Brews, Books & BFFs

* NetGalley ALC & Libro.fm Review *

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave marks the fifth installment in the Finlay Donovan series, and it’s packed with all the mayhem, hijinks, and unforgettable chaos readers have come to love from this ragtag crew.

Finlay and Vero, her witty nanny and partner-in-crime, have always had a rocky relationship with their nosy, busybody neighbor, Mrs. Haggarty. After the events of the previous book, Mrs. Haggarty returns home, only to find her house in disarray with no water or heat. Guilt-tripped into letting her stay with them temporarily, Finlay and Vero soon find themselves caught in a whirlwind of trouble.

Mrs. Haggarty’s odd behavior begins to raise suspicions—sneaking out at night to “patrol the neighborhood,” slipping mysterious letters into people’s mailboxes, and attending the same book club multiple times a week. Intrigued and a little wary, Finlay and Vero, with the help of Nick (Finlay’s cop boyfriend) and Cameron (a teenage hacker), start digging into Mrs. Haggarty’s activities.

As expected from a Finlay Donovan adventure, this book delivers a wild ride full of unexpected twists and turns. While readers might think they know where things are headed, Cosimano never fails to throw in a few more surprises than anyone could have imagined.

As always, this series is a delightful mix of dark humor, snappy banter, and plenty of shenanigans, making for a reading experience that’s impossible to put down.

Possible Spoiler to continue at your risk

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I was under the impression that this might be the last book, however the ending of this book sets up right up for the next book.  If you have read the novella, Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, please do so before the next book comes out.  

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️

Blurb:

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.

xoxo, Melissa

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

Published on March 4, 2025
Genres: Mystery Thriller
Pages: 320
Rating: 4 Stars

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