Elle has done it again! In the next installment of Finlay Donovan series, we follow Finlay and Vero as they navigate living with Mrs. Haggerty, once again proving Steven is not a murderer, and potty training.

I love the adventures that we always end up going on with Finlay and Vero. I would definitely say this book did not have the same adventure, mystery and high stakes drama that we’ve seen in the previous books. But I don’t think that took away from what we got. Watching the relationship between Finlay and Nick change was definitely a high point of this installment. And the cliffhanger!! Ahhh

I also listened to the audio. Angela Dawe did an amazing job as always! She brings Finlay and Vero to life in ways that my brain reading the book just couldn’t.

This series is perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum Mysteries, which is where my lore started!

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My love for this series knows no bounds and I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment. It was a fresh mystery with a lot of moral grey area we’ve come to see from our characters. Finlay and Vero are up to their old antics all throughout the story but I really liked the character growth I saw. There’s also a meddling octogenarian who turns Finlay’s life upside down (and right side up in some ways). I feel like this book revived the series and I look forward to more shenanigans from Finlay and her crew.

romantic content: fade to black
strong language

This book was exactly what I needed after my last reading slump.
This book has the right amount of everything! Mystery, a bit of Romance, some funny parts!
Basically its brilliant and I freaking loved it!
Couldn't enjoy a book more than I did this one!
It made me laugh out loud and turn the pages till wee hours in the morning... But so damn worth it!
What a clever storyline with wonderfully rich characters.
And you can't help but love and cheer Finley every step of the way!
I haven't read a book in one sitting in a long time.... But this one did for it me!
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is another phenomenal story that was totally unputdownable!
This series will never get old!

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Ms. Cosimano for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I started off a little worried. Book 4, at the Police Academy, felt like (almost) too much of a good thing: Finlay and Vero were zanier, more out of control, and more skin-of-the-teeth than ever. Book 5 SEEMED like it was headed in the same direction: Finlay flying by the seat of her pants, escaping detection through pure luck, and lying like a rug. I remember marking my place early on thinking that really, Finlay should be single, because all that deception wouldn't be fair to any partner (let alone a cop).

I actually liked that the mystery in this book didn't shine the light directly onto Finlay (for a change) but frankly I could have cared less if Steven was framed for it. I wasn't sure why Finlay was so determined to exonerate him. *shrugs* I did like the larger roles that Finlay's kids played in this story, and tbh I enjoyed Mrs. Haggerty's take on childrearing. Finlay doesn't seem to parent her kids so much as quiet them (i.e., give them food to shut them up) and it was fun to see a different approach. There was less slapstick humor in this book but I still thought it was plenty funny.

And I LOVED the end. Mrs. Haggerty is awesome! And THANK GOD, Finlay finally, *finally* decides to trust Nick (even partially). Long overdue and as someone who finds constant dishonesty hard to watch and a dealbreaker in a partner, it was a huge relief for me personally. I'm super invested in what will happen to Vero at this point, so book #6 cannot come soon enough.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love the Finlay Donovan series. It never gets old and I’m always excited when a new book comes out. This one didn’t disappoint. Where it may have been a little less action packed than normal it was still every bit as interesting. Mrs. Haggerty is such a fun character. I was annoyed at first but I really did like her by the end.

4.5 stars.

Finlay, and her nanny and partner in crime, Vero, haven’t always gotten along with Finlay’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. When a dead body is discovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, she’s the first suspect. Once she is cleared, her house remains an active crime scene, leaving her with nowhere to go… except Finlay’s house, right across the street.

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE is such a fun addition to the Finlay Donovan series. It picks up right where book 4, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, left off, making this a must to read the series in order.

I loved catching up to the usual hi-jinx that Finlay and Vero find themselves in, and was very eager to find out what happened after book 4 ends. This book is most reminiscent of book one, which I wholly loved, and feels like the series has come full circle in terms of vibes. The writing style is clever, gripping, and wholly bingeable.

I loved the continuous development of relationships between each of the key characters, but particularly for Nick and Finlay. I also loved the cameo of characters from previous books popping back up here, most notably Cam. Mrs. Haggerty is a hoot and I simultaneously loved and hated every scene she is featured in.

The plot is creative, fast-paced, and as usual, requires a slight pause of disbelief. I loved the many twists and turns as Finlay and Vero investigate the murder from across the street. I really enjoyed this read and adored the epilogue – can’t wait to see what’s next for Finlay and Vero!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.

Finlay and Vero are off to solve the neighborhood murder case. We get front row seats again to their questionable choices and slick humor. Don’t worry hot cop Nick is back again. And we get a side of nosey neighborhood-watch enthusiast Mrs. Haggerty. Although not my favorite of the series, it was fast paced and kept my attention. And now we patiently wait for book #6!

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for early (and pub day!) access in exchange for my honest opinions.
One of the times each year that I reflect on how long I’ve been reviewing books is when a new Finlay Donovan book releases. I remember reading and reviewing Finlay Donovan Is Killing It in 2021 and falling in love with the characters and revisiting the Loudoun County area, where the books are set and where I’d lived from 2005-2007. And I’m thrilled that my original book is now personalized and signed by the author, after meeting her about a year ago at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA!
I love the way Finlay and Vero care for each other and Finlay’s kids, and even Stephen, Finlay’s ex-husband. Although Vero is always making threats to hurt him, I still think she cares about their family unit and doing what’s best for the kids. And in this book, Finlay felt like even more of a mama bear, taking care of Cam along with her neighbor. But she still gets to have her fun, too! There is just as much hilarity and there are just as many hijinks as you’d expect in a Finlay book, but to me it seemed a bit more realistic and believable than some recent drama and shenanigans. I didn’t start reading my ebook until this past weekend, when I read the first 1/3 in one sitting, and I sadly figured I wouldn’t finish it by pub day, due to work obligations limited my reading during the week. I was so excited to receive gifted access to the audiobook version today, and I jumped right in listening on my walk home from work, and I finished while making dinner. I have listened to a few of the others, and Angela Dawe does a fantastic job again here. Do check this one out, especially if you’ve read the others - I think the whole series (5 books and 1 novella) is worth reading if you haven’t yet!

I absolutely adore this entire series. Finlay Donovan is a delight! This new installment is every bit as fun as the other books and even more so, now that Fin and Nick's relationship is evolving. The supporting characters of Vero, Cam, Mrs. Heggerty, and many others, are quirky and engaging and add another layer of community to this story. I smiled the whole way through- I can't rave enough about this book. READ it. The Entire Series! And Elle Cosimano, please continue to write more. We need more from this universe.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #St. Martin's press for the ARC.

Elle Cosimano delivers another hilarious and fast-paced mystery as Finlay and Vero get dragged into yet another murder—this time involving their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. Determined to stay out of it, they’re forced to dive in when Finlay’s ex-husband becomes a suspect. Full of witty banter, unexpected twists, and laugh-out-loud chaos, this installment keeps the series fresh and entertaining. Fans will love the dynamic duo’s latest misadventures!

Elle does it again! I really enjoyed the mystery in this book and it of course was hilarious! I think it could be read as a standalone but really should be read after the first three as most of the characters are returning and it touches upon previous plots. I’m excited this is not the final book because I can’t get enough of these characters, both main and side.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!

I find myself sucked into Finlay Donovan’s antics every year. Without fail. And the newest one, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was like being with an old friend, laughing at her nonsense. They are all back and this time a body was found in the neighbor’s yard. The nosy old lady who was always in Finlay’s business now has the tables turned as Finlay tries to solve the mystery.
All of the same calamities ensue. All of the same absurd situations. And all of the same laugh out loud moments and snide remarks. There is never a dull moment in this series and this book was no exception. I also have a bit of a crush on Nick….

I’ve been wanting to know more about nosy neighbor Mrs Haggerty since the beginning of the series, and happy to find out she’s an absolute hoot and also a vigilante? Finlay and Vero are trying to get their life in some semblance of order until a body pops up in their neighbor’s backyard and someone close is accused of the murder! I loved how there were less moving parts in this one, it made it easier to focus on the main story. I was able to figure it out, but not until the 75% mark. I I was also shocked to realize how much time hasn’t passed, though we’re in the 5th book and Nick and Finlay are still in essentially a brand new relationship. After the epilogue, I’m looking forward to see what highjinks come next! Thank you to Minotaur Books and SMP for a free copy in exchange for my honest review

Title: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: March 4, 2025

Finlay Donovan and Vero are drawn into another murder investigation when a dead body is found in their neighbor's backyard. To protect their neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, they must solve the crime before the police uncover their own secrets.

I love how Finlay cares for Cam, how she's a mama for everyone. It is so heartwarming and makes me love her character even more! 😭 Nick is dreamyyyy! Gotta love a gorgeous cop MMC!! Yet again, Vero and Finlay have the sweetest (and strangest) friendship ever! I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and author for the digital review copy.

The Finlay Donovan series has quickly become one of my favorites. I stumbled upon the first book, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and have been laughing ever since. And this latest book in Elle Cosimano’s series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, continues to keep the giggles flowing while the mystery deepens.

Finlay and Vero are both such terrifically crafted characters. It’s easy to get caught up in their world, because they feel like someone you could hang out with, like your neighbor down the street, like the ladies you see at the store — you know what I mean. They are comfortably real, yet they end up in the wildest situations. It’s nice to live vicariously through them, because I don’t think I could handle the crazy with the aplomb they do!

If you enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum or even Darynda Jones’ Sunshine Vicram, you’ll love Finlay Donovan. I most definitely recommend you pick up all of the books (I think they are best enjoyed in order), including the latest, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. I give this one 4 out of 5 stars, because it is a great read and a great laugh.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own!

I was so thrilled to be able to read the newest installment of Finlay and Vero's adventures early and it did not disappoint! I loved being back in their world just along for the ride to see what happens next. There is something about these characters that just draws you in and won't let you go. Even when she is making reckless decisions, I can’t help but cheer Finlay on. I will also forever be cheering on Nick and Finlay, and I loved seeing more of their relationship. The story was fast-paced and it kept me guessing so I flew through it. I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC!

God I am obsessed with this book series and I’m convinced Elle Cosimano can’t write a bad book. Finally and Veronica are literally my fave fictional characters. This book like the resident disappoint and if you’re looking for a cozy mystery, PICK UP THOS SERIES.

Once again Cosimano deftly rides the line between great fun and over the top as Finlay and crew tackle solving anothet murder. I enjoyed the concept of a nosy disapproving old neighbor moving onto your house and taking over your room. Other highlights include Zach’s potty training, the developing relationship with Nick and the author name dropping. A satisfying snarl of clues and suspects are chased down and this quick read ends with the promise of more to come. Sure to be in high demand. Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorite series. Comedy and mishaps mixed into murder and mayhem have a smile on my face while reading, and the story is unputdownable.

The cast of characters are back, but this time the noisy neighbor is under Finlay's roof. Finlay has secrets to keep from Mrs. Haggerty, but Haggerty has secrets of her own. The close proximity brings another mystery for Finlay and live-in nanny Vero to solve.

This one also ends on a cliffhanger so I am so excited the series will continue. I need more scenes with "hot cop" Nick and Finlay. I also love that Finlay has a little son the same age as mine, the potty training stress is relatable and I feel seen. 😅

I adore this series. Finlay and Vero are such relatable characters and I want to jump in the pages and be their friend. These books are just so fun. Lighthearted reads, great character banter, a little romance, a lot of chaos, with a problem to solve mixed in = perfection. This was one of my faves in the series! Some of the books have come off a bit too unrealistic but this one brought it back to the “this could have happened to me and I would have done the same thing” feeling while reading it. I can’t wait to see where their story goes next! I’ll follow them anywhere at this point.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the privilege of reading the ARC of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave! And to Elle Cosimano for writing it.