Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT...except, she’s really not. 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.

When Finlay’s overheard discussing the plot of her new 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...and she soon discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart.

These book club questions are from the author's website.

Book club questions for Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It takes a slightly different tone than many crime and thriller novels. How does Finlay’s character contribute to this tone? Did you appreciate this twist on the genre?

Were you surprised that Finlay is so intrigued by the note that she actually decides to scope out Harris Mickler? Why or why not?

The lines between fiction and life are slightly blurred in this novel: Finlay is a character, but she is also a writer herself, and later in the story she uses the crimes she’s been involved in as inspiration for her new book. What does this book-within-a-book setup add to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It?

As early as chapter 5, the Russian mafia is mentioned. When did you put the pieces together that Finlay’s accidental hit/well-planned murder by others was connected to organized crime? How does their involvement affect the story?

Vero and Finlay’s relationship is central to the story—how does it change throughout the novel?

How does Finlay’s relationship to her motherhood (and especially single-motherhood) play out throughout the novel?

Finlay catches the attention of two very different potential romantic partners: Detective Nick Anthony and bartender/law student Julian Baker. In what ways are these men different or similar to each other? What unique heroic traits, character flaws, or potential challenges does each man present? Do you agree with the romantic decisions Finlay made through the course of the book?

In chapter 32, Julian recites a quote inspired by the principles of Hanlon’s razor: “Let us not attribute to malice and cruelty what may be referred to less criminal motives.” He tells Finlay that he “makes it a point never to assume the worst about people.” How does this idea reflect what we know of his character? How does Finlay’s response reveal more about hers?

Consider the theme of women supporting women. What examples of this did you see in the story? Did any of these instances surprise you? Why?

During several scenes, Finlay wears a wig-scarf and sunglasses to hide her identity, or while she’s masquerading as her ex’s fiancée, Theresa. She wears the same wig-scarf and glasses in her author photo, which appears in the books she’s written. What do you think the wig-scarf represents to Finn, and how does her attitude toward it change throughout the book?

Finlay’s view of her career is often self-deprecating, reflecting the various attitudes of her agent, her family, the market, and her ex toward her work. How do these attitudes change after Finn is awarded a lucrative book deal? How did Finlay’s attitude change toward herself? What role do you think money plays in how society values women’s contributions at home and in the workplace?

Finlay toes the line between right and wrong throughout the book, yet she somehow manages to stay on the right side of it. Though she’s tempted by the money—and curious about the potential victims—she never actually commits any of the murders herself. How would your feelings about Finlay have changed if she had killed Harris Mickler or Andrei Borovkov? Does her identity as a woman and a mother influence your answer?

Were you surprised by the note Finlay received from Patricia Mickler at the end of the book? Do you have any predictions about who the guilty party might be?

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Finlay Donovan Is Killing It discussion questions