Elle Cosimano does it again. Finlay and Vero can't seem to keep herself out of trouble. I listened as I read. It's a fast, entertaining listen! Nick is still my favorite I can't get enough of him!! Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ARCs.

Fun, with memorable characters😀

This light-hearted book is definitely the best in the series so far IMO. And Finlay's elderly nosy neighbor/murder suspect Margaret stole the show. Finlay's two young kids started the comical scenarios in the first pages and, though their appearances are scattered, they lend such whimsy. And, yes, there's a murder mystery and romance too. All work so well together that reading F.D. Digs Her Own Grave was the light, frothy highlight of my week.

Steven, Finlay's ex, is at the center of the plot while remaining largely in the background, nabbed by the Loudoun County Police for suspected murder and burial of his elderly victim in the neighbor's rose garden. No matter what indignities Steven imposed on Finlay through his cheating, Finlay believes her kid's father is innocent and, to get him off the charges, starts investigating to determine who's really culpable. Quite a romp and, with the help of her decidedly shady contacts, she succeeds in winkling out the true chain of events. In the meantime, she's coping with Margaret as an uninvited houseguest, her five year old daughter home on suspension from school, and her man-crazy literary agent making a play for turning Finlay's murder mysteries into a hot project for Hollywood.

And her romance with Nick the cop turns quite touching and somewhat heated.

Decidedly worth the read time!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 2/27/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads, Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared with kobo and Google Play upon publication.

This series gets better with each new book! Thank you @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for my early reading and listening copies of @ellecosimano ‘s new release, FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE, out March 4, 2025.

Finlay and Vero are the funniest BFF duo I’ve read in a long time. Each novel in this series can be read as a standalone, but it is TOTALLY worth it to start at the very beginning and enjoy the growth of this series.

Steven, Finlay’s ex is still around, Nick is still around, the agent, Sylvia is still around, and of course Mrs. Haggerty is around, and becomes one of the central characters in this new installment.

I really enjoyed Mrs. Haggerty’s antics in FDDHOG through Finlay’s perspect with brought so many laugh out loud moments as only these “I can’t believe this is happening to them but it is hilarious!” woven with just enough mystery that I wonder what is going to happen next. All of that to say this is the perfect cleansing, easy reading series.

I love these books they are my guilty pleasure. Such quick reads and laugh out loud. Can't wait until the next installment.

I want to thank the publisher for granting me both an ARC and an ALC in exchange for an honest review. This allowed me to experience one of my favorite ways to enjoy books—immersive reading!

I requested Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave not only because I adore Finlay, Vero, and the ever-entertaining supporting cast Elle Cosimano has created, but also because the title itself felt like a clever nod to an important plot point from an earlier book in the series—and I was right! (IYKYK). I was also excited to see nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty take center stage in this installment, and she did not disappoint.

Mrs. Haggerty is just as much the star of this book as Finlay and Vero. Following her on her neighborhood watch walks, peeking into her book club, and uncovering the extent of her knowledge about the ongoing mystery made for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Watching her interact with Finlay’s kids added an extra layer of depth to her character, but the most rewarding part of her story was seeing just how far she would go to be an ally—and that’s all I can say without spoilers!

Of course, no Finlay Donovan book would be complete without a few standout moments. The Eggplant had me laughing out loud, and Finlay’s vulnerability in the final chapters was particularly well done. And, as expected, Cosimano delivers yet another tantalizing cliffhanger. I already can't wait for book six!

Finlay and Vero are back. Adding the unexpected duo of Cam and Mrs. Haggerty made this book such a fun continuations of this series. I did not realized this series takes place over only a couple months time frame. I truly could never get tired of this world.

Thank you Minotaur book and NetGalley for the ARC.

This 5th entry in the Finlay Donovan series is another cute funny light mystery! It picks up right where the last book left off with the discovery of a dead body in the yard of the busybody old lady who lives across the street. When Finlay’s ex-husband is accused of the crime, Finlay and Vero take it upon themselves to investigate.

If you enjoy this series, I’m sure you’re going to enjoy this one too! And if you haven’t but you’re in the mood for a light silly read, go back and start with book one! Seriously, don’t even try to read this without reading the others - but I did appreciate that the mystery of this one was a little more standalone. As for me, as long as Elle Cosimano keeps writing books in this series, I’ll keep reading it!

4.5 Stars for Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. I initially hadn't realized that this book was the fifth book in a series. I promptly added the rest of this series to my TBR. Finlay and Vero's adventures kept me interested and guessing throughout the duration of the book. Mrs. Haggerty's character was fantastic and I enjoyed trying to figure out how she fit into the puzzle. Honestly, I do feel as though this book could be read as a standalone. Based on the ending, we will certainly get a sixth book and I can't wait!

Thank you for the ARC! Highly recommend!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the latest instalment of the Finlay Donovan series, this book picks up right after the end of book 4. However, I think this book could be read as a standalone as the author does a great job reminding the readers what happened in the previous books, so if one has not read them or if one has read them so long ago they do not remember they get these fun quick reminders of what led to the events happening in this book.

Finlay and Vero are back, which they still are my favourite duo, I love the way their friendship and banter is written. However, this relationship becomes a trio when we get Mrs Haggerty living with them, which was a great dynamic and she was already such an interesting character and it was great to see her becoming a bigger badass. Also, we get more depth into Finlay and Nick's relationship, which I loved as I think Nick is amazing.

Overall, this book was a fun quick read just like the other books of the series and I love that the author does such a great job creating great strong personalities and making them seem real.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan is a full time mom who finds herself short on resources after her attorney husband leaves her for someone else. In the first episode, she finds herself with a corpse that she may or may not have killed; fearing the worst, she disposes of it, and the next thing she knows, her name is on some sort of dark web list of killers for hire. By the time she realizes she’s innocent, it’s too late to put the toothpaste back in the tube.

Other things have happened since then, of course, as we find ourselves now on the fifth installment. Present and accounted for is her nanny and close friend, Vero Ruiz, a woman with the kind of street smarts that can come in handy when the chips are down. In this episode there are several recurring characters, and the reader is strongly advised to go back and read the first Finlay before diving in. It’s not as if you can’t just start with this one, but you’ll be missing half of the jokes and jibes if you do.

My great thanks go to St. Martin’s Press Early Readers program and NetGalley for the review copy. This book will be available March 4, 2025.

Finlay’s nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, assumes a central role this time around when a body is exhumed from her backyard. Her home is declared a crime scene, and before Finlay even has time to react, the woman has installed herself in Finn’s guest room. A beat or two later, Stephen, Finlay’s ex, husband of her two children, is arrested for murdering the corpse that’s been found!

One of my favorite parts of this series is watching the dynamics between Finlay and her ex. On the one hand, the guy is philanderer, and he’s kind of a weasel. Yet, though Vero urges Fin to let justice take its course and stay out of it, Finlay has to defend him. Stephen is the father of her children, and they don’t need to grow up being told their daddy is a murderer. Also? The child support will dry up quick as a whistle if Stephen no longer makes money. And part of what I love about this, is that, in broad strokes, it outlines a dilemma that any number of women with children face. Life is full of nuance, and although this is not literary fiction, not intended to be known for its depth, it does honor the shades of gray faced by so many women. It makes the whole story more relatable.

Mrs. Haggerty also proves to be far more interesting than we previously believed, and that’s all I’m going to say about that. However, I do admire Cosimano’s capacity to juggle a million tiny, moving parts without creating inconsistencies. Once or twice I have seen what looks like an inconsistency, but then it turns out to have been written that way for a reason, usually to expose someone or something.

As the series progresses, I see more critics howling that the series isn’t what it was. Of course they’re right, in a way; when the series grows, the author has to make changes to prevent becoming a one trick pony. But I admire the way Cosimano handles the growth.

One small moan: yes, yes, yes. We can see that Finlay is hot for Nick, her cop boyfriend (the only trite element so far.) And yes, yes, yes, we can see that Vero is madly in love with her sweetheart, a fellow who she’s adored since her teens. We get it. Finlay and Vero are not a couple. We don’t need it hammered in any further, or at least, I don’t. For that matter, I wouldn’t be all that disturbed if they were. But the increased emphasis on their two romances bears just the tiniest whiff if hysteria. It’s not necessary. Finn’s love for Vero and vice versa, is not a lesbian love, but about the family we choose. So, let it rest already. Relax! The lesbian role is fulfilled by Finlay’s cop sister, Georgia, who stays firmly in the background where, apparently, some in the industry believe lesbian characters belong.

Sheesh!

That wee rant aside, I enjoyed this book very much. I heartily recommend it to you, and I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

Elle Cosimano has done it again! This is my favorite book in the series! I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together!

Finlay and Vero are back at it again on an adventure this time to prove that Steven isn’t a murderer! A body is found in Mrs. Haggerty’s back yard and Steven is the number one suspect. Nothing is as it seems on this strange sequence of events! All the usual suspects are along for the ride, including “hot cop” Nick!

Run don’t walk to pick this one up it’s fantastic!

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, Minotaur publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is such a fun series and I really enjoyed this book! I love the characters and the shenanigans they get up to. It was an easy listen and the narrator was fantastic!

4.5 stars

Another fun & ridiculous Finlay & Vero adventure. Maggie (Mrs. Haggerty) & Cam were ridiculous but also a lot of fun!

I loved seeing Maggie & Nick's relationship finally developing & some more trust being built between them!

Oh man - the ending!! When's book 6 coming?

Angela Dawe's narration of the Finlay books is perfect 🤌🏻

Huge thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press & MacMillan Audio for advance copies!

Murders don't happen by accident....

...well, except to Finlay Donovan. She's a single mom to two young kids and an author whose stories are a bit too autobiographical for comfort. She has recently been mistaken for a hit woman, become involved with Russian mafia types, and had to dispose of more than one (or even two) dead bodies (which absolutely, positively were not her fault). Her suburban Loudoun County neighborhood is full of nosy, gossipy neighbors who know more about her problems with her cheating ex-husband then she likes, her daughter has been suspended from school for hitting a boy and her son's potty training is NOT going well. Even with the help of her nanny/friend Vero, Finlay has a lot going on (including her budding relationship with hot cop Nick), so she hasn't really paid a lot of attention to the problems of Mrs. Haggerty, the elderly widow who lives across the street and whom quite frankly she's never liked. A dead body was discovered buried on Mrs. Haggerty property (Finlay had nothing to do with this one), and as the owner of the property she initially was arrested for the crime. She's been released and somehow is now staying in Finlay's house, and the police's attention has now shifted to Finlay's ex-husband Stephen. He may have been (and probably still is) a cheating crumb, but he's a good dad and Finlay really doesn't think he's guilty. Even with everything else going on in her life it looks like it will be up to Finlay (again!) to find out who killed the man found under the rose bushes in order to clear Stephen's name (without letting Nick find out what she's doing).
Fun! Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun is what this fifth book in author Elle Cosimano's entertaining series is, featuring a single mother doing her best to be a great mom, write her books, keep her life's ups and downs away from the gossipy neighbors, and figure out if there is a future with Nick given the many crimes she has sort of committed and about which he remains (at least thus far) mostly unaware. Suspicious, but not in possession of any hard facts. She's totally relatable in a heart-in-the-right-place-but-kind-of-a-hot-mess way, the sort of friend who will always be up for a glass of wine (or four) when you've had a bad day. If Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum was crossed with Bridget Jones and plunked down in a Northern Virginia suburban neighborhood, she'd be Finlay Donovan. The plot twists about, with possible suspects popping up behind every bush and doorway, and Finlay and Vero do what they have to do to get to the truth. Fans of the series will have a great time with this latest installment, and readers of the afore-mentioned Janet Evanovich, Sarah Strohmeyer and Harley Jane Kozak should do themselves a solid and pick up a copy of this or any of the preceding entries...read it as a standalone, or have a blast and read them all (trust me, you'll thank me later). Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me early access to this witty bit of escapism.

4.5 stars

Finlay Donovan has finally done it for me! After listening to the first four books in this series and being largely underwhelmed, I switched to my kindle for this most recent installment. Whether it was the change in format or finally moving away from the drawn out Russian mob plot, I found myself appreciating the humorous elements in this one much more, especially with Vero's deadpan delivery. Mrs. Haggerty was a hoot, and I love to see bad husbands get what's coming to them. Can I join this book club?? This was definitely my favorite of the series so far and it's cliffhanger ending with Vero's past finally catching up to her has me excited for the next one.

This was such a fun read! I've loved reading this series from the beginning, and while the previous book wrapped up a lot of the stakes that had been building, I loved what this book did, and what it set up for book 6! I've just has such a fun time reading this series, though it does feel like it's coming to a close soon.

Finlay was a bit of a badass in the previous book, with how she managed to work all these different threats against each other, so she could get her desired outcome. So I really enjoyed seeing her having to deal with just a little bit less-just having the nosy neighbour having to live with her while her own place is getting fixed. Said neighbour a reason why she found out about Steven's infidelity, so that's an uncomfortable position.

Between having Mrs. Haggerty in her house, and then having Steven become a suspect, yeah, I really enjoyed watching Finlay investigate! That a book club became involved, and that there was something going on with them, was a delight to read!

This book wraps up a lot of the threads from the previous books, with the secrets that Finlay is keeping. There is going to be at least 1 more full length book, with what the last lingering thread to tie off, with the way that this book ended. I can't wait to see how that's going to play out!

This was another really wonderful read, and I can't wait to read more by Elle Cosimano!

Okay, THIS ONE is my favorite Finlay! Oh my goodness, what a fun time. Finlay and Vero are at their zaniest, the shenanigans keep on coming and once again, THAT ENDING! I absolutely loved seeing more of Mrs. Haggerty. This lady is an absolute hoot! Also, Cam is one of my favorite characters and we got so many great scenes with him. The action starts pretty much immediately and just keeps on rolling right to the end! I laughed, I gasped, I said, “OH NOOOO” several times. As always, it’s an absolute pleasure to be in Finlay’s world. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to wait until the next book!
CW: murder, death, domestic violence

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the digital readers copy!

A fun new installment of the Finlay and Vero series! I think I enjoyed this one even more than the previous books. I really liked how it tied things back to the beginning of the series. Actually. as things were starting to wrap up, I felt like this had “series finale” written all over it. Don’t worry! There’s one more surprise at the end to ensure another book!

Thanks to Elle Cosimano, Minotaur Books and St Martins Press for the advance readers copy. This was a great book to lift my spirits.

Elle Cosimano never lets me down, a great laugh. Bodies always find their way into Finlay's life. While dealing with her ex husband's troubles she has an unexpected house guest leaving me highly entertained. As always I look forward to where the next book takes us.

Finlay and Vero are at it again. Trouble just seems to find them wherever they go- even if they stay home attempting to take care of business! Recommended if you enjoyed the first books in the series.