Finlay and Vero are always up for an adventure, but this time, it’s a bit more personal. A dead body is found in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, and guess who’s the prime suspect? Could Mrs. Haggerty have done it? And how does Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, also get involved? All this while Finlay’s trying to be a single mom to her kids, Delia and Zach, and the hilarious challenges that come with it. This is my fifth Finlay Donovan novel, and while it was entertaining and hilarious, the story felt a bit familiar. But hey, I love how Elle Cosimano always ends the book on a cliffhanger, so I’m excited to see what happens next in Finlay and Vero’s next adventure.

Finlay and her nanny, Vero, have a sordid history they’d rather keep hidden from law enforcement. They’re hoping to lay low for awhile when a body is discovered in their neighbor’s back yard. The yard’s owner, Mrs. Haggerty, has not always been on the best terms with Finlay but now needs her help. She’s cleared as a suspect, but she can’t return home and moves in with Finlay. Before long, Finn and Vero grow suspicious of Mrs. Haggerty and find themselves wrapped up in another mystery.

I absolutely love every chance to dive back into Finlay Donovan’s world, and this was no exception. As a northern Virginia girlie, this series is especially exciting. There was so much to love about this installment, from the side characters to the relationship development. I really enjoyed that this book was a touch less chaotic for Finlay but still just as funny and action packed. Her kids and their relationship with Mrs. Haggerty were such a delight, and Cam provided his usual comic relief. Finlay and Nick finally progress their relationship, and the mystery is fun and wrapped up nicely. I’m looking forward to the next installment after that epilogue!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan and her live-in nanny/accountant/ride-or-die Vero are back home at last. They’ve been to the citizen’s police academy. They spent time in Atlantic City, getting themselves out of trouble with a dangerous loan shark. They helped take down a Russian crime gang. And now they’re back home for what may be their biggest challenge yet: potty training Finlay’s son.

Finlay is surprised when Mrs. Haggerty and her grandson show up on her doorstep. Mrs. Haggerty was known to everyone in the neighborhood as the woman with her eyes on everything. She watches everything that happens and writes it all down in her notebooks, along with dates, times, and license plate numbers. However, a man’s body had recently been found in her yard, and she was briefly in jail while the police investigated. Now she’s been released, and she’s on Finlay’s porch with luggage.

Her grandson explains that her water and heat are not on, and she needs a place to stay. She wants to stay close to her house, so she can keep an eye on it. Finlay takes pity on the older woman and tells them that Mrs. Haggerty can stay the night. But the next day, Mrs. Haggerty’s grandson has disappeared, and Mrs. Haggerty has made herself at home in Finlay’s bedroom, insisting that Finlay drive her to her book club but not come herself. Finlay’s patience is stretched by the woman, but when Finlay’s ex-husband is charged with the murder of the body from Mrs. Haggerty’s yard, Finlay knows she has to figure out who really killed the man.

With break-ins and pot brownies, a teenaged hacker who can be bought with a home-cooked meal, a young daughter who not is afraid to kick her bully in the tentacles and a naked toddler on the run, secret mailbox notes and an oversized eggplant, a producer who wants to make a television series of her book and an agent pushy enough not to take no for an answer, and the cop who knows she’s been lying to him but she’s falling for anyway, Finlay has a lot going on. But nothing is going to stop her from proving her ex-husband isn’t a killer. He’s made a lot of mistakes, but as far as Finlay knows (and she knows a lot), he’s never killed anyone.

So who did? And can Finlay and Vero find out before a killer turns on them?

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another engaging mystery in Elle Cosimano’s amazing series about a divorced writer who is trying to start a new life for herself, but finds herself tripping over dead bodies. These novels are whip-smart and cleverly fun. Finlay handles it all with a level of grace, kindness, and quick thinking that I can only aspire to. There is action, there is romance, and there is a lot of genuine belly laughs. I did feel like this one was maybe a tiny bit milder than some of the other books, but then Finlay was back home, and I thought it was the perfect time in the series to take a breath at Finlay’s house before the next emergency.

I listened to the audio book for Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grace, narrated by Angela Dawe. Dawe understands Finlay’s voice, and brings the right amount of calm intelligence to her. The voice she uses for Vero is perfection, and I don’t think anyone else could possibly do Vero justice the way Dawe can. Her choices for all the characters, from the kids to Mrs. Haggerty, brings these stories to life. I love to read these books, but Dawe makes listening to them such a phenomenal experience that I hope all audio book lovers choose to listen to this one. It is perfection.

Egalleys for Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave were provided by Minotaur Books, and an early copy of the audio book was provided by Macmillan Audio, both through NetGalley, with many thanks.

This was a fun read just like the other books in the series. I just love the characters and the mystery was satisfying.

4.25 STARS

Okay this has been my favorite Finlay book so far! I have enjoyed all of the other books in this series, but they've always seemed just a touch too far out of reality for my liking. This book, while similar in that sense, still made me feel as though it could have been achievable. I loved that we got to know Maggie more and I thought her character presence was an absolute HOOT! I will definitely continue to keep up with the Finlay series because I am a sucker for a cheesy low-stakes mystery book. Also, I need to know more about what Nick & Finaly's relationship is going to look like after this book and all that happened in it!

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press for the advanced copy on NetGalley! 🤍

Book #5

Finlay and vera are at it again!

Busy-body neighbor, Mrs. Haggarty, has been arrested after the police find a body buried in her back yard. The police can't find enough evidence to hold her, so Mrs. Haggarty tricks Finlay and vera into letting her stay at their house until she is allowed back into her house.

Finlay and Vera are sucked into another mystery. This time they aren't the only ones in danger, somehow Finlay's ex, Stephen, has been accused of the murder!

It's a good thing Finlay is an author, she couldn't make this stuff up! I have recommended the series to friends that love cozy mysteries! I can't wait to see what the ladies get into next! Definite five star review!

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I seriously love this series and hope it goes on for a while longer but it will have to end. For once, Finlay isn’t in the thick of things this time but she’s actually solving a mystery. Vero is still Vero but the addition of Mrs. Haggerty as a main character was brilliant.

I love all the outrageous situations Finlay and Vero manage to get themselves into every book. Though I didn't love this book as much at the last four, I am already excited for the next book in this series. It is such and easy go to read. I will always read this book the moment I get it.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All Opinions are my own.

I've been a huge fan of Finlay Donovan from the very first book. While a lot of series - especially mysteries - lose my interest over time, FD isn't one of them.
I love the humor and the quirky awkwardness of Finlay and Vero. I just can't get enough of them.
I was excited that this one brought Finlay's nosey old neighbor more fully into the story.
Lots of fun, lots of mayhem, exactly what I expected.

Finlay and Vero and Nick and... Mrs. Haggerty?!?!

Finlay and Vero are at it again and this time, Mrs. Haggerty has been arrested because a dead body has been discovered buried on her property. She is cleared by the police, but when her house becomes a crime scene, Mrs. Haggerty moves in with Finlay and Vero for the interim, severely cramping their style.

What I loved:
-Being back in Finlay's world. I love the banter, the humor, the romance.
- No spoilers, but I feel like there was finally some forward motion.
- Mrs. Haggerty's gang.

What I didn't like:
-Nothing - I will read everything Elle Cosimano writes about these characters.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Such a fun series, and this installment keeps the momentum going. When is the new book coming out?! If you love mysteries with clever heroines and engaging plot lines, Finlay’s adventures are for you. Thank you so much Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the advanced e-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

After the original, I think Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is my favorite in the series! It is laugh out loud funny, easy to read, easy to follow (the mystery isn't quiteeee so complicated as it sometimes gets), and the kid content is top notch. As a boy mom I loooved the potty training bits with Zach. Not sure how non-parents or girl moms may feel about that, but I thought it was hilarious. :)

Finlay and Vero get into crazy situation after crazy situation as usual, but what I really loved about this book was their partnership (or suspicion of - your call!) with Mrs. Haggerty. What a character!! I loved getting to know her in this book and thought the contrast of her role to Finlay/Vero's MO was perfect.

This was just a fun read and I hope you give it a chance!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Finlay and Vero are back! When their busybody neighbor needs a place to stay she invites herself to stay at Finlay’s house after her house is raided when the dead body is found . If that’s not bad enough her ex husband is accused of murder, her daughter is suspended from school, and her son refuses to wear pants. In her usual style Cosimano does a wonderful job of writing an entertaining story that was a continuation of her previous books. Having left on a cliffhanger I can’t wait to read her next one.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

The latest from Elle Cosimano was just as good as her previous books! Finlay and Nick are so fun to read about and of course, we encounter mystery and absurdities as per usual!

4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Finlay Donovan is back, and somehow, she’s managed to get herself into even more chaos—which honestly feels like an achievement at this point. In Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, Finlay and Vero are once again knee-deep in crime (literally and figuratively), trying to outrun bad guys, the law, and their own questionable decision-making skills.

This book is fast, funny, and totally unhinged in the best way. Finlay and Vero’s ride-or-die friendship remains the heart of the series, and their banter had me grinning the whole way through. The mystery is twisty, ridiculous, and full of “Wait, WHAT?!” moments. Is it completely realistic? Nope. Do I care? Also nope.

That said, it didn’t quite hit the highs of the earlier books for me. Some of the plot felt a little too over-the-top, and there were moments where I wished things slowed down just a bit. But honestly, I’m still having way too much fun with these characters to complain much.

If you love messy, lovable heroines, crime capers with a side of romance, and books that don’t take themselves too seriously, this series continues to deliver. And that ending? Yeah… I need the next book ASAP.

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!
‌
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.
‌
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.
‌
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.