Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave - by Elle Cosimano

About the Book

"Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero have not always gotten along with Finlay's elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. But when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go--except Finlay's house, right across the street. Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case--or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they've dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else. When the focus of the investigation widens to include Finlay's ex-husband Steven though, Finlay and Vero are left with little choice but to get closer to Mrs. Haggerty and uncover her secrets"--

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave--the hugely anticipated next installment in the fan-favorite Finlay Donovan series.

Finlay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet . . . but at least there's not a body in her backyard.

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, have not always gotten along with Finlay's elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. But when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go . . . except Finlay's house, right across the street.

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case--or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they've dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else.

When the focus of the investigation widens to include Finlay's ex-husband, Steven, though, Finlay and Vero are left with little choice but to get closer to Mrs. Haggerty and uncover her secrets . . . before the police start digging up theirs. But who will solve the mystery first?

Review Quotes

A USA Today Bestseller!
A March 2025 LibraryReads Pick (Hall of Fame)
One of Amazon's Best Books of the Month in March - "Mystery, Thriller & Suspense - New and Continuing Series"

"Readers can always use a good laugh in these ever-trying times, and Cosimano has delivered annually with her series featuring a romantic suspense writer with a knack for getting herself -- and her friends and family -- into criminal trouble . . . But this one pushes further into emotionally vulnerable territory, tempering the humor with real personal growth that should only deepen with future series books."--New York Times Book Review

"Series fans will enjoy the opportunity to get to know recurring character Mrs. Haggerty in greater detail. This is good fun."--Publishers Weekly

"Packed with dark humor, quirky characters and unconventional crime-solving . . . full of unexpected twists, sharp humor and zany heroines."--PEOPLE

"[A] perfect blend of mystery, slapstick style comedy and romance all rolled into a delightfully entertaining romcom mystery that's highly addictive. Well-developed, larger-than-life main characters are likable and easy to identify with . . . This one is good old-fashioned fun! I highly recommend Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave to fans of mysteries and romcoms."--Mystery & Suspense

"Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a light-hearted and comedic mystery thriller with romantic elements, making it perfect for fans of shows like Only Murders in the Building and fans of books by Holly Jackson, Lucy Score, Ally Carter, or Christina Lauren."--The Nerd Daily

"Cosimano's witty series is a celebration of female friendship and a comical exploration of what happens when life keeps imitating art--with a dash of murder."--Shelf Awareness

"If you're on the hunt for a story that strikes a balance between humor, heart and mystery, look no further than Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave."--Women's World

"Finlay Donovan is irresistible!"--Janet Evanovich

"Refreshing, funny and bright, these are wonderfully escapist novels."--Charlaine Harris

"The Finlay Donovan series is simply spectacular and always delightful! I adore everything about it--the humor, the screwball plotlines, the mysteries, and above all the cast: the friendship between Vero and Finlay is one for the ages, and Finlay's love life entertains me to no end. Elle Cosimano's books are the perfect blend of mystery and romcom, and I'm ready to follow Finlay wherever she goes!"--Ali Hazelwood

"This series is magical! I'm in awe of Elle Cosimano. Every book lover in the world should be reading Finlay Donovan."--Christina Lauren

"I love Finlay Donovan so much I would 100% hide a dead body for her."--Jesse Q. Sutanto

"Fact: If you're going to bury a body, you definitely want Finlay Donovan by your side."--Julie Clark

"Finlay Donovan remains the heroine of my heart. Elle Cosimano writes fresh, funny mysteries that are an absolute blast to read."--Chandler Baker

"I've never laughed so much reading books about murder. Elle Cosimano's accidental hitwoman Finlay Donovan is a darkly hilarious, quick witted, and surprisingly relatable woman. You'll be amazed at how much fun you have reading this brilliant, funny mystery series from one of the best writers working today."--Jennifer Hillier

"The Finlay Donovan series is an unpredictable, fun, funny, page-turning delight."--Gwenda Bond

"A fun, refreshing series."--Kaira Rouda

"Finlay Donovan is the perfect 21st century heroine--I adore her." --Sophie Cousens

"A funny and smart, twisty and surprising series."--Megan Miranda

About the Author

Elle Cosimano is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Writers Award winner, and an Edgar Award nominee. Elle's debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a People magazine pick and was named one of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021. The third book in the series, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, was an instant New York Times bestseller. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in HuffPost and Time. Cosimano lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia.