finlay Donovan. This may be my new favorite. No spoilers, but I loved the book club and their mission. Why do they always end on a cliffhanger? Can’t wait to read the next one.

Finlay Donovan does it again! I just love this cast of characters and all the antics they get up to! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Finlay and Vera help nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty when a body is discovered in her backyard and she becomes an unwelcome guest. Fast paced and female forward amateur sleuths back at it again. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy for an honest review.