I like to imagine that Elle Cosimano wakes up in the middle of the night with her brain going a mile a minute plotting out the hijinks for Finlay Donovan and Vero. Her imagination and innovative plot twists make this series a continuing delight. Finlay, Vero, their boyfriends Nick and Javi, along with neighbor Mrs Haggerty and friendly hacker boy Cam reunite to get Finlay's cheating ex-husband out of jail. In one of my favorite scenes, Cam is teaching the elderly Mrs Haggerty to play video games, and in the process gives her some life advice... "Always use two-factor authentication and Nigerian Princes don't need your money" are two very sound principals to live by!

If you haven't met Finlay and crew, start this series at the very beginning. There is just too much good plot that you'll miss if you dive in in the middle.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank so much to NetGalley and Elle Cosimano for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for a review.

Finlay finally believes she's out of trouble, until she returns home from Atlantic City to hear of a dead body in her neighbor's backyard, the nosy Mrs. Haggerty. Mrs. Haggerty is cleared of the crime, but now needs a place to stay and ends up staying with Finlay and Vero. But the main suspect in the case is someone close to Finlay. Can she solve the crime before it's too late? This is one of my favorite comedic memories, making mothers feel seen (the toddler tantrums in the background were such a reflection of my life). The characters you love from earlier books are back, including your favorite cop. As usual, Elle created a mystery full of intrigue and fun. I look forward to future books in the series. A must read for fans of Finlay.

This book cracked me up. Just when it seems like Finlay can't get herself in more trouble, she does. This one had all the characters that bring so much personality. Finn is definitely a better person than me, cause I would have left Steven to rot. Finlay and Vero make the best pair trying to solve a mystery. This one ends with a major teaser of what is to come.

Another excellent installment in this wonderful series.
I absolutely loved how Finlay (and Nick!) showed up for Steven, despite his flaws.
I’m constantly amazed by the author’s ability to throw these characters into impossible situations that they always come out from unscathed.

And I have to geek out for a second here - OMG, FINALLY!!!!! IYKYK.

And that ending!!!! I’ll be not-so-patiently waiting for the next book.

I’ve binged the whole series over the past couple of months and my only complaint is that now I’m caught up and have to wait for the next book.

This book did the impossible, it made me fall in love with Mrs. Haggerty, or as Cam calls her, Mrs. H. Honestly this whole series is so much fun and this one is no exception. I figure if you’re reading reviews for the fifth book you’ve either stumbled here by accident (in which case go read book one and experience the whole series) or you’re looking to see if this book will disappoint you. And if you liked the rest of the series, I don’t think it will. I certainly had a blast.

Is the plot perfect? No, but the vibes were immaculate and I had the best time. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC!

The Finlay Donovan series has been a guilty pleasure of mine for years and I was ecstatic to be able to read the fifth installment early!

Happy to have Finlay’s nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero back in this one. As always, Elle Cosimano kept me entertained with her wit and humor. I did enjoy book 5 a lot more than book 4!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

Finlay Donovan is back! While I really didn’t love book four, this one is back on track. The fun, whit, humor and crazy antics of the first book in the series is back. Some stories wrapped up while others left us waiting for the next book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast paced comedy and mystery with a relatable main character.

These are always such quick fun reads. I love when a new Finlay Donovan book hits my kindle. I know I am in for a fun ride. This was no different. I loved the way they got Nick into the story in a less official capacity. Mrs. Haggerty was a fun twist to keep Finlay and Vero on their toes. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment!!

I look forward to the new Finlay Donovan books and I have read them all. This latest book in the series is funny (I laughed very loudly more than once!), clever and features all of our favourite Finlay Donovan sidekicks from Vero to Steven via Nick, Sylvia, Delia and Zach.
I like the overlap of each book but they are written so well that you could pick any of them up and enjoy it without reading the other books, however I very much recommend all of the series!
Can’t wait for the next one!

This was a great story. Finlay had her hands full in this one for sure, from keeping track of Vero and Mrs. Haggerty. The Eggplant was a great addition to the story. I loved that part!! I'm looking forward to the next one in the series! I can't wait to read it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC ebook and allowing me to read and review it.

#netgalley #ARC #ebook

Finlay Donovan and Vero have always had a love/hate relationship with their neighbor Mrs. Haggerty, but when a body turns up in her backyard, they have to help. But as quickly as Mrs. Haggerty is cleared of any wrongdoing, a new suspect emerges - Finlay’s ex-husband Steven. So now Finlay and Vero have to find out what really happened in order to clear the father of her children.

I’ve read the first four back to back and now that I’ve read #5, I’m bummed because now I have to WAIT for another? The audacity. This was another fun installment and picks right up where we left off in Rolls the Dice. Our usual characters are back to help the story and the case, which I loved. If you’ve read the others, this one is right on par. And if you haven’t, get on this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available March 4, 2025.

Finlay is back for another round of adventure in "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave". This time Finlay gets roped into a situation regarding the dead body found buried in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard. All of your favourite characters are back for this next installment.
This is a light, quicker read and I enjoyed the humour that has been in these books throughout the series. I was happy with the progression of Finlay and Nick's relationship and that she FINALLY told him about what she's been involved in. Vero's banter with Mrs. Haggerty was fabulous. Overall this was a great addition to the series, and with the cliffhanger ending I look forward to the next book in the series! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this earc

I loved this book. Seriously. I think it was my favorite in the series so far.

Mrs. H and bookclub of women killing their husbands and covering it up??? I couldn’t ask for the better plot.
Finlay FINALLY telling Nick everything??? Obsessed.
Nick taking everything as given and moving on to get into somewhat healthy relationship? Chief’s kiss.

This book was hilarious, mystery was super fun and we got some pretty great romance.
I was here for all of it.

The first Finlay Donovan book (Killing it) was a revelation for me. It ended up being one of the fastest read books in my history and I average about 80 novels a year. One of my pet peeve "reviewer" comments is when someone writes "unputdownable". The Finlay series, for me though, is exactly that. The fifth installment (Finlay Donovan Digs her own Grave) is, to me, on par with book 1 and much better than the previous book (Rolls the Dice).

This novel brings Finlay and Vero back home and that's where the action begins. There are no so many 'crazy, unrealistic' scenarios in this one and everything is well paced. Most of the characters in the series return (Cam, Steven etc.) but the standout is Mrs. Haggerty. Getting to know her is a treat and truly makes me think of the saying my dad used to tell me. "Old age and treachery will defeat youth and skill every time". If Elle is looking for a spinoff series, one starring Mrs. Haggerty and Cam would be an easy choice.

If fast paced, humorous action with likeable and relatable characters are your read of choice don't skip on this series, it's especially delicious reading, just like the brownies in Finlays refrigerator.

The fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series & my favorite to date!

The story picks up right where the 4th ends, Finlay's neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty had just been arrested when the police discovered a buried body in her backyard. Now cleared, she needs somewhere to go and what is Finlay going to do when attention is focused on her ex-husband?

Both hilarious and action packed - this one was the best so far. I loved the development of Mrs. Haggerty's character, that we get to see another side of her. Finlay's and Nick's relationship continues to be explored and starts to get complicated and GOOD! Cam is back, both helping and causing trouble. My favorite supporting character, Vero, is up and front doing anything Finlay needs. And the ending...the next book is going to be GREAT!!!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

The most recent, soon to be released Finlay Donovan book was probably my favorite in the series. Of course there are the normal (crazy) Finlay and Vero adventures but add in Mrs. Haggarty and her book club and you get lots of fun. After the ending, I’m anxiously awaiting the next one!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC ebook.

Yet another fantastic installment in the Finlay Donovan series! I zoomed through this one so quickly (probably too quickly because now I’m going to miss the characters again for a while).

In this book, Finlay’s nosy, old neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, becomes her roommate, and hilarity ensues!

We get to see all about Mrs. Haggerty and her book club, which may not sound that exciting, but with Finlay, everything is exciting!

Finlay somehow gets herself into the weirdest and most insane situations. And I love it!

My favorite thing about this series is that everyone feels like family. From Finlay’s nanny/PIC, to the neighbor, to the hacker, to the cop. They are all so real and so lovable!

This is my feel good, laugh out loud, comfort series!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano, narrated by Angela Dawe, is an absolute gem! The series just keeps getting better and better, and this installment is my favorite yet. The fun twist of Mrs. Haggerty staying with Finlay added so much humor and charm to the story. (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) A thrilling, witty, and engaging read that I couldn’t put down! Highly recommend for fans of cozy mysteries and great storytelling.

I struggled with the first half of the book, but the second half was definitely more entertaining. I think this book wrapped up Finlay’s story well, but not Vero’s. That’s probably the main reason I’d pick up the next book.

I will follow Finlay and Vero anywhere. But the neighbor still scares me.
This was a fun take, there is less adventure and mayhem but more character development. I also feel like Finlay turning down a movie tv deal is Ellie’s way of telling us there won’t be an adaptation?