Fantastic Book 5! I need this pair and their stories to continue, and thankfully there should be a next story after this one. I was needlessly concerned this could be the final book in the series. Whew!

Book five is fantastic! Poor Steve - haha. He is such a perfect scapegoat for bad things happening. The mystery is superb, as always, with plenty of hijinx. We should all have a Vero as a bestie.

Read this and laugh, puzzle out the mystery, and enjoy a terrific mystery.

I think like many others, I loved the first book, and the next two were okay, but began feeling repetitive. Finally, this book felt a little truer to the roots of the first two books in the series. I enjoyed getting more of Mrs. Haggerty. Her character surprised me some and to get to peak behind her curtains was some fun. Also, we got some genuine growth in Finlay's romantic life with Nick.

I read this book through Net Galley, but I look forward to listening to it on a long chore day... because it felt like it included some more new material from the series and Angela Dawe is a fantastic in this role.

Thank you Net Galley for this arc.

This was another really fun Finlay adventure!!!! I had so much fun with this one and I thought it was just as fun as the rest of the series!!!

'Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave' by Elle Cosimano is a great addition to the series. At the end of the fourth I was feeling exhausted for myself and Finlay. This book was a step back into a more comfortable pace. It was fantastic - so much easier to follow the story. It was also nice to finally get the story on Mrs.Haggerty. plus we get more Julian while still moving the Nick plot forward! Great read!

Note to new readers: these don't read well as stand alone. I would highly suggest starting at the beginning of Finlay story.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

{Thank you @macmillan.audio for the #gifted audiobook of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano. This book in once again narrated by Angela Dawe who does Finlay, Vero, and the rest of this cast of characters so well! I paired it with a digital copy from @netgalley @stmartinspress widget.}

I hate using the term ‘palate cleanser’ because I feel like that implies negativity or demeans a book. It makes it sound like a book can’t stand on its own. But, my girl Finlay, Vero, and the rest of these big personality characters in the cozy mystery world of Finlay Donovan can absolutely do just that. It’s a fun series to immerse yourself in when you just want to read for fun! Sure, I like to learn from reading, like when books give me big feelings, but there is nothing wrong with fun too.

Thus far, the Finlay Donovan series has been off the charts zany and action packed. I felt like this fifth installment—Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave—dialed it back a little. Of course, there is still a dead body, but it seemed like Finlay and Vero didn’t get into as many shenanigans. I liked that Finlay’s kids were included a little more; Delia is as tough as her mom and Zach is always up to something just like Finlay and Vero. I’m a sucker for octogenarian characters, so the spotlight on her nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty was really enjoyable. And don’t forget Finlay’s boyfriend detective Nick. Some progress is made there too!

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case. But, when a body is found in the neighbor across the street’s back yard (Mrs. Haggerty) and Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, is arrested, (Steven may be a cheater, but he is no murderer!) 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?

Have you read this series? It’s time to get cracking and catch up for book number 5 that published this past week.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of finlay donovan digs her own grave. This book is part of a series and I highly recommend that you read them in order to fully appreciate the story. Finlay Donovan is at it again. She cant seem to keep herself out of trouble even with her detective boyfriend Nick. Finlays neighbor is fresh out of jail and in need of a place to stay. She ends up at Finlays house and an inconvenience. Finlay never knew how many secrets her neighbor was hiding but she will soon find out. Four stars.

Ok, this series is just a good time. Vero always has me laughing to myself. How her and Finlay keep getting themselves into these predicaments is frustrating, but that is part of the charm of it! Im here for Mrs Haggerty and her bookclub ladies! I both love and hate that these books end on cliffhangers!

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano and St MArtin's Press for this ARC!

I always love the funny and wild situations that Vero and Finlay find themselves in and this book was no different. I can never predict the ending which makes reading this series so much fun. Vero and Finlay are such great characters and so relatable that they keep you on your toes and laughing throughout. Can't wait to see what is in store for them in the future!

Another phenomenal Finlay book.
Finlay is trying her best to keep it all together when her busybody neighbor— whose yard is now a crime scene- decides to bunk with Finlay and her nanny/partner in literal crime, Vero. After sacrificing her bedroom for the greater good, Finlay thinks she’s off the hook until the investigation into the body found in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard leads to Finlay’s ex husband.

I can’t get enough of this series. Each book is new and fresh with hilarious Finlay antics and crime solving aplomb.

I fell in love with the Finlay Donovan series and the latest installment did not disappoint. Lighthearted, fun, lol, mystery with a little bit of romance. I tend to read heavy books and this series has been a nice palate cleanser.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC read.

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud thriller that delivers both humor and heart in equal measure. This book continues the story of Finlay Donovan, a struggling writer and accidental detective, as she finds herself entangled in a web of increasingly absurd and dangerous situations.

What makes this book stand out is its perfect blend of humor and suspense. Cosimano's writing shines with sharp wit and brilliant comedic timing. Finlay, the book's protagonist, is endearing in her awkwardness, making her easy to root for even when she makes questionable decisions. Her interactions with her quirky cast of characters, including her best friend Vero and a growing list of unpredictable associates, provide moments of levity amid the high stakes and danger.

Yay, no more mob bosses and Mrs. Haggerty gets to shine.

Overall: 4
Spice: 1.5 - a bit more than kissing and then closed door.

Finlay & Vero are exhausted from the adventures of the last four months, but they have to step in to help when a body is discovered in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard. She moves into Finlay's home, which gives Finlay and Vero a front row seat to watch her and her mysterious group of women in the neighborhood.

I was happy to see the mob storyline mostly wrapped up and Finlay was finally considering coming clean with "hot cop." Mrs. Haggerty's role in this is very fun and thought provoking. Vero is awesome as usual and Sylvia (the agent) has a top notch scene at the police station. Cosimano does an excellent job with this series and I love how the first chapter of each book is always extra hilarious and relatable to parents. This mystery kept me guessing and I look forward to the next one.

I enjoyed the latest installment of Finlay Donovan’s shenanigans! I especially enjoyed the focus on Mrs Haggerty & her book club. I also enjoyed more of Detective Nick, and his growing relationship with Finlay. It ended with quite a cliffhanger, so I’m looking forward to the next one!

Thanks to Minotaur and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy to read and review!

This was probably my favorite in the series so far. I love all of our established side characters and I love that we get to spend more time with them. They make the world feel very complete in a way I was missing in the first few books.

This one also felt refreshing (plot-wise) compared to the last few, feeling more like a new stand-alone mystery to jump into than a continuation of previous plots like the first few in the series.

I would say this could not be considered a stand-alone, and would not suggest reading it before the others in the series.

I love how every book in this series has just gotten better, and I’m looking forward to where the series will go from here!

This was possibly my favorite in the series! Just beginning her relationship with Nick, Finlay now has a new houseguest, Mrs. Haggerty, fresh off being arrested for finding a body in her backyard. Finlay and Vero must now navigate Mrs. Haggerty and her pickiness, their blossoming relationships, hiding their own investigation into Mrs. Haggerty and the murder, and Mrs. Haggerty's nosiness into their business!

I love this series but Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was not my favorite. I didn’t hate it, but I wasn’t as invested and drawn to it like the others in the series.

It felt more like a filler and was slower paced than the previous books. It picked up more in the second half but there wasn’t as much adventure. While still funny, something was missing.

I enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Haggarty as more than just a busybody neighbor.

You definitely should read in order as this book starts up where Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice ended.

I’m excited to see what adventures are in store for Finlay and Vero in the future!

I just love these this series. The epitome of easy reads! Funny, entertaining, silly, and great characters.

On one hand, I'm glad we've moved on to a new storyline. On the other hand, I'm also getting really tired of Finlay's turtle paced character growth, and the quantity of characters I don't actually like in the story. Cosimano still creates a really funny and entertaining mystery; I just think that I'm reaching the end of my patience for her characters. Will I read the next book? Probably, I'm too invested in Vero not to. But will I continue after that? Probably not. I'd rather spend my time reading something I enjoy more. I know I appear to be in the minority here when it comes to my distaste for all of the love interests, kids, etc. though, so if you love them, you'll probably really enjoy this.

4.8🌟 rounded ⬆️

I cannot emphasize enough how much I adore this series! Every book is an absolute blast, and I always find myself physically reacting whether it’s gasping out loud at the twists or laughing at the inevitable hilarity that unfolds.

In this installment, we follow Finley as she stumbles into yet another wild predicament this time, with a dead body turning up in her neighbor’s yard. And finally, we get to unravel Ms. Haggerty’s backstory! I have to admit, I wasn’t her biggest fan in the previous books, but after this one… I’ve completely changed my mind and I love her character arc

One of my favorite parts of this book was seeing Finlay finally open up to the people who love her most. It felt like such a meaningful moment in her journey. The plot was thoroughly entertaining, and I really hope we get to see more of this powerhouse team of women in future books.

That said, I have some words about that ending. What do you mean, my girl Vero?! Now I’m stuck waiting for the next book, and I just know it’s going to haunt me.

Overall, Elle nailed it again. Book five was fantastic, and she’s firmly cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me. Her writing is sharp, hilarious, and exactly what I want in a book. I can't wait for more!


*Huge thanks to St.Martins Press & Netgalley for the Arc*💌

I AM THE BIGGEST FAN OF THIS SERIES AND EVERYTHING IN THIS SERIES IS A 4 STAR AND ABOVE.
If you like humorous mystery cozy ish vibes then this series is for you!