I think this may be my favorite Finlay book.

Let’s be real, our girl Finlay has been a hot mess since book one but we love her anyways. But this time I wasn’t ripping my hair out every chapter screaming at her for her poor choices and rash behavior. Our girl’s grown up and honestly it was refreshing to not have her stumbling through messes she was partially responsible for because of her impulsivity.

Nick and Cam as always, are wonderful. Cam continues to be one of my favorite characters and who doesn’t want to find themselves a Detective Nick Anthony? I loved how their relationship progressed through this.


Learning more about Mrs. Haggerty was also a blast. She’s hilarious and kinda crude, but I really loved her. Also incredible kudos to Elle for all of the breadcrumbs she leaves in this book that tie up gorgeously at the end. It was so satisfying to piece this mystery together. It wasn’t one where you go oh man I feel dumb not getting it, rather when you see it, it’s a quiet moment of understanding that connects all of the books together. Incredibly well done.


Thank you to Net Galley & Minotaur for the ARC

Another fun read in the Finlay series!

As always, it ended on a cliffhanger, so there's gotta be another one coming soon!

I absolutely love this series. Every book has been fun and laugh out loud funny. This book was a perfect Saturday read while we were stuck inside.

Elle Cosimano has an undeniable talent to write these characters and situations where it feels like you’re right there with Finlay and Vero. I loved getting to know Mrs. Haggerty in this book, too!

It was just announced that Angela Dawe will be narrating the audio and I can’t wait to listen! Expected Pub Date 3/5/25.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur for the arc!

5 Fun Stars. The fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series delivers just as much fun and chaos as its predecessors. This time, novelist-turned-sleuth Finlay and her spirited live-in assistant, Vero, dive headfirst into another wild case. When a dead body turns up in the yard of Finlay’s noisy neighbor, her sleazy ex-husband becomes the prime suspect. Despite his history of lies and betrayals, Finlay is convinced he didn’t commit the murder and takes it upon herself to uncover the truth.

Adding to the madness, the neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, temporarily moves in with Finlay and Vero after her home sustains damage during the crime scene investigation. Her grandson dropped her off, then mysteriously disappears, failing to pick her up as promised. Meanwhile, Finlay juggles other complications: her literary agent pressures her to sign a television deal, her toddler refuses to wear clothing, and her dashing police officer boyfriend is growing suspicious that she might be hiding something. Packed with humor, twists, and an ever-entertaining cast, this latest adventure is a must-read for fans of the series. And of course, it ends with a cliffhanger!!

I have loved reading this series and this one did not disappoint. We pick up where we left off in book 4 with a body being found in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard. While at times some things in the book seem outrageous, I just love the way the story has unfolded. It’s fast-paced and funny and a delight to read. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

ELLE COSIMANO! You're killing me! All of your books leave me hanging and provide a great segue way into the next book (which I already can't wait to come out...March 2026 perhaps? Any way you can pull that in?

These books are so fun and I'm excited to hear more about Vero in the next book. I highly recommend reading these in order but Cosimano does a great job of tying back past events throughout the book (which almost makes me want to start the series over again for the fun of it). I highly recommend this series to all of my friends.

I always love the Finley Donovan series and am excited to read the next one every year! Elle Cosimano always does a great job of recapturing what happens in the previous books in the series, so I never miss a beat!

Finley and her nanny/built in best-friend Vero always finds themselves in trouble. This time, a dead body is found in her neighbor’s yard, and whose arrested for it, Finley’s ex-husband. Not only that, but Finley’s elderly neighbor now has to temporarily move in while the police have her house under investigation.

This is a classic, lighthearted mystery with a surprise twist at the end. With lovable characters and surprising situations this is a crowd easy read for anyone. I have found the previous books in the series a little funnier, as there were less “laugh out loud” moments. 4 Stars!

This is my favorite Finlay in awhile. I like them all but this plot was really intriguing and made me laugh out loud.

Elle Cosimano has done it again! This was a fun one with all that you expect from a Finlay Donovan book - humor, shenanigans, a bit of romance, and unbelievable situations. I enjoyed how some relationships deepened in this book awhile still remaining the lighthearted stories we’re used to. The epilogue though… really the last page or so… Augh! Next book is needed now, please, I’ve got to know what happens next!

✨ARC REVIEW✨

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by @ellecosimano

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub. Date: 3.4.25

“Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, have not always gotten along with Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. But when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go . . . except Finlay’s house, right across the street.

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case—or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they’ve dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else.

When the focus of the investigation widens to include Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, though, Finlay and Vero are left with little choice but to get closer to Mrs. Haggerty and uncover her secrets . . . before the police start digging up theirs. But who will solve the mystery first?”

If you’re reading the fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series, then you already know what to expect — twists and laugh-out-loud moments galore!

I finished this book in one sitting, and it was an absolute blast! This incredibly lovable cast of characters never lets me down, and their shenanigans keep me on the edge of my seat.

I never want this series to end! 🤎

Thank you to @stmartinspress @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the ARC!

Finlay, Vero and this time Mrs. Haggerty are back at it! Mrs. Haggerty is moving in with Findlay and chaos ensues! I love this series and this installment did not disappoint. I only wish the next one was available now!
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

I love this series, and this book was a fun addition. I haven't been disappointed yet by reading what Finlay and Vero are up to, and I also just really appreciate reading about some of Finlay's struggles as a single parent. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for review.

The Finlay Donovan series has been my all time favorite. I was so excited when I got an early copy of this book. It did not disappoint. If you have not read this series, I don't know what you are waiting for. It is the best. Thriller, romance, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is a must read.

Give me 20 more! I love this series so much. I feel like this one was slowed waaay down after the last one. The first 30% was super slow and she was reintroducing the characters from previous books.

The ending had me silent screaming so I didn’t wake anyone up! Ma’am you cannot end a book like that without the next one ready for me! I REALLY hope we get Vero’s POV in future books.

The next installment in the Finlay Donovan series is here! This time instead of getting in deep with the mob, Finlay is entertaining an unwanted house guest...her kooky across the street neighbor Mrs. Haggerty. You might remember at the end of book 4 a dead body was discovered buried in the backyard at Mrs. Haggerty's. Well she's just been cleared and released and with nowhere to go (her house has no working utilities due to the water damage) she decides she's staying with Finlay. Yay, said no one. Shortly after Steven, Finlay's ex, is then accused of committing the murder of the discovered body. Now we all know Steven is a massive cheating jerk, but is he a murderer? Hmmm, you'll have to read it to find out! This book is filled with the witty banter we love of Finlay and Vero, alongside the silly antics of her kiddos. Plus we meet the ladies of Mrs. Haggerty's book club and all the other characters we've come to know and love are back too. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub Day is approaching fast on March 4th!

Finlay Donovan is at it again. I love this series. It if fun and quirky. She gets herself into things you cant even imagine getting yourself into but it always seems to work itself out. Definitely read the others in the series first, but a great new addition.

How many times can you say you love a series and characters? I will say it every time I read a Finlay Donovan book. I loved that this one was different from each of the previous. And I definitely am adding Mrs. Haggerty to my list of top five characters in this whole series. Definitely a five out of five. I hope this series never ends.

Finlay Donovan is back! I think this one might be my favorite so far.

Finlay and Vero are back to their crazy shenanigans, and this time Mrs. Haggerty is along for the ride. After a body is discovered in Mrs. Haggerty's back yard, she moves in with Finlay and her crew. Will Finlay and Vero be able to solve yet another murder and more importantly, reclaim their house?

All of the chaos and shenanigans that happen after Steven is arrested and Mrs. Haggerty moves in is pure gold! It was also nice to see some progress in Nick and Finlay's relationship. I really enjoyed the mystery in this one and it was all together a fun read!

I binged this one in 48 hours! While I loved the first two books in this series, books 3 and 4 fell a bit flat for me. But book 5, Finlay Donovan digs her own grave, felt like a return to the first few books.

With the characters we know and love, and the same wit and suspense, this was such a fun read. I’m really glad I didn’t give up on this series.

Content considerations: moderate strong language, closed door/fade to black, drug use, murder, infidelity, domestic abuse mentioned.

FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE, written by Elle Cosimano, is the next book in the Finlay Donovan series. Finlay hosts her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, who has been released from jail following the discovery of a dead body buried on her property. Mrs. Haggerty’s caretaking is only supposed to last for a few days. I wonder how long she’ll be staying with Finlay, and what her stay could lead to. I read on to find out.

It’s good to return to the world of Finlay Donovan. I enjoy reading about her and the characters who inhabit her life, especially Vero (Finlay’s live-in babysitter), Delia (Finlay’s preschool-aged daughter), Zach (Finlay’s toddler son), and Steven (Finlay’s ex-husband). The humorous writing style makes me think of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. In this book, Mrs. Haggerty is similar to the Grandma Mazur character. I often find myself laughing aloud while reading this book. I suggest reading earlier books in the series, especially the first one, before reading this book. The Finlay Donovan series is great fun, and I look forward to reading the next installment. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE.