3.3/5 ⭐️ Stars - Thank you NetGalley, Minotaur Books & Macmillian Audio for the ALC of ‘Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave’, the fifth installment in Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series.

This is the most recently published book in the series, with Book #6 slated for release in March 2026. While I’ve generally enjoyed the ride, I’m content being caught up and I’m not sure I’ll continue with the next one — I may leave it (and any future books) off my TBR.

The first book remains my absolute favorite, and honestly, books two through five never quite lived up to that initial spark. I still love the characters, but ‘Digs Her Own Grave’ was noticeably lacking the humor that made me fall for the series in the first place. The mystery was engaging and wrapped up nicely, and the romance found a satisfying resting point — though there is a bit of a cliffhanger, so the door’s not fully closed.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed both reading and listening to this series, but I think it’s time for me to step away. There’s nothing inherently bad here, but it’s started to feel a bit repetitive, and I find myself craving more excitement and edge in my mysteries/thrillers.

If you have. not read this series this is your time to stop and start, you will not regret it.
Once again we find Finlay in a tight spot when her elderly neighbor accords the streets moves in with her due to some, um cough, skeletons being found in her yard. Surprise she’s a suspect it is cleared and lo and behold her ex husband is now considered the prime suspect. What happens next is a crazy and fun ride. Full of laughter, snarky banter and let’s not forget the romance. I age fully enjoyed all of Elle Coaimno’s books and will always recommend her to anyone and everyone that will listen

3.75/5

Finlay and Vero's investigating skills are expanding! I love seeing what they'll get up to next!
Fast friends from the beginning, their loyalty to each other is inspiring, and the situations they find themselves in never fail to entertain! I can't wait to see what happens next!

The writing continues to be witty, funny and attention grabbing. However, it feels as if there's not a lot of growth for Finlay's character. With the number of crazy situations that she has been in up to this point, you'd think she'd remember some pointers from previous situations. While I am still enjoying the series, there is just some growth that I'd like to see with Finlay. Vero as always remains my favorite character and hilarious as always.

I really did not enjoy Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, it's my lowest rated Finlay book, but I already had this one from NetGalley so I read it. I liked it a lot more than quite a few of the previous books! It wasn't as over the top as previous books and Finlay was finally more honest with some of the people in her life. I enjoyed Mrs. Haggerty a lot. I think Stephen needs to stop being accused of murder, it's getting old now.

Thanks to Netgalley for and the publisher for this ARC. I have unfortunately grown so sick of Finlay and her problems that I am DNF'ing this book, even though I was originally really enthusiastic. I am very relieved.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and author Elle Cosimano for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

I was introduced to the Finlay Donovan series earlier this year. It’s a collection of unbelievable but fun adventures as a divorced author seems to fall into trouble at every turn while balancing motherhood, dating, and her family. The previous book, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, seemed to wrap up the story of Finlay’s struggles to extricate herself from her involvement with the Russian mob. I was curious to see how the author would have Finlay find more trouble.

Finlay and her Nanny/best friend, Vero, are at home when they see Mrs. Haggerty being arrested and taken from her home. Turns out that a pipe broke, and when the repairs were being made, they came across a body buried in her backyard. The body is that of a man who has been missing for five years. Up until now, we’ve only seen Mrs. Haggerty as the neighborhood busybody who seems to stick her nose in everyone’s business. As the investigation moves along, Mrs. Haggerty is released but can’t return to her home due to the electricity being shut off. Her grandson, Brendan, begs FInlay to let her stay with her, just for the weekend. Finlay relents, and Brendan disappears.

The police discover a connection between the victim and Finlay’s ex-husband. Steve. He becomes the focus of their investigation, and Finlay is determined to clear his name, despite how much he hurt her in the past.

There’s more of the same here as Finlay and Vero find themselves in crazy situations. It’s silly and largely unbelievable, but it’s also a lot of fun. I laughed many times while reading it. Finlay’s good nature gets her into trouble as she feels bad for Mrs. Haggerty, but having her in the house while they are trying to clear Steve is an issue. To top it off, Finlay’s agent, Sylvia, is still pushing the television deal on Finlay, and they want Nick to be a consultant on a true-crime show based on Finlay’s books. Finlay knows Nick won’t do it and doesn’t even want to approach him.

There’s good advancement in the relationship between Nick and Finlay in this book. I thought Finlay’s deception made their relationship unrealistic, and that is the central topic between them here. Vero and Javier are still together, although the marriage in Atlantic City wasn’t valid. Still, Javier is trying to show Vero how much he loves her. Communication is a theme running through both Finlay and Vero’s relationships.

If you’re a fan of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, I think you’ll love Finlay Donovan. I don’t think readers can really appreciate this book unless they’ve read earlier ones in the series. It’s worth going back and reading them, though. This makes for great summer reading, and although murder and uncovering bodies in the backyard might seem like a heavy topic, it’s really filled with lighthearted fun. I can’t wait to see where this goes next!

Loved this story - this is the first book Iin The series where I felt fully invested in Finlay and Nick’s romance and love how that story line ended up. And the set up for the next book is great!

I absolutely adore this series and Elle Cosimano. Her writing style keeps things fresh and hilarious for our favorite dynamic duo, Finlay and Vero.

And dare I say that I really liked Mrs. Haggerty in this book?! She was 100% that quick witted, old woman I needed her to be. The home schooling the children was absolute gold and I can’t wait to see her in her future series endeavors.

I have always loved the cliffhangers at the end because it just keeps me roped in to the next.

I love this series. I am already looking forward to the next book. Fun mystery/ romance/ bestie story line. How can Finlay constantly find herself around another dead body, through no fault of her own? And her cop boyfriend never seems to know what’s going on. Nevertheless, the cast of characters are charming and hilarious. Thanks to NetGalley #NetGalley and Minotaur Books for sharing an advanced copy. I also listened to the audiobook. A very fun listen. Angela Dawe as the narrator is tremendous. Thanks to NetGalley #NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listen #MacmillanAudio.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the free ARC ebook.
As someone who has read every book in the Finlay Donovan series, *Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave* is another hilarious, fast-paced, and satisfying adventure that absolutely delivered. Elle Cosimano continues to raise the stakes while staying true to the quirky charm and chaos that made me fall in love with these characters from book 1.
Finlay and Vero’s friendship is as entertaining and lovable as ever, and the tension—both romantic and criminal—kept me turning pages. The character growth was noticeable, the humor is on point, and the plot twists felt earned. If you’ve been following Finlay’s wild journey from the start, this book feels like a rewarding next chapter. It’s clever, unpredictable, and so much fun.
I highly recommend this entire series! I love them all so much!

Elle Cosimano has created one of my recent favorite series with her Finlay Donovan and Vero characters.
This book is another fun, lighthearted book of the more serious and mysterious events these two get themselves into.

Perfect summer read!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano delivers a well-balanced mix of humor, suspense, and heartfelt moments. A solid continuation of the series that feels fresh, even as it digs into deeper emotional territory. I love Finlay and Vera and can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

While I love Finlay Donovan books, I feel like the series has run its course. The first was fantastic and they've gotten progressively less interesting since. The cliffhangers at the end of every book would be great if they were released more closely together, but as an avid reader of lots of books, I find myself forgetting exactly what I'm supposed to be excited about resolving.

3.5 stars!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was an entertaining read, but I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the previous books in the series. That said, the little twists throughout the story kept things interesting and made it worth sticking with. I absolutely love the characters—Finlay and Vero’s dynamic continues to be a highlight—and I’m still invested in their journey. I’ll definitely keep reading future installments and look forward to seeing where the story goes next!

The latest installment in the Finlay Donovan series does not disappoint! Elle Cosimano delivers another witty, fast-paced page-turner packed with laugh-out-loud moments and clever twists.

One of the highlights for me was getting more time with Mrs. Haggerty and Cam—both of whom absolutely shine in this book. Their dynamic added so much charm and hilarity to an already delightful story.

This book is perfect for fans of the series, as well as readers who enjoy light-hearted, slightly outrageous whodunits with a sharp, funny lead. That said, it works well as a standalone too—new readers can easily jump in and still enjoy the ride.

With an ending that hints at more to come, it looks like Finlay’s chaotic adventures are far from over. I’m consistently impressed by Cosimano’s ability to keep the series fresh, funny, and wildly entertaining.

I’ve always wanted Mrs. Haggerty to play a bigger role in one of Finlay’s adventures, so I was so excited to find out that’s exactly what we were going to get in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave.

And I was not disappointed! Although it’s not my favorite book in the series, the crazy shenanigans Finlay, Vero and Mrs. Haggerty get up to this book made it so much fun to read.

When a dead body is found in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty is first suspected of the murder. But when she’s let go by the police and her house is still an active crime scene, Mrs. Haggerty winds up living at Finlay’s house. You can just imagine that drama that comes with that!

If you’ve ever wanted to dig more into Mrs. Haggerty’s past, this is the book for you. We’ve learned in previous books that Mrs. Haggerty isn’t an old woman to be messed with, and boy does that rig true in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave!

If you’re a fan of the Finlay Donovan series, I think you’ll really enjoy this latest installment. It’s a crazy, fun ride and I hope that ride continues with book #6!

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's/Minotaur Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this installment in the Finlay Donovan series. "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave," might just be my favorite since book one and that’s saying a lot coming from someone who considers this series a top-tier comfort read.

Cosimano does such a great job walking that line between laugh-out-loud funny and edge-of-your-seat suspense. The humor hits just right, the pacing never drags, and the chaos is delightfully controlled in that only-Finlay kind of way. We get to meet some new characters this time around, including Mrs. Haggerty, the nosy neighbor who feels like the perfect addition to Finlay’s already quirky circle.

There’s plenty of action and tension, but also those familiar sitcom vibes that make this series feel like a warm (albeit slightly murderous) hug. Just when I thought I had the twists figured out, Cosimano threw in something new. That cliffhanger at the end? I'm not okay, and yes, I'm already counting down to the next book.

Forever a Finlay fan. 5 stars from me. If you’ve been following Finlay’s journey, this one absolutely delivers. If you’re new to the series, start at the beginning. You won’t regret it.

Finlay and Vero are up to no good again! I love this series so so much. It truly has a special place in my heart. This book was no different. In fact I think I enjoyed this one much more than I expected! I loved the book club element + Mrs. Haggerty. And thank GOD Finlay was finally honest with Nick. This was such a fun read and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Vero!

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur books for an advance copy. This is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series. I feel like the last couple of books have dragged just a little, but this one lives up to the first two books in the series. It’s got to be hard to continue writing about murders and other illegal events happening all around the main characters, Finlay and her partner-in-crime Vero, but Elle Cosimano continues to find ways to keep the storyline interesting and funny. This book focused on a body found in the next door neighbors yard, Mrs. Haggerty, and Finlay and Vero’s attempts to solve the mystery without indicting Finlay’s ex-husband Steven, or themselves. I don’t know if it was just my mood, but this book was exactly what I needed, a light, funny, fun book.