Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (Finlay Donovan #5)

 

You know that feeling when life has been going rapid fire for awhile and things finally start to calm down a

little for you to catch your breath? That’s what the newest book in the Finlay Donovan series feels like.  Don’t

get me wrong … all the crazy is still there - it’s just a little bit LESS and that’s not a bad thing!

This time around Finlay’s busybody neighbor Mrs. Haggerty is under suspicion regarding a dead body found buried in her rose garden. However, the investigation soon shifts to someone else close to Finlay … her ex-husband Steven! He may be a cheater, but Finlay knows he’s not a murderer. Can she prove his innocence before the police throw the book at him?

Here are some of my favorite things about this book:

• The audio was amazing as always.  Angela Dawe truly IS every character in this story, and I can’t imagine the series without her!

• The story is simpler this time around. I love all four prior books, but it was a nice change of pace to have a less convoluted story to follow. It felt like a needed breather.

• It was fun to see more of Finlay’s kids, Delia and Zach, who sometimes get lost in all of Finlay and Vero’s shenanigans. It’s a welcome throwback to the series opener, and they both stole the show a few times. I’m still lol’ing at the potty training scenes!

• Mrs. Haggerty. What a character! Peel the layers of that ‘onion’ and you may be surprised what you find. Ironically, just like an actual onion, I loved her and was irritated by her simultaneously!

• It was nice to see some growth in Finlay and Nick’s relationship arc. I really loved the thread about trust and seeing the choice Finlay made regarding it.

• Cam. The kid is hilarious … and well fed. IYKYK

A couple things that I didn’t like as much:

• I didn’t hate but didn’t love the mystery. It was unbelievable on so many levels and the resolution felt too easy. Luckily the story around it made up for it.

• A little heavy on the women as victims theme, which isn’t a favorite for me.

• It felt like Vero wasn’t QUITE as present this time. I always love as much Finlay and Vero  interaction as possible, but it seemed like Finlay and Nick took some of that previous focus. Maybe it was just me.

All in all, another delightful and fun outing with Finlay, Vero and the crew. I think I may get my wish for more Vero in the next installment, as the epilogue shines the spotlight her way!

★★★★ 

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Elle Cosimano for the digital ARC and Macmillan Audio for the ALC to honestly review! It’s out on March 11, 2025.