Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

In an unusual twist, Finlay and Vero are not the ones dealing with dead bodies. Well, not dead bodies they've created (as it were.) Instead, it's nosy neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty who is taken away in cuffs,  a body having been discovered in her backyard. Mrs. Haggerty is quickly released but her house is still a crime scene. So what does she do? She has her nephew bring her to Finlay's where she strongarms her way into Finlay's bedroom.

That's bad enough, but after Mrs. Haggerty is cleared, the police start looking at Steven, Finlay's ex. Now, the man may be an cheater but he is NOT a murderer. Evidence is mounting that he had an affair with the man's wife but Finlay isn't so sure. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out March 4, 2025

Follows Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

ARC kindly provided by Minotaur Books and Edelweiss

Opinions are my own

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano

Vero and Finlay ended the last book missing someone important to them missing and they want to get that person back. To that end, they are heading to Atlantic City. They say it's for a girls' trip but somehow Finlay's children, mother, and ex-husband all end up coming along. 

They get to Atlantic City and meet the loan shark, but it all goes downhill from there. They're unable to make a deal and then the loan shark ends up dead. But how are they supposed to handle this situation? Especially when Finlay's sister and boyfriend show up on the scene.

These books are so well plotted with all of the pieces fitting together nicely and the ending come to a nice knot but still with a bit of a cliffhanger. There is always some disbelief of suspension that goes just a little too far for me but an overall nice read. Definitely read the other books in this series first. 

Four stars

This book comes out March 5, 2024

Follows Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

Followed by Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

ARC kindly provided by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

At the end of the last book, Finlay and Vero found themselves in the sights of Feliks Zhirov, Russian mob boss. He wants her to find out who the killer is that goes by the name EasyClean. All she wants to do is clean up her eating habits, stop having bodies in her minivan, and avoid all men. This addition to her list is not helpful. Especially since she and Vero find themselves in the police academy. And who is one of the trainers? Nick? Oh yea. But also there is EasyClean as well as Finlay's noisy neighbor.

How are they ever going to get through this one?
Very funny, just like the other books. The Nick/Finlay relationship is a little drawn out and something needs to happen soon but otherwise an enjoyable read.

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 31, 2023

Follows Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

Followed by Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

When the first book ended, there was an apparent hit set on Finlay Donovan's ex-husband. But who would want to kill him? Well, technically she would. And any of the other women he's cheated on her with could definitely be defined as suspects. But Finn just doesn't want to worry about it. Until it appears that someone else has picked up the contract. Now she's worried because her kids might just be in the line of fire as well.

Lots of characters from the first book, even one that was sort of a passing name. I didn't love the end or the explanation for what was going on with Finn's ex but I did like seeing the friendship between Finn and her nanny/body-burying partner grow. 

Four stars

This book came out February 1, 2022

Follows Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

Followed by Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

I thought the third book of this series looked interesting but I wanted to start at the beginning of the series and did not regret it. 

Finlay is a divorced mom who is struggling to hold it all together. She has two kids and her ex is now threatening to try and take them away. His fiancee is a very put-together real estate agent and he thinks they should have the children. The latest volley? Firing the nanny. Finlay is stressed out. And now her next book is well overdue. It's just too bad that the conversation Finn has with her agent is misunderstood by one of the other patrons at her lunch spot, she ends up with a contract to kill a man. Looking into his history, Finn understands why he needs to die. She's not going to do it. Of course she's not... 

When she suddenly finds herself with a body in her van, Finn's life takes a very strange turn. One that might just be for the better. 

Four stars

This book came out February 2, 2021

Followed by Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own