Finlay Donovan Is Killing It: A Novel (The Finlay Donovan Series, 1)
"Getting the job done" for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.
A USA Today bestseller!One of Suspense Magazine's "Best Thrillers of 2021"
One of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021
Nominated for the Left Coast Crime 2022 Lefty Award for the Best Humorous Mystery
"Finlay Donovan is irresistible!"--Janet Evanovich
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 a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.
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Community Reviews
âItâs a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight thirty AM on any given morningâ.
ââââââââ
Finlay Donovanâs life is a hot mess. Sheâs a struggling author, recently divorced mom of 2. Her ex-husband, Steven, and his new fiancé are threatening a custody battle and heâs fired the nanny so Finlay is losing her mind. While discussing her current project with her agent at lunch, the wife of a man who has ties to the mob overhears their discussion. She assumes that Findlayâs day job is contract killings⦠After that, there is a whole series of fortunate and unfortunate events that unfold.
This book⦠I. Loved. It. I can relate to Finlay on the mom level in so many ways. The first sentence had me hooked (see quote above). I have never identified with the opening of a book more in my life. It had elements of a thriller while also being so hilarious at times. I loved that it kept me guessing and was unpredictable until the very end.
I think what I loved the most was that the setting is Northern VA where I was born and raised. It was so cool to be reading and know exactly where the characters are. It mentions both universities I attended - JMU and GMU as well as my current home town!
ââââââââ
Finlay Donovanâs life is a hot mess. Sheâs a struggling author, recently divorced mom of 2. Her ex-husband, Steven, and his new fiancé are threatening a custody battle and heâs fired the nanny so Finlay is losing her mind. While discussing her current project with her agent at lunch, the wife of a man who has ties to the mob overhears their discussion. She assumes that Findlayâs day job is contract killings⦠After that, there is a whole series of fortunate and unfortunate events that unfold.
This book⦠I. Loved. It. I can relate to Finlay on the mom level in so many ways. The first sentence had me hooked (see quote above). I have never identified with the opening of a book more in my life. It had elements of a thriller while also being so hilarious at times. I loved that it kept me guessing and was unpredictable until the very end.
I think what I loved the most was that the setting is Northern VA where I was born and raised. It was so cool to be reading and know exactly where the characters are. It mentions both universities I attended - JMU and GMU as well as my current home town!
This is a non-stop âWTHâ book that is a light-hearted reading. Finlay is a mom of two small kids with an ex-husband named Steve who is a world-class
â@$$ wholeâ who had an affair with their relator, Theresa, and was hitting on Vera, the kidsâ babysitter. Vera quit and was furious that he tried to get her to sleep with him so when she found Finn with Harris in the garage⦠Being a broke college student, she shrewdly negotiated a deal that involves living at Finnâs, owning 40% of the reward $$$ and 5% of any referral fee Finn gives for her. What does Vera have to do? Be a co-conspirator or as I like to call it, Finnâs ally from hell.
In the beginning, I found Finn hard to take. Everything she does is over the top and everything she thinks of doing, is just âare you fu*king serious?â I often questioned where her brian was when she decided on things. I found her to be the least sympathetic. Things did not pick up for me until Vera come on board at about 25% of the book. Suddenly, it was a partnership that was at first reluctant but slowly, the relationship just kinda makes sense. IMHO, Vera saved the book for me.
Will I be reading the follow-up book, Finlay Donovan Knocks âEm Dead? No. This was enough even though there is a cliffhanger. While you may read, WTH, thereâs a cliffhanger? Yes but this story does tie up neatly. Thereâs just the next âpickedâ victim and yeah, I can already figure out who chose that â@$$ whole.â
Wasnât my favorite read. Itâs too over-the-top ridiculous, for me.
â@$$ wholeâ who had an affair with their relator, Theresa, and was hitting on Vera, the kidsâ babysitter. Vera quit and was furious that he tried to get her to sleep with him so when she found Finn with Harris in the garage⦠Being a broke college student, she shrewdly negotiated a deal that involves living at Finnâs, owning 40% of the reward $$$ and 5% of any referral fee Finn gives for her. What does Vera have to do? Be a co-conspirator or as I like to call it, Finnâs ally from hell.
In the beginning, I found Finn hard to take. Everything she does is over the top and everything she thinks of doing, is just âare you fu*king serious?â I often questioned where her brian was when she decided on things. I found her to be the least sympathetic. Things did not pick up for me until Vera come on board at about 25% of the book. Suddenly, it was a partnership that was at first reluctant but slowly, the relationship just kinda makes sense. IMHO, Vera saved the book for me.
Will I be reading the follow-up book, Finlay Donovan Knocks âEm Dead? No. This was enough even though there is a cliffhanger. While you may read, WTH, thereâs a cliffhanger? Yes but this story does tie up neatly. Thereâs just the next âpickedâ victim and yeah, I can already figure out who chose that â@$$ whole.â
Wasnât my favorite read. Itâs too over-the-top ridiculous, for me.
I severely enjoyed this book! The storyline kept me engaged through the entire thing! I loved the characters and really felt for Finlayâs struggle!
Rounding up from 3.5 stars for this, but overall I enjoyed it. I got some very strong Stephanie Plum vibes from Finlay. There was a decent amount of suspension of disbelief needed for this, but I kind of enjoyed turning off my brain for a bit and just enjoying the story. Vero and Finlay are pretty hilarious together, and though Finlay could be frustrating with the way she handles things, you can't help but root for her. Overall worth the read!
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