Continuing the adventures of Finlay and company, this book keeps the action high and romance sizzling. My one drawback is the cliff-hanger, I really prefer books that have an ending, but still worth reading this series. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

Even though Finlay's previous issues were tied up, loved seeing how she took up for a lousy ex husband to defend him in this book. Plus Finlay &&Nick is a match made in heaven.

I love the characters in this series and this book continues to develop their stories. In this book, a body is found in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard and the investigation gets dangerously close to exposing other secrets. Of course, Finlay and Vero can't stay out of trouble as they try to figure out who actually killed the man. I really enjoy the humor in these books and, while the situations are extreme and mostly unbelievable, the descriptions of everyday life are spot on. I did feel like the middle of the book dragged a bit but it was still fun. The book ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger so I am looking forward to the next installment in the series. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an DRC in exchange for a review.

1 Sentence Summary: When a dead body is found in Finlay Donovan’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, the old woman has nowhere else to stay but with Finlay—roping her and Vero into another murder investigation.

My Thoughts: I don’t know, I kind of feel like the series is just dragging on. The first book was super funny and entertaining, but after a while it’s like, how many unfortunate murders can one person get mixed up in?!?

It was still entertaining, I still don’t like the romance, and of course, it still ended in a cliffhanger. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t know if I have it in me to read a sixth book, lol.

Recommend to: Fans of the Finlay Donovan series.

(Warnings: swearing; sexual content)

I loved this 5th installment even more than the last. I love Finlay Donovan and her crew of quirky characters. This one was especially fun and had a lot of references back to where it all started. A fun addition to the series.

I absolutely love the Finlay Donovan series, and this book was no exception! It was the first book that I read versus listened to, and I was worried that the feel would be off. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book was just as delightful as the audiobooks have been, although I did miss the wonderful narrator! This series is a fun, quirky, rom-mystery with adorable characters that I enjoy cheering on through all the chaos they create and endure!

Really good book - easy to read, quick paced, intriguing.

Finley makes me roll my eyes at times, as do the situations she gets into, but these books are so fun and entertaining! It’s a nice break from some heavier stuff

Overall
3.75 ⭐️/B

Finlay and Vero are at it again! A body of a long missing man is dug up at their neighbor’s, Mrs Haggerty’s house. She’s arrested but quickly exonerated and her nephew dumps her at Finlay’s house because her’s need’s work. Mrs Haggerty is the neighborhood watch/gossip/judger and she demanding, oblivious and critical of Fin’s house cleaning, parenting and general all around behavior. After she’s let go by the police, the investigating detective focuses on Steven, Fin’s ex-husband as the killer. While Fin has no love lost for him, Steven is her kid’s dad and she strongly feels that he didn’t do it. Of course, she and Vero set out to prove his innocence and encounter his accuser Penny who claims to have had an affair with Steven and he killed her husband to get him out of their way. Fin knows Steven is a serial cheater but she doesn’t believe Penny. Meanwhile, Delia is suspended from 2nd grade for defending herself against a bully and Mrs. Haggerty takes on her homeschooling and potty training Zach….whos’ running around the house naked and not making it to the potty. She’s also exhibiting some strange behavior regarding her bookclub and her nephew is MIA and doesn’t come to pick up up. Of course hot cop Nick gets involved as do most of the other quirky cast of characters from the pervious books in the series. Chaos ensues and secrets are uncovered. Read the series…it’s hilarious and intriguing mysteries.

Finlay does it again! I loved this series from the very beginning because of its humor and downright outlandish scenarios. This book fits that criteria just the same.

We meet up with Finlay right where we left her, with Mrs Haggerty’s arrest for a dead body found in her yard. Beto and Finlay are at their best again, as they work to uncover the truth, as well as hide their own, throughout the book.

While this book isn’t nearly as ridiculous as the scenarios Finlay finds herself in in books 2-4, I found that I loved this one BECAUSE it was more realistic. I also loved the openness and trust building Nick and Finlay find themselves needing to build in order to either grow closer or further apart.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc of this book, as well as Zelle Cosimano for another wild adventure with Finlay and Vero!

In book 5 of the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay’s octogenarian, busy body neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty is arrested for murder after a body is found in her backyard during clean up from burst pipes. When she is released after the police find no connection between her and the dead man, Mrs. Haggerty needs a place to stay since her house is still suffering from the effects of the burst pipes. Mrs. Haggerty camps out in Finlay’s house while her house is out of commission and immediately becomes a menace - in hilarious ways. Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband becomes a suspect in the case of the murdered guy, and Finlay thinks the only way to save him is to find out who really killed the guy - and in true Finlay fashion, things start getting wild.

I was super excited to see what would be in store for Finlay and Vero after it seemed that many of the plot lines from books 1-4 were pretty much wrapped up at the end of book 4. The new plot line of the dead guy and Steven’s arrest did not disappoint! I loved this book and read it in under 24 hours. It may be my favorite of the series! Cam and Mrs. Haggerty were the shining stars of this book. They were hilarious individually, but a riot together. Finlay and Nicks relationship is so pure and I love them together. My only complaint was this book didn’t have enough Vero and Javi… I could read 100 Finlay Donovan books and it truly wouldn’t be enough. Can’t wait for book 6!!

**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This next tale in the fabulous Finlay Donovan series will make you a forever fan of the author, as I've become. Enjoy!

I mean, whyyyyyyyy am I so late to the FInlay Donovan game????? How did I miss this when it first came out?
This review is going to be for the entire series which I now love, and I'm pretty much kicking myself for not getting on the bandwagon sooner.

If you are looking for a FMC to get behind, to rally under, to cheer for... Finlay Donovan is your girl. I loved meeting her for the first time and going along her adventures. My favorite among the series is still the first book, but after going through a lot of "let-down sequels", I'm happily devoured these books. Perfect for someone who's kinda new to the genre. Love, love, love!

I have loved all of Finlay Donovan's stories and this did not disappoint. How delightful to find out that there was more to Mrs. Haggerty, that nosy busy body across the street! Finlay finds herself again embroiled in a mystery when a body shows up across the street buried in Mrs. Haggerty's flowerbed. When Finlay's ex-husband is charged with murder, Finlay seeks to find who the real murder is to protect the father of her children. All the while, Mrs. Haggerty is staying with Finlay while her home is a crime scene, and that brings Finlay thinking that she just might resort to murder. But the surprises about her neighbors and late night visits will have you on the edge of your seat and yet laughing at the hijinks as well. A delightful mystery, again, and one that leads us to another soon on their way that might have to do with Finlay's nanny and her past with the law. Can't wait for another in this series. Many thanks to #netgalley #ellecosimano #finlaydonovandigsherowngrave #stmartinspress for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Finlay Donovan is at it again… this time trying to solve the murder a of a man whose body was found in the yard of her nosy, elderly neighbor; a murder for which her ex-husband has been framed. Finlay must clear her ex-husband’s name for her kids’ sake, but she is also falling hard for her hot cop and building trust between them is a struggle with all the lies she’s weaved. Meanwhile, an unexpected alliance and friendship is forged.

Another fun, quirky installment of Finlay Donovan and her cast of characters. Don’t read this expecting a realistic whodunit; it’s a fun, over-the-top, quick read. A cozy whodunit.

I absolutely love this book! It’s now my favorite in the series. Finlay and Vero are at it again, and I can't get enough of the situations they find themselves in—they really remind me of Shawn and Gus from my all-time favorite TV show, *Psych*. There's also a bit more romance, thanks to Nick (or Detective McHottie). The review will be posted on IG on Jan 27.

Book 5 did not disappoint! Finlay and Vero tackle yet another mystery- this one less actively murderous and more “whodunnit?” - playing out much closer to home than the last 2 of the series.

Delia … one of the best characters of the series IMO… gets some more page-time (Finley parents a bit more than usual too).

And Mrs. Haggerty (the nosy neighbor) plays a pivotal role as she temporarily moves in with Thelma and Loui… I mean Finlay and Vero… for a short term stay at Casa Donovan.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

I am in a MAJOR reading slump (frankly I’m in a WHOLE Booksta slump) so I returned to the series that started my Booksta journey to see if it would jump start a return to regular reading and posting. Still TBD …

But I really liked this one, especially in comparison to books 3&4! It was a solid return to the cozy mystery vibes of books 1&2!

Never did I think I would be so invested in this type of books but this book just solidified this series as one of my favorites! I adore Finlay and her cast of characters. I felt like I could see the twists coming a little easier in this one then the previous but enjoyed it so much nonetheless. I loved the balance of the tension and the humor but that didn’t surprise me from Elle’s writing style. And just when I thought maybe I had seen the last of one of my favorite characters I read the epilogue.

Finlay is at is again in this new book featuring her cranky next door neighbor Mrs. Haggarty. Her grandson drops her off at Finlay’s house after her home is deemed a crime scene due to a body being found in a flower bed.
To get Mrs. Haggarty out and figure out who is responsible for the body, Finlay and Vero enlist a delightful cast of characters to solve the mystery. This was truly a delightful book with many hilarious moments.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Shenanigan Stars

I’m rounding this one up because it’s my favorite so far. I love the slapstick duo of Finlay and Vero, and this one just worked for me! Maybe it was minimal mob characters and more core characters. I loved including more Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay’s neighbor; she’s a hoot!

Finlay must host Mrs. Haggerty when she’s kicked out of her house, and hijinks ensue! From giving Finlay parenting advice to playing video games, she added a lot to the story.

Of course, there’s another murder to solve, and unorthodox crime-solving always happens with this crew. As usual, Finlay is at some point in writing and promoting her books, enjoying hot cop Nick, and trying to stay out of trouble. Finlay’s ex-husband is always involved in a mess, too. I found myself laughing several times with Finlay’s kids and their antics!

I can’t wait for the next one as this one ends with a cliffhanger!

I was concerned that the previous Finlay Donovan book would be the last, as all major plot strands were mostly wrapped up. Never fear, the new book is here! And it focuses on Finlay's nemesis neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty! As we saw in book 3 during the civilian police academy, Mrs. Haggerty has secrets of her own, and when a body shows up buried in her yard, things start to get crazy.

Finlay is just as hilarious in this new book, which is a delightful continuance of the first four books.