Elle Cosimano

From Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS 'EM DEAD—the hilarious and heart-pounding follow-up to FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT.

Finlay Donovan is—once again—struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish.

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like.

Meanwhile, Vero's keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay's first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes... and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.

With her next book's deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn't a noose at the end of it...

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

I swear the mom was everything in this book 😂 I love her 😭

Amira BEN

"Please, call me Susan," she insisted. I was just grateful she hadn't asked him to call her Mom.

Girl if you don’t want him then leave him to me 😂😂 

"They're for Delia and Zach," he corrected her as she whisked them to the table. "And the wine is for your mom," he said to me as I helped him maneuver over the threshold.

"So you found the answer in Feliks Zhirov's wallet?"

 "More like in his pants," Vero muttered.

"Maybe you're just burned out on romantic suspense," she said, pivoting toward me. "Maybe you need to spread your wings. You know, chalenge yourself artistically. I've been reading about this new trend. There's a huge untapped market for it." 

"Dino porn." I choked on my coffee. "I am telling you, Finlay, I have run all the numbers, and dino porn is the next big thing." 

I turned to gape at her. "How is that even possible?" 

"I wondered about that, too, so I downloaded a few samples." She bent her elbows into tiny T. rex arms. "Apparently, the dino-hero's hands are pretty small, but our heroine doesn't mind, because he more than makes up for it with his super-enormous-"

"Stop!" I covered my eyes, determined not to picture it. "I don't want to know."

Kylie Robinson

Daphne

Bria

Cozy mysteries are so good to me. I already pre-ordered the 3rd book.

Keely Calagos

Elizabeth Wood

Good continuation of the story. I honestly find Finlay rather annoying and all the lies and plot lines are very unbelievable and not all the loose ends get tied up (I get that it’s a comedy). 

But now that I’ve read 2 in the series, I have to read the next one.

Steffi J

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

When I found out there's a love triangle in this series, I just HAD to read the next book. And Finlay SEEMS to have made her choice - though it seems rather ambiguous. So now I've gotta read the next book to clarify her choice.

Again, Finlay's life is too absurd to be believable, but I'm starting to come to terms with it. It's just the charm of this book. I liked this book just a little more than the previous one, though it feels a bit more dragged out, so I gave the same amount of stars. It got a bit more interesting towards the end, but it still ended up a pretty average read for me.

I have to admit that it started shyly and all the drama with Julian was a tad bit eye rolling. No not a tad bit.. I <I>did </I> roll my eyes lmao 

Anyway, apart from that I still enjoyed very much reading this book. It was entertaining. The casting is fun and I loved following them around. Vero and Finn make quite the pair. 

Also the mother 😭😭 Finn’s mom was too funny I love her. I have to say again that the casting did the book for sure. The drama. Two random girls improvising as detectives. 👌🏼

Finally, at the end of the book I loved how the plot wrapped up and we slowly get the whole picture.

Next book is out now I think ? Though, I’m excited to see the following problems that need to be solved now. I really hope that it’ll wrap up once and for all. That way we get a nice and not dragged ending

4.25 ⭐️ 

I have to admit that it started shyly and all the drama with Julian was a tad bit eye rolling. No not a tad bit.. I <I>did </I> roll my eyes lmao 

Anyway, apart from that I still enjoyed very much reading this book. It was entertaining. The casting is fun and I loved following them around. Vero and Finn make quite the pair. 

Also the mother 😭😭 Finn’s mom was too funny I love her. I have to say again that the casting did the book for sure. The drama. Two random girls improvising as detectives. 👌🏼

Finally, at the end of the book I loved how the plot wrapped up and we slowly get the whole picture.

Next book is out now I think ? Though, I’m excited to see the following problems that need to be solved now. I really hope that it’ll wrap up once and for all. That way we get a nice and not dragged ending

Claire Durand

I think this was a really good second instalment to the series. It continues on from the first book where someone wants Steven dead but in this book no one actually dies. It’s more so about Finlay and Vero trying to find out who wants him dead through scouring online servers and using kid tech geniuses to find the person who made the post. This book is just as intricate as the last and it was a really good read. I like how the romance develops at the same time and I’m glad that the whole thing with Julian is coming to what seems like a close. I like the build up to the third book where you discover that it was Finlay’s mom that posted that but you still don’t know who the assassin was. Also the addition of mob again will be interesting. I like that you get to see more of Vero’s character in this book as well and you can see her and Finlay becoming a family. Very excited for the 3rd book.

Izza

Cindy Lieberman

I quite enjoyed this light mystery. A like-able heroine (single mom of 2 with a cheating ex; two other romantic options, under a book contract/deadline). She and her partner in crime (and nanny to her kids) unravel the mystery of who has put a bounty on her ex’s head and try to keep him safe despite his protests. Good twists and turns, humorous but not as slapstick as the Stephanie Plum series. Excellent audiobook narration.

Another comedy adventure thriller with Finlay Donovan. Things get even more out of control when there is a hit contracted for Steven, Finlay's ex husband. Finlay poses as a rival killer for hire and tries to smoke the assassin out. Hijinks and mystery ensue with Finlay and Vero. There is a background plot developing that promises to continue in the next book. A big bad nemesis seems to be developing. The friendship and working partnership between Finlay and Vero deepens and that is great. The romantic triangle continues and is just fine. I don't really care too much about it. This is an entertaining read and a good choice for a palate cleanser or for just a little boost. It is self-aware and there is some light meta-comentary in the publishing/writing aspect. Is it possible to have dark comedy but also be cozy? Because that is the vibe I get here and it works for me. Yes, there is danger, grisly crime, and jokes about those things. But the tone is not gritty or despairing. There is a lighthearted optimism, even though it doesn't make sense that the main characters do not suffer critical injuries or life-ruining consequences. Friendship, family and hope win the day. That is the essence of cozy.

Cheryl Hedlund

It's getting better. This book is so hard to put down.

Cheri McElroy

Same great mystery and humor as the first book. Finlay add her friend Vero are trying to discover who I has a contract out on here-husband. I think I liked this one better than the first. Thank you, #NetGalley, for the ARC.

Bonita

3.5 ⭐️ this was such a quick & fun read! but i dont think i enjoyed it as much as the first book

Meet Finlay Donovan:
– Single mum
– Floundering crime writer
– Accidental hit-woman

Ever since she was overheard talking about her new book – and someone got the wrong end of the stick – she’s been busier than ever, living the life of murder and mayhem usually reserved for her characters. All while trying to finish said book.

Finlay’s got a lot on her plate: first the pet goldfish ends up dead, now it’s looking like her ex-husband might be next.

Between writer’s block, the Russian mob, and that target on her ex’s back, Finlay is ALMOST at the end of her rope.

Let’s hope there isn’t a noose at the end of it.

Laughs, love triangles, and lots more dead bodies than ANYONE was expecting, the second book in the hilarious and irresistibly lovable FINLAY DONOVAN series is perfect for fans of DIAL A FOR AUNTIES, Janet Evanovich’s STEPHANIE PLUM series, and Netflix’s DEAD TO ME.

Latitude Tamarind

Think of a cozy mystery that’s just like, a touch more stylish? And you’ll get FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS EM DEAD. This is the second volume in the series, and I did not read the first, but now I really really want to — not because I was confused, but because I am fascinated. 

Cop involvement: Finlay’s sister, Georgia is a cop and a love interest, Detective Nick Anthony is also a cop (he is regrettably very hot). Finlay shows little regard for the law, which I love in a cozy mystery. Four stars! Narrator gets a solid five stars.

Aditi

This series is just a fun time though I didn't like this quite as much as the first one. The main plot was fun and entertaining but I didn't like the addition of Vero's side plot. It just felt like it came out of nowhere and I don't care for it. Julian is barely in this book which is a bummer for me. Steven's pathetic ass is present throughout which is even more annoying because I have no sympathies in my heart for him and I wish Finlay would just get over him already. 

The ending was kinda stupid but I don't really care about that as much since I'm mainly invested in the character relationships, especially Finlay and Vero. I hope the next one doesn't feel so all over the place like this one.

Amy Vicknair

Fun, kinda like the Stephaine Plum series.

Hannah

these books are just so fun to read!! I love the relationship between finlay and vero

Megan Leprich

Oh my gosh my ribs hurt from laughing so hard and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.  I hate to say this but I really liked this one a lot more than her first.

Finlay is back with her sidekick Vero and once again she’s struggling to write her novel (no one is surprised).  Only problem is someone wants her ex-husband Steven dead.  Yes, he’s a jack a** but she must admit he’s a good father to their two children but saving him will put Finlay in some certain situations she’d rather not be in.

I loved this book so much, Finlay is like my spirit animal that I now think about constantly which causes me to laugh out loud very loudly in public.  The messes this woman gets herself into and the situations that ensue are pure gold.  The romance *swoon* I can’t get enough of, the characters I want to be best friends with, these books are just amazing.

*Many thanks to St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for the gifted copy for my honest review!*

Brigid prior 

Throughly disappointed. The first book wasn’t brilliant but this didn’t even live up to that one. The ending was clunky, the romance came in fits and starts without ever building to anything, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy.

Anna Price

✨FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS EM’ DEAD by Elle Cosimano✨

★★★★★

Drink: White Russian

In your rocks glass, add 2 oz vodka, 1 oz Kahlua, and a splash of heavy cream.

Give it a little stir and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon!

I had to come up with a good one for this amazing sequel! If you’ve read Finlay Donovan is Killing It then you know the Russian ties… which only get stronger in book 2! I also love the contrast of the light and dark, you never know what lies under the surface (Plus a White Russian is one of my favorite cold weather/wintery cocktails so it works for the timeline!)

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur @ MacMillan for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

🌟Review: Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series is one of my all-time favorites. I mean truly it’s just *chefs kiss* 

I read the ARC of this one as soon as I got it because I could NOT wait!!! Finlay’s story just keeps getting better and better and I don’t want to spoil anything but if you haven’t read book #1, do it ASAP because dare I say… book #2 I somehow liked even more!!! 

The characters are amazing, funny, and lovable. The mystery keeps you on your toes, and you’re hooked all the way through. 10/10 for anyone who loves cozy mystery with some romance trickled in! 

(P.S you can scroll back and find my fun drink I made for book one!)

Megan BV

Finlay drives me a little bit crazy but I still love these books. This one is fun and surprising and full of shenanigans. 

Shelby lilly

Just as good as the first book, cannot wait until the third. 

Lynn Braden

Finlay Donovan is once again struggling with a book deadline and is low on money.  While she is trying to deal with those issues, Finlay discovers that in an online chat room, someone is trying to buy a hit on her ex-husband, Steven.  It is imperative that Finlay discovers who wants Steven dead before the plot ends up on the radar of the police, especially Detective Nick Anthony, who wants back into Finlay's life.  If Nick begins to investigate the online forum, Finlay's posts might be discovered, and that might lead back to the deaths in which she was previously involved, so she and Vero are now on the trail of the online killer who accepted the contract on Steven.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is the second entry in the Finlay Donovan series.  As with the first book, the characters are well developed and their sense of urgency throughout the book is palpable.  Finlay still makes incredibly bad decisions, but before the end of the book, she begins to suffer some of the consequences of her actions, including the fallout from the love triangle in which she finds herself.  There are some very good plot twists in this book, and one that is either a typo, or perhaps will become more clear in future books.  Overall, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is clever mystery with an interesting romantic subplot.

Amanda Autumn Berrey

Five stars

A brief synopsis: Finlay Donovan, single mom and suspense author, has found herself in the center of crime once again in this cute and exciting sequel. While looking through a bitter wives forum online she finds a post where someone has put a hit out on her ex husband. She must find a way to keep her ex safe without drawing attention to her own illegal deeds

My review: This was so good! Please read it. I am pretty sure I also rated book one five stars so it shouldnt surprise me so much that I loved book two just as much. I guess I am so use to falling in love with a book and the sequel is always such a let down from the high of the first. I am so happy to say that is not the case here! If anything, I prefer book 2. Every single twist had me surprised (especially the last one). Just like the first, all of the characters are dynamic and interesting which I truly appreciate. Also, the way it ended seemed like there could be a book 3 which is so exciting

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

Reviews

Highlights