Finlay Donovan By Elle Cosimano: Series Summaries

My overview/review of the Finlay Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano, is just that, an overview/review. However, I am starting with the Goodreads summary for each book in the series: Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, Finlay Donovan Knocks’m Dead and Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun. No worries about spoilers (although the summaries might have slight spoilers by their nature- but nothing that would alter the reading experience). Through an overall review of the series, I aim not to spoil anything in the three-book series. I was thrilled to have an opportunity to interview Elle Cosimano (linked). Please, check it out!

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

“Getting the job done” for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

Finlay Donovan is killing it…except, she’s really not. 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. She soon 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 moments, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from award-winning Elle Cosimano.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It Book Information

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Book Information

Publisher: Minotaur Books (February 2, 2021)

ISBN-10: 1250241707

ISBN-13: 978-1250241702

Finlay Donovan Knocks’m Dead

Finlay Donovan is―once again―struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she’s dealt with lately is that of her daughter’s pet goldfish.

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he’s a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she’d like.

Meanwhile, Vero’s keeping secrets and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay’s first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes… and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.

With her next book’s deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn’t a noose at the end of it…

From Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead―the hilarious and heart-pounding follow-up to Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

Finlay Donovan Knocks’m Dead Information

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Information:

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books (February 1, 2022)

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250242185

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250242181

Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun

Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she’s a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had “borrowed” in the process of saving the life of Finlay’s ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.

Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.

Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen’s police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay’s looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob’s clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero’s past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.

From USA Today bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun—the highly anticipated, hilarious, and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series…

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun Information

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Book Information

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books (January 31, 2023)

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 125084603X

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250846037

 

Finlay Donovan Series By Elle Cosimano: Overview/Review

What can I say about Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Series? EVERYTHING, THAT’S WHAT! Well, everything that won’t spoil anything. I’ve been dying to scream from the rooftops how much I love these books. I’ve thrown them at so many customers, at Barnes and Noble, that I popped my shoulder out of place.

Look. Let’s be honest. I’m not a mom. But that is how brilliantly Finlay is written. Even as a peasant to my Royal Coven, I get it. Not only do I get it, but it stirs so many emotions. It is hysterical, heartfelt, and heartbreaking. Then you have the mystery/thriller piece. That is never forgotten. Finlay may fall into her madcap adventures, but those adventures are full of intrigue, suspense, and twists.

Much of what I discuss in this review, is also addressed in my interview with Elle Cosimano (linked).

Furthermore, there is no way to not discuss the surrounding cast of characters that Elle Cosimano has written. From the snarky, witty, and whip-smart babysitter turned side-kick, Vero to her miscreant of an ex-husband, Steven. And these are just the start. In each installment of the series, Cosimano writes incredible side characters that never lose pace with the main characters or plot.

While I am, and always will be a dark heart reader, Finlay Donovan is truly a light-hearted romp of a series. Even if you don’t normally enjoy anything but dark writing? Cosimano provides a tall glass of cold water after drinking Dr. Pepper all week. For those (and I will never understand this but anyhow…) who don’t like thrillers with unlikeable characters? This is for you. Cosimano writes characters that you will cheer for, love, and relate to (no matter what walk of life you are from).

“I’m pretty sure confetti exploded from my ovaries as he set her gently on her feet.”

Speaking of writing. PHHHHHEEEWW! Elle Cosimano writes her ass off throughout the Finlay Donovan series. Each book has its own unique and fresh twist. Meanwhile, it carries over the best parts of the book before. Moreover, themes such as the best and worst of motherhood, the lifestyle of writers (the struggle is real), friendship, and found family, the Finlay Donovan Series quite literally, knocks’m dead.

My life isn’t some cute, curated Instagram page, Julian! You’re right, it’s a hot freaking mess! It comes with baby gates and childproof locks. It comes with car seats and diapers, and a controlling ex-husband, and a meddling, nosy, opinionated mother, and a sister who’s a cop!

One last thought- for those that are audiobook-inclined, Angela Dawe does a brilliant job with this series.