While this has been a fun series..I think it might be time to finish the series. It’s still fun and fast paced; however, it’s starting to get a little monotonous.

This is probably the longest series I have even been invested in. The dark humor was on point with this one!

🍆🚗📖🔪

This was my favorite Finlay Donovan book so far. I read this while traveling and thoroughly enjoyed the story. I would recommend this others.

Loved the book. Finlay cracks me up. Her shenanigans and how she deals with problems are both wise and hilarious.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and St. Martin's Press for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

As the past books, I loved this one. It's my new favorite, for sure. Great laughs and suspense, per usual.

The audiobooks of this series will always be my go to. I NEED to hear the narrator for the characters because it just brings the whole story to life for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, it comes back around to the first 2 books and then neighborhood shenanigans. I was howling with laughter and gasping at the revelations.
Don’t miss out on this one because it holds the what caught my attention at the beginning of the series, and is the trajectory for further Finlay books with more to the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano.

Elle Cosimano delivers another witty, fast-paced, and completely addictive installment in the Finlay Donovan series. This time, Finlay and Vero find themselves in deeper trouble than ever, navigating laugh-out-loud chaos, unexpected twists, and a tangle of dangerous secrets—all while juggling their wildly relatable everyday lives.

Cosimano’s trademark humor, razor-sharp banter, and clever plotting make this a pure delight from start to finish. The chemistry between Finlay and Vero remains one of my favorite aspects, and the blend of mystery and comedy is executed perfectly.

If you’re looking for a smart, funny, and wildly entertaining read that will keep you hooked until the last page, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a must-read. Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with a big dose of charm.

I have to say, Cosimano has done something that few authors have done- she has made a contemporary mystery series one of my absolute favourites. Unsurprisingly to a lot of people, I tend to gravitate towards historical books (both fiction and non-fiction) but these are one of the highlights of my reading year.

Is Finlay's life outrageous and over the top? It certainly is, but it is what keeps me hooked and why I love these books. When I read a Finlay Donovan book, I feel like I am watching a TV show in the best way. This book in particular was a lot of fun due to the widening of our "bubble"- we've now got Mrs. Haggerty and more of the neighbours to contend with, and it makes it even more fun.

Impressively, Cosimano also always keeps me guessing. It does not happen a lot and I appreciate when it does.

I really enjoyed this installment in the Finlay Donovan series. Once I started it, I couldn’t stop and next thing I know, several hours have passed and the story is finished. It’s been a long time since a book has sucked me in so thoroughly.

Just when they think they are in the clear from Atlantic City, Finlay & Vero come home to find the police on their street. A body was dug up in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard and someone wants to pin the murder on Steven, her ex-husband. Even though he is a a cheating jerk, Fin just doesn’t believe that he killed anyone and is on the case to prove it.
This book drove me crazy at times (in a good way). I love Mrs. Haggerty but man, she was something else in this one! I really did love how she bonded with Delia & Zach and how she potty-trained Zach. The way she handled the bully’s mom had me laughing. Cam is so protective of Mrs. Haggerty! I love it! Nick being a bigger part of the “family-life” is fantastic to see. I also enjoyed seeing more of Vero & Javi’s growing relationship.
As always, Angela Dawe did an amazing job with the narration!

Finlay Donovan is back for another adventure. This time a body is found in the backyard of her next door neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. Considered a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is arrested but soon released and ends up coming to stay with Finlay. There's more than meets the eye, however, when it comes to Finlay's feisty elderly neighbor. When Mrs. Haggerty starts sneaking out at night, Finlay and Vero decide to see what she's up to. That's definitely not one of their better ideas.

This book is a quick fun read. If you haven't read the prior installments in the series, I strongly suggest you do. There are many references to prior characters and storylines and if you read this as a stand alone, you'll miss out on a lot.

I really enjoy the banter between Finlay and Vero. They provide a great deal of entertainment. It's all very silly but that's what makes this such a fun read. I'm also interested in watching Nick and Finlay's relationship grow and the fact that he works in law enforcement but isn't aware of all of Finlay's secrets makes it even better!

I will admit the keeping the pants on the baby bit started to wear on me after it was repeatedly mentioned. I like that Cosimano gives the kids small parts in the story but it felt overdone this time..

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one since this one definitely ended on a cliffhanger!

This book kept me hooked from beginning to end. I had to know how things would work out. Seeing that ending though— now I’m hooked for the next book too.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for allow me e-ARC access to this amazing story!

4.5/5!

The gang is back together for another cozy mystery case!

I’m a huge fan of Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series, so naturally as every good bookworm does, I’ve been stashing the latest release in the series on my shelf to know that I had one more story available to me. After sharing a list filled with cozy mystery favorites, I couldn’t wait any longer and cleared a spot for this book in my reading lineup. You won’t be shocked to find out that I loved this 5th installment!

This book naturally centers around Finlay’s adventures and readers find her in another sticky situation. This time her ex-husband has been accused of murder and her busybody elderly neighbor has had to temporarily move into her home. Chaos ensues as Finlay sets off to prove her ex is innocent. With the help of her bestie/nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, fans of the series get to enjoy a raucous adventure with our leading ladies.

And because Cosimano knows what her fanbase wants…she left us with a massive cliffhanger at the end that I can’t wait to dig into when the next book hits shelves early next year!

This book is one of the best in the series. There's a dead body found in her neighbors garden and now Vero and Finlay are going to help figure out what happened. I absolutely LOVED the book club. It made me giddy to see women supporting women in a bad spot. I'm glad that this was a bit different than the other books in the series. It is a little less wild than some of the other books in the series but in a good way!
I hope there is more of Mrs. Haggerty in the future books because she is quite the character!!! Getting accused of murder, running a book club, moving herself in to Finlay's house and demanding rides. Doing nightly neighborhood watch!

Now Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was SO good! I felt that there was more to Ms. Haggerty than meets the eye. I loved getting some more of her and her background. I was pleasantly surprised to find out what she was doing in her spare time with her "book club" and I LOVED this story.

Finlay has never gotten along with her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty—a woman known for peering through windows and poking into everyone’s business. But when a dead body turns up in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, the dynamic shifts. Though she’s cleared of any wrongdoing, her house is now a crime scene, so she moves into Finlay’s bedroom—conveniently positioned with a direct view of her own house.

When Finlay hears a familiar name tied to the case, her curiosity is instantly piqued, pulling her back into another investigation.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave picks up right where the last book left off. I was hesitant to continue the series, feeling it had veered too far into chaos with flat characters and not enough Finlay-Vero moments. But this installment course-corrects with stronger character development and more focus on Finlay’s relationship with Nick.

Mrs. Haggerty turns out to be a surprising highlight—eccentric, sharp, and layered. I’m hoping she sticks around in future books.

I listened to the audiobook while also reading the ebook—Angela Dawe's narration is so ingrained that I can hear Finlay and Vero’s voices even when I’m just reading. Her performance continues to impress.

The book ends on another cliffhanger, so it’s clear Finlay’s story isn’t over. I’m looking forward to book six and whatever mess she and Vero get into next.

DNF @ 45%

I loved the first three Finlay books. However, this series has officially gone on too long. The story lines are repetitive, the once fresh and funny situations are now excessively played out, and this series has simply lost its luster. Not to mention, ANOTHER book has been announced in this series somehow. No longer for me, wish I’d just stopped after book three in the series.

I think Im officially done with the series. Theres definitely a cliffhanger at the end - so book #6 is on its way!
I loved the first Finlay book. The last couple got a little mehhh. This one was better I will say but I think Im just over it. It doesnt grab me anymore. I will say, I dont think Im a huge series gal. There are only a couple series that have kept my attention with so many books.

In Finlay Donovan Digs her Own Grave, Mrs Haggerty ends up with a dead body in her yard. Shes hilarious. Overall a solid book though! It's a fun series and I enjoy Elle Cosimano's writing style!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love, love, love this series so damn much. It is ridiculous and over the top and dramatic and silly and hilarious and fun and absolutely perfect.

I can never possibly guess what Elle Cosimano is going to dream up next for Finlay to get involved in and every single time I just love the craziness and fun. I just really adore that every single situation is both a little absurd but also totally believable for how she gets herself into and out of these bonkers situations.

Honestly, these are some of my favourite books and I'll never tire of this series.

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy.

These books should be read in order, and thus I will not be allowing that to reflect on my rating. I do think that this book is for those who enjoy cozy mysteries, with a dash of humor.

I will be immediately going back to read the series in order. Mrs. Haggerty is the initial prime suspect of a murder - body was in her backyard. While she was cleared, she cannot return home so she stays with Finlay temporarily. Chaos ensues. The book requires some suspension of belief and does end on a cliffhanger so it would appear that the series will be continuing.

Thank you for the ARC copy!