I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was even better than the last. The original is still the best!
I love the relationships Finlay has and how adding in the old lady neighbor made it even funnier.
When Finlay’s ex husband is accused of murder after a body is found in their neighbors yard Finlay has to decide if she does what’s best for her kids or leave him to rot. She doesn’t really think Steve is a murderer. She decided to investigate with her nanny Vero and what they undercover is unpredictable.

Finlay & Vero’s bad luck and hilarious antics never fail to have me full belly laughing to myself while reading. Add in Mrs. Haggerty to the mix and it was just way too good.

Another hilarious murder mystery by Elle Cosimano and I just can’t get enough.

And that ending??? I gotta know what’s up there.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, Netgalley & Elle Cosimano for the chance to read this one early in exchange for an honest review.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave delivers another thrilling and witty installment in the Finlay Donovan series. The story picks up right where the last book left off, continuing the chaotic, darkly comedic life of Finlay Donovan, a crime writer turned reluctant amateur sleuth.

In this latest entry, Finlay finds herself tangled in even deeper and more dangerous situations than before. After the dramatic events of the previous book, Finlay is juggling the fallout of her accidental crime-solving while trying to balance her family life, career, and a rapidly growing list of criminal entanglements. This time, she’s embroiled in a high-stakes mystery involving family secrets, murder, and a whole lot of danger.

Cosimano continues to shine in her ability to blend humor and suspense. Finlay is a wonderfully flawed and relatable protagonist, and her witty, sarcastic commentary is a perfect match for the tension-filled situations she constantly finds herself in. Her relationships with the people around her—especially her ex-husband and her best friend—are at the heart of the novel, providing both emotional depth and plenty of laughs.

The pacing is fast, and the twists keep coming. Cosimano has a knack for keeping readers on their toes, never quite sure what will happen next, all while maintaining a sense of lightheartedness that makes this series stand out in the cozy mystery genre. The novel’s blend of crime, humor, and personal drama makes it an engaging read from start to finish.

However, it’s worth noting that while the story is highly entertaining, the narrative can sometimes feel a bit overstuffed with plot points. The sheer number of subplots and cliffhangers might overwhelm readers who are looking for a more streamlined mystery. But if you’re invested in the quirky, unpredictable world of Finlay Donovan, the chaos is part of the fun.

Overall, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another enjoyable and thrilling read in this series, with plenty of surprises, laughs, and edge-of-your-seat moments. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and newcomers to the series may find themselves quickly hooked on this charming yet perilous world.

In this fifth installment of the Finlay Donavan
series, Finlay's ex-husband has been
accused of murder and it's up to Finlay and
Vero to find the true culprit Surprises and
plenty of laugh out loud moments abound in
this edition

This book was a delight! In my opinion,
Finlay Donavan Digs Her Own Grave is the
best book in this series yet. Elle Cosimano
has quite outdone herself. Now that some of
the loose ends have been tied up and the
earlier mafia storylines have been resolved,
the focus shifts more to Finlay's personal life
and the people closest to her.

When a body is found in Mrs. Haggerty's
backyard the action is uncomfortably close
to home, and this time around, Finlay has
nothing to do with the murder. Trouble still
finds its way to her door. Steven ends up
being accused of murder, her nosy neighbor
Mrs. Haggerty moves in, Delia gets
suspended from school, and Zack hasn't
exactly made potty training easy. Finlay and
Vero have their hands full in this one.

I just loved this audiobook! Angela Dawe
does an amazing job bringing these
characters to life.

I'm looking forward to more adventures and
hopefully more romance for Finlay.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Every time I jump into a new Finlay Donovan book, I remember just how much I love this series and what a treat each story truly is, and Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was exactly that.
Finlay’s life is always such a crazy ride and I love being in the passenger seat. This one however, felt more like slowing down a little bit, and I really enjoyed the lower stakes. The situations she and Vero find themselves in are so stressful, which is definitely fun and unputdownable, but I also liked the more domestically thrilling intrigue of this one. The mystery was unexpected and thrilling to follow, but with less of the life or death stakes, which I think we all needed after the last four books!
We got to see more of Delia and Zach and several other characters and details that bring us back to the beginning of the series, which I really enjoyed. I loved the character development of Mrs. Haggerty, who turns out to be such a gem. I also really enjoyed the progress that Finlay and Nick’s relationship makes after all the back and forth and uncertainty between them.
After Vero takes somewhat of a backseat in this one, the epilogue seems as if she’ll be more in the driver’s seat next after that CLIFFHANGER, so I’m back to eagerly awaiting the next adventure we’ll take after absolutely devouring this one.
Thank you so much to Elle Cosimano and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Finlay and the gang are back for another humorous adventure. In addition to Finally and Vero, we get a healthy dose of Mrs. Haggerty, the nosy nextdoor neighbor. While she’s been cleared of the murder of the dead body found in her backyard, her house is still an active crime scene…and guess where she is going to be staying? How do you get rid of her? Look into the murder of course. This is a series perfect for fans of Evanovich’s Stephanie Plumb novels. The stories are wild, the action/chaos humorous and over the top. Of course like the previous novel the ending of this one will have you anxiously awaiting the next. I freely admit I have trouble being unbiased when rating these books. While I’m sure some readers will find fault with them in some way, for me they are just fun breaks from reality. And honestly that why I enjoy them so much. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Finaly Donovan Digs Her Own Grave.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2CMK7OHD2G5JF/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I've been a fan of this series since the first book, and I think this latest installment is my favorite. The dynamic between Finlay and her nanny slash partner-in-crime Vero has been firmly established as his Finlay's relationship with "hot cop" Nick. Their latest adventure brings them head-to-head with Finlay's elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, president of the neighborhood watch and all around busybody--and no fan of Finlay's.

But when a dead body is discovered in the old woman's backyard, Mrs. Haggerty is initially a suspect. But when she's cleared by the police, suspicion falls on someone close to Finlay--her cheating ex. With her house still an active crime scene, Mrs. Haggerty makes herself at home at Finlay's. As with everything else outrageous in her life, Finlay throws up her hands and deals with it. Between potty training a toddler, clearing her ex's name, and investigating the mysterious book club that Mrs. Haggerty is a part of, Finlay has her hands full. And moly mother of all cliffhangers...what an ending!

These characters have grown and evolved so much over time and avoid becoming vapid stereotypes. There were so many moments of depth and humanity, especially in the interactions between Finlay and Mrs. Haggerty that made me tear up a few times. These characters are steadily evolving, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Thank you so much to St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books for the early copy. This title will publish March 4, 2025.

First, I would like to thank Elle Cosimano, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC copy. All opinions are completely honest and my own.

Being the fifth book in a series, I don't want to say to much to spoil it, but this book dives into more about Finlay's neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. The police stumble upon a body in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard, and Stephen, Finlay's ex-husband is the main suspect. In this book, the author dives more into Mrs. Haggerty and her suspicious behaviors with her neighborhood watch and book club.

I loved how this book dives into a new character. Mrs. Haggerty stole the show with her humor and intrigue. However, I do wish I wasn't able to guess the ending so quickly. Nevertheless, I loved the story-line. And can we take a moment for the cliff-hanger! My jaw was on the floor when I read the last line of epilogue. I need the next book ASAP! This book is a great addition to my favorite cozy mystery series.

Highly recommend reading this series/book if you love cozy mysteries with humor and crazy plots.

One of my favorites of the entire series. I'm so glad Finlay finally told Nick everything. The lack of communication was getting old. Hopeful about how she continues the series with Vero and Javi

This is one of my favorites book series. I adore Finlay and Vero, and these books never fail to put a smile on my face!

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE was another fast-paced, hilarious mystery filled with dysfunction 🤪

Finlay and Vero are back with their antics and banter 💙

I loved how this story centered around Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay’s elderly neighbor who is a busybody. She was extremely amusing and the way she inserted herself in Finlay’s life was too good 😂

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE is definitely up there as one of my favorite books in this series 🙌

I’m SO excited to meet @ellecosimano this weekend at @bhbkenosha! She’ll be in conversation with another favorite author, @hannahmorrisseywriter 💙

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another wild, fun ride in the Finlay Donovan series! This time, Finlay and her chaotic crew are back with more small-town secrets, amateur sleuthing, and hilarious antics. The mystery kept me hooked, and the perfect blend of charm and chaos made this a really enjoyable read. I listened to the audiobook while reading along on my Kindle, and it was such an immersive experience!

Tropes you’ll find include:
Amateur sleuth
Small town secrets
Mystery
Wild antics

I gave Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave 4 stars because it’s a super fun, fast-paced mystery that’ll keep you on your toes. If you love quirky mysteries with heart, this one’s a must-read!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for providing an e-ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

In this installment of the Finlay Donovan series, readers get a closer glimpse of Finlay's and Vero’s nosy, elderly neighbor, Mrs.Haggerty following the discovery of a dead body in her backyard. Is Mrs. Haggerty being framed for murder or is she hiding something sinister??? It will be up to the dynamic duo to solve the mystery and quickly get Mrs. Haggerty out of their house!

Similar to its predecessors, I enjoyed this novel for the dialogue between Finlay and Vero and all their shenanigans, of course! This time around, though, readers also get to see Finlay in a more emotionally vulnerable state that helps deepen the bond she has with Detective Nick - everyone's favorite "hot cop." I also appreciated seeing a different side to Mrs. Haggerty who has, thus far, been portrayed largely as a nuisance. She is certainly rough around the edges but she appears to possess some softness too alongside secrets...

While I thought there were several funny and heartfelt moments throughout this story, I did feel feel the overall plot was a bit underwhelming and perhaps, tame compared to Book 4. Considering the fact that this one also ends on a cliffhanger, I am hopeful of seeing more of the charm and excitement observed in prior Finlay and Vero adventures once again in Book 6!

3.5 stars!

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

I will always love a Finlay Donovan story and this one was no different. Some of my favorite characters to see and while the plot can be very stressful, reading these books feels like a warm hug. Excited to see more from this story!

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE
Elle Cosimano

The Finlay Donovan series really could go anywhere to infinity and beyond. But to keep things fresh, it may be time to change things up or move on from the series.

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE is the fifth installment in the series. It involves a nosy neighbor, a love interest, and of course a murder mystery. It has everything you could want in a cozy mystery.



This series is one of my favorites. FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT opened the door to cozy reads for me. I realized I liked the genre, and it led me to explores other cozy titles.

It feels like sitting in a well-worn chair. The characters feel like friends and their adversaries, mine. It reminds me of the Evanovich and Grafton series, both of which I love. And if it can invigorate itself, it could have either of those series’ success and longevity.

It is a series I recommend all the time, and I will continue to do so.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copies

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Finlay Donovan series is one that always makes me laugh, and this newest addition continues that trend for me. This was a cute and funny mystery, with Finlay and Vero (nanny turned friend and partner in crime) finding themselves in awkward and slightly nerve-wracking situations again, in order to solve a crime.

But this time, it’s solving the case of why a dead body is found in her grumpy elderly neighbor Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. When Mrs. Haggerty moves in with Finlay and Vero, and Finlay’s ex-husband is detained as one of the suspects and claims his innocence, they set off to find the real killer. But in doing so, they have to carefully navigate around their murky and not-so-innocent past, so that they don’t become the target of a new investigation. And as they follow a trail of clues, Finlay’s relationship with Nick, a detective who knows she has secrets of her own, begins to deepen. But how much can she share of her past with him? And can they have a future together in spite of it all?

I enjoyed this newest addition to the series! There were a lot of funny moments and quotes - I found myself laughing at some of the situations in the book. I loved how Cam and Mrs. Haggerty are featured more in this book, and their interactions with Finlay and Vero bring more depth to both of their characters. I also love Finlay and Nick, and how their relationship is progressing. One of the biggest concerns I had was their ability to be honest with each other - and that issue is a focus of this book.

As always, the book ends with a cliffhanger and I’ll definitely be reading the next book to see what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this gifted eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Cam has become the unexpected favorite of mine in this book, and it was so fun to develop his character a little more! While I was skeptical of this story focusing so much on Mrs. Haggerty, I ended up enjoying this book too. It felt more connected to the core story than I’d originally anticipated, even if it was still sort of a new spinoff. I’ve really enjoyed this series, and I’m so excited to see it hopefully continue to grow!

The latest (and hopefully not last) book of the Finlay Donovan series is another wild ride!

What I love about this series is Finlay and Vero’s unexpected friendship. Finlay and Vero have gone through it! They’ve accidentally killed bad guys, gotten caught up with the Russian mob, committed some petty crimes all while having each other’s back. Their friendship is the glue to the story and that’s my favourite part always!

Mrs Haggerty was a great addition to the story. I really liked how we got to know her a little bit more and her interactions with Finlay’s kids was super cute. She wasn’t just the mean lady across the street who was always watching. It was great to see her character evolve into something more. Plus her friendship with Cam was perfect!

I also loved seeing Finlay and Nick grow closer while she learned to trust him. Even though there’s always a lot going on, there’s always time for a little love story. While this book wasn’t as action packed as the previous ones, it was an entertaining read.

I love this series so much! It’s fun, funny and full of “how are they going to get out of this” moments. Plus the books always end on a cliffhanger and leave you wanting more! -g

Read if you like:
▪️Unlikely friendship
▪️Amateur sleuthing
▪️Lots of secrets
▪️a little bit of romance

“People rise to the level of expectation you have of them. If you don’t trust them, how are they supposed to prove you can?”

Book #5 in the Finlay Donovan series, FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE is focusing on a body found in Mrs. Haggerty’s rose garden. As the investigation continues, Finlay’s ex-husband is taken into custody as a main suspect. So Finlay and Vero set out to find the killer.

The story was moving very slow and not much was gripping my attention. Similarly to the other books in the series, you have to suspend your beliefs as the whole plot is quite unrealistic. But by now the readers already know what to expect with these books.

Overall, it was ok.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the bundle of Finlay Donovan books in exchange for an honest review!

I love this series! Finlay's antics always make me laugh even though they're quite unrealistic. This is a series that I know I can come back to when I need a pick me up and this book was no different. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Mrs. Haggerty as a character in this one since she's typically been a background character in the previous books.

I'm hooked to these characters and looking forward to continue reading anything Elle Cosimano publishes.

4.5 stars. This is a great series, and I think I have enjoyed this book the most. Finlay is still dealing with the crazy life of her kids, her ex-husband, a boyfriend who is a detective, and her friend/nanny who is on the lamb. Add in an older neighbor lady who has just been released from jail and has taken over Finlay's bedroom to the mix, and things get even more chaotic.

If you haven't read this series, please start at the beginning so you don't miss anything! You won't regret it!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ebook. All thoughts are my own.