Finley Donovan still sorting through dead bodies in the closet... At least these ones are not literal. Trying to clear the name of her ex husband, Finley teams up with Vero and her neighbor nemesis to figure out how the dead body buried in her back yard came to be there and prove it wasn't Steven while also not implicating herself.
In the meantime, her agent is trying to pin down a contract to put her books on screen-- without knowing that it'd also put Finley behind bars.
Add in the chaos of a potty training kid, a suspended kid, and a large purple car and it's all the amusement, humor and chaos you expect from Finley Donovan.

Another solid installment in the series. I enjoyed this one even more than the last. The consistent narration helps keeps the characters lively.

I've loved this series, even when it goes off the rails a little bit. These are cozy mysteries with a slight edge compared to others I've read. I think this book specifically is more on the cozy side than the others and a bit more grounded than a couple of the previous ones. I was happy to encounter a new mystery instead of a continuation of the other plot that had run its course. The first four books each had individual mysteries that get resolved in each book, but there was a larger mystery and thread throughout all of those. It got a little tiring.

All of that to say - this book follows a new mystery based in Finlay's neighborhood. It was set up at the end of book 4 when a body is found in Mrs. Haggarty's yard. Finlay and Vero spend this installment trying to figure out who murdered this dude and buried them in the yard, since her ex-husband is the one implicated in the crime. Finlay believes, as much as Steven sucks, that he isn't responsible for it.

I will say that I love how this book brought the series back to its roots, as I touched on before. There's a new storyline to follow that kind of reads like a standalone story. The humor and heart of these books get met every time and keep me reading. I know that a lot of people are sick of the antics or thought the books veered too far in one direction, but I just love Cosimano's writing and characters so much. I can't imagine quitting this series even if every book ends up weird or predictable.

Unfortunately this one didn't get a higher rating because it was so incredibly predictable. The moment a certain plot element with Mrs. Haggerty was introduced, it became clear to me what was going on. I was expecting a few more twists with other characters that were introduced - no spoilers - but they ended up being red herrings that went nowhere?

This series could go on to be a hundred books and I'd probably still read it. The ending set up an interesting premise for the next book that wasn't super shocking (like the end of book 4 was) but definitely intriguing. I'm assuming there will be another mystery included since the ending wasn't really setting THAT up, but something else lol.

I had an audiobook review copy of this so I also wanted to note that I refuse to read this series in any other format. I think the audio narrator, Angela Dawe, does an incredible job - she has a lot of voices in her arsenal for the characters. I love audiobooks but sometimes I'm not in the mood to pick the book back up and choose a podcast instead. Over the couple of days I was listening to this one, I never wanted to listen to a podcast instead of the book! And that's saying something.

This is another fun entry in the Finlay series. I enjoyed the curmudgeon neighbor. I always really like Vero, and I think there's a good balance of personalities with the ex husband and the cop. The dialogue from the children isn't quite believable but it's minimal.

(spoiler) I'm a bit over the Strangers on a Train, Kill for Me Kill for You theme/twist.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I will share.

Elle Cosimano does it again. This series is the most amazing mid-cozy you could ever read. Vero and Finlay are just the most humorous crime duo you could ever read or even think of. The Finlay Donovan series is a must read for everyone: cozy mystery to thriller readers alike.

4.75 stars rounded up.

I adore the Finlay Donovan series, and this didn't disappoint. My favourite will always be book #1, but this comes in a VERY close second. The story felt fresh and the new characters were the perfect addition. What I loved best though was getting more of my favourite side characters. Mrs. Haggerty is an absolute legend. And the dynamic between her and Cam was so much fun to read.

Angela Dawe is one of the best audiobook narrators out there, so I'll always listen to this series on audio. I'm already excited for the next installment!

I have eaten up every single installment in this series and I am happy to report that she has delivered yet ANOTHER perfect follow up. This has quickly cemented itself as one of my all time favorite series. Funny, witty, action, thrills, romance, girl’s girls… what more could you ever want!

Another fun adventure with Finley and Vera. I love this series so much and I enjoy the chaos. Charming characters and laugh out loud dialogue! Always a good time.

As always, madcap, silly, full of heart and with a clever mystery underneath. While I did mostly figure out what was happening early on, the bits I didn't get and the reasoning behind it all made it a stellar reveal.

I love the Finlay Donovan series so I was excited to get the audio book. The amazing Angela Dawe is back as the narrator of the series! She totally nails it with her talent for giving each character their own unique, lively voice. The story is intriguing and oh so funny!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC Audiobook!

Elle Cosimano has just released Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. This is the fifth entry in this wonderfully fun series.

Finlay is the lead character and you can’t help but like her. She’s an author, a mom and somehow - a reluctant investigator. Finlay and her nanny/sidekick Vero aren’t interested in investigating another case. But, it’s right across the street they live on. Add in two small kids, a young computer whiz, an ex-husband and a hunky policeman to the mix. And let’s not forget the grumpy old woman across the street.

Well, while there are bodies popping up in every book, it’s funny with ridiculous situations that will have you laughing out loud. I hope that Cosimana has more plans for Finlay! The plot was a good one and there's some truth in it.

If you have enjoyed Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you will love this series. Evanovich herself has provided a blurb on the front cover!

I chose to read this book. Angela Dawe was the reader again - which is a really good thing. The continuity is appreciated. She has created believable voices for each and every character. And I have vivid mental pictures of each player based on those voices. She captures the actions, the emotions, the danger and more, with her inflections, tones, speed etc. She speaks clearly and is easy to understand. An excellent presentation of a wonderful book!

10 Hours, 18 Minutes

The wild antics continue in this fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series. It is as entertaining as it is outrageous. Listened to this one on audiobook and enjoyed it. You can’t over analyze these books, just have fun with them!

This series just makes me so happy! I love that it feels like a new season of your favorite TV show, all your favorite characters getting back together again, getting into trouble, love & mayham abundant! The last book kinda tied up some loose ends so I was curious as to what Finlay and the gang would get up to this time. & this doesn’t disappoint! I loved all the main players together. Cam making more of an appearance was so fun & I loved him and Mrs haggerty together! Literally so funny! (🚗🍆 iykyk!)

A solid addition to this series & I hope there’s another book in this series coming soon!

I need this as a tv show please someone make it happen!! 🤞🏼

"FINLAY ROCKS! Finlay, Vero, the kids, Mrs. Haggerty, and Cam are a DREAM Team—a total RIOT! My new favorite of the series."

Elle Cosimano is back better than ever with her dynamic duo, Finlay and Vero in the Finlay Donovan series #4, FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE. The partners in crime are involved in another murder, but this time, it is their neighbor across the street who is in the hot seat (but they do not like the cops too close for comfort). So get ready for a wild ride. I have never laughed so hard—this book is highly entertaining, filled with humor that will keep you in stitches. THE BEST!

About...

Finlay and side-kick nanny (partner in crime), Vero are trying to lay low after their last Russian mob fiasco. However, the action heats up again when the cops are at Mrs. Haggerty's house (Finlay's neighbor). What in the world is going on?

There is a body buried in her backyard. She is arrested and then released for the moment while the investigation continues (her grandson is a politician). He appears at Finlay's door with the sassy, controlling, witty, and demanding grandmother. This unexpected turn sets the stage for hilarious and suspenseful situations.

She moves in and takes over Finlay's household. Finlay and Vero are stuck with her.

Add Finlay's ex, Steven in the mix for another layer of suspense, and Delia and Zach (Finlay's kids- hilarious), and always a fun visit from Sylvia (literary agent), and you have a wild ride.

Prepare for a delightful mix of laughter, drama, a mysterious book club, and mischief in 'Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave'. This book is a guaranteed fun ride, offering a unique blend of humor, suspense, and everyday life situations to keep you hooked from start to finish!

My thoughts...

'Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave' is a delight! Killer fantastic and simply marvelous. Whether you're reading or listening to the audiobook (more on that below), this story will have you in fits of laughter.

My favorite of the series! Finlay, Vero, Mrs. Haggerty, Delia, Zach, and Cam make a dream team! I have never laughed so hard.

Sylvia, Nick, and Javi are also back with some spice. Finlay and Vero need to keep some things private. So they do not like all the attention with a crime scene across the street and a person of interest staying with them.

Mrs. Haggerty adds to the narrative with secrets of her own, getting up in the middle of the night to something suspicious, and the mysterious book club, keeping Finaly and Vero on their toes. Shrouded in secrecy and intrigue, this book club adds an extra layer of mystery to the story. They may have met their match. Plus they have to worry about her keeping their secrets.

And best of all, how Mrs. Haggerty handles Delia's school suspension, homeschooling, and Zach's potty training is LOVED!! Priceless. More of this please.

I think everyone loves this installment, including myself, because there is no mob, or chasing bad guys. Still, everything is centered on the homefront, neighborhood, and the fun everyday things that happen. with the kids and everyday people. Mrs. Haggerty is the showstopper and takes center stage in this one. I hope we see more of her and Cam again.

I am delighted we are getting more from the Vero cliffhanger and can't wait for the next installment!

PLEASE....I would love to see a crossover with my two favorite series: Elle Cosimano and Janet Evanovich, with Stephanie Plum as the bail bondsman for Mrs. Haggerty! Would that not be wild!

Audiobook...

I enjoyed reading the book and listening to the stellar audio (as always) by the mega talented superstar, Angela Dawe! I could not wait for my day of errands and the car to listen as I would not miss an episode on audio. Angela is exceptional, and her engaging performance enhanced the listening experience. I kept rewinding as these one-liners are so awesome! I highly recommend the audio for an entertaining and immersive experience. Angela, and Ellie, you are award-winning. The audio was hilarious. Keep the snarky banter coming. I love it. And please bring back Mrs. Haggerty.

Angela is so 'Finlay and Vero' that while I am currently listening to the audiobook of The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey (excellent), Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira are narrating and I keep waiting for Finlay and Vero to pop out or looking down to see what I am listening to.

Just like I would never miss a Janet Evanovich audiobook narrated by Lorelei King, I would never miss Elle Cosimano audio by Angela Dawe. They become these characters in readers/listeners' minds, so please do not change narrators! Award-winning.

I would highly recommend reading all the books in the series in order. You do not want to miss a thing.

Recs...

This hit is for fans of the author and the Finlay Donovan series, as well as works by Janet Evanovich and the Stephanie Plum series.

Thanks to St. Martins Press, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for a gifted advanced reading and listening copy for my honest thoughts. #MacAudio2025 #SMPInfluencers

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: March 4, 2025
Mar 2025 Must-Read Books
March Newsletter

I voluntarily read, listened to, and reviewed advanced copies of this book and audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) and Macmillan Audio!

When a body is found in her elderly neighbor’s backyard, Finlay finds herself with a temporary new housemate.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth book in the Finlay Donovan series. I would not try to read these as stand-alones as part of the story carries over through each book. Each book does have its own main case so I highly recommended reading them in series order.

Overall, this was an outstanding addition to the series. It’s definitely my favorite one yet. Book four, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, ended with such a cliffhanger that this book launches right into the new case. Finlay really couldn’t ask for a better nanny/friend (partner-in-crime) than Vero. Cam has slowly become my favorite character, particularly the way he handled his initial meeting with Mrs. Haggerty.

I highly recommend the audiobooks for this entire series. Angela Dawe is the perfect Finlay Donovan. She solo narrates the five main books in the series and does such a fantastic job. Her performance, especially in the last hour of this book, had me on the edge of my seat.

Readers need to be ready to expect the unexpected. I can’t wait to see where the author takes this series next.

The last Finlay Donovan book wasn’t as good as some of the others so I didn’t know what to expect starting this one, but it quickly won me over. I enjoyed it much more than the last book and really liked the cast of characters, both reoccurring and new faces. It was a fun escape and did a good job balancing the different aspects of Finlay’s life (mom, writer, amateur detective, and trouble magnet), keeping things interesting. As always, love the dynamic between Finlay and Vera, and more time with Cam. Adding Mrs. H into the mix made for even more chaos - and I loved it. Was also nice to see Finlay take some risks and be more vulnerable with those in her life. Thanks for NetGalley for the audiobook - the narrator was great and kept the story flowing, making it hard to stop. Excited to see what’s next.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano: A Hilarious Return to Form

If you're new to the Finlay Donovan series, I highly recommend starting from the beginning to fully appreciate the character development and running gags. As always, "Digs Her Own Grave" picks up immediately after the previous cliffhanger, plunging Finlay back into chaos.

Fresh off submitting her latest manuscript, Finlay anticipates some much-needed downtime with her Hot Cop Boyfriend, Nick. However, tranquility is swiftly shattered when a body is discovered in her neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty's, backyard. Initially a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared but her house remains a crime scene. This forces her to move in with Finlay, despite their less-than-harmonious history.

Mrs. Haggerty proves to be a demanding guest, requesting constant errands and rides, but she does contribute with homeschooling and childcare. Her interactions with Finlay's children are genuinely laugh-out-loud moments.

Honestly, this installment brought back the magic of the first book for me. I had wavered on continuing the series, finding the middle books too reliant on slapstick and cartoonish mafia characters. But Mrs. Haggerty's return was a masterstroke – she utterly steals every scene. Her sharp wit and demanding presence are a delightful contrast to Finlay's chaotic life.

Cosimano delivers another compelling cliffhanger, ensuring the series will continue.

I experienced "Digs Her Own Grave" via audiobook, narrated by the incomparable Angela Dawe. This series truly shines in audio format, with Dawe's performance bringing the characters and humor to life. If you're looking for a hilarious and suspenseful read, especially if you were a fan of the first book, this one is a must-listen.

4.5 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #finlaydonovandigsherowngrave #ellecosimano

Really loved this book. Finlay is great and all the characters have great personalities and stories.
I now definitely have the others in the series tagged to read later.

The book has a mix of mystery and humor. The humor is honestly the best part. I “laughed out loud” multiple times while listening.

Love that there is romance, but not in a cliche romance novel way. Not overly dramatic and sexualized. Which in my opinion is great.

Also takes place in Virginia. Woo hoo which is where I am.

Thanks NetGalley for the copy.

Finlay is back baby! This was a breath of fresh air in the series. So many laugh out loud moments. The last few haven’t been my favorite. This got back to what all drew us in.

Mrs. Haggerty was the star of the show. I love that we got a deeper look at this neighborhood watch sleuth. This was such a fun story line.

The audio was fantastic. I am not sure what we would do without Angela Dawe. Truly a gem who does a brilliant job.

Pub Day Book Review ✨-
After #finlaydonovanrollsthedice , I thought I was done with the series… and yet here I am again waiting to find out what new mischief Finlay was up to!

I actually enjoyed #finlaydonovandigsherowngrave more than the last books that have come out in the series. It was chaotic and over the top. Does Finlay still have the worst luck ever?! Ya but it felt like a lot of things were wrapped up. The ending definitely leaves that door open but I almost feel like Finlay’s story has been told and maybe the next book will mostly just be about Vera.

All in all, if you a cozy and humorous mystery, definitely grab this book!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is out Today!!

Thank you @stmartinspress for my advanced copy and @macmillan.audio for the audio!