Book 5 does not disappoint! It is always fun spending time with Finlay and Vero and following them through their shenanigans!

Can’t wait for #6!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book!

Maybe it's because I've read some real clunkers lately, but I don't think that is the whole reason I just loved this book. I am an escape reader. I don't want reality to intrude when there is a really funny scene and there are some doozies in this book. There is also a very good cozy-mystery to solve. The characters are just wonderful too. I'm still on the fence about Mrs. Haggerty, but the miracle she worked with Zack may have tipped my opinion. She says that Finlay reminds her of herself, and I can see that. The setup for the next book has me so excited for the further adventures of Finley and Vero. I can't wait.

When a broken pipe floods her backyard, and a body is discovered Finlay and Vero are not all broken up when Mrs. Haggerty is taken into custody. That woman is soooo nosy and what she is constantly writing down in her neighborhood watch diary, well, that could be very, very bad for Finlay and Vero. But the police didn't keep her! Now she's in Finlay's house and taking over Finlay's life.

Finlay wants no part in trying to solve who killed the body in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard. At least she didn't until her ex-husband, Steven, is arrested for the crime. Finlay is not about to let the father of her children be sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit. Someone killed this guy, and all Finley and Vero have to do is figure out who.

My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

I love this series and it’s characters! 💗 I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I think I will read anything this author writes!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth mystery in the Finlay Donovan series. Finally out of trouble with the mob and the troubles that have been following her around all Finlay Donovan wants is a few quiet days, but that’s not what she gets. Instead a body is found in her Finlay’s across the street neighbors backyard and Finlay is pulled into the case. When Mrs. Haggerty is cleared of suspicion she turns up on Finlay’s doorstep to stay, bringing more trouble with her. The last thing Finlay wants to do is get involved in another murder investigation, but here she is fully immersed in it. Will she be able to get to the bottom of it before it’s too late? Or will the killer or police get to her first?

I have been hooked on the hilarious mystery series since I read the first one and this one did not disappoint. I couldn’t put this book down as I followed Finlay and Vero in this latest installment. I’ve enjoyed all of these books, but I think this might have been my favorite yet. The characters in this series are great and I love following along with all of the craziness that surrounds Finlay. The characters are so strong and really drive this book. The mystery was a fun twist and different than what I’ve come to expect in this series. It kept me guessing and intrigued the whole time. I really enjoy this series and can’t wait to see if anything will come next for Finlay and Vero!

Welcome to the madcap world of Finlay Donovan, a worthy successor to Stephanie Plum. Finlay and her nanny/co-conspirator Vero are in too deep in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave.

First, their nosy and crotchety elder neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, is arrested and then released for the murder of a body found buried in her backyard. Unfortunately, she can’t return to her own house and moves in temporarily with Finlay and Vero. Since Mrs. Haggerty is camped out in Finlay’s bedroom, Finlay’s budding romance with hot cop Nick has to use some imaginative workarounds.

In the meantime, Finlay’s cheating ex husband is arrested for murder so Finlay and Vero feel obligated to chase down the real killer. Mrs. Haggerty proves to be an excellent home schooling teacher and potty trainer of Finlay’s two children. Though she also attends highly suspicious book club meetings and wanders the streets late at night. Could she be the killer or know who is?

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave harkens back to 1930s screwball comedies. It returns to the purity and humor of the first book in this series. There is minimal mafia involvement here while the jokes are fast and furious. I really enjoyed Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. It is highly recommended. 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

I have loved every Finlay Donovan book that Elle Cosimano has written, and her latest Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was no exception. I devoured this book in one day as I caught up with Finlay and her partner in crime Vero.

At the start of the book, Mrs. Haggerty, the leader or the Neighborhood Watch and Finlay's next door neighbor has been accused of murder for a body found buried in her garden. After being found innocent, she temporarily moves in with Finlay and Vero while her house undergoes repairs. In the meantime, Finlay's ex-husband has now been accused of the murder.

The story follows the usual high jinx that Finlay and Vero get up to as they work to prove Steven's innocence since he is the father of her two children. This is definitely one those books that you keep a smile on your face the entire time you read it. I can't wait for the next one.

I was so delighted to be back hanging out with Finlay and Vero! How I’ve missed their friendship and madcap adventures. In this addition, mystery abounds related to the body previously found in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard, Finlay and hot cop Nick (finally!) see growth in their relationship, and there are growing pains in parenthood. It is a fast, fun read and probably one of my favorites in this series so far. Immense thanks to author Elle Cosimano for continuing to entertain us! I can’t wait to see where Finlay, Vero, and everyone else take us next.
I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Oh, Finlay. The scrapes this woman somehow gets herself into make me absolutely insane but they're also hilarious all at the same time! I really loved that we finally get some backstory for Mrs. Haggerty and the hijinx that ensue from all that occurs here is a hoot. And there's one scene at the end that was SO satisfying for me! Absolutely worth the anguish!

*Several fade to black scenes. Some strong language.

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary copies. All opinions here are my own.

Another great addition to the Finlay Donovan series! I love this series so much!
I really enjoyed the way this book kind of went back to the roots of the series. The vibe of the last two books (while still so good and a lot of fun) was different than the first two and this one brings it back.
I am curious to see how things play out with Nick, interesting turn of events there!
And the neighbor! She was so much more involved in this book and it was so fun to see everything she got herself into!
The cliffhanger ending has me excited to continue the series! Can't wait!
Thank you NetGalley and the author for both the eARC and the ALC! The narrator was amazing as always! I couldn't picture another voice for Finlay or Vero!

This series is just fun. Each book is a bit wilder and more unbelievable than the last, but Finlay and Vero keep you turning pages.

This storyline was one of my favourites in the series. I loved the side characters and the growth and development with characters we already knew so well.

As always, it ended with a cliffhanger than leaves us all waiting for the next one.

My favorite in the series so far! Loved the pacing and the mystery in this book. I can’t wait for more books in this series!

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This series is getting better with every new book I’ve read, the characters are becoming more developed and the side characters are starting to have main plots which I’m loving as this is still told all from Finlay’s POV but I love how each book focuses on someone different in her and Vero’s life!

Finally getting a Mrs. Haggerty book was so fun, especially with the body in her backyard, the connection to Steven and his affairs and so much more, while also navigating a movie deal was the perfect way for this series to continue! I also loved how we continue to see how more books can be played out for Finlay to write, but also still seeing Finlay handle a new mom issue each month.

This series balances so many things so well and it feels as chaotic as Finlay’s life actually is but that’s why it works! I can’t wait to see what comes next!

This was a fun one!! I read it instead of listened (I listened to the other books in the series) and maybe I would have liked them all more if I read them instead! Really really good.

This is definitely my favorite of the series. As I noted in my review of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, the last few of the series have started very slowly. While they picked up in the second half, getting into them has definitely been hard. This book didn't suffer from the same issues. The pacing is great, the storyline is a lot tighter, the mystery at the core of the book is interesting, and it progresses the overall Finlay Donovan series along. Overall, I can't wait to get to the next book in the series, which (no spoiler) should test the core relationships from the series.

* Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

I have loved every book in this series. Laugh out loud funnny.
Love the quirky characters. Kept my intrest throughout the whole story.

Thank you to publisher and authe for an ARC of this book

If you like far fetched, crazy, funny stories with great characters, you’ll love this series. This latest one is a great addition to the series. Finlay and Vero are up to their usual antics, but Mrs. Hegerty plays a bigger role. The mystery was very different from the Russian mob problems from the previous books. I really enjoyed it. Of course, the ending set us up for the next installment. Can’t wait!

I don't think I've loved a series this much since reading Harry Potter as a kid?!
Normally my interest declines as series go on, but Elle has managed to write hit after hit. Like the others, this book is hilarious right from the start and full of antics from Finlay's children.
I love how the characters have evolved over time. Mrs. Haggerty starts out as a p.i.t.a. house guest, but she quickly takes Finlay's kids under her wing and is actually very likeable by the end of the story. Even Cam has grown up some and is more likeable in this book 😂
Love, love, love this series and can't recommend it enough.

In this latest installment of the Finlay Donovan series, Fin is at it again. She and her sidekick/friend Vero begrudgingly help Mrs. Haggerty, her elderly, nosey-body neighbor who unfortunately has been caught with a dead body in her backyard. What have they gotten themselves into this time? This series reminds me so much of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I feel like Finlay and Steph could be besties!

The Finlay Donovan series is a comfort read that really does make me happy each new volume with it's escalating crimes and delightful set of characters. I know people often get tired of mystery series the longer they go on but Finlay and Vero continue to entertain me and this one sets up the next volume perfectly with what could be a new dynamic in their friendship. Get ready for secret book clubs, unanticipated house guests, toddlers who refuse pants, magic brownies and oh yeah trying to figure out a murder.

This volume takes place mostly back in Finlay's neighborhood with her ex and elderly neighbor being accused of the crime we saw from the last book. The investigating escapades get wilder and yes one has to maybe suspend their belief but this blend of humor, heart and parental overwhelm is just too amusing. I love how Finlay's found family continues to grow with some surprising secrets revealed and how it all adds to the story. The Finlay Donovan series has mostly come to represent a celebration of female friendship for me with Vero and her support along with her love and care for the children who continue to be some of the funniest parts of the story. Reading a book series with older characters who are both witty, resourceful and who have love lives is such a rarity.

The ending of this one definitely has me begging for the next one. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for early access to this book.

Finlay and Vero are back in full force helping their busy body neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, when a dead body is found buried in her back yard.

In this fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series, we pick up where we left off. This is definitely a book that you need to read the prior books is the series to understand all the characters and situations. However, I did feel that this one does a much better job at reminding you of the past than the last book, and for that I was thankful. This book felt more structured and organized than the last one, but still has the humor and crazy that is characteristic of the earlier books. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Mrs Haggerty! While it did end with a promise of more to come, I did appreciate closure to some of the story lines. Overall, a fun read that felt more grounded than the last one.