Finlay Donovan #5
By: Elle Cosimano
Narrator: Angela Dawe
Macmillan Audio
ISBN: 978-1250337344
Publisher: Minotaur Books | St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 03/04/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars + (ARC) (ALC)
"The fantastic Angela Dawe returns as the series narrator. Dawe shines with her incredible ability to create unique dynamic voices for every character."—Booklist on Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (Starred Review)
"With heaps of suspense and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this audiobook delivers entertainment from start to finish."—AudioFile on Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
From New York Times bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave―the hugely anticipated next installment in the fan-favorite Finlay Donovan series.
Finlay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet . . . but at least there's not a body in her backyard.
Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, have not always gotten along with Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. But when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go . . . except Finlay’s house, right across the street.
Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case―or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they’ve dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else.
When the focus of the investigation widens to include Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, though, Finlay and Vero are left with little choice but to get closer to Mrs. Haggerty and uncover her secrets . . . before the police start digging up theirs. But who will solve the mystery first?
My Review
"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
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: March 4, 2025
Praise
“Finlay Donovan is irresistible!"―Janet Evanovich
“Refreshing, funny and bright, these are wonderfully escapist novels.”
―Charlaine Harris
“The Finlay Donovan series is simply spectacular and always delightful! I adore everything about it―the humor, the screwball plotlines, the mysteries, and above all the cast: the friendship between Vero and Finlay is one for the ages, and Finlay’s love life entertains me to no end. Elle Cosimano’s books are the perfect blend of mystery and romcom, and I’m ready to follow Finlay wherever she goes!”
―Ali Hazelwood
“This series is magical! I’m in awe of Elle Cosimano. Every book lover in the world should be reading Finlay Donovan.”
―Christina Lauren
“I love Finlay Donovan so much I would 100% hide a dead body for her.”
Jesse Q. Sutanto
“Fact: If you’re going to bury a body, you definitely want Finlay Donovan by your side.”
―Julie Clark
“Finlay Donovan remains the heroine of my heart. Elle Cosimano writes fresh, funny mysteries that are an absolute blast to read.”
―Chandler Baker
“I’ve never laughed so much reading books about murder. Elle Cosimano’s accidental hitwoman Finlay Donovan is a darkly hilarious, quick witted, and surprisingly relatable woman. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you have reading this brilliant, funny mystery series from one of the best writers working today.”
― Jennifer Hillier
“The Finlay Donovan series is an unpredictable, fun, funny, page-turning delight."
―Gwenda Bond
“A fun, refreshing series."
―Kaira Rouda
"Finlay Donovan is the perfect 21st century heroine―I adore her."
―Sophie Cousens
“A funny and smart, twisty and surprising series.”
―Megan Miranda
"The books are suspenseful, funny, and romantic. Just like Only Murders in the Building!"
―Town & Country
“This is the fast-paced caper mom-com series you need in your life.”
―CrimeReads
“Readers hungry for lower-stakes laughter in an equally unlikely setting will eat up Elle Cosimano’s first three novels about the improbable adventures of a struggling novelist of romantic suspense.”
―Kirkus Reviews
“Series fans will enjoy the opportunity to get to know recurring character Mrs. Haggerty in greater detail. This is good fun.”
―Publishers Weekly
“Packed with dark humor, quirky characters and unconventional crime-solving . . . full of unexpected twists, sharp humor and zany heroines.”
―PEOPLE
About the Author
Elle Cosimano is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Award winner, a Bram Stoker Award finalist, and an Edgar® Award nominee. Her acclaimed young adult novels include Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a PEOPLE Magazine Pick and was named one of New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2021. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post and Time. Elle lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia. WEBSITE
