I am a big, big fan of the Finlay Donovan books so I was thrilled to get a chance to read the next installment early! Finlay and Vero are back for another adventure. They are just feeling like they have gotten their feet under them after escaping scrutiny for the bodies in the previous books--well, except for the fact that Delia has been suspended from school and Zach won't wear clothes. Oh, and her cranky nosy neighbor is unexpectedly living with them after a body is found buried in her yard.

What I loved about this book and the series as a whole is the relationships Finlay has as well as the scrapes she manages to get herself into. Whether it's getting stuck on a suspect's balcony in the cold or trying to steal back pot brownies from Mrs. Haggerty's book club, the humor is there in spades. We had the return of Cam, who is a great side character. I loved him teaching Mrs. Haggerty to play Grand Theft Auto and painting her hoopty sparkly eggplant purple. And speaking of Mrs. Haggerty, that character absolutely stole the show. Every scene with her was a riot, and I loved getting her back story and learning that she is so much more than just a cranky, nosy neighbor.

This book did feel a little shorter and the mystery in this book was easier to solve. I figured out the deal with Mrs. Haggerty's book club pretty early on. There seemed to be less Vero/Finlay shenanigans in this one, which is a shame because they are a great duo.

I was absolutely shocked that Finlay fessed up to Nick and was starting to get worried that every loose end was being wrapped up in a bow, and then the book ended on a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see how Finlay and Vero solve their latest problem!

Finlay and her sidekick Vero are back for another adventure. This time they are trying to solve the mystery of how a dead body ended up buried at their elderly and cranky neighbor, Mrs Haggerty's home. Once Mrs Hagerty is cleared for the crime (and moves in with Finlay) Stephen, Finlay's ex husband is accused of the murder and that's when Finlay and Vero step in to help solve the case.

I have now read all of these books. Some of the books are better than others (this series is definitely a case of bookstagram made me do it). I even debated not continuing the series but I am so glad that I did because this one was so much fun and was exactly the antidote needed for the swirling in my head of everything going on right now in the world. It was quick, it was fun, it made me smile and this is up there as one of my favorites of the series (battling it out with the first). If you were debating this newest installation, I say pick it up (but only if you've read the rest, as I learned the hard way, this is not a series you can step into without the earlier one). I mainly listened to the audio because I always love the audio for these books, the narrator adds an extra element of enjoyment for me because of the humor and chaos.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the ARC to review

The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorites, and I was thrilled to read the latest installment. It did not disappoint! I absolutely loved it! The humor, antics, and twisty mystery are perfectly balanced for an entertaining read.

One of the highlights is the wonderful friendship between Finlay and Vero, which becomes even more endearing with each book.

The story picks up shortly after the events of the previous book when a body is discovered in the backyard of Finlay's elderly and nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. Finlay is reluctantly persuaded to take in the irritating Mrs. Haggerty for a few days since her home has become a crime scene.

Finlay and Vero are friend goals, and the two always show just how in sync they are. The series has a strong found family vibe, which is strengthened in this installment. The ladies have their hands full already when Mrs. Haggerty immediately cramps their style. Despite their efforts to stay out of the investigation, it isn't long before Finlay and Vero are wrapped up in it. And, what a fun turn for Mrs. Haggerty, who definitely makes a splash in this one.

The romantic tension between Finlay and Nick, as well as between Vero and Javi, keeps heating up, and the scenes with Finlay's kids are both relatable and hilarious. I love the dynamics between all the characters, which draw you in. The series features excellent character development and witty dialogue, with many scenes that had me laughing out loud. The writing flows seamlessly, and the story is fast-paced.

I was genuinely surprised by how the mystery unfolded and even more so by the cliffhanger ending that has me anxiously anticipating book six! Entertaining and SO much fun!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the gifted ARC

What works best here is the delightful chemistry between Finlay and Vero. Their bickering and quirky exchanges are a highlight, and readers will find themselves rooting for this odd couple even as they get deeper into the investigation. The plot offers plenty of red herrings and surprising turns, keeping the reader on their toes throughout.

I liked Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave more than Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, despite giving them both the same rating. The hook at the beginning with Finlay facing down Delia's school principal sets the tone for this title even though I didn't pick up on it initially. I liked seeing more of Mrs. Haggerty, even if it felt like Vero played second fiddle in this one.

The mystery was a good one and seemed appropriate for the current climate. I figured out what was going on before Finlay did, but enjoyed Finlay's journey toward solving the case.

I always find the romances in these books to be rather tepid and while I'm fine with Finlay's developing relationship, it's not the main reason I read these books. I like Finlay's finding of herself, her female friendships, and the little slices of life. I think Cosimano delivered a better book this time around and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc for review purposes.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is the fifth in the Finlay Donovan mystery series. It was a wild and crazy ride just not as intense as the other 4 books.

I thought it was the best of the five. I’m not so sure I would have let Mrs. Haggerty bulldoze her way into staying in my home but then again, she hasn’t been watching me for years and committing her observations to her neighborhood diary.

I found the premise interesting and the execution well done. I enjoyed every twist, turn , and zany turn in the life of the characters.
The epilogue is a great teaser for the upcoming book. Well done, Ms. Cosimano.

Thank-you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to binge read the series to date. These are my own opinions and I am not required to leave a positive review. I enjoyed the diversion from real life.

The Finlay and Vero we first met are back in this latest installment in the series that's really for those who have been following along. I'd almost gone off Finlay because the last books were so over the top and convoluted but this one brings things back to Finlay's neighborhood when a body is dug up from the nosy neighbor's backyard and Finlay's ex Steven is arrested for murder! Finlay and her nanny Vero find themselves hosting Mrs. Haggerty, who turns out to be much more than they ever expected (especially when dealing with small children) and trying to solve the crime. Old friends are back- Cam and Nick, her romantic interest-and Finlay must also juggle demands from her literary agent. This does a nice job of balancing the domestic (Zack!) with the slightly madcap investigation. It also made more smile more than once. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This made me chuckle more than once and now I'm looking forward to the next one.

Finlay and Vero are back and this time they have an unwanted house guest, their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. They are trying to discover how a body ended up being buried in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. Inevitably the two end up way over their heads and must find a way out of another dangerous situation.

This series never gets old, between the snappy dialogue and the humor there is always a great mystery to be solved. This time it is a doozy!! The addition of Mrs Haggerty added another layer on to the chaotic life that Finlay has. I will read these as long as she continues to write them! So much fun!!


4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review .

Finlay and crew are back plus one--or two, actually. After a body is discovered in the nosy neighbor's backyard, Finlay ends up playing host to the woman "just for the weekend." Yeah right. Her daughter gets suspended for two weeks after being accused of bullying. And Finlay's ex husband becomes the prime suspect in the case of the buried body.

No way does Finlay want her ex in prison for a crime he definitely did not commit. So she uses her skills to uncover the true identity of the killer. All the while continuing to keep the snowballing pile of secrets she can't reveal to her hot cop boyfriend. And then the TV folks come sniffing along, making things so much worse!

This is such a fun series. Very reminiscent of early Janet Evanovich. Plus I adore the fact that Finlay is an author!

This is a fun, funny, and smartly plotted series with a lovable cast of characters. Each one keeps getting better and better.

This is my second Finlay Donovan book but it is the fifth in a series. Even though I did not read two through four I was still able to follow the story. The author did a great job with recaps.

Finlay Donovan is a divorcee with two children. She is also an author AND an amateur sleuth with her cohort Vero. From start to finish the story is entertaining, suspenseful and hilarious. And Finlay’s children are a riot! There was not one dull moment. Very quick read. And that cliffhanger!!

Going to have to catch up with the other three books in the series so I can get more Finlay laughs!

4 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgally @ellecosimano and @ for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

We're now on book 5 of the Finlay Donovan series and I have mixed feelings.

This book is all about the body found in Mrs. Haggerty's yard, who is a neighbor of Finlay. When Mrs. Haggerty is found not-guilty, she moves in with Finlay while her house is being repaired after having a body exhumed from the backyard. However, Finlay starts to notice some eccentric, middle of the night behavior from her peculiar neighbor. What follows is the antics that we've come to know and love from this series!

We have Vero and Finlay with more craziness. Javi and Nick just begging for scraps of information from their respective female love interests. Mrs. Haggerty who is everyone's worst nightmare in a neighbor. And sweet Cam, who just does what he's told for food.

Unfortunately, I didn't love this book as much as I have the others in the series. I felt like this book wasn't advancing any plot from any of the 4 books, and felt like nothing fit together. We are introduced to so many new characters, and I can't keep all of them straight.
However, there were still the laugh out loud moments that have kept me hooked in this series. I truly believe Vero could solve any crime!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own!

The Finlay Donovan series is absolutely delightful, and this fifth installment brought back all of the characters that I have enjoyed through the earlier books. In this book, we learn a lot more about Finlay's nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, and grow to love Cam, the computer geek that Finlay occasionally calls upon to help her investigations.

I especially liked that in this novel Vero and Finlay were not involved in the outlandish situations that they have found themselves in during earlier books, and they actually were not actually involved in any crimes themselves. Instead, Mrs. Haggerty and then Finlay's ex-husband are accused (falsely?) of a crime and Finlay is intent on clearing the case.

Fans of Janet Evanovich will also enjoy this series, which combines mystery and humor in equal measure. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital ARC of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano. The opinions in this review are my own.

When Finlay's elderly neighbor's (Mrs. Haggerty) house becomes a crime scene, she turns to Finlay for a place to stay for the weekend until things get cleared up. Amidst trips to book club and late night neighborhood watches, Vero and Finlay are beyond ready for this sleepover to come to an end.

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE was such a fun addition to the Finlay series!

The hijinks were top-tier and the potty training debacle added some levity while feeling true to life.

We got more Cam, Nick, and Javi in this one and are left with quite the cliffhanger as we near the end of this series 👀

Overall, I found this to be a really fun continuation of Finlay and Vero's adventures together!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - out March 4!

i love this series and this one is definetely one of my favourites in the series. A fun and cozy mystery that i definitely recommend

thank you publisher and netgalley. all thoughts are my own

I think I enjoyed this book even more than the previous. It’s fast, but doesn’t seem as chaotic. There is more characters & it’s more diverse.. The action is more evenly spread between them. FinlayDonovanDigsHerOwnGrave #NetGalley

3.5*
The dynamic duo of Finlay and Vero are pulled into a murder mystery once again! I always enjoy this series, but this one wasn't quite as funny and action packed as the previous novels. Mrs. Haggerty stole the show for me on this one though. We finally got the story on the nosy neighbor across the street and her antics did not disappoint. I really grew to like her by the end. Speaking of the end, while a few loose ends were tied up, we still ended on another unexpected cliffhanger! I can't wait to see what misadventures are coming Finlay and Vero's way in book 6!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my review!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was a great addition to the Finlay Donovan series! I think I enjoyed this one more than the last two instalments of the series as well! In book 5, Finlay and Vero are back at it when a body is found in their neighbour's backyard. I absolutely loved getting to spend more time with Finlay and Vero, as well as the other characters, including Cam, Nick and Javi! I enjoyed the story of this one and felt it was easier to follow than some of the past ones. I liked how the author shared some details from the previous books in this one which was a great refresher for me. This one ended on a bit of a cliffhanger for me and I'm wondering (and hoping) that we'll get another book in this series in the near future!

Overall, I enjoyed this one and rated it 4.5 stars! If you are looking for a fun and entertaining series that is part cozy mystery and part romance, that is filled with humour, check out the Finlay Donovan series! I definitely recommend reading them in order, but this one comes out March 4!

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of my favorite mystery series and this installment is one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave did not disappoint! As has been true throughout this series, if it can go wrong, it does…and hilarity ensues.

The consistency is f the characters across this series is fantastic. I absolutely love this series and I never want it to end.

Thank you the the publisher and netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book, both ebook and audio. I leave this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Who would think Mrs. Haggerty the obnoxious neighbor across the street would have a body in her backyard AND move into Finlay’s house. If you have read this series before, you know craziness has truly arrived in Finlay’s house. We always knew Mrs. Haggerty was a manager but who knew she would restructure Finlay’s kids, Delia and Zach’s lives. If you previously enjoyed the earlier books, you’ll love this one. #netgalley

Although this is a great series, and you should read all of the books that come before this one, there is really no need to. You won't find yourself getting lost since the author does a great job of brushing us up on some of the past adventures.

This book does end with a bit of a cliffhanger.

This book is a tad steamy but not really descriptive with the love scenes.

One of the things that prevented me from giving this a five-star review is that I find that Finaly is a total pushover. She allows people to take advantage of her without even a whimper on her part.

Otherwise, this is a great, cozy, fast read, and it is well worth digging up the earlier books. Many of them are free to borrow/or buy with KU.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley.