Finlay Donovan Is Killing It: A Novel

In development to be a major TV series on Peacock, adapted by Tina Fey and Lang Fisher

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

"Getting the job done" takes on a whole new meaning for one single mom in Finlay Donovan is Killing It, kicking off the beloved, hilarious and heartfelt Finlay Donovan series.

“Finlay Donovan is irresistible!”—Janet Evanovich
“This series is magical!”—Christina Lauren
“The perfect blend of mystery and rom-com.”—Ali Hazelwood

Most moms are ready to kill someone by 8.30 a.m. on any given morning . . .

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 moments, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in the brilliant and beloved Finlay Donovan series from New York Times bestseller and Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.

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Published Jan 4, 2022

384 pages

Average rating: 7.57

977 RATINGS

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What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Finlay Donovan Is Killing It* is a witty, fast-paced romp blending humor, suspense, and relatable single-mom struggles. Many praise Finla...

fromlizaslibrary

Oct 22, 2024

6/10 stars

I saw another bookstagrammer recommend listening to this series and OMG I'm so glad I did! The audiobook was really a great choice! I honestly don't know if I would've liked this as much if I had read a physical copy. The narrator had great tone and character voices to help inflict the right feeling and it really brought the whole story to life! I loved how relatable Finlays character is - She's not perfect, she's struggling to hold it all together, and she feels like she's a constant mess. I also love that she's a mystery writer because the whole story wouldn’t have been the same if she wasn’t. I thought this book was mysterious, twisty and thrilling but also light-hearted, humorous and a but adorable. I can't wait to check out the rest of the series soon!

Margaux B

Jun 10, 2024

6/10 stars

I found this novel to be a light and goofy read. Sometimes between the dark or heavy reads, I need an entertaining book. As humor is subjective, please take my opinion with a grain of salt. As long as you don't look for this murder mystery to be an actual mystery, but maybe more of a slapstick comedy about murder, then this might be a good pick. My favorite character was Finlay's sidekick, Velo, because try as I might, Finlay just didn't appeal. For someone who professed to be doing this FOR her kids, she didn't actually spend any time with them besides the chaotic morning in the first chapter. And it was hard for me to cheer for a mom who choose a writing career that didn't pay enough for heat, electricity, or a place to live over say...a day job at Panera Bread, and writing at night. But again, logic should not be applied here and you just need to go with it.

AbbeyLileTaylor

Aug 29, 2023

8/10 stars

Fun Read! It took me a little while to be able to get into it, though, that probably had more to do with getting interrupted every 5 minutes by my children...because I flew through the second half once I had the time alone. :)

Can't wait for the next one!

Clancey1!

Apr 28, 2026

8/10 stars

Funny, "cozy" (if murder can be considered cozy) mystery. A bit unbelievable but enjoyable.

Kati

Jan 01, 2026

6/10 stars

3.5⭐️not your typical murder mystery but instead a cute, funny, mystery that had a lot of twists and turns. I loved the ending that it opened up for more books to come. Will definitely continue the series