I will never not read a Finlay Donovan novel. They are laugh out loud funny at times and she's extremely relatable as a character. What mother hasn't had a toddler go through a "no pants" phase? Anyway, the real star of the show is (always) Vero and in this particular novel, Mrs. H from across the street. We get a little more of Mrs. H's backstory and you end up hating her a little less at the end.

If you're going to pick up any Finlay Donovan book, you absolutely need to experience via audiobook. The narrator brings all of the characters to life in such a way that when a different narrator reads (as is the case for Vero's novella), they don't even feel like the same characters. Also, technically the books can be read in any order, but you might get a small spoiler here and there.

Finlay, Vero and the crew are back! The latest installment is probably my fave since the first one! I absolutely LOVE this story featuring grumpy old neighbor, Mrs. Haggarty, and her book club - perfection! Love interest, Nick was center stage, and proved why he is so swoony!! Of course, this was left on a cliffhanger, guaranteeing us more Finlay next year!! 🎉

If you are new to the Finlay Donovan books, they are a true series and you really need to read them in order to understand the main plot points. But trust me, they are worth the read!!

🎧 Perfect on audio as always! Vero’s voice especially always makes me smile!

I love that Finlay is back. This is another wonderful installment in the series. This is another must read!

Thanks Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

Synopsis -

Finlay and her nanny Vero have yet another problem on their hands. This time it’s in the form of their elderly curmudgeon of a neighbour, Mrs Haggerty. After the police discovered a body in her backyard, she needs a place to stay once she is deemed not a potential suspect. Having had enough on their plates the past few months, the last thing Finlay needs is getting tangled up in another murder case.

Review -

The narrator Angela Dawe makes this audiobook highly entertaining. She is so versatile and seamlessly switches her voice between all the characters.

Just like all the previous books, Finlay and Vero find themselves in impossible situations and we all know by now how they have a knack of attracting trouble.

Cosimano excels at building up a serious murder mystery at the heart of the plot while equally balancing it with laugh out loud humour and cheeky grin inducing scenes. There is a parallel romantic thread with Finlay’s boyfriend, policeman Nick, which spices up and adds charm to the narrative.

Mrs Haggerty brings her own sass and kickass personality into the storyline and this combined with Finlay and Vero’s shenanigans - we have an amusing and enjoyable cozy mystery on our hands.

I loved how the book addressed an important subject matter at its core and although the measures the characters undertook were extreme, it was a wakeup call that will definitely help raise awareness concerning the issue.

Overall a fun-filled ride that will help you forget all your problems for a while, while you worry about Finlay’s!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is another absolute win in Elle Cosimano’s hilarious and addictive series. I’ve been following Finlay’s chaotic adventures from the start, and this latest installment fits perfectly into the story arc—it’s fast-paced, laugh-out-loud funny, and full of clever twists that kept me guessing.

One of the things I love most about this series is how consistent the tone and energy are across each book. The humor is spot-on—smart, sharp, and perfectly timed. Finlay’s internal monologue is as entertaining as ever, and the situations she finds herself in walk that fine line between outrageous and believable in the best possible way.

The supporting cast continues to shine. From Vero to Detective Nick and beyond, these characters are more than just background—they're fully fleshed-out, dynamic, and genuinely endearing. I really appreciated how their personal journeys are treated with care, making it easy to root for all of them. Watching their relationships evolve alongside the main plot adds so much richness to the story.

I listened to the audiobook version, and once again, Angela Dawe completely nailed the narration. Her delivery brought the characters to life with such clarity and personality. Each voice felt distinct and authentic, and her pacing and emotional tone matched the story perfectly. She’s a big part of what makes these audiobooks so enjoyable.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listener copy—I’m so grateful to have had the chance to experience this early. If you’re already a fan of Finlay Donovan, you’ll absolutely love where this one takes you. And if you’re new to the series, you’ve got a hilarious, fast-paced ride ahead of you. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Finlay gets into next!

The newest installment in the Finlay Donovan series was my favorite book since the original book. I loved getting to know Mrs Haggerty and seeing the why behind a lot of her actions. I also loved the idea of the book club, though I did figure out the whole thing before it was revealed. I liked the romances between Finlay and Nick and Vero and Javy as well. This book was laugh out loud funny and a great story. I am excited for the next one!

Another great installment in this series. Finlay does it again. Elle needs to keep these coming. I stumbled upon this series quite by accident but I’m now hooked. These characters are now like family

Finlay Donovan is back in another great adventure! This is a fun action packed, series of disastrous events. Continuing from the events of the last book, #5 in the series continues the story of the quirky characters that you can't help but love. This has quickly become on of my go to series!!

Angela Dawe did an amazing job of keeping up the fun, and adding to the quirkiness of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press (Minotaur Books), and Macmillan Audio for an advanced reading and listening copies of this book.

Another Finlay Donovan!!! This is my go-to series!! I just love reading these!! They are just so fun and a quick read. I will always grab an Elle Cosimano book!!

*Thank you partner @minotaur_books for the #gifted audiobook and e-galley.*

4.5 stars rounded up.

Chaos, crime, and comedy strike again as Finlay Donovan and her ride-or-die nanny, Vero, get roped into yet another murder—this time, thanks to their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. With a body in the backyard, a houseguest they never wanted, and absolutely no room for more trouble, Finlay and Vero are once again in over their heads.

The Finlay Donovan series just keeps getting better, and this installment is my favorite yet! Mrs. Haggerty’s antics had me laughing out loud, adding even more chaos and charm to an already wild ride. The mystery kept me hooked, the ending was so satisfying, and I loved seeing Finlay and Vero’s romantic lives heat up. Elle Cosimano masterfully blends mystery, humor, and romance, delivering characters you can’t help but root for—messy, lovable, and endlessly entertaining!

Angela Dawe once again nails the narration, perfectly capturing Finlay’s charm, wit, and chaotic energy. Her delivery brings the story to life, making every twist, laugh, and ridiculous situation even more entertaining. I always look forward to these audiobooks, and this one was just as fantastic as expected!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the #gifted copy of this book.

Summary: Heading back into the world of Finlay, this time her neighbor Mrs. Haggerty was in the hot seat after a body was found in her backyard. After being cleared of any potential crime, Mrs. Haggerty comes to live with Finlay and Vero. Despite trying to stay out of yet another murder investigation, Finlay and Very find they are pulled in yet again.

My Thoughts: I just love this series, because I know that I am guaranteed to laugh while reading these books. It was so entertaining watching Finlay and Vero try their hardest to stay out of another murder investigation until they eventually had no choice but to start their sleuthing. The way those two think and work together is hilarious, especially with all the craziness they find themselves in every time. Mrs. Haggerty stole the show this time though. I loved what she brought to the story, especially her school and potty training tips! As always, it was fun seeing some of my favorite people throughout the story.

🎧I have only ever listened to this series as an audiobook and I am never disappointed. Angela Dawe does a fantastic job bringing all of the characters to life. I highly suggest listening to this one.

This is a series and really needs to be read as a series. So if you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to start it soon!

What you'll find:
✨Mystery
✨Suspense
✨Little bit of a love story
✨Hilarious antics

Another fun book in this series. At this point Finlay and Vero feel like family at this point so I'm always happy to be back with their schemes and laughs. As usual this book cracked me up the entire time. It didn't feel as high stakes as usual, maybe because they have cleared a lot of their past or because I really don't care about Steven, but I kind of liked it. The ending had a lot of good and shocking twists and I loooooove seeing how Finlay and Nick's relationship is evolving! And of course another shocker cliff hanger to keep us excited for the next book.

Note: As usual, I listened to the audiobook and it was great.

Binged while painting and honestly was the perfect low stakes binge. These books are so silly and goofy and funny and I always have a great time reading them. Definitely very predictable but I liked the premise of this one a lot! Audio was spectacular as always and made the reason experience so good!

I've been dying to know more about Mrs. Haggerty since book and we finally have some answers here!
This is yet another delightful turn for Finlay, Vero, and company. As always, things quick off right from where the last book left us. Did Mrs. Haggerty murder someone?? Through a series of unfortunate events, Mrs. Haggerty ends up staying with Finlay and a highlight of this particular book for me was the dynamic that develops between Mrs. Haggerty and the kids. Hysterical! Many of our favorite characters are back in this installment, though some get less screen time than I would've liked. Notably less on screen were Javi and Georgia. But, we got some great Cam monents and saw the return of Julian (very interesting dynamic there). Additionally, I never would have guessed that I would enjoy Steven's character when reading the first book and yet here we are.

The overall mystery was just okay for me and a little heavy-handed at times, but since I am in it for so much more than just that I didn't mind. One added bonus of this particular storyline is that it led to an actual discussion between Finlay and Nick, our dreamboat cop. No spoilers, but it was pretty great.

**This one does end on a cliffhanger, so expect more hijinks in the future! And to my great relief, probably more Javi!!

I was surprised when I saw there was going to be another Finlay Donovan book because I thought it was a 4 book series. I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline being as engaging as the original four books. It reminds me of the Janet Evanovich books, but a little darker.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advance reader copy and to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

She's back! This is the fifth Finlay Donovan novel. And I think it's my favorite since the first.

We're back with Finlay, Vero, and all their crime solving antics. I think this series works best in order because we get lots of cameos from previous characters, and it helps to know who they are. I loved the way some long running story arcs were revealed.

And the ending set up something really interesting for where we go next. I'm thrilled to feel the series is back in the groove that made me love it. It feels like a mom who gets caught up in a mystery through no fault of her own. And I enjoy that feeling of it could happen to me.

Angela Dawe narrated the audiobook well. I especially prefer the audio format for this series.

The 5th installment of Finlay Donovan series by @ellecosimano is here! I was so excited to get an ARC of this book. I have loved this series since the very first book and book 5– FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE — might be my favorite!

As always, Finlay and Vero are trying to keep themselves out of trouble but find themselves in the center of it instead. After Finlay’s neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, is cleared of murdering the man found in her garden, she has to stay with Finlay for a bit. I absolutely loved Mrs. Haggerty in this one. For Finlay & Nick fans, don’t worry— Nick is still there and loved where this book took them.

This book would be best reading all of the previous books first, but I feel like it could possibly work as a standalone being it’s a new adventure and the author gives explanations of who the characters are. It’s just much funnier if you know all of their past exploits. Thank you @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for a physical ARC and listening copy! Angela Dawe narrates this one again as she did the previous books and I really can’t hear any other voice for these books. Fantastic job!

Read Completed 3/10/25 | 2 stars | Read #31 of 2025

This was my fault... I just have to stop reading these. I had a terrible time trying to stay focused. I just didn’t care at all. I don't really have a ton to say about it. I just haven't been interested in the plots of these books because it's just the same thing over and over again, but I'm not really feeling any momentum with the characters. It all went downhill from the police academy because I still think that was so stupid. If you see book 6 on my TBR, don't let me read it!! 😂 I think I'm done now.

Another 5 star Finlay Donovan read. I love the cast of characters, humor, and mystery so much and I am always thrilled to see a new release in the series. This was no exception! In addition, I appreciate the consistency in narrator and believe she voices each character uniquely and I really appreciate it.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the read.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was as hilarious as all of Ella Cosimano’s previous books.
The nosey neighbor that lives across the street as a problem with a dead body appearing in her backyard. She decides that she will come live with Finlay until everything is resolved.
This is a quick, fun, entertaining read that I recommend.