
Member Reviews

It was one of the better books of the series. It kept my interest throughout. Just more of their over the top crazy adventures. It was definitely a good time.

Another Finlay instalment. Another Banger. I am seriously addicted to this series. Finlay and Vero are THE troublesome dynamic duo. I just can’t wait what crazy things happen next in the next book. I love how Mrs. Haggerty was just an instant part of the family when she moved in and took charge of the kids homeschool. The Potty training was GOLD! 100% sooo relatable.
Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for an arc.

ARC
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
Book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series hooks us all once again. Finlay and her neighbor Mrs Haggerty have never had the same opinions or seen eye to eye. Mrs Haggerty seems to always be in Finlay’s business, but the tables have turned when a body is found in Mrs Haggerty’s backyard.
I truly think Mrs Haggerty was the star of the show here. She was fresh and there was so much more to her bubbling under the surface. Finlay, to me, has lost a bit of her charm since the last books in the series.
With this ending on a cliffhanger, you know what that means. Shall we be awaiting a book 6?

These books are great! If I want a easy light hearted laugh out loud fun read I pick up a Finley Donovan book so when I saw this on NetGalley I clicked asking and then said "please please please" and yes I got it early! Thank you for this ARC copy NetGalley!
This book continues the series of Finley solving a great adventure full of comedy and chaos, dating, ex husband, friends, her children, it's all entertaining. These are a must read!

I loved it! My favorite Finlay since the first one. I honestly thought that I would be okay with this series ending with the fourth book, but I'm so glad Elle kept writing. Although I would be eager to see what she does next!

Thanks for the ARC! Finlay and Vero are back, and honestly, I could read their shenanigans forever. Digs Her Own Grave delivers more of what makes this series gold: wild twists, ridiculous situations, and oddly heartfelt chaos. Mrs. Haggerty is the nosy neighbor you’ll love to side-eye, and the mystery keeps you guessing without losing the fun. Is it realistic? Absolutely not. Is it entertaining as hell? Every page. Keep ’em coming, Elle.

Elle Cosimano’s *Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave* delivers another delightful installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series, blending sharp wit, heartfelt moments, and a compelling mystery that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
In this fifth book, Finlay Donovan, mystery writer and single mother, finds herself once again entangled in a real-life investigation when a body is discovered in her nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. With her ex-husband Steven under suspicion, Finlay teams up with her trusty nanny and best friend, Vero, to uncover the truth.
Cosimano's writing shines with its trademark humor and charm. The dynamic between Finlay and Vero is as entertaining as ever, with their banter and camaraderie providing both levity and emotional depth to the narrative. The addition of Mrs. Haggerty as an unexpected houseguest adds a delightful layer of complexity to the story, challenging Finlay and Vero's perceptions and fostering personal growth.
I have read all the books in this series and this is the best one yet.

I absolutely loved this book! Elle Cosimano keeps the Finlay Donovan series going strong with another hilarious, suspenseful, and heart-filled installment. The mystery had me hooked, the humor was spot on, and I couldn’t get enough of Finlay and Vero’s wild antics. The dynamic with Mrs. Haggerty added a fun twist, and I was totally invested from beginning to end. A must-read for fans of the series!

I think this may be my favorite of the series. There's a whole new depth to Mrs. Haggerty, finally some real honestly between Finlay and Nick, and plenty of shenanigans from everyone, including Finlay's kids. It's filled with lots of laugh-out-loud moments and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Another fun installment of Finlay/Vero shenanigans!
Light-hearted, funny and cozy mystery, with a little romance mixed in. Highly recommend if you like laugh out loud banter!

I just love Finlay and Vero! I really enjoy this series because it has mystery, romance, and humor all in one amazing package
In this latest installment in the series we get to learn more about Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay’s elderly neighbor. Finlay and crew set out to solve the mystery of the dead body in Mrs. Haggarty’s backyard. Mrs. Haggarty is a gem and her interactions with Nick and Finlay make for some hilarious situations.
I am very glad that some pending things in Finlay’s life were finally resolved. This book ends in a cliffhanger so expect more fun soon. Speaking of more fun, I really like reading about Vero and Javi; here’s hoping that Vero gets another book soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book copy!
I'll be honest, I was binging this series for the first half of the year so some of my thoughts will be for the overall series so far. At first, I was not sure if I liked this story. Finlay can be a fun character at times while other times she is very annoying and deeply unserious. I do think the plot gets better with each book so thats a plus. Overall, I think this series is cool maybe not good for binging but for a once a month or every other month read.

I think I might be about done with Finlay. This time, we get to hang out with Mrs Haggerty, which is awesome, and I definitely did not see that ending coming... but I didn't have very much fun until about halfway through. The second half was very enjoyable!
There's an early scene in which like a million characters parade through Finlay's house, one after another, just to remind the reader who they all are, and in most cases, I still had zero memory of them, despite having read this whole series. I'm just thinking, Finn, please lock your doors. It's okay to say no to people. And when are you going to spend time with your kids? Like, I know, that's not the plot, but five books in and I don't think she's spent a full day with her kids YET. And please, for the love of god, get over your ex.
I guess I'm in the minority. Maybe if I'd binged all the Finlay Donovans in a row it could've been more fun, but I'm just tired of all the shenanigans. Not the trouble she finds herself in. That part's fun. But Finlay herself. She's wearing me out.
This was really negative, sorry! I'm just over it.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth in the series. Finlay has had a love hate relationship with her neighbor across the street. So why is she letting the senior citizen sleep in her own house? As with most of Finlay’s stories it’s complicated. Suddenly her ex has been arrested for murder, and she must decide whether to trust Nick with the whole truth.

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. 😂