Finlay and Vero are back in the fifth installment of the series. The body of a local is found buried in Mrs. Haggerty’s house across the street. And after being release from jail and cleared of the murder, Mrs. Haggerty moves herself right into Finlay’s house to stay while her hair is repaired and released. Soon Finlay’s ex husband is arrested and Finley and Vero must hunt down the real murder so Steven doesn’t take the fall, and chaos ensues.
This book has become my favorite of the series! We get to hear more from Finlay’s busybody neighbor, more from Nick and Finlay’s relationship, and of course the normal chaos of raising toddlers. Too funny!

Constantly chasing that 5-star feeling from the first book, but Finlay Donovan is too wacky not to love. The side characters continue to get stronger and stronger with each book (I would now die for Nick) and I love how old friends continue to make new appearances.

Woo! This series redeemed itself and was almost as good as the first book. I could have done without the sex scenes though. Yuck.

Fans of the series will enjoy this. It was a wild ride, fun, clever, and most of the characters were back to themselves. The new new granny here was superb.

Very much looking to the new storyline in #6

Thank you netgalley !!!! 4.25

Finlay Donovan fans have another fun adventure to enjoy! This time Mrs. Haggerty is the center of the mystery with Finlay and Vero jumping on the case. Ex-husband, Steven, gets tapped as the suspect and “hot cop” Nick helps. Of course, Finlay’s kids, her agent Sylvia, and techie guru, Cam, are also part of the story. A fun little mystery with humor and romance.

Angela Dawe continues to do a great job as the narrator of the Finlay Donovan books. I have had the pleasure of listening to this series read by Dawe and I feel like I’m with an old friend each time. Dawe does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.

How long do we have to wait for the 6th Finlay addition?

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan Audio for the complimentary Audio Book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another fantastic installment of the Finlay Donovan series. A few books ago, I was feeling that this story was getting stale but I am so glad I have continued to stick with this story. This one and book 4 were the best yet.

I am loving the developing relationship between Nick and Finlay. With all the drama and murder, the budding romance between them keeps things light and fresh. I also love the growth that Finlay has made as these novels go on. She is still impulsive and fearless but I just love that about her.

I cannot wait to see what new messes Finlay gets herself into in future books.

As far as the audiobook. This series is one of the best. The narrator has very district voices for the characters and it really brings the story to life.

Thanks to Netgalley for the excellent audio production narrated by the talented Angela Dawe. This is a great listen, full of the humor and chaos that is central to all the books in the Finley Donovan series. All the characters are great fun, and seeing how Finley escapes her predicaments is endlessly entertaining.
Highly recommended for fans of Janet Evanovich.

Finlay’s nosy neighbor Mrs Haggerty, the self-appointed head of neighborhood watch, is arrested when a body is found under her rose hedge. Since Finlay and Vero didn’t put it there, why should they care? The police suspect Stephen, Finlay’s ex and the father of her two children. Chaos and comedy ensue as they juggle solving the crime, dealing with Mrs Haggerty, and toilet training. It’s the usual fun and games with a little less pressure from Sylvia about her next book and more about filming rights.
I don’t recommend it as a starting point in the series, but if you’ve been reading the earlier entries, you won’t want to miss this one as it answers some questions left hanging from previous novels. Great narration by Angela Dawe.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 4 March 2025.

Thank you for allowing me to listen to this book as an ARC in audio format.
The author once again did not disappoint with this next book in the series. I absolutely loved it and was laughing aloud several times. While the first book is the series is still my very favorite, this one for sure is my 2nd favorite by far!!!
Finlay's story and her adventures for sure did not disappoint. Her books are always super fast east reads for me and I just love that there is never any boredom or slowness in the story line!!
I love that we got to enjoy the same fun characters and the kids intertwined in the book is great and makes for more fun!
Absolutely loved it and highly recommend to everyone! 5 🌟

The latest installment in the Finlay Donovan series is another delightful blend of mystery, humor, and chaos, as Finn and Vero find themselves tangled in yet another crime—this time, with Mrs. Haggerty at the center of the drama. Between potty training, school troubles, and juggling secrets, Finn’s plate is already full, but a murder mystery and an unexpected houseguest take things to the next level. The oddball cast continues to shine, with Mrs. Haggerty adding a fresh dynamic to the duo’s hijinks. Angela Dawe’s narration is, as always, pitch-perfect, bringing each character to life with charm and energy. A fun, fast-paced read that leaves me eager for more—4.5⭐️! Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the review copy. 💕

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

“…and then I kicked him in the tentacles, just like Vero showed me!”

I’m not a series kinda girl but this series is definitely a comfort series for me. I feel like I actually know these characters and they are so much fun.

It was fun seeing more of that PITA Ms. Hagerty this go round.

I hate that I have a soft spot for Steven because he’s so stupid and just NOT a good husband but I also love how this whole cast of characters comes together when times get tough.

As I was getting close to the end of this book I felt like it was a pretty decent conclusion to the series BUT then Elle Cosimano gives us a reason to soldier on.

𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑳𝑨𝒀 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑶𝑽𝑨𝑵 (#5)
𝑫𝑰𝑮𝑺 𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑶𝑾𝑵 𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑽𝑬 is full of laughs, law breaking, love, lots of crazy antics…it is a true comedy of errors in the best possible way.

Can’t wait for the next one.

Angela Dawe is such a great narrator.

This is the 5th Finlay Donovan book I’ve read (technically 6th if you count the Vero novella) but the first one I’ve listened to the audiobook for.

I’m not sure if it was the audiobook format but I felt like this one was kind of boring until the last 1/4 or so of the book. I didn’t feel like for a mystery that we learned new tidbits of key info throughout or that most of the book was exciting to read like the first ones in this series - hoping for the return of Russian mobsters or something like that for the sixth book because the elderly neighbor crashing at Finlays was just not as funny as I think it could have been. I loved the first two books in this series and I enjoyed the fourth one with the Atlantic City antics but this one fell a little flat for me. I actually think the audiobook narration for this was pretty good - I just can’t deal with female narrators putting on a fake male voice it is so cringey to me and why I don’t listen to audiobooks (especially romance audiobooks) often.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.25/5 rounded down

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

Another fun edition to the Finlay series! I actually enjoyed this one significantly more than #4 — the story was more fast paced and had a few less plot holes than the last. Plus more hot cop action and some badass women! I love when characters surprise you and that’s what this one was all about — who knew the annoying neighbor would turn out to be so fun to read about?!

As with all the Finlay books, you have to suspend disbelief a bit and just know that there will be plot holes. But while Book 4 felt sooo chaotic and long, this one flew by. The wild cast of characters Finlay and Vero have been accumulating over these books really come out in this one and it’s so fun. Will always read these books, and welcome more of them!

*Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave* by Elle Cosimano is a brilliant continuation of the Finlay Donovan series, packed with humor, suspense, and heart. The audiobook is a standout, with a fantastic narrator who perfectly captures the wit and charm of the characters. The pacing is tight and fast, making it impossible to put down (or stop listening to, in this case). Cosimano blends mystery, romance, and the complexities of family and friendship in a way that's both entertaining and relatable. You get a perfect mix of laughs, thrills, and emotional depth, keeping you hooked until the very last minute. Definitely worth a 5-star rating for both the story and the performance!

In *Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave*, Finlay finds herself entangled in another dangerous situation after narrowly surviving a hit on her life in the previous book. A dead body, a missing person, and a shady character from her past all collide, pushing her into a high-stakes investigation. Alongside her best friend, Vero, Finlay navigates a maze of secrets, family drama, and professional setbacks while trying to avoid becoming the next victim. With sharp wit, unexpected twists, and plenty of laughs, this book blends mystery, romance, and family dynamics for an unputdownable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Elle Cosimano has done it again! I swear, The Finlay Donovan series is just one of my absolute favorites. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the change to read an early release of this book. Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano will be released on March 4th, 2025. Plan on picking it up!!!

In this installment, Finlay gains a new roommate in the form of Ms. Haggerty after she is released from suspicion of murder and the heat is turned onto her ex-husband. But did Steven really kill some random guy and dispose of the body in his elderly neighbor's backyard? Finlay isn't so sure, despite how awful her ex-husband has been to her. On goes her detective goggles as she tries to prove his innocence.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave contains all of the excitement of the past books and I loved the cameo's from past characters. But that ending? My jaw dropped. How am I supposed to wait another year to see how Finlay and Vero get out of that mess?

Finley Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another hilarious, chaotic adventure. Bringing back all the familiar main characters, the plot is packed with twists, humor and the right amount of danger to keep things exciting. The mystery keeps you guessing, but Finley and Vero's banter and dynamic make the book an addictive read. I cannot wait for the next in this series! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

A huge thank you to @minotaurbooks for the eARC and @macmillanaudio for the ALC!

Finlay Donovan is one of my favorite series and this book expertly transitioned from what felt like somewhat of a conclusion of our previous ongoing mystery, while not leaving behind the characters and threads we picked up along the way - expertly weaving them into the larger narrative.

I loved the vulnerability of this book - the characters really bared more of their souls and the series is so much richer for it. The typical hijinks and ever present, helping to make this series the gem that it is. This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, in the series so far and I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us! 👀

You would think that after all that went down in Atlantic City, things would finally be a bit quieter for Finlay and Vero, but alas, it seems that while they were gone, drama was brewing back in their own neighborhood.

A dead body has been discovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s yard—yes, that Mrs. Haggerty of the detailed notebooks and neighborhood watch—and while the busybody herself has been cleared by the police, her house is a still-active crime scene. With the aim of keeping an eye on her own home at all times, she forces Finlay and Vero to take her in. Pair that with a preschooler home on suspension and a potty-training toddler, and it’s never a dull moment in the Donovan household.

I just adore this series, y’all. This book was the perfect escape right when I needed it. Filled with the parenting moments, humor, romance, madcap sleuthing and screwball crime scenes that we’ve come to expect from this series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another hit.

I especially liked the relationship development between Finlay and her cop beau Nick in this one.

If you like audiobooks, go that route with this book. I’m always entertained by Angela Dawes’s narration in this series. As I’ve said before, I adore the voice she uses for Nick, and the way she captures Vero’s attitude is always fun, too.

4.75⭐️

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.

Finlay Donovan is back at it!!

This mystery/ romcom is one of my favorites and book number 5 is still going strong.
This book has so much going on from a mysterious book club with Mrs. Haggerty and Finlay’s ex-Steven is a suspect in a murder investigation. Cant wait to see what happens next!!

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.

4.5 stars! I loved this one. It was fun to have all the original characters back and have more of Finleys home life. The two before this felt a bit repetitive and the same to me but this one really pulled me back into the series. The shenanigans in this book will make you laugh out loud and wonder how they continue to find the trouble they do! I would recommend this one! Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

OMG, Finlay goes straight with Nick. He is such a sweet hottie!

Finlay's neighbor was a hoot and certainly had a lot of depth. And those kids they are so adorable and funny.

I think after book 1, this may have been my next favorite. It was funny, fast-paced, and the mystery was pretty exciting.

#netgalley #FinlayDonovanDigsHerOwnGrave