In the fifth installment of Elle Cosimano’s wildly entertaining Finlay Donovan series, our favorite accidental hitwoman finds herself in yet another precarious situation—this time with an elderly neighbor, a dead body, and a suspicious book club that’s more than meets the eye. With its perfect blend of mystery, comedy, and heart, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave delivers a satisfying continuation of Finlay’s chaotic journey while deepening the relationships readers have come to love.
The Plot: Bodies, Book Clubs, and Bad Decisions
After the events of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, Finlay Donovan hopes to return to a somewhat normal life—writing her next novel, raising her children, and navigating her budding relationship with Detective Nick Anthony. But when a body is discovered in her neighbor Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard, Finlay’s carefully balanced life threatens to topple once again.
Mrs. Haggerty, the neighborhood busybody and perpetual thorn in Finlay’s side, is initially suspected of murder but quickly cleared. With her house an active crime scene, the elderly woman has nowhere to go—except right across the street into Finlay’s home. Adding insult to injury, Finlay’s ex-husband Steven becomes the police’s next prime suspect in the murder case of Gilford Dupree, a man who went missing five years ago.
Determined to prove Steven’s innocence (despite their complicated history), Finlay and her loyal partner-in-crime/nanny Vero launch their own investigation. Their sleuthing leads them to a mysterious book club comprised entirely of women with suspiciously specific skill sets and seemingly no husbands. As they dig deeper, Finlay and Vero uncover a conspiracy that puts them both in grave danger and forces Finlay to confront some difficult truths about herself and the people around her.
Character Development: Growing Through Chaos
Where this book truly shines is in its character development. Five books into the series, Cosimano has created a cast of characters who feel authentic, flawed, and endearing:
- Finlay Donovan: Her growth from the first book is remarkable. While still prone to questionable decisions, Finlay has developed more confidence in both her personal and professional life. Her internal struggle between protecting herself and opening up to Nick provides emotional stakes beyond the murder mystery.
- Vero: As Finlay’s nanny and reluctant accomplice, Vero continues to be a fan favorite with her no-nonsense attitude and clever solutions. Her romantic relationship with Javi adds depth to her character while her loyalty to Finlay remains unwavering.
- Mrs. Haggerty: What begins as a simple neighborhood busybody character evolves into something far more complex and intriguing. Cosimano expertly transforms her from antagonist to something much more nuanced.
- Nick Anthony: The detective’s relationship with Finlay deepens significantly, and his character becomes more three-dimensional as he wrestles with his feelings for Finlay versus his duty as a police officer.
The development of Finlay and Nick’s relationship is particularly well-handled. Their chemistry feels earned rather than forced, and the question of how much honesty their relationship can withstand creates genuine tension throughout the narrative.
Strengths: Where the Book Excels
Humor in Dark Places
Cosimano’s gift for finding comedy in tense situations remains one of the series’ greatest strengths. From Finlay’s struggles with potty-training her toddler to Mrs. Haggerty’s unexpected gaming skills, the book balances its darker themes with genuine laugh-out-loud moments:
- Finlay’s literary agent Sylvia continues to be a comedic highlight
- The dynamic between Finlay and Mrs. Haggerty creates delightful tension
- Cameron’s refurbishment of Mrs. Haggerty’s car into “The Eggplant” delivers physical comedy gold
- Zach’s pants-removing antics provide running humor throughout
Tight Plotting
The narrative moves at a brisk pace without feeling rushed. Multiple threads—the murder investigation, Finlay’s relationship with Nick, the mysterious book club, and Mrs. Haggerty’s secrets—all weave together satisfyingly by the book’s conclusion. Cosimano plants clues subtly throughout, rewarding attentive readers without making the mystery too obvious.
Series Continuity
Fans of the previous books (Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, and Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice) will appreciate how this installment builds upon established storylines while introducing fresh elements. The ongoing consequences of Finlay’s past actions continue to haunt her, creating a narrative universe with genuine stakes and continuity.
Room for Improvement: Where the Book Stumbles
Coincidence and Convenience
At times, the plot relies a bit too heavily on coincidences to move forward. The way certain characters connect to each other occasionally strains credulity, even in a series that embraces the absurd. The book club’s existence and elaborate operation sometimes feels like it requires too many suspensions of disbelief.
Character Blindspots
For a character who has been through so much, Finlay occasionally makes decisions that seem unrealistically naive given her experiences. Some readers might find her continued trust in certain situations frustrating, though this could also be viewed as consistency in character.
Pacing Issues
While generally well-paced, the middle section of the book occasionally meanders before picking up steam for the finale. Some scenes, particularly during Finlay and Vero’s initial investigation into the book club, feel like they could have been tightened for greater impact.
How It Compares to Previous Installments
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave maintains the high standard set by previous entries while finding fresh territory to explore:
- It has more emotional depth than Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, which focused primarily on establishing the series premise
- It features less Russian mob involvement than Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, focusing instead on a more intimate mystery
- The stakes feel more personal than in Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, which had a broader scope
- It provides more character growth than Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice, particularly in Finlay’s romantic relationship
The book successfully balances continuity with accessibility—newcomers could theoretically start here, though they’d miss the rich character development and running jokes established in previous books.
Similar Books for Fans
If you enjoy the Finlay Donovan series, you might also appreciate:
- The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman (for its blend of humor and mystery)
- Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich (for the comedic female protagonist in over her head)
- Killing It by Asia Mackay (for another take on motherhood and espionage)
- The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (for another unexpected book club with deadly secrets)
Final Verdict: A Worthy Addition to a Beloved Series
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave strikes a nearly perfect balance between advancing the series’ ongoing narrative and telling a compelling standalone story. Cosimano continues to develop her characters in meaningful ways while maintaining the comedic tone and page-turning suspense that made the earlier books so appealing.
The book deepens our understanding of Finlay’s world and raises the emotional stakes for future installments. The addition of Mrs. Haggerty as more than just a nosy neighbor provides a fresh dynamic that enriches the series’ mythology.
While not without flaws—some plot conveniences and occasional pacing issues—the novel’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Cosimano’s ability to blend genres (mystery, domestic drama, romantic comedy) into a cohesive whole remains impressive.
The Bottom Line
Cosimano has crafted another winner with Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave. The book maintains the series’ signature humor while adding emotional depth and relationship development. Even five books in, Finlay’s world feels fresh and full of possibilities.
The cleverly constructed mystery, combined with genuine character growth and laugh-out-loud moments, makes this a must-read for fans of the genre. Whether you’re invested in Finlay’s romantic future with Nick, curious about the book club’s true nature, or simply enjoy watching a single mom navigate the chaos of raising children while accidentally solving murders, this book delivers on all fronts.
As the series continues to evolve, it’s clear that Cosimano has plenty more stories to tell in Finlay’s world—and if they’re anything like this one, readers will be eagerly digging in for years to come.
