Book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series and this time we have Mrs Haggerty, the nosy neighbour from across the street with a body buried in the garden. Unfortunately for Finlay, Mrs Haggerty is found to have no links to the victim but with her power and heating off she unceremoniously plonks herself in Finlay's house for a few days until she can go home again. Vero and Finlay are then stuck with her and her nosy ways!

Mrs Haggerty is old school and starts to homeschool Delia and Zach with hilarious results. But with a body buried in the garden and Finlay's ex husband implicated in it, there's also a mystery to solve. Where does Mrs Haggerty disappear to late at night, what's with the book club and did Steven really kill someone or hide a body? Just like with the previous 4 books, we end with a solved mystery and a new cliff-hanger so no doubt the next book will start off there. If you haven't read the books in order, I'd definitely consider it.

It's a fun ride, suspending belief that Finlay and Vero get away with so much along with all of Mrs Haggerty's shenanigans, but none the worse for that!

I adore this addictive series, which is perfect for fans of Vera Wong, so much and I can’t wait for every instalment. It’s so rare for a book to be genuinely funny, and the banter between Finlay and Vero is so fun to read. Previously, each book in the series has been crazier than the last but Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was actually tame in comparison. I could believe this one would happen (not sure if that was the storyline or just me getting used to Finlay and Vero!). I wasn’t even surprised when Finlay’s nosy neighbour nemesis, Mrs Haggerty, demanded to move in after her house was closed off as a crime scene. Suspending your beliefs in reality is the norm here and the more you do, the more entertaining Finlay’s adventures are. I recommend to anyone looking for a touch of light hearted escapism. The next one can’t come soon enough!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is the fifth installment in this series by Elle Cosimano.

I have to say this book was better than the last one in my opinion. It was more fun and less repetitious.
There are still some over the top things, that even taking into consideration that this book is supposed to be outrageous, are still a bit too much. However, it was exactly what it was meant to be, entertaining and fun.
I liked resurrecting characters as well as the new ones.
In my opinion the romance is losing its flare and needs shaking up.
All in all this is enjoyble read but book one is still my favourite.

Finlay Donovan is at it again but this time it really isn’t her fault. A body is discovered in her nosey neighbour Mrs Hagarty’s backyard and for once Finlay and Vero had nothing to do with it and are happy to let the police deal with it especially since Mrs Hagarty has decided the best place for her to be is in Finlay’s house, in her bedroom. Then Finlay’s no good ex husband and father of her children is in the frame for the murder so obviously the gang has no choice but to clear his name for the sake of the kids. This was really good, I thought it was tighter than the last book and just ridiculous enough. Things are moving along on the Nick front and it’s hard to believe only four months have passed in the FD universe, there’s been a lot of dead bodies. This one felt like kind of a reset, there was no gangsters or Russians just classic murder mystery and a toddler who won’t keep his clothes on.

This series is absolutely bonkers and I love it. Another wild ride with Finlay and Vero. Loved finding out more about Mrs Haggerty too. And I must have another book! What a way to end it!

Finlay Donovan is back with a bang, with even more characters this time. I really enjoyed the storyline being set in her town, the sense of community and suspicion building throughout the story. I absolutely loved the plot, it was hugely entertaining and had me laughing out loud more than once. You can always expect a wild plot with this series but I think this is the best one yet.

Yet another fun and light installment in the serie.
We get to know the (annoying) neighbor Mrs Haggerty as she has to stay with Finlay.
It's as usual fresh and entertaining, keeping you at the edge of your seat but also making you laugh out loud.

Once more, if you dont know this serie and you want a light cosy mistery, please read this.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for access to the ebook against an honest review.*

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is a hilarious and thrilling continuation of the Finlay Donovan series, filled with quirky characters, unexpected twists, and just the right amount of intrigue. Finlay, along with her fearless nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero, is back for another round of amateur sleuthing, though this time, they’re reluctantly pulled into a murder mystery much closer to home.

When the body of a dead man is discovered in the backyard of Mrs Haggerty, their elderly neighbour and the dreaded president of the neighbourhood watch, things take an unexpected turn. Initially a suspect in the case, Mrs. Haggerty is soon cleared by the police, but her home remains a crime scene. With nowhere else to go, she’s forced to seek refuge at Finlay’s house—right across the street.

Naturally, neither Finlay nor Vero are thrilled about getting involved in another murder investigation. After all, the two of them have already dealt with more than enough bodies in the past few months. However, their unwillingness to help is overshadowed by the inconvenient fact that Mrs. Haggerty has nowhere to stay, and Finlay’s home is the only option. Sharing their space with the neighbourhood busybody is the last thing they want, but as always, they find themselves embroiled in another mystery.

What makes this book so enjoyable is Cosimano’s knack for blending humour, suspense, and well-timed surprises. The dynamic between Finlay and Vero continues to be a highlight, with their banter and contrasting personalities creating the perfect balance of tension and comedy. The small-town setting provides a rich backdrop for the secretive nature of the community, and the elderly Mrs Haggerty, with her hidden past, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the mix.

With a well-paced plot, a romantic subplot that weaves seamlessly into the mystery, and plenty of unlikely alliances, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a fun and fast-paced read. If you enjoy light-hearted detective stories with a mix of humour and suspense, this book is for you. Cosimano’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of charm, making it impossible to put down.

This is a book that will have you laughing, guessing, and eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the series. A must-read for fans of amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and unlikely partnerships.

3.5/5.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

There aren't many book series that I can get this many books into and still find enjoyment in them. This series however still entertains me and I am still going back for more.

Just like the previous four books, this one was fun, lighthearted and quick and easy to read. The story was so far fetched and unrealistic but it truly didn't matter to me. I knew exactly what I was going to get and the story delivered. Laughs, some mystery and a touch of romance. It's the laughs that I enjoy these stories for mostly.

Finlay and Vero are a dynamic duo that I've come to love. Their relationship with each other keeps me giggling but I also like that they are fiercely loyal to one another. I enjoyed seeing their romantic relationships grow even more in this book and I'm looking forward to seeing how they progress. The star of the show though, had to be Mrs Haggerty. Everyone knows a sharp and aggressive old lady like Mrs Haggerty and I thought she was hilarious.

There was nothing too serious about this book and it was exactly why I enjoyed it. Characters finding themselves in absurd but hilarious situations and following them dig themselves out of it (excuse the pun); great reading.

I am always delighted when a new Finlay Donovan book comes out because I already know that it will be fun, intriguing, and I won’t be able to put it down (I read Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave in one night!).

After hiding bodies and being blackmailed by the Russian mafia, things seem to have calmed down for single mother and bestselling author Finlay Donovan. And, even though her elderly busy body neighbour, Mrs. Haggerty, has been arrested after a body has been found buried in her backyard, Finlay is convinced that the matter doesn’t really concern her. Can she finally relax and enjoy her relationship with her charming hot cop boyfriend, Nick? Of course not, because first Mrs. Haggerty is left in her care after being released from prison and, then, her own ex-husband is arrested. Finlay and her partner-in-crime/live-in nanny/accountant Vero have no choice but to get involved in the case, by breaking into other people’s houses and following Mrs. Haggerty in the middle of the night as she leaves seemingly innocuous notes in the neighbours’ mailboxes, while also dealing with her five-year-old daughter being suspended from school, her toddler pot-training and running around all naked, and Mrs. Haggerty continuous demands. And, of course, there are also the secrets she keeps hiding from Nick.

I love this series so much. It’s hilarious, smart, and full of chaos and banter. The characters are wonderful and the stories are all well-written and addictive with the right mix of mystery and drama, romance and comedy and a cliffhanger that makes you wish for the next book right away! Highly recommended!

The Finlay Donovan series never fails to deliver, and book 4 is just as funny, chaotic, and wildly entertaining as the previous ones. There's never a dull moment—something is always happening, and I was hooked from start to finish.

Personally, I love experiencing these books as audiobooks because it makes the already fast-paced story feel even quicker. The energy, the comedic timing—it all hits even better when you're listening!

One thing I truly appreciate about Elle Cosimano’s writing is how she manages to move her characters forward at a snail’s pace (mentally), yet it never feels frustrating. Somehow, it just works. They grow, but in the most hilariously slow and realistic way.

Also, can we please get another series set in this world? Same goofy energy, new storylines—I would love that!

Thank you to the publisher Headline for this ARC.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano..
I give this book 5 stars.
Finlay Donovan and Vero, have not always gotten along with their neighbour but when a dead body is discovered in her backyard and her house becomes an active crime scene, there's nowhere for her to stay except at Finlay’s.Then police suspicions land on Finlay's ex-husband, Steven. For everything to stay buried, they'll need to get nosy about this neighbour and unearth her secrets. Before the police start digging up theirs.

I know whenever I pick up the new Finlay and Vero adventure that I am going to be engaged and entertained right from the first chapter by the author to a book filled with humour, escapades and murder. All i have to do is suspend reality a little bit and enjoy where their sleuthing skills take them (normally towards trouble) They never let me down,they never disappoint and this book is no exception. Mrs Haggarty their nosy neighbour is front and centre in this one and Finlay’s ex is a suspect to . . . . what could possibly go wrong! Can you tell how much I LOVE this series?
I’m hoping from the ending,a character might get their own story.
With thanks to Netgalley, Elle Cosimano and Headline for my chance to read and review this book.

3 stars

I was fine. Like the rest of the books in these series, the mystery and the hilarity are the biggest part of the story, and it was entertaining. My favorite part of the book is the friendship between Finaly and Vero. They're peak comedy. The rest was... it felt like a filler, to be honest.
It seems book 6 will be the end, and honestly, i feel it should. Still, this was fun and very enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

This is Book 5 in the Finlay Donovan series and it had me laughing out loud as well as frantically turning pages to find out what happens. At the end of the last book, everything was neatly tied up and Fin and Vero were out of the spotlight, and things stayed that way until Mrs Haggerty was released without charge and someone had pointed the finger at Stephen, again!

Mrs Haggerty moves in to Fin's house and is simultaneously useful and worrying. Where does she keep going? What's the Book Club really about? What's with Handwritten notes in mailboxes? Fin is determined to find out and clear Stephen's name, for the sake of the children.

When Finlay finally thinks that her life can go back to normal after months of criminal turmoil, a body turns up in her neighbours back garden. The man is unknown to her, and no one in town seems to want to admit they they know him. Finlay tries to understand the connections but when her ex-husband, Steven, is arrested in connection to the murder, she has to try harder than ever to figure out just who this man is, and who killed him.
We deal with Mrs Haggerty moving in, unruly children, a determined literary agent, and more secrets being kept from Finlay's boyfriend, Detective Nick Anthony.
At first, I thought book 5 was moving a little slower than the previous four, but as soon as we had an invitation to Mrs Haggerty's book club, I knew that Finlay Donovan had not lost a single ounce of her spark.

The fifth instalment in the Finlay Donovan series, this picks up where book four ended, great book, loved it! Thank you for allowing me to read this before release

As a fan of this series, I was excited to see where it would go next and I was not disappointed.
It's a great continuation and exactly what you would expect.
It is sometimes a bit over the top and outlandish, but they're always a fun, easy read.
Did I have a feeling there would be another cliffhanger? Yes. And while I do appreciate them, it does make it difficult to wait for the next instalment.
But I always recommend this series for fans of fun, cosy crime which will have you hooked but still laughing along at times.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is always a good time when a new Finlay Donovan book comes out. I always look forward to seeing trouble what Finlay and Vero will get into and I book 5 it is a whole lot! These books are just so much fun to read, to get lost in the pages of a book is the best therapy, and to have a laugh along the way helps so much.

With each book ending on a cliffhanger, you are always guaranteed a great opening for the next book. Last time elderly neighbour Mrs Haggerty was arrested when a body is found in her backyard. Now she has been released and police are looking elsewhere for the killer. It hits a it too close to home for Finlay so she sets out to find the real perpetrator with her trusty sidekick Vero.

Chaos ensues of course and the pair find themselves in all sorts of hilarious situations, completely crazy and entertaining.Hot cop Nick is there too and things are starting to get serious.

Another wild cliffhanger to end the book and leave us all wanting more from book 6 already!!

Thank you so much to Headline for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on March 4th.

The 5th installment in the Finlay Donovan series picks up where the cliffhanger in book four left us. After a body is discovered in Mrs. Haggarty's yard, her house is declared an active crime-scene and she moves in to Finlay's house.

I had a great time diving back in to this series, it's such a cozy, guilty pleasure read. This series is so silly at times, but i'm always in for a fun and fast-paced read. Elle Cosimano's writing is so witty and bingeable, that i ended up reading this in just three sittings. I love these characters so much, Georgia, Nick and Finlay most of all. And I was just so happy to be back in this fun soap-opera/drama/sitcom world.

I've heard some people say that this book felt like filler, but I honestly really enjoyed it. It dialed back the crazy a little, which i'm really grateful for because all of the organized crime plotlines in some of the previous books got a little outlandish for my taste. This is probably my second favorite book in the series, coming up just behind the first one.

I'm also glad to report that it feels like Finlay was finally making better choices. Some of the previous books relied very heavily on her and Vero's bad decision making to move the plot along, in this one the progression felt a lot more natural to me.

This was exactly what I hoped this book would be, with Finlay and Vero (sort of) on the right side of the law this time, trying to solve a crime while still committing a lot of them themselves. I previously felt a little burnt out with this series, because of how big and crazy the plot had become, but this pulled me right back in.

Huge Thank You to Headline Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with the ARC for this book.

I went into this book mildly uneasy, as I wasn’t a huge fan of the novella.

I needn’t have worried.

I love revisiting familiar characters, and I particularly love a curmudgeon, so, after Vero and Fin, Mrs. Haggarty was my favourite.

The best part of this series is, and will always be, the female friendships.

Romance is good, but WOMANCE is ESSENTIAL.

I’m also thrilled about the return of the original narrator. GOAT.

Also: Should I be concerned about how UNconcerned I am about all the vigilantism?