I think this is my favorite of the entire series! It gave me a lot of the same feelings I had back when I first started reading book one, back to a slightly less complicated plot.

It was easy to follow and fast paced and fun, I felt like we really got to see more of Finlay and Vero as characters and how they worked through situations vs lots of detailed plot points like a few of the other books.

The twists were interesting and not always expected, but not out of left field either. It felt more realistic (which I know isn’t always the point or fun of the series!), but did make it easier to have some character development.

And the cliffhanger! Does this mean we’re getting a book 6?!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with an advance advanced listener copy of this book!

Elle Cosimano delivers another irresistibly fun, fast-paced mystery with Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave! Packed with sharp humor, quirky characters, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this latest installment keeps readers entertained and guessing. Finlay and Vero’s antics are as hilarious as ever, and the twists will keep you guessing. If you love witty banter, chaotic crime-solving, and a dash of romance, this is a must-read. Cosimano continues to prove why Finlay Donovan is one of the most entertaining heroines in the genre!

Thank you Elle Cosimano, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

In the latest installment of Finlay Donovan we see Finlay and Vero take on more than they can handle. From running from the bad guys, trying to potty train Zach, Nick and Finlay's relationship and add in babysitting Mrs. Haggerty, this is a hilarious book from start to finish. You get everything you expect from a new Finlay book and maybe even a few surprises. Would recommend to friends.

At this point in the story, I will follow Finlay to the ends of the earth! These characters have become so near and dear to me and the hijinx remain endlessly entertaining.

Finlay's husband is accused and incarcerated when a missing man shows up buried in a neighbor's yard. While he's not a saint by any stretch and an everlasting pain in Finlay's life, she just can't believe he would do such a thing. Meanwhile, her agent is pushing for a TV or movie deal of Finlay's books and the potential for dots to be connected by police of Finlay's previous shenanigans is more than anyone wants to deal with.
While this isn't my favorite in the series, it certainly was a fun listen. I'm sure a physical read of this is just as good, but Angela Dawe continues to nail Finlay's character and bring out both the humor and the whodunnit feels in the best possible way. Highly recommend this (and the others in the series) on audio. It can be read as a standalone, but I do think reading the series in order would make the characters more lovable and more like that long lost friend you get a good long visit with as they publish.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the alc. All thoughts are my own.

Finlay and her sidekick Vero are back for another adventure. This time they are trying to solve the mystery of how a dead body ended up buried at their elderly and cranky neighbor, Mrs Haggerty's home. Once Mrs Hagerty is cleared for the crime (and moves in with Finlay) Stephen, Finlay's ex husband is accused of the murder and that's when Finlay and Vero step in to help solve the case.

I have now read all of these books. Some of the books are better than others (this series is definitely a case of bookstagram made me do it). I even debated not continuing the series but I am so glad that I did because this one was so much fun and was exactly the antidote needed for the swirling in my head of everything going on right now in the world. It was quick, it was fun, it made me smile and this is up there as one of my favorites of the series (battling it out with the first). If you were debating this newest installation, I say pick it up (but only if you've read the rest, as I learned the hard way, this is not a series you can step into without the earlier one). I mainly listened to the audio because I always love the audio for these books, the narrator adds an extra element of enjoyment for me because of the humor and chaos.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ALC to review

I have enjoyed all the books in this series, and this one was stellar.

We have now moved on from the MOB and now bodies are showing up in the neighborhood. Finlay and Vero are on the case when it appears that someone is setting up Finlay's ex-husband. Once again we are left with a cliffhanger!

Narrator Angela Dawe was wonderful as always!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

What does potty training, nosy neighbors, book club, and murders have in common? After the last book, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue with the series, but this one was fantastic! The humor, the crazy situations, and the romance combine to create a great escape.

Angela Dawe is an incredible narrator, one of the best I’ve ever heard.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook.

A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave delivers the perfect mix of chaos, crime-solving, and humor, with Finlay once again finding herself in a mess only she (and Vero) could get into. The twists kept me guessing, the banter had me laughing, and Angela Dawe’s narration made the audiobook an absolute must-listen. Whether you’re reading or listening, you’ll devour this one.

⭐ 4.5 stars! Highly recommended for fans of witty, fast-paced mysteries.

Want a full breakdown of what I loved (and what had me holding my breath)? Read my in-depth review here: https://thesoftandslowlife.com/finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-audiobook-review/

Finlay and Vero are back and this time they have an unwanted house guest, their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. They are trying to discover how a body ended up being buried in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard. Inevitably the two end up way over their heads and must find a way out of another dangerous situation.

This series never gets old, between the snappy dialogue and the humor there is always a great mystery to be solved. This time it is a doozy!! The addition of Mrs Haggerty added another layer on to the chaotic life that Finlay has. I will read these as long as she continues to write them! So much fun!!

The narration for the audiobook was fantastic as always!!
4.5 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review .

Perhaps my favorite of the Finlay Donovan series--so far. All my favorite characters were in this one, plus I'm now a big fan of Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody! Like the other Finlay Donovan books, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a fun read, perfect for when you're looking for something on the lighter side and you need some laughs. And that cliffhanger! Eagerly awaiting Finlay Donovan #6 to see what happens next!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is one of my favorite series and I love the audio. It really felt more immersive and like I was there.

Finn and Vera are back at it again but this time Mrs. Haggerty is involved. Mrs. Haggerty is into something suspicious. Finn's ex-husband Steven gets implicated in a crime. Finn and Vera work to clear his name. Also, will Finn ever come clean with Nick about her involvement in recent crimes? This was my favorite of the series so far. Mrs. Haggerty is outwardly that nosey neighbor but we learn there is more than what we see on the surface. I really enjoy this series when I'm looking for something more light hearted. The narrator, as always, is great at telling the story and keeps me entertained. Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
By Elle Cosimano
Narrated by Angela Dawe
As always, my reviews are of the audio version of this book. As a rule, I listen at 70% speed or less as this makes it easier to hear details without needing to rewind as often. If things get tedious, I generally speed up.
Present in all of my reviews will be notes marked by an asterisk. These are pretty much just random thoughts I have, ignore them if they are annoying. I tend to think out loud...or in writing.
Firstly, I need to say that I was SO THRILLED to get the latest Finlay Donovan book (#5) to review! Elle Cosimano's series is definitely in my top 7 of all time (as it stands) along with The Thursday Murder Club books. Okay, now let's see what's what with this installment!
One thing I must immediately mention is that if you have not read the previous books, or at least the one just before this one (Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice), you will not get nearly as much enjoyment out of this read. The events in the previous four books have all taken place over the course of less than a year, so there is a lot to miss and a LOT that just can't be recapped well enough to get you up to speed.
I see that we will have to deal with Stephen (Finlay's ex) again, but I became more tolerant of him during the last installment (Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice) so I hope his behavior continues to be a little less annoying ...
As a rule, I have never enjoyed books with exes in them unless the ex is the victim. Then maybe. I just don't care for the drama ensuing from mixed feelings over exes. I have none. If I did, there wouldn't have been a divorce.
We will get to catch up with Cam, Mrs. Haggerty, Nick, Georgia, and of course Vero, Javi, and Ramon.
I go into this expecting to listen straight through to the entire 9 hrs and 11 mins. That's what usually happens with this series, so I would like to continue the trend.
I'm already getting a bad feeling by the middle of chapter 2, and I already have rants. Oh NOOOOOOO!
I'm disappointed so far as there is definitely not as much action in the beginning as we are used to from Finlay and Vero. There is, however, more drama. Since I enjoy the novels mostly for the action, even when it's ridiculous, I really hope this changes soon.
*Note: I can't relate to the odd relationship between Finlay and Stephen. I share a child with my ex, and when he dies (the ex) his ashes will be absolutely no concern of mine. If my son wants to display them, he can do so in his home or his room.
*Note: With Stephen sending the kids so many mixed signals with wanting to stay over, get back together, then sleeping with other women in front of them, he's not exactly super for the kids anyway...why go so far out of the way all the time? He wants an attorney who isn't capable, let him call the attorney.
*Note: I know it's probably used for humor's sake, but, as I raised 2 boys and a girl, I feel qualified to state that I fully agree with Mrs. Haggerty on her child rearing POV .I mean, I hate it, but Zach repeatedly removing his clothes is absurd. I know they do it, heck, my youngest son peed in the toy box, BUT believe me, he also got PUNISHED for it. In my son's case, it was the loss of the toys that were in the box. Zach seems to suffer no punishment at all. Truly, how do you plan to get the child to stop if there are no drawbacks from his preferred actions? Delia gets punished...well, a bit.
*Note: Finlay acting somewhat shamelessly, and especially for the sake of Stephen, is really disappointing. Pull it together. Move on, chick. I think coming across as the ex wife done wrong takes points from Finlay. I get that it's not comfortable to talk with the woman who may or may not have slept with your husband, but, for the sake of self respect which you proclaim you want, at least tell the woman you honestly couldn't care less with whom your ex had slept.
*Note: Pretty sure if I were Nick I would draw a line. Move on from Stephen and call me when you do. No one, man or woman, wants or deserves to compete with someone you supposedly chose to close the book on.
Okay, I'm going to have to draw a line under my Notes Regarding Exes or there will be nothing else to this review.
At 30%, I am REALLY hoping this will pick up and stop being the "Finlay & Stephen Show". I think, other than drop every beloved character, that is the worst possible plot choice that could've been made. So far, there is a garden variety murder mystery (no pun intended) and a lot of discussion. I have heard more about Zach's lack of potty training than anything else, much less anything compelling. There's one mildly interesting thing about Mrs. Haggerty, but that's put so far to the side that it is easily forgotten. Be BETTER than that, Ms. Cosimano!!
It's 32% and time for a break, I think...
Okay, I'm refreshed, let's go...
Well, there was finally a bit of action. It was VERY promising....
Then, the promise was broken.
And we wait.
At 55% I have come to the realization that I LOVE MRS. HAGGERTY!! She is honestly the best character (definitely including Finlay, who is being beyond irritating so far) yet in this book! If nothing else, I will listen to the entire book just for her sake!
At 60% I realized that Nick is WAY too good for Finlay. I mean, I can relate to a lot of Finlay's life, but she has had too many chances from Nick imho. She's immature, irresponsible, yes, a currently cruddy mom (although she surpasses excellence in the Ex Wife category, I must say), she's not even a particularly good writer, client, or business woman in this particular book.
*Note: about the Agatha books clue, it would definitely not have been hard to come up with something even slightly more sketchy.
YAY!! It's definitely picking up, it only took over half of the book to get there.
I feel like maybe the story wasn't sure what direction to go in and so took WAY too long to get anywhere at all. If this is your very first Finlay Donovan book, PLEASE go back and begin with book one! This book might have been better if it had been part of a larger story? There is a marked lack of what I can only think of as chaos. The "chaos factor" is what I have come to expect from Finlay and Vero's adventures. The only kerfuffle (yeah, I wrote it-read it again) is very close to the end where I would have expected it to trigger the dominoes of craziness as in past books. I have to confess I am very let down. But all's well that...ends. I guess.
I'll still read the next one.
But it could have been better.
Just sayin'.
As always, thank you to NetGalley for allowing me early access to this audiobook in exchange for a (brutally) honest review!

I want to start off this by saying that Mrs. Haggerty is an absolute badass! I love the way that the last book ended and this one started. The beginning of the book just kept rolling with the punches for Finlay and Vero and just took off from there. I have read all of these as audiobooks and the narrator is fantastic. I love Finlay and Vero so much and felt very seen with Zach’s potty training as I am working with my little one for that too. I have just been so sucked in by this series and I love that this one ended with a cliff hanger as well!x

This is one of my favorite mystery series and this installment is one of my most anticipated reads of the year.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave did not disappoint! As has been true throughout this series, if it can go wrong, it does…and hilarity ensues.

The consistency is f the characters across this series is fantastic. I absolutely love this series and I never want it to end.

Thank you the the publisher and netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book, both ebook and audio. I leave this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Elle Cosimano does it again. Finlay and Vero can't seem to keep herself out of trouble. I listened as I read. It's a fast, entertaining listen! Nick is still my favorite I can't get enough of him!! Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted ARCs.

Here we go again, Finlay Donovan! I have enjoyed this series over the years for a lighthearted read. I am always excited to see where Finlay and Vero end up next. This time, we find them in their neighborhood with yet another murder to solve... or cover up! I enjoyed the connections to the past books and can see that the ending is setting us up for another in the series. Perhaps it will be the last? Regardless, this dynamic duo is so fun, and I loved the addition of Ms. Haggerty to the story even more. As always, Angela Dawe crushed the narration.

This series gets better with each new book! Thank you @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for my early reading and listening copies of @ellecosimano ‘s new release, FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE, out March 4, 2025.

Finlay and Vero are the funniest BFF duo I’ve read in a long time. Each novel in this series can be read as a standalone, but it is TOTALLY worth it to start at the very beginning and enjoy the growth of this series.

Steven, Finlay’s ex is still around, Nick is still around, the agent, Sylvia is still around, and of course Mrs. Haggerty is around, and becomes one of the central characters in this new installment.

I really enjoyed Mrs. Haggerty’s antics in FDDHOG through Finlay’s perspect with brought so many laugh out loud moments as only these “I can’t believe this is happening to them but it is hilarious!” woven with just enough mystery that I wonder what is going to happen next. All of that to say this is the perfect cleansing, easy reading series.

I want to thank the publisher for granting me both an ARC and an ALC in exchange for an honest review. This allowed me to experience one of my favorite ways to enjoy books—immersive reading!

I requested Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave not only because I adore Finlay, Vero, and the ever-entertaining supporting cast Elle Cosimano has created, but also because the title itself felt like a clever nod to an important plot point from an earlier book in the series—and I was right! (IYKYK). I was also excited to see nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty take center stage in this installment, and she did not disappoint.

Mrs. Haggerty is just as much the star of this book as Finlay and Vero. Following her on her neighborhood watch walks, peeking into her book club, and uncovering the extent of her knowledge about the ongoing mystery made for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Watching her interact with Finlay’s kids added an extra layer of depth to her character, but the most rewarding part of her story was seeing just how far she would go to be an ally—and that’s all I can say without spoilers!

Of course, no Finlay Donovan book would be complete without a few standout moments. The Eggplant had me laughing out loud, and Finlay’s vulnerability in the final chapters was particularly well done. And, as expected, Cosimano delivers yet another tantalizing cliffhanger. I already can't wait for book six!