The Finlay Donovan Series is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorites, and the newest installment certainly lived up to my expectations!

In "Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave," Finlay and Vero take on the role of detectives as they work to exonerate Finlay's ex-husband while encountering various challenges along the way!

This book was an absolute delight! I found myself laughing out loud multiple times! The character development throughout the series is fantastic, and the storylines are engaging! While this book explores some deeper themes, I appreciated how Elle addressed darker issues while maintaining a light and enjoyable tone. I truly believe this one is my favorite in the series!

Finlay and Vero are at it again and I couldn't be happier! The madcap duo of Thelma and Louise meets Lucy and Ethel once again find themselves in the middle of one tricky situation after another. This fifth installment is the perfect mix of suspense and humor. The narrator, Angela Dawe masterfully brings the story to life with laughs and intrigue sprinkled throughout. The cliffhanger conclusion leaves me anxiously waiting for the next book in this addictive series. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.

This was a GREAT story to listen to! AWESOME narration! Great main characters. The plot was easy to find. The story was engaging and easy to follow. Will be purchasing this book. Shout out to Netgalley and publishing for allowing me to listen and review this story.

4 STARS!

I am in love with the Finlay Donovan series- I never want it to end!
In the fifth book in the series, Finlay and her ride or die Vero have another mystery to solve when a dead body is unearthed in her nosey neighbor's yard. Let the shenanigans begin!
I appreciate that the author gives some refreshers on what happened in the prior books, so it makes it easy to get into the story. I enjoy the humor in this story. I love the banter between all of the characters, especially Finlay and Vero. The plot moves quickly, so I never find myself bored. I really like that there is also a little love story mixed in.
This book, and series are amazing, and I love recommending it!
The audio for this is, as always perfection! I love Angela Dawe. She really delivers everytime!
Thank you to Macmillion Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Finlay is back to her shenanigans with Vero in tow. This time, instead of Finlay hiding a body, she has to figure out what's going on with her nosey neighbor. I feel like this addition was fun, mysterious, and had a great resolution. I really liked how she handled her romance with Nick and also her ex-husband. I liked learning more about Mrs Haggarty. She is hilarious and way more interesting to learn about as the series progresses. The mystery was unique enough but did feel a bit vague. I wished they fleshed out the network of people in the book club a bit more. The narrator was perfect as always. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

My only issue was the steamy scenes were a bit oddly placed. I understand Finlay and Nick are in love, but it seems to me they are always having sex in almost every scene they are alone in. It would be nice for them to just be present with each other. Don't get me wrong, I want them together, but I don't need a sex scene every time they're alone.

I think this might be my favorite book out of the series. This book mostly centered around Mrs. Haggerty - after the police find a body in her backyard, and her getting released from prison - only to move into Finlay's house with Vero and the kids, we get pulled along on an exciting ride which includes potty training, Steven getting arrested for murder and finding out more about who Mrs Haggerty is. I'm also very excited for book #6 to come out and looking forward to reading more about Finlay and Vero's adventures. I listened to the audiobook, courtesy of Netgalley - thank you for my advanced copy.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 3/4
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My God do I love this series! This is the 5th installment of one of the funniest but the most anxiety producing mystery/drama/thriller series I have ever read. I loved it just as much as the rest.
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First, let’s start off with how funny this book is. There were countless times throughout this story that I audibly laughed out loud at the banter between characters. Speaking of characters, Finlay and Vero are absolute queens. I love the two of them so much, I wish I could be friends with them in real life. The other characters are also incredible and make this series what it is.
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I had no idea how Elle Cosimano would continue this, I couldn’t figure out what possibly Finlay and Vero could possibly get into this time, but she basically was like “hold my beer” and came up with a fantastic storyline that honestly may be my new favorite. There were times throughout this where I wasn’t sure how Finlay could possible get herself out of the mess she was in. I absolutely LOVED where she went with this one. It was perfect. This is most definitely a must read!!
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I listened to this one on audio and Angela Dawe is the best Finlay ever. I cannot think of a better narrator for this series. If you want to check this one out - be sure to pick up the audio!!
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Huge thank you to NetGalley, Elle Cosimano, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Saying that as soon as I get done with these audiobooks that I NEED the next one is an understatement. The combo of Elle Cosimano's writing and Angela Dawe's narration is truly a match made in heaven. These audio books are the best i have ever listened to do and they are always my most anticipated new releases of the year. In this 5th installment of the Finlay Donovan series, there is no shortage of hijinks, clever banter, action and murder.
I have gotten so used to these characters, I feel sad when I have finished the book. I hate having to wait a whole year to catch up with them again. I look forward to these books every year and I really hope that both Ell and Angela continue with the books and audiobook narration of this series for a long time.

Never a dull moment with Finlay Donovan and her crazy adventures. This is the 5th book in the Finlay Donovan series and it was not disappointing, I've been waiting for this book for a year after binge reading the series last year. I hope this series never ends, Vero, Nick, Sylvia and Steven and all the side characters bring something funny, entertaining and exciting. I could not put this book down and am so sad I'll have to wait another year for the next one.

Fun continuation of the series. Feels a little fillery. I preferred the second half to the first. Cozies are hard for me, but I generally enjoy the pacing of these. I don't get the obsession with the cop. I would never date a cop. Give me a hot lawyer any day.

🥃 Take a shot every time the fetus lawyer is hotter than the cop
🥃 Take a shot every time Mrs. Haggerty is the best character
🥃 Take a shot every time you should punch your school bully

🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

Another 5-star hit from Elle Cosimano! Special thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Macmillan Audio for granting me early access to Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series. While it could technically be enjoyed as a standalone, you’d really be missing out on the previous books in the series. The audiobook is narrated by Angela Dawes, and I can’t stress enough how incredible she is at bringing this series to life. Her skillful voice work gives each character a distinct personality, making the whole experience even more engaging.
Already looking forward to the next book! :)

Publication Date- March 4. 2025

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook. It’s always a fun ride with Finlay and her crew and this one didn’t disappoint. I really liked the pace and progress in the overall story that this is set. Will continue to read this series!

4.5 stars rounded up. I think this is my new favorite Finlay book. It had all the elements I loved about book 1 and then some.

I listened to the audiobook and followed along in the ebook. The audio was outstanding. Angela Dawe did an excellent job with the narration. Her tone and cadence were clear and natural, and the pitch/vocal alterations for the various characters were incredibly well done. I was so impressed with her work. I’d highly recommend a listen.

Like the other books in this series, this one picked up where the previous book left off. We’re back all of our favorite characters in Finlay, Vero, Nick, Javi, the kids…and even Steven. Added to the fray this time around was Mrs. Haggerty, fresh out of jail and dropped off on Finlay’s doorstep by her grandson. It turned into a wild ride with Steven implicated in the crime she was accused of and the crew then had to (reluctantly) race against time to clear his name. Teen hacker extraordinaire Cam was also back and added so much to the story. Without saying too much, this one kept me on my toes, had me laughing, shaking my head, thinking “Only Finlay” more than once, and ends with a cliffhanger that left me ready for the next book right now.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur for the eARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Can’t believe this is the 5th book of the series and… dare I say it… my favorite since the first one!

Finlay & Vero are back to their usual antics, and this time Nick is along for the ride. Ms. Haggerty is back in a big way, and it was so fun!

Finlay Donovan Digs her own Grave is the delightful 5th book in Elle Cosimano's series. Whether reading the print edition or listening to Angela Dawe's excellent narration, this fun, quirky book will catch and hold your interest. Finlay, her sidekick Vero, and the whole cast of family, friends and neighbors all manage to get into and out of all kinds of trouble, both serious and funny. At the conclusion the main mystery is solved, relationships are deepened and all is satisfying indeed—and then the doorbell rings. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
Thanks to Macmillan and NetGalley for the chance to read/listen to this early.

I loved this one! One of my favorites in the series. I loved how all the characters interacted and how fun the adventure was. These books are so outlandish and totally unrealistic, but that's what makes them so fun! Finlay and Vero's antics are a hoot and I'm still always baffled how they seem to ditch the kids so effortlessly to attend to their crime solving. I also loved how it sets up the next one in the epilogue. Such a fun book! The audio is so well done and I really like the narrator. It's a book that you just want to keep listening to!

Finlay solves another mystery that she finds herself in the middle of.

I think this is my favorite book of the series so far! It's really a toss up between Book 1 and this book. I really like the leap that Finlay and Nick's relationship took. I also loved the dynamic of the elderly neighbor crashing at Finlay's house.

I can't wait for the next book to come out!

I believe this is my favorite series so far! I loved it so much!
We begin when police discover a body in the backyard of Finlay's neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, and they suspect her of murder. However, they released her, and she is no longer a suspect. Because her home has no electricity or heat, she is staying at Finlay's house until they fix the heating.
They arrested Finlay's ex-husband for the murder because the wife of the man found buried in her backyard accused him of having an affair with her during his marriage to Finlay. Believing Steven, she starts her investigation of the murder and the curious mishaps of what Mrs. Haggerty is doing and where she is going.
This one was an absolute hoot! I loved the complete story and there were several times I was rolling with laughter because of the antics in the story! I received a copy of the audiobook to listen to and review, and it was amazing! I love it when a series uses the same narrator for different audiobooks because this narrator fits the story and brings it to life! Giving me lots of laughs this time! Thank You Macmillan Audio, Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read/listen and review this one, and thank you for the laughs!

In the latest installment of the Finlay Donovan series, Finlay and her nanny Vero have stumbled across another murder. It just so happens that the body is discovered in Finlay's neighbor's, Mrs. Haggerty's backyard. Not known for being friendly, Mrs. Haggerty ends up staying with Finlay while they try to solve the murder, and all kinds of chaos and hijinks ensue. I love this series! Finlay and Vero will have you laughing out loud, and sitting on the edge of your sear wondering how they are going to get out of the newest sticky situation they have found themselves in. The narrator is great, and handles all of the different voices with ease. Highly recommend!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a light-hearted and comedic mystery thriller with romantic elements. I would recommend it to fans of shows like Only Murders in the Building and fans of books by Holly Jackson, Lucy Score, Ally Carter, or Christina Lauren.

I love the Finlay Donovan books - I picked up one of the books at a little free library this past summer on a whim and ended up devouring the series! Mysteries and thrillers usually aren’t usually my thing, but the Finlay Donovan books are so cozy, entertaining, gripping, and laugh-out-loud funny, and book 5 is definitely no exception. Also, as someone who is new to mysteries and thrillers, I appreciate that the Finlay Donovan books are always light-hearted and fun, they are definitely suspenseful and have intriguing twists, but I never find them scary. Mrs. Haggerty wasn’t really my favourite character in the first 4 books, so I wasn’t sure how to feel about her playing a bigger role in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, but I really enjoyed getting to see a different side to Mrs. Haggerty; one that has some unexpected similarities to Finlay. There are also some super cute and comical moments between Mrs. Haggerty and Finlay’s children (one of which is suspended from preschool and the other who is struggling with potty-training) and Cameron (the young computer hacker who helps with Finlay’s tech needs in exchange for homecooked meals).

If I had to list a downside, I have to say that the romance was a little lacking in comparison to the other Finlay Donovan books. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see a lot of Vero and Javi’s “newlywed” relationship. Also, since Finlay is still hiding her criminal involvement from Nick and is preoccupied with Mrs. Haggerty for a good portion of this book, we didn’t get to see a lot of Finlay and Nick’s romance either. But the romance that we did get in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was still swoony and I am hopeful that we will get to see more of Vero and Javi’s and Finlay and Nick’s budding relationships in book 6.

Overall, I’m loving the Finlay Donovan series and would highly recommend it to readers looking for lots of laughs, swoony love interests, “ride or die” female friendships, and page-turning mysteries.