“Getting the job done” for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.One of “The Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2021” —ParadeOne of “The Most Anticipated Debuts of 2021” —BustleOne of “The Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021” —GoodreadsOne of “The Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2021” —Crimereads “Funny and smart, twisty and surprising.”—Megan …
“Funny and smart, twisty and surprising.”—Megan Miranda
Finlay Donovan is killing it . . . except, she’s really not. She’s 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 . . . Soon, Finlay 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 moment, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.
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Funny and smart, twisty and surprising ― Finlay Donovan is a character to root for. This suspenseful romp made me laugh but also kept me on the edge of my seat with its many surprises. I can’t wait for the next book!
Read in a single night, applauding along the way. For anyone who’s ever wished to turn her life around, Finlay Donovan is the master. From failing everything, to succeeding brilliantly, she proves you only need to get mistaken once for a contract killer, to solve all your problems.
What a fun mystery! This book starts with every writer’s fear – that someone will overhear you plotting murder and mayhem and think you’re someone you’re not. That’s exactly what happens to Finlay Donovan, and she and her best friend get drawn into a big mess that has everything – hot cops, stacks of cash, women with secrets and bad guys that need to be taken down. Great weekend read!
Clever, perfectly plotted, and laugh out loud funny, Finlay Donovan is Killing It is one of those books that will make you smile long after you’ve turned the last page. This series is pitch-perfect and will be devoured by fans of Janet Evanovich. Elle Cosimano hits it way, way, way out of the park!
A Fun and Amusing Mystery!
I picked this book up based on the cover and the incredible book blurb. I had high hopes and I wasn’t disappointed. The story was well-paced and had plenty of twists. Though there was language, it wasn’t overly graphic and had a lighthearted tone that I appreciated (though I wouldn’t classify this as a cozy mystery by any stretch.) Also, let’s hear it for moms as sleuths! We need more books with mom protagonists. As an author myself, I was chuckling at the writer aspects of the story. Glad I picked this one up!
This book was SO much fun!! The premise is spectacular — a romantic suspense novelist is mistaken for a contract killer when a woman overhears her conversation about her work-in-progress with her agent in a Panera. And the story is in turns hilarious, dark, and heartwarming as Finlay juggles her 2 kids, looming book deadlines, annoying ex-husband, romantic intrigues, and dead bodies. This was a perfect pool-side read!
This was a great book. All writers should have a Vero in our lives!
Suspenseful, quirky, and outrageously funny!
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a humorous, compelling read that transports you to the suburbs of Virginia and into the life of Finlay Donovan, a struggling romantic suspense author, recent divorcee, mother of two, whose life is about to get even more chaotic when a woman mistakenly confuses her for a hitman, the husband she never actually intended to kill ends up dead in her minivan, her former nanny willingly becomes a confident and sidekick, and the detective investigating the case is a little too handsome for his own good.
The prose is sharp and witty. The characters are unique, affable, and multilayered. And the plot, including all the subplots, intertwine and unravel quickly into a riotous, yet thrilling tale filled with life, love, family, friendship, secrets, deception, spirited hijinks, hilarious mishaps, mystique, and murder.
Overall, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a fresh, charming, laugh-out-loud funny mystery that kept me amused and entertained from the very first page. It’s the first novel I’ve read by Cosimano, but based on this fantastic, creative start to what could definitely turn out to be one of my favourite series of all time, I can guarantee you it won’t be my last.
What a great mystery. I loved the main character, adored her friends, and so appreciated the careful twists and turns of the story.
If you are interested in a great murder mystery that is funny, not very graphic at all, and focused on a strong but under-confident single mom, this one is for you.
Finlay Donovan is the character we all need. She is hilarious, relatable, and you will find yourself instinctively rooting for her. Finlay is a single mom, who is just trying to keep her head above water. She seems to have a knack of stumbling into trouble, like being mistaken for a hitman at Panera and being offered 50k to take out a not so nice man. Along with her partner in crime, Vero, you will find yourself gasping for breath and wiping away tears (from laughing) as these these two are truly a perfect match.
Finlay was all over Bookstagram and beyond in 2021. There are times when the hype isn’t real, but Finlay is legit! If you didn’t pick this one up in 2021, you’ll want to grab it now for 2022! Finlay will be back for more adventures soon!
Oh FINLAY! What have you gotten yourself into?!
I will admit this book has been on my shelf since summer….why?! Good question! I dived in on Friday and finished before the weekend was over. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG @ellecosimano?!?! WHY?!! This book is definitely one of my favorites for 2021! I loved the mystery, the bad choices, the friendship that grew between Vero and Finlay, the tension between Julian, Nick and Finlay….Finlay….lol. Everything about this book! I am just gushing aren’t I?
Finlay is overheard at Panera talking to her agent about a plot for her book. A woman overhears and mistakes Finlay for a contract killer. Finlay finds herself in a mess with her ex husband and his suspicious wife, her publisher for not meeting deadlines, her old nanny, and the mob! Will she be able to KILL someone? Hide a body? Finish her book? Keep her kids?
‼READ THIS! Just do it! Like yesterday. ‼
I read this as a buddy read with my friend IRL and booksta @bookwithcollins and we both agreed this book is EVERYTHING! I need the sequel! ASAP…..
Finlay Donovan is a recently divorced mom who would do anything for her children… It means that every once in a while she is so stressed that her mind elaborates dangerous thoughts like “I could really kill someone right now”. But what if she found herself in a situation where killing someone became more than just a thought? What if she were mistaken for a contract killer and her life took a dangerous but potentially “rewarding” turn? Would she be able to stay on the straight and narrow?
I looooooved Finlay Donovan is Killing It!
Finlay Donovan is one of my fav female characters ever. She is just an ordinary woman struggling to build a new life for herself and her children after she divorced from a not very likable husband… And yes, her life surely becomes more “interesting” once she is mistaken for a killer… But you know what I found even more interesting? Her everyday struggle to become a successful writer, an indipendent single mum and a respected woman in general. This book really represents all kinds of women: strong, struggling, independent, brave, insecure etc… and I think the author managed to make them all likable and… above all… human.
Finlay Donovan is Killing It is fun, captivating, insightful… it is simply brilliant.
This book will make you laugh and hold your breath at the same time. With its perfect balance between romance and thriller the plot is completely captivating from beginning to end. Characters are so well described that readers can really see them come to life while reading the book!
Every single scene of the book flashed in front of my eyes while I was reading it. I would really like for this book to become a tv series!
Can’t wait for the sequel! I am sure it will be fun to read!
If you’re a person who roots for the hot mess to get her act together, then here you go. This was funny and fast-paced. I think some readers might take issue with the plausibility of the plot–it skirts “reality” but not so much that it takes you out of the story. It’s fun, entertaining, and “good” prevails. It made me curious for the next book.
This was fun! I bought this book months ago at a local independent bookstore but didn’t get around to reading it until a few weeks ago when I decided it was exactly the kind of book that I was in the mood to read. It was exactly what I needed. It was incredibly entertaining and rather funny. I am so glad that I finally picked this book up.
Finlay Donovan does not have it all together. She has two small children that she is trying to take care of on her own after her husband left her for another woman. She is an author but she really isn’t writing and her life is basically falling apart. When Finlay is meeting with her agent about her book, someone overhears and mistakes her for a hitman. She most definitely does not kill people for a living but it wouldn’t hurt to check out the man she is asked to dispose of, right? It takes about 5 minutes for Finlay to be in way over her head.
This really is a fun light read. As light as a book about killing people can be anyway. I liked Finlay and Vero a lot and thought that they made a fantastic team. I was drawn into the mystery and couldn’t wait to see how things would work out for Finlay. I was amused by this book from the very first page and before long, I found it next to impossible to set aside.
I would recommend this book to others. This book was incredibly well done with fantastic characters and just the right amount of humor. I cannot wait to read more of this entertaining series!
I really wanted to love this book since there was so much hype, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Maybe it was over-hyped, and I was expecting too much, I’m not sure. I know there is a lot of love for Finlay Donovan out there, so don’t take my word for it, read the book and see what you think.
The book follows Finlay through her life and all her bad decisions. It’s complete chaos and a bit over-the-top to actually believe! I never really warmed up to Finlay nor did I find her funny. I loved the writing style, the secondary characters and I especially loved the Panera Bread scene.
I know it’s not said often, but I think this would make a better movie than a book.
Fun book, waiting for her next to come out!
Cute,
This book was a great read. It had me page turning from the very beginning! Even though toward the end, I kind of saw where it was going, it had me wanting to finish and I’m glad I did!!! The last few paragraphs were
A fun romp with a good mystery.
One of the best books I read in a long time. Highly recommend.