This series has sucked me in and I can’t get enough. With each installment I love this cast of characters even more. I laughed out loud multiple times reading book five. Finlay’s struggles as a working mom feels authentic which is perfectly juxtaposed against the implausible scenarios she repeatedly finds herself in. The mystery certainly kept me guessing and I enjoyed insights into some of the side characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am eager for the next! Thank you to Minotaur books for the opportunity to read an early copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

suspense, contemporary, verbal-humor, situational-humor, cozy-mystery, ex-husband, nanny, relationship-issues, relationships, relatives, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, siblings, friendship, friends, family-drama, family-dynamics, snarky, threats, boyfriend, mothers, mystery, mystery-writer, neighbors, local-gossip, podcaster, thriller*****

Infinitely better reading than the global/national/local news! Like the others in series, this one is not only hilariously farcical but can stand alone if you have nothing better at hand. The series is a hoot but not critical to follow in order. Just laugh along with the rest of us after reading the publisher's blurb!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Mar 04, 2025 #FinlayDonovanDigsHerOwnGrave by @ElleCosimano #FinlayDonovanBk5 @StMartinsPress @MinotaurBooks #LaughYourSoxOff #TheMob #Police #Whodunnit #Witty

Loved all of these books and this was didn’t disappoint. Will be sad sent I can’t read about Finley anymore. Highly recommend for any mystery series lover. Thank you NetGalley!

How could I not give Finlay 5 stars? The story line, the detail, the laugh out loud funny that is Finlay and Vero’s friendship. I love it all and truly wish this series would go on forever.

This book starts where the last left off, with Mrs Haggerty, the nosy neighbor, at the center of a missing person’s case. Finlay and Vero are nominated to take care of Mrs Haggerty while her house gets put back together when they start noticing some very odd habits coming from the old woman. The story takes you through this crime and into the next one, without revealing too much and keeping you on the edge of your seat.

100000 out of 10.

I recently read Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano. This is the fifth book in the delightful Finlay Donovan series. This installment certainly could be read as a standalone, without reading the previous books, but why would you want to? You'd be missing out! In the new book, crime comes to Finlay's home turf. A murdered body is discovered in the backyard of nosey neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. When her house is declared a crime scene, Mrs. Haggerty moves in with Finlay and sidekick, Vero. Given their past exploits, even the premise is funny. The fun doesn't stop there, Finlay and Vero must work to solve the crime to rid themselves of the crotchety know it all.

This book will make the series lovers very happy. It has all the usual wit and madcap shenanigans we've come to know and love. Everything you'd expect from Elle Cosimano, this will put a smile on your face and a wish for yet another installment. As usual, a super fun and enchanting read. More please!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your kindness and the advanced copy (not to mention the laughs).

I received this book free of charger from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am really loving this series. This time, Finlay's ex husband is accused of murdering someone who went missing 5 years ago because the body turned up in Finlay's nosy neighbor's backyard. Mrs. Haggerty is always watching what is going on in the neighborhood. Finn and Vero aren't sure what she has on them.

Mrs. Haggerty, who has her own secrets, ends up staying with Finlay. Cam and Nick are back. There is even a run in with Finn's agent, Sylvia. What is going on with Mrs. Haggerty's book club and why won't she let Finlay join. She is an author, after all.

I love the witty writing style and hijinks that Finlay and Vero get into. Trouble just seems to follow them.

The end of the book left it open for book 6. I can't wait!

I’ve read all of the books in this series & this one did not disappoint. Hot cop Nick had more page time, and the storyline was the mix of rom-com, suspense & creative characters we’ve come to enjoy from Elle Cosimano.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC e-book. Favorable review shared on Goodreads

Finlay Donovan stories are always entertaining and this one is no exception. Every character explodes with excitement and
nobody is completely innocent of anything. This book is a chaotic ride right up to the conclusion, which is equally chaotic!
My thanks to St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the download copy of this book for review purposes.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano.

This is book number 5 of the Finlay Donovan series, and Finlay’s ex-husband Steven is suspected of murder after a body is found across the street from Finlay’s house. Finlay needs to find out who the murderer is before the police start digging and find evidence of her past “crimes”.
I love the Finlay Donovan series, they are quick, lighthearted reads that are fun to read. I liked this installment in the series, it was a break from the “mob” storyline but still tied together parts from the other books. I especially liked that Finlay’s relationship with her policeman boyfriend seems to be evolving, it looks like we will see more of them in future books!

Overall I would definitely recommend this book for fans of the series and romcom lovers as well. 4 stars!

I have read all of the Finlay Donovan books so when net galley had this as an ARC, I was happy to catch up. These books have been easy reads and have likable characters. Sometimes I think the story jumps around too much. This book was a cute read.

4.5⭐

The fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series got things back on track. While not perfect, this one was a huge improvement from the second and third book. Less chaos, Steven was still a big cheater but much less of an asshole, Finlay and Nick are finally on the same page in their relationship, Vera was a more manageable ball buster, the kids were cuter if that's even possible, etc. The fourth book was leaning this way but book five brought everything back to where things should be in this series. I was thinking that this book would be my last but maybe I will stick around for book six. If the television series ever gets made, I hope it will have a Dead to Me vibe and then I can die happy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

From the very first book in the Finlay Donovan series, the elderly Mrs. Haggerty has been quite the character. A constant neighborhood busybody who appears to have nothing better to do than sit at her window and wait for petty misdemeanors, it came as a shock to many readers when a dead body (one that Finlay actually had nothing to do with) turned up in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard at the end of the fourth book. When the police release Mrs. Haggerty from their custody, after many intense hours of questioning, her home is in such a state that she is unable to return until several repairs are made. All this means that Finlay has a new and very unwelcome houseguest staying with her for an indeterminate amount of time. The longer Mrs. Haggerty, who swears she is innocent, sticks around, the more suspicious Finlay and Vero become of their elderly neighbor. Maybe she didn't actually commit the crime, but she certainly knows more than she is letting on...

This installment of the Finlay Donovan series brought all of the usual elements that readers of the series will come to expect. We have Finlay and Vero's amateur sleuthing, which often involves less than legal methods, narrow escapes from discovery by Finlay's "hot detective" boyfriend Nick Anthony, and constant bickering and banter between our two heroines Vero and Finlay.

I've been a fan of the Finlay Donovan series all along, but I fear it may be starting to get slightly stale for me. Overall, I will say I enjoyed this novel. It was a quick and entertaining read; one that doesn't require too much brainpower. However, I am getting a little bored with a few elements. First is Steven. Cosimano made this reader really and truly hate him in the first book, then start to almost feel bad for him by the 3rd and 4th books (he's just so pathetic) and now, by the 5th book, I'm just really ready for him to get shot or something. Some way that we can remove this element from the story. He's just a total drag and I need a whole lot less of him in future stories. Another element that wore me down in this installment is Mrs. Haggerty. She's incredibly rude and while she does eventually follow a character arc of becoming a lovable ally to Finlay and her family, the rudeness at the beginning of the book was almost too much for me. It was hard for this character to be redeemed in my eyes by the end.

In favor of this novel, I would like to point out that the plotline with Nick was also starting to get really stale. I mean, how long can this detective be in the dark to his girlfriend's criminal activity, if we are to believe he is anything other than a lazy bum eating donuts all day long? The resolution that comes about with their relationship is one that I was quite happy with and glad took place. I would definitely be happy to see where Cosimano takes the two of them in future books.

Overall, if you're a fan of the series, you shouldn't be too disappointed. There were just a few elements that, for this reader, didn't quite hit the mark.

Another fun installment in the series. The short chapters make this series the fastest and easiest read. There was much less chaos/plot in this one, which was nice because I felt like I could follow what was going on a lot more easily. That said, not that much happens comparatively, but it worked well enough for me. I was just happy to be back with Finlay, Vero, Nick & the whole gang. Already ready for more.

What I love most about the Finlay Donovan series is that every book is fun to read. I was in the midst of struggling to find a book I truly wanted to read front to back, when I picked up Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, and just like that, I was back in the game. A fun, fast read, full of characters I've grown to love. Totally satisfying.

This is such a fun series! Having listened to the first four via audiobooks, hearing the brilliant narrator’s characterizations in my head made this an equally enjoyable read. Just when I can’t imagine how the author can keep the storyline going in fresh directions, she ends the novel with an exciting tease. This series is underrated, in my opinion. Stephanie Plum better watch out for Finlay Donovan!

I love this series so much! I was so happy to get an advanced copy. The Finlay Donovan series is amazing it’s like watching a show and binge watching the whole season. I always look forward to the next book in this series and cannot wait until the next one so I can see what happens with Vero, Finlay & Nick.

Another great addition to the Finlay Donovan series! I really loved getting to know Mrs. Haggerty in this book, and I’m enjoying Finlay and Vero’s shift from committing crimes to trying to solve them. I’m hoping that the cliffhanger at the end will give us a Vero-centered book next, but I’m up for whatever Elle Cosimano chooses to write. These books are just consistently delightful.

I would read Finlay Donovan books until the end of time. I will never be ready for her series to be over and I want to still be reading about her adventures and misfortune when she becomes the new Maggie.
As always, Elle presented readers with another hilarious and well written book. She always provides just the right amount of detail without going unnecessarily deep and boring readers. The plot stays to the point without ridiculous side stories that take away from the overall storyline.
Finlay finally revealing her vulnerable side to Nick was the icing on the cake. Getting to see him love her despite her faults even after knowing some truths was what readers have been waiting for! I wish there had been a little more Javi, but considering the epilogue I can only assume he will pop up more in the next book of the series! 🤞

3 ⭐️

I always enjoy following Finlay and Vero as they somehow get tangled up in another mystery. This book felt less like a mystery book and more like a character-based story. We learned more about Mrs. Haggerty, the nosy neighbor, which was enjoyable. Seeing more of Cam was also a treat.

The mystery itself wasn’t difficult to figure out and it felt like there was less tension compared to the previous books. If you’ve loved the previous books, I think you’ll still like this one, especially if you’ve come to love the major and minor cast of characters.

This one ends with the promise of another adventure, so I will be curious to see what happens next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @39%. I gave this a shot. I loved the first two Finlay Donovan books. I liked the third book. I struggled with the fourth - it felt full of goofy coincidences and wildly out of touch with reality. I tried to suspend my disbelief, thinking that it would lead to something new. When I saw the premise of this book, I was actually genuinely excited. It seemed like Finlay Donovan was getting back to her goofy antics with Vero, complete with some smut and some humor and some very cozy violence and a healthy dose of girl power. The body in the neighbor's yard pulled me in, and I had such high hopes! Here we were, after an ill-timed girls' trip to hunt mobsters, getting back to good ol' suburban mystery!

Then... then... I kept going. And the more I go, the more I struggled to not roll my eyes. It was all so incredibly implausible. Finlay has the luck stats of a god, I swear. Vero is turning more and more into a caricature. If I have to be honest, I did think this was better than book four - I enjoyed the fact that it was a good mystery, true to the mystery genre roots. But that also made it feel a bit like the other four books just rehashed AGAIN. Brennan was a promising new character, but ultimately fell flat, Nick and Finlay were more of the same. I guess I thought the end of book four was also odd, but I just can't see myself wanting to read this enough to finish it. I had high hopes, but it's just not my jam anymore, I don't think.

All that said, I think this is 100% me being burnt out on Finlay Donovan. I honestly struggle with long series as a whole - a trilogy or maybe a quartet is about my threshold. I think if you still really loved this series at the end of the fourth book, you'll probably keep loving this through this book. I started to feel this burnout in book 3, and honestly, I don't know why I thought this would be the fix for me! I think I just really want to know what the heck is going on with Steven (I still dislike him so much though) so I kept at it, but I'm to a point where maybe I don't need to know how this all wraps up.

If you love the other 4, this feels like you'll love it! Same humor and shenanigans and cozy-ish mystery with spice and slow burns. It won't disappoint long term fans of the series.