I am and will forever be a Finlay fan. I have read every single book in this series and I absolutely love every book. I love Elle Cosimano's work. This book is my new favorite Finlay. I was cracking up before I even got to the first chapter. The fact that Elle has me dying of laughter before chapter one says a lot about this book, and it just keeps getting better and funnier and funnier the more I read. I never want this series to end. I hope Elle continues to write about Finlay or expand this universe because I love it.

Thank you to Minotaur Books & NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ARC Book Review 📖
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

This was probably my least fave of the series. It just wasn’t as funny as the others and it took longer for me to get into. Will I keep reading the series? Yes, of course. Was it the change of pace I needed? Absolutely. Should you read it? If you’ve liked the others, go for it!

Another fun Finley and Vero story! And this time we get the pleasure of meeting and getting to know their nosy neighbour, Mrs. Haggerty. This one drew me in quickly and I enjoyed the twists and turns as they tried to solve this one. And of course we get more Nick and Cam as well to round of the characters. Can’t wait to see what’s next in store for these two!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book.

I'm such a huge fan of this series, and this one did not disappoint! As always, can't wait until the next one!

I was thinking that the latest installment of Finlay Donovan would be a three star read for the first half—it was ok, though this one felt tired, and frankly, I wouldn’t expend a second of energy on her ex-husband, guilty or not.

But I really enjoyed Mrs. Haggerty’s storyline here, so that whole plot line really picked things up for me. This ended up being a solid read, though I’m not sure how much more of the series I’d be willing to follow.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book through NetGalley.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the latest installment in the Finlay Donovan series. Find out what she’s up to now.

I have been a fan of the Finlay Donovan series since the first book and this may be my favorite, so far. I absolutely loved how Finlay's relationships developed with the many characters in her life. Cosimano writes with her usual humor in this suspenseful, touching mystery.
After reading the ARC, I'm looking forward to listening to the audiobook when it becomes available.

Ok, I have been a big fan of this series since the beginning, but I’ll be honest… I was nervous that @ellecosimano wasn’t going to be able to keep the momentum going for FIVE books (and a novella), but man, was I wrong! I loved this one SO much! In fact, it may be my favorite since the first one. I cannot wait for everyone to read this and I’m so excited for the next book! This comes out 3/4/25!!

If you’ve loved Finlay Donovan’s previous adventures, you’ll eat up this 5th book in the series! Finn and Vero are at it again—trying to discover who’s to blame for yet another murder (a body discovered in nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard) and clear ex-husband Steven’s name (again), all while falling in love with/trying not to get arrested by hot-cop boyfriend Detective Nick. As always, this chaotic, fun, addicting story will have you turning pages as fast as you can to solve the mystery (especially in the last fourth of the book when that action really hits)!

things i loved in this book:
+ crazy Mrs. Haggerty
+ more Nick and Finlay 😍
+ no more Russian mob (we get some fresh new side characters in this one!)
+ Mrs. H’s homeschooling & potty training
+ The Eggplant car (iykyk🍆)
+ laugh-out-loud one liners and innuendo
+ that ending setting up another book (!?!)

If you haven’t read any Finlay Donovan books yet, there’s still time for you to binge the first four before this one releases on March 4! 🤩

Thank you so much to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this book by Elle Cosimano!

read if you like:
+ comedy thrillers
+ murder mystery
+ suspenseful but not too scary
+ single mom x hot cop

I had the BEST time reading this; good relationship development for Finlay and Nick and I loved the neighborhood aspect. Really looking forward to maybe heading in a slightly new direction with the cliffhanger?

<i>Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.</i>

Finlay and Vero, partners in crime, are back in book 5 of the series. While this technically can be read as a stand alone the story does build off previous books and I would recommend to read them all in order. Finlay Donovan has been my most favorite adult series! As long as Elle Cosimano produces stories, I will read them! It's entertaining, humorous, thrilling, relatable and adventurous. If you haven't read this series you are missing out!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
By Elle Cosimano
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Finlay and Vero are at it again! But this time Finlay’s not the one in trouble. Mrs. Haggerty is Finlay’s across the street neighbor and is the self appointed president of the neighborhood watch. When a body is found in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard everyone is shocked. She’s quickly released from custody, but can’t return home just yet. Finlay is shocked when Mrs. Haggerty is dropped off at her doorstep to stay for a few days while she awaits some house repairs. Finlay is nervous that Mrs. Haggerty may know more than she’s willing to admit about what Finlay’s been up to these past few months and sharing her house with her makes her even more wary. The last thing Finlay wants is to find herself in the middle of another murder investigation, but trouble always seems to follow her and Vero!

This series is super fun. I love that I can always count on these to be lighthearted and silly reads. This one ended on a cliffhanger and I can’t believe I’ll have to wait awhile to find out what happens next!

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery series, give this one a try! I’ll always love and recommend this series.

Now this book got us back on track. This book is just utterly funny and just plain fun. I really enjoyed this book and is probably my favorite one in this series.

Finlay Donovan has a neighbor—Mrs. Haggerty—the community busy-body and head of the neighborhood watch. Through her gently parted curtains, she sees and knows everything Finlay and Vero, Finlay’s nanny and investigative partner, do. When a corpse pops up in Hagerty’s backyard and her property becomes a crime scene, she has nowhere to go—except to stay at Finlay’s. To get the cops, and Mrs. Hagerty, out of her hair, Finlay sets out to solve the murder, and the latest Finlay adventure is off and running.

DP Lyle, award-winning author, lecturer, story consultant

Finley does it again! This series has been such a breath of fresh air. I anxiously await every new one! All of the characters are engraved on my heart. Love, love, love!

When a body is found buried in her neighbor's backyard, of course Finlay finds herself right in the middle of the investigation- much to her frustration. To make things worse, her ex-husband is the police's main suspect!

Elle Cosimano does it again! I loved getting to pick up where we last left off with Finlay and Vero! This book was a fun ride and I loved picking up this book! I find myself giggling and smiling throughout these books. This one was better than the last! Many thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely love the Vero/Finlay dynamic and with Mrs Haggarty in the mix...

There were so many things I loved about the book, like the difficulties of potty training, dealing with people different than you, having good relations with your co-parent, wanting to believe the best in people, the importance of female camraderie, and having the courage to be vulnerable with people, I didn't love this book as much as the other Finlay books.

I felt like Finlay was too wishy washy or said "yes" to too many things (though I could absolutely relate) and I wanted to say "set your boundaries lady!!"

Definitely worth the read still for a fun mystery! Can't wait for what's next and would love to see more of Cam!

Better than book 3 & 4, but I wish it had a little more steam and more unpredictability.
I loved the plot and the idea of the book club, just wish there was more- more tension, more humor, and more mystery.
I found this to be too predictable, and I think that was the hardest part for me for this one.
Still- love this series and I did enjoy this book!

All Finlay’s found family is here:
Nosy neighbor
Hacker teen
Hot cop
Vero
Javi and Ramon
Asshat ex-husband

Not as chaotic or madcap as the other books but it's good for Finlay to slow down and be more methodical. Also this allows for some growth in her relationships.
Great characters and an intriguing mystery.

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