After the discovery of a body in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, her house is an active crime scene. Mrs. Haggerty has no one else to go, so she is staying with Finlay and Vero. Neither Finlay or Vero want Mrs. Haggerty as a roommate, but they have no choice.

If you liked the other installments, you will like this book. As always, Finlay and Vero get themselves into the craziest positions. It ends on a cliffhanger leading me to assume there will be another book.

Thank you to Elle Cosimano, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this one better than books 3 and 4, but the first two in the series are still my favorite (not sure any one following will be as good as the series started). I think the humor is getting a little less (or I’m connecting to it less at least), so it’s missing something. The side characters were fun though and crazy like you expect in Finlay’s world. I also liked learning more about Mrs. Haggerty’s backstory and she is much more of a likable character now going forward.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I just started this series recently and enjoyed all of the books in the series so far. I'm caught up now and eagerly looking forward to more in this series. It has lots of action and some romance.

3.5 stars

United States Publication: March 4, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Nosy Mrs. Haggerty has been arrested. She's 80 and accused of burying a body in her backyard. It's preposterous. Even Finlay and Vero, who would give almost anything to get away from the prying eyes of Mrs. Haggerty, can't see how she's guilty. When Mrs. Haggerty becomes their houseguest, strange things start to happen. First of all, she starts inserting herself into Finlay's parenting. Then, Finlay sees Mrs. Haggerty sneaking out of the house for a midnight walk and flashing the neighbors. Her grandson has disappeared, and the body in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard is linked to other disappearances. All of it centers around Mrs. Haggerty until Finlay's ex-husband is arrested for the body in the backyard and the other disappearances. Suddenly, Finlay's attention is focused on getting Steven out of jail and not on what Mrs. Haggerty may or may not be doing with her weird book club. But someone doesn't want Steven to be free, and the lengths they will go to put Vero and Finlay in danger of exposure for the past four months of their activities.

Thank goodness Cosimano has finished with the mob storyline and moved on. This was an interesting and creative transition between storylines. I'm curious to see if any part of this story is continued in future titles and the next title will be a good one, I can feel it. But back to this title. Yes, Mrs. Haggerty is super annoying and a threat to Finlay and Vero, but her insertion into their lives and the reason are heartwarming. This continues to be a fun, light-hearted series to read.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced reader’s copy.

I love the Finlay Donovan series, but this one felt a bit out of place. I’m not sure if it’s because it felt to be a smaller scale (no mobs involved) and therefore it didn’t really feel like there were much stakes or if it was the mystery itself. On one hand, I did like the mystery but on the other hand I felt it was a bit too fast paced for me. It felt like a lot of questions were answered kind of quickly and I would’ve liked a bit more Finlay/Vero outings to find some clues.

I do love where Finlay and Nick’s relationship is going and I’m glad that they’re learning to trust each other more, so I hope to see more of that in the future and what comes from it.

I do hope that since the next is dealing with Vero, it’ll feel a bit more high stakes.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading Finlay Donovan! This may be my favorite since the original. Easy to follow (but not to guess the ending) and not overly-complicated with multiple characters or plot-points. It's funny, sweet, a little suspenseful and just a fun, easy read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This might have been my favorite book yet! When a body is found in neighborhood nebnose Mrs Haggerty’s backyard, Steven (Finley’s ex) is set up to take the fall. Finley and Vero take it on themselves to figure out the truth. I really enjoyed the story and Mrs. Haggerty had me laughing again! I also liked Finley and Nick just being together … finally.

Elle Cosimano heard us when we said bring the old Finlay back, and oh did she deliver with Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave!

This had every bit of the heart, humor, and homey feelings as the early books in the Finlay Donovan series that made readers fall in love with the characters and family at the heart of it. While Finlay finds herself at the center of YET ANOTHER mystery murder she must unravel to protect herself, and those she loves, we are back in the fun suburban setting that makes this series so delightful. I was not personally a fan of the previous books set at the police academy and in Atlantic City, so going back home with Finlay, Vero, and the kids excited me. We get to see relationships progress, change, and evolve alongside Finlay's career.

Watching her navigate this change while trying to solve the mystery of the dead body found literally across the street from her was the wild ride we know and love these books to be. This series is heading back in the direction I love, and I am so excited to see where Elle Cosimano will take us next in the 6th installment!

Thank you so much to Netgalley for an advanced copy of Finlay’s newest adventure. It was a great read. It’s becoming one of my favouritest series that I’ve read!

As soon as I see another Finlay Donovan book coming, I get excited!! Thank you so much to Netgalley for an advanced copy of her newest adventure. It did not disappoint. This is one of my all time favorite series, full of laughter and intrigue. I love all the characters. Finlay and Vero have the best and most hilarious partnership, and Mrs Haggerty never ceases to amuse me.

If you haven't read this series, start at the beginning and enjoy every minute of it. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is just as good as the books that preceded it.

Finally Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was a delight! I love seeing what Finlay gets herself into and how she’ll get out of it in each book!

At this point in a series, it is easy for an author to kind of, lose the audience, so to speak. This is not the case with the latest Finlay Donovan chronicle. Elle Cosimano brings more hilarious shenanigans to this world with the investigation into Mrs. Haggerty. The suspense, action, and comedic situations our heroine finds herself live up to the expectation for a Finlay Donovan story. I can't wait to see where the next installment takes us!

Thank you NetGalley for the early read of this amazing book! Could not put it down. Loved the mysteries. Excited for what will happen next with Vero!

3.5/5 - Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback!

"Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave" is yet another fun addition to the well-loved series by Elle Cosimano. This installment begins with nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty moving in with Finlay, Vero, and the kids for a short stay after a dead body is discovered buried in her yard. From there, the traditional antics readers have come to expect ensue. Filled with twists and turns, this page turner will keep readers guessing until the very end.

This series is my guilty pleasure!! I can tell from the epilog that it will continue and I'm beyond thrilled. This book series has it all including found family, murder mystery, suspense, comedy, romance, nosey neighbors etc. There is something for everyone and the books keep getting better and better! I recommend this series to everyone i know and this book will now be included!

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy of this book. My view was entirely my own and in no way skewed by receiving a copy of the book.

First thank you so much for approving me to read this arc.


Finlay and vero are the real dynamic duo, their banter is quick and witty and keeps their serious situations very light.
Finlay is not a superhero, once again this book follows the trope that she’s just a suburban mom with two small kids that are typical small children and a half working vehicle, she’s not super human but she is very smart and resourceful and that’s one of my favorite parts about her character. This also kept the tension going with Nick without unnecessary explicits, I personally love a closed door when it’s done well.
This book gave us more insight on Mrs. Haggerty as being more than just the meddling nosey neighbor and I really love how her character developed and her unlikely friendship with Cam, who is also growing with each book.
I was glad to see almost all of my favorite people back, even if just for a moment. The characters of these books feel like people you actually know.
This book was not as fast paced as Finlay rolls the dice but it was a welcomed change of pace to stay in her own neighborhood and without feeling like it was too fantastical or really reaching.
I can’t wait to see how this develops into Veros personal story after the epilogue.

I love these books so much. Thank you again for the Arc

I have been looking forward to this sequel. It has the usual Finlay Donovan feel. It is a fun, fast paced read and leaves us on a cliffhanger (so now I am waiting for the next one to come out).

Another fantastic Finlay Donovan story! I think this one may be one of my favorites so far of the series! It connected a lot of different aspects of the previous books and brought a fun new mystery to the forefront of the plot. How did a body end up in her elderly neighbor's yard, who killed him, and why do all clues point to Finlay's ex-husband?

If Elle Cosimano keeps delivering Finlay Donovan books, I’ll keep reading them, no questions asked.

Dig Her Own Grave is the perfect follow-up to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, continuing the thrilling and hilarious ride with Finlay Donovan, the accidental contract killer. Elle Cosimano has once again crafted a page-turner full of suspense, humor, and witty banter that will have readers laughing and gasping in equal measure.

I was so excited to jump back into Finlay Donovan’s world, and this new installment did not disappoint. This time, a dead body turns up in Finlay’s nosy neighbor’s backyard—Mrs. Haggerty, the one person Finlay and her partner-in-crime, Vero, really don’t want staying at their house. But when Mrs. Haggerty’s place becomes a crime scene, she ends up crashing with them anyway.

Naturally, chaos ensues. Just when Finlay and Vero think they can bow out of another murder investigation, Finlay’s ex-husband Steven lands in the police’s crosshairs, leaving them with no choice but to get involved. Their reluctant detective work leads to laugh-out-loud mishaps, plenty of sarcasm, and some very tense moments.

What I love most is how real and relatable Finlay feels—she’s juggling life, family drama, and a total lack of free time, all while stumbling into one predicament after another. The story moves at a brisk pace, and I found myself smiling at the witty banter as much as I was biting my nails over the mystery. If you’ve read the previous Finlay Donovan books, you’ll have a blast. If you’re new, you’ll still have no trouble jumping right in.

Overall, it’s a hilarious and heartwarming thriller that manages to keep things suspenseful without ever taking itself too seriously. Grab this book if you want a good mystery that’ll make you laugh while keeping you on the edge of your seat.