Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave: A Novel (The Finlay Donovan Series, 5)

Elle Cosimano is back with the fifth installment of the Finlay Donovan series, and this was one of the best yet! The mystery novel begins with the arrest of Finlay’s ex-husband, Steven, as he is investigated for his involvement in a suspicious death in Finlay’s neighborhood. The body was uncovered in the backyard of Mrs. Haggerty, the neighborhood’s resident busybody who knows far too many details about Finlay’s past offenses. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Haggerty bunks up with Finlay, and she and Vero become suspicious of their elderly neighbor. Soon, the duo discovers that Mrs. Haggerty’s book club may be a cover-up for some criminal activities!

What a fun read! I’ve greatly enjoyed the series, yet the prior few novels seemed to lose some of their original spark.

However, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave was a welcome return to a propulsive plot with a winning blend of comedy and intrigue. I appreciated that Finlay and Nick’s relationship finally progressed, and Finlay became honest about her past. I adored the storyline with Mrs. Haggerty – she was such a lively character that it was hard not to love. This one ends on a cliffhanger, so I look forward to the next book!