Series: Finlay Donovan Book #1
By: Elle Cosimano
ISBN: 978-1250241702
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 02/01/2021
Format: Audiobook
Narrated by: Angela Dawe
My Rating: 5 Stars
Getting the job done" for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.
One of "The Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2021" ―Parade
One of "The Most Anticipated Debuts of 2021" ―Bustle
One of "The Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021" ―Goodreads
One of "The Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2021" ―Crimereads
“Funny and smart, twisty and surprising.”―Megan Miranda
Finlay Donovan is killing it . . . except, she’s really not. She’s a stressed-out single-mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in chaos: the new book she promised her literary agent isn’t written, her ex-husband fired the nanny without telling her, and this morning she had to send her four-year-old to school with hair duct-taped to her head after an incident with scissors.
When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer, and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet . . . Soon, Finlay discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.
Fast-paced, deliciously witty, and wholeheartedly authentic in depicting the frustrations and triumphs of motherhood in all its messiness, hilarity, and heartfelt moment, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.
Praise
One of Suspense Magazine's "Best Thrillers of 2021"
One of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021
One of "26 Murder Mystery Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down"―Country Living
One of “The Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2021” ―Parade
One of “The Most Anticipated Debuts of 2021” ―Bustle
One of “The Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021” ―Goodreads
One of “The Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2021” ―Crimereads
One of “The Highly Recommended Books of 2021” ―Brit + Co
One of “The Best Books to Read in 2021” ―Betches
One of “The Must-Read Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021” ―Frolic
One of "The 18 Best Beach Reads of Summer 2021" ―PureWow
One of "Our Picks for the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021"―Bookbub
A "Favorite Suspenseful Beach Read"―SheReads
“A twisty delight.”―PEOPLE
“[Cosimano's] main character is so endearing it's easy to surrender...”―New York Times Book Review
“If you love thrillers, but wish the genre would lighten up a little then you absolutely must read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.”―PopSugar
“Fast-paced, fresh, full of humor, and original.”―Jill Orr in St. Louis Magazine
“Part comedy of errors, part genuine thriller… Deftly balancing genre conventions with sly, tongue-in-cheek comments on motherhood and femininity, Cosimano crafts a deliciously twisted tale.”―Booklist
“Suspenseful, funny.... More, please.”―Kirkus Reviews
“Amusing… pleasingly absurd... [a] romp from a skilled comic writer.”―Publishers Weekly
“[A] fun adult debut… readers will enjoy this breezy romp.”―Library Journal
“Part screwball comedy, part morality tale, the amusing Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is also a tale about parenting, bad divorces, reinventing oneself, rising above misery and, well, becoming a hit woman. It’s a solid, thoughtful and funny yet poignant mystery that never once becomes a one-note story.”―South Florida Sun Sentinel
“Smart-alecky and shrewd, tense and twisty, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It portends serial success for Cosimano and additional adventures for Finlay..”―Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star
“Read in a single night, applauding along the way. For anyone who’s ever wished to turn her life around, Finlay Donovan is the master. From failing everything, to succeeding brilliantly, she proves you only need to get mistaken once for a contract killer, to solve all your problems.”―Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When You See Me
“Funny and smart, twisty and surprising―Finlay Donovan is a character to root for. This suspenseful romp made me laugh but also kept me on the edge of my seat with its many surprises. I can’t wait for the next book!”―Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House Guest
“Clever, perfectly plotted, and laugh out loud funny, Finlay Donovan is Killing It is one of those books that will make you smile long after you’ve turned the last page. This series is pitch-perfect and will be devoured by fans of Janet Evanovich. Elle Cosimano hits it way, way, way out of the park!”―Wendy Walker, bestselling author of The Night Before and Emma in the Night
“Fresh, fast-paced, and darkly fun with a deeply flawed but compulsively likeable heroine, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a madcap thriller that will keep you flipping pages long past your bedtime!”―Katherine St. John, author of The Lion's Den
Praise for #2
Finley Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead
One of Bustle's "Most Anticipated Books of 2022"
One of Business Insider’s "Most Anticipated Books of 2022"
One of The Bibliofile’s "Best New Mystery & Thriller Books for 2022"
One of Bookbub’s “Most Anticipated Books of 2022”
One of Goodreads “Most Anticipated Mysteries of 2022”
One of POPSUGAR’s “Must-Read Thrillers and Mystery Books” of 2022
One of Canadian Living Magazine’s “2022 TBR List”
"Riotous . . . Given the challenge of matching her first novel’s gorgeous premise, Cosimano does a remarkable job. What next?"
―Kirkus Reviews
"Diverting . . . such fun. Fans of wacky, offbeat mysteries will eagerly await Finlay’s further exploits."
―Publishers Weekly
"Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano was a delightfully fun surprise in 2021, and Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is every bit as bright and hilarious as its predecessor." ―Popsugar
"Finlay Donovan fans rejoice! The incredibly talented Elle Cosimano is back with another installment chronicling the adventures of Finlay Donovan, the incorrigible author racing to meet a looming deadline while running for her life. In Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead, Finlay and her intrepid nanny, Vero, once again end up smack dab in the middle of the plot of one of her crime novels. Hired guns, the Russian mob, and a love triangle for the ages? Yes, please! Reminiscent of Jennifer Weiner’s Goodnight Nobody and Susan Isaac’s After All These Years, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is clever, dark, and laugh-out-loud funny. I’m a fan for life." ―Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest
"The Finlay Donovan series is an unpredictable, fun, funny, page-turning delight. Like her creation, Elle Cosimano knocks 'em dead." --Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Not Your Average Hot Guy
"Finlay Donovan is the perfect 21st century heroine―I adore her."―Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year
"A delightful escape with a lovable heroine. Finlay Donavan will keep you rooting for her as the pages fly by!”
―Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs Parrish
"Elle Cosimano does it again! A funny, fast-paced sequel that's part rom-com, part mystery, pure joy!"
―Chantel Guertin, bestselling author of Instamom
"A fun, refreshing series. From the first page to the last, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead kept me smiling. A fast-paced, fabulous read, full of heart. I can’t wait for the next one!"
―Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of Somebody's Home
"A clever, razor-sharp thrill ride from beginning to end! I'd follow Finlay Donovan anywhere."
―Rachel Lynn Solomon, bestselling author of The Ex Talk
"Readers will be swept up in this wacky heroine’s attempts to just make it through her mishap-filled life and have a little romance along the way . . . A fun romp for bookclubs and for anyone who enjoys slapstick mysteries."
―First Clue - Superstar Sleuths
About the Author
Elle Cosimano is the Edgar-nominated and award-winning author of the acclaimed young adult novels Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Her debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was featured as a People Magazine Pick and 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. You can learn more about her at her website: www.ElleCosimano.com.
Photo courtesy of Powell Woulfe Photography
