Great as always, this series is fun and always keep me looking forward to what’s going to happen or come next.

Finlay Donovan #5 might be my favorite yet! In this installment of the series, our favorite accidental murderer and her trusty nanny team up with nosy Mrs. Haggerty to solve the murder of the body found in her backyard. Of course, Finlay stumbles upon some other crazy truths along the way, and must balance her penchant for mystery with her romantic, professional, and home life. What will Finlay do next!

Here’s a review you can use or adapt:

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Review: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

This series is seriously so much fun! Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave continues the wild, hilarious, and fast-paced adventures of Finlay and her ride-or-die sidekick, Vero (aka the world’s most entertaining babysitter/nanny/crime accomplice). I laughed out loud more times than I can count while reading this book—Elle Cosimano has nailed the blend of mystery and comedy in what I like to call a perfect “mom-com.”

One of the coolest parts for me personally? This story takes place super close to where I live, and some scenes are set basically in my own neighborhood. That added such a fun, surreal layer to the experience—it made the story feel even more immersive.

It was also great to get to know Mrs. Haggerty better in this installment. She’s been a quirky side character in earlier books, and I loved seeing her play a bigger role here.

The book is fast-paced with short, punchy chapters that make it nearly impossible to put down. It’s action-packed without ever feeling chaotic, and Cosimano continues to keep the stakes high while giving us plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and relatable parenting chaos. I seriously identify with Finlay’s constant juggling act—she’s such a great blend of overwhelmed mom and reluctant amateur sleuth.

I switched between the ebook and audiobook, and both formats are excellent. Angela Dawe narrates the audiobook, and she is honestly one of the best in the business. Her range is incredible—she gives every character a distinct voice and captures the humor, tension, and heart of the story perfectly.

If you’re looking for a fast, fun, laugh-until-you-snort mystery series with heart, strong female friendships, and just the right amount of chaos, this book—and the entire Finlay Donovan series—is escapist fiction at its best. Highly recommend!

another solid adventure for Finlay and crew. loved seeing the character relationships progress in various ways. Can't wait for the next one!

I love the Finlay Donovan books, if you are looking for a quick read that keeps you interested from beginning to end then they are for you. This one kept me guessing from the beginning!

Finlay is seriously one of my favorite characters! None of these books ever disappoint and this one wasn’t any different. The characters are always a blast! I will say this one seemed a bit calmer than normal but ya know finlay is our girl and her and vero deserved life to calm down some. 😂

This series gets better and better!

Fin and Vero's latest adventure is a fantastic read. As always, the characters are well-rounded, the plot is a fast-paced page turner, and the mystery to romance ratio is on point. As always, the epilogue leaves us with a cliffhanger until the next installment, and I can't wait!

I would recommend this to any fans of Stephanie Plum, Myron Bolitar, or Clare Cosi - Finlay fits right into their club!

I honestly felt like the series was losing its spark, but this book was redemptive ! I liked it almost as much as the first one! Readers who enjoy the colorful cast of characters will love this installment, as characters like Mrs Haggarty and Cam get to share a bit of the spotlight. The ending was the perfect blend of resolving some ongoing plots while also ending on a great cliffhanger! I will continue to read every single book in this series so please keep em coming!

I definitely thought this series was played out but I enjoyed this one more than the last one! I really enjoyed Mrs. Haggarty as an added main character. This story didn’t focus on Finlay being a mistaken murderer or being in danger which was a refreshing change of pace. The love triangle is finally over and the cliffhanger ending was perfect.

This was one of the Better ones of the series, but the first one was still my favorite. I thought this one was Well-plotted and Humorous, and can't wait for the next installment!

Mrs Haggerty is a fun character throughout this series but she really shines in this one. She’s independent and opinionated and I love her. This book also shows Nick and Finlay get closer. Cam also makes an appearance. He honestly might be my favorite 😂
At this point, if there’s a million more Finlay Donovan books I’ll still keep reading them. Is it predictable? Yes but they’re so fun that it really doesn’t matter. I love this series!

Finlay is at it again. I love the Finlay Donovan series and this book was no exception. If you liked the other books in the series- you need to read this one!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is a spectacular end to the series-- or is it? I truly loved this series and hope there are future similar or spin off books. I thought the previous book in the series was a bit less funny than the rest. I am happy to report that this concluding novel is an absolute riot and it does justice to the series. What an end to it all! I loved it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

DNF
I loved the first two books in this series, the third book was all over the place and this one really bored me from the start. The magic the first two books had did not carry over to the last two.

I have loved the Finlay Donovan series since the beginning. They're all great but this one managed to capture some of the extra sparkle that book one had. It felt like non-stop hijinks, even more laughs, and more time with the characters that I've come to know and love. Anxiously awaiting the next one already!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this title. All opinions are my own.

4.75 out of 5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.

I love this series so much! The romance is so good, but honestly, my favorite part is the friendship between Vera and Finlay. They crack me up and make me roll my eyes in the best of ways reading about their antics and adventures! Can’t wait for the next installment.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (Finlay Donovan #5) by Elle Cosimano – Oh Finlay, you never let me down! This is a laugh out loud mystery series that got me out of a reading slump. Audio is the way to go for this series. I am either laughing as I read or have my hand over my mouth wondering just how Finlay is going to find her way out of THIS situation. It’s also got a little spicy romance and is just the best escape when the world feels dumb. But omg, what a cliffhanger of an ending. I hope Cosimano is busy at work on book six!

Another fun continuation in this series. If you like Finlay, there's no reason not to continue with this series. If you haven't read this series, give it a shot. The characters remain interesting and flawed. You'll keep turning the page and laugh along the way.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the electronic copy.

Read If You Like:
• Cozy mysteries with a comedic twist
• Strong female friendships and dynamic duos
• Suburban settings with unexpected intrigue
• Amateur sleuths entangled in complex plots
• Stories that blend domestic life with suspenseful adventures

In this installment, Finlay Donovan and her ever-resourceful partner-in-crime, Vero, find themselves reluctantly drawn into another mystery when a body is discovered in the backyard of their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. Cleared as a suspect but displaced from her home, Mrs. Haggerty moves in with Finlay, bringing with her a whirlwind of chaos and secrets. As Finlay juggles the demands of motherhood, a budding romance with Detective Nick, and the challenges of her writing career, she and Vero must navigate a web of lies and uncover the truth behind the neighborhood murder—all while keeping their own past misdeeds under wraps.  

What I Loved:
• The evolution of Finlay and Vero’s friendship, showcasing their unwavering support for each other
• The introduction of Mrs. Haggerty as a central character, adding depth and unexpected humor
• A well-paced plot that balances domestic life with thrilling mystery elements
• The seamless blend of comedy and suspense, keeping the narrative engaging throughout
• The portrayal of Finlay’s growth as she confronts past mistakes and embraces her role as a sleuth

Thanks to NetGalley & Minotaur Books for a digital advanced readers copy. All comments and opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.

Yes! This was the best! Five plus stars!! From the first page of the prologue to the last page of the novel – which paves the way for the next installment (and I can’t wait) – this had everything: clever writing, laugh-out-loud situations, an edge-of-your-seat thriller, twisty plot, likeable characters.

Even though author Elle Cosimano includes the characters, adventures, and plot points from the earlier books to bring readers up to speed in book number 5, I recommend that you read them in order for true enjoyment. You’re in for a treat with this fast-paced and witty series.