In the fifth installment of Elle Cosimano’s wildly entertaining Finlay Donovan series, our favorite accidental hitwoman and struggling novelist finds herself in yet another outrageously complicated predicament. “Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave” delivers the perfect blend of suspense, humor, and heart that fans have come to expect, while introducing new layers to the characters we’ve grown to love.
The Plot: Murder Next Door
When Finlay’s nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty—the self-appointed neighborhood watch president who has documented Finlay’s every move for years—becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation after a body is discovered in her rose garden, Finlay’s carefully balanced life tilts sideways. The victim, Gilford Dupree, a mortgage broker who disappeared five years ago, has no apparent connection to Mrs. Haggerty. But when Mrs. Haggerty is released from jail and has nowhere to go, she ends up staying at Finlay’s house—much to Finlay’s dismay.
As if having her intrusive neighbor sleeping in her bed wasn’t bad enough, Finlay’s ex-husband Steven becomes the new suspect when it’s alleged he had an affair with Penny Dupree, the victim’s wife. Determined to prove Steven’s innocence (despite their difficult past), Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero dive into an investigation that leads them to discover a clandestine book club where women help each other “eliminate” abusive husbands.
What begins as an attempt to clear Steven’s name evolves into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, with Finlay and Vero finding themselves entangled with vigilante housewives and confronting hard truths about justice, loyalty, and their own complicated pasts.
Character Development: Deepening Connections
The strength of Cosimano’s series has always been her character work, and “Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave” continues this tradition admirably. Finlay’s character growth feels earned as she navigates her deepening relationship with Detective Nick Anthony. The central tension—can she fully trust and be honest with him about her criminal activities?—reaches a dramatic climax that represents significant development for both characters.
Mrs. Haggerty, previously a one-dimensional busybody, emerges as a surprisingly complex character with compelling motivations and a fascinating backstory. Her role as unlikely housemate creates some of the book’s most entertaining moments, particularly her unexpected skill with video games and her no-nonsense approach to potty training Finlay’s two-year-old son.
Vero continues to be the perfect foil for Finlay—impulsive, fiercely loyal, and wonderfully unpredictable. Their friendship remains the emotional anchor of the series, and watching them navigate each increasingly absurd situation together is consistently satisfying.
Series Progression: Building on Strong Foundations
The Finlay Donovan series has grown impressively from its premise in the first book, “Finlay Donovan Is Killing It,” where a misunderstanding led people to believe Finlay was a contract killer rather than a struggling mystery writer. In the subsequent books—”Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead,” “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun,” and “Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice“—Cosimano has masterfully expanded the world and deepened the stakes.
“Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave” benefits from this accumulated history, allowing for richer emotional resonance and more complex plotting. References to past capers, including the Russian mob entanglements and bodies buried at Steven’s farm, are skillfully woven in without overwhelming new readers. Cosimano has achieved that tricky balance of making each book work as a standalone while rewarding loyal series readers with meaningful callbacks and character development.
Strengths: What Makes This Book Sing
Pitch-Perfect Dialogue
The banter between characters crackles with authenticity and humor. Cosimano has a particular talent for writing conversations that simultaneously advance the plot, reveal character, and make readers laugh out loud. The exchanges between Finlay and Vero remain a highlight, as do Finlay’s increasingly complicated conversations with Nick as she tries to hide her criminal activities while developing genuine feelings for him.
Masterful Balance of Tones
Few authors can blend genres as effectively as Cosimano does in this series. “Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave” seamlessly integrates domestic comedy (potty training mishaps, preschool politics), romance (Finlay and Nick’s relationship developments), and suspense (clandestine book club meetings in remote cabins) without any element feeling out of place.
Compelling Moral Complexity
What elevates this book above standard mystery fare is its willingness to grapple with thorny ethical questions. The book club of women who help each other eliminate abusive husbands forces both Finlay and readers to confront uncomfortable questions about justice and retribution. Is vigilante justice ever warranted? Where is the line between self-defense and murder? Cosimano doesn’t offer easy answers, instead allowing the complex moral landscape to unfold naturally.
Areas for Improvement: Where the Book Falls Short
Pacing Issues
The middle section of the novel occasionally drags, particularly during the investigation into Penny Dupree. Some scenes, like the stakeout at Penny’s house, could have been tightened for a more propulsive reading experience. The book regains momentum in its final third, but readers might find themselves wishing for a more consistent pace throughout.
Suspension of Disbelief
While the Finlay Donovan series has always required readers to embrace its heightened reality, this installment occasionally stretches credibility to its breaking point. The coincidences pile up, particularly regarding how neatly the book club’s purposes align with Finlay and Vero’s past activities. Some readers might find themselves questioning the plausibility of certain plot developments, especially the climactic cabin scene.
Underdeveloped Subplots
Some promising storylines receive insufficient attention. Finlay’s literary career—ostensibly the foundation of her character—feels like an afterthought for much of the book until Sylvia’s appearance near the end. Similarly, Vero’s relationship with Javi shows potential but remains relatively unexplored until the epilogue’s revelation about her extradition.
Writing Style: Charm and Wit to Spare
Cosimano’s prose remains a highlight of the series—accessible without being simplistic, witty without trying too hard. Her talent for dropping readers into Finlay’s chaotic life is on full display, with first-person narration that feels immediate and engaging. Descriptions are economical but evocative, particularly in rendering the suburban Virginia setting with its undercurrents of secrets and lies beneath the manicured lawns.
The author excels at creating memorably absurd scenarios that nonetheless feel emotionally grounded. A scene where Finlay attempts to steal brownies from Mrs. Haggerty’s book club meeting exemplifies this skill—ridiculous on its face but rendered with such specificity that readers will find themselves fully invested in the outcome.
Verdict: A Worthy Addition to a Beloved Series
Despite its minor flaws, “Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave” delivers exactly what fans want from the series: a fast-paced, funny mystery with genuine emotional stakes and characters we care deeply about. New readers will find the book accessible enough to enjoy without having read the previous installments, though the rich backstory makes starting from the beginning worthwhile.
The novel’s exploration of female friendship and solidarity feels particularly resonant, and its willingness to engage with moral ambiguity sets it apart from more simplistic genre offerings. Mrs. Haggerty’s book club—and the revelation of its true purpose—provides a fascinating lens through which to examine questions of justice, revenge, and the lengths women will go to protect each other.
By the time the final page turns and we’re hit with the cliffhanger about Vero’s potential extradition, we’re already eager for Finlay’s next adventure.
For Fans Of…
If you enjoy “Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave,” you might also appreciate:
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
Darynda Jones’s Sunshine Vicram series
“Arsenic and Adobo” by Mia P. Manansala
“Dial A for Aunties” by Jesse Q. Sutanto
“Killers of a Certain Age” by Deanna Raybourn
Final Verdict
“Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave” continues Elle Cosimano’s winning streak, delivering a mystery that’s equal parts thrilling and hilarious. Despite occasional pacing issues and some stretches of credibility, the strength of the characters and the genuine emotional core of the story make this a thoroughly enjoyable read that both satisfies and leaves readers eager for more.
Cosimano has crafted a series that keeps finding new ways to surprise and delight, proving that Finlay Donovan’s misadventures are nowhere near their end—and thank goodness for that.