#ATBR2021 Review: Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Finlay Donovan is Killing It
by Elle Cosimano
Thanks so much to Minotaur for these gifted books.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publish Date: February 2, 2021
Hardcover
368 Pages
Standalone
Genre: ThtillerFinlay Donovan is killing it . . . except, she’s really not. She’s a stressed-out single-mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in chaos: 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 after an incident with scissors.
When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense 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 . . . Soon, Finlay discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.
Fast-paced, deliciously witty, and wholeheartedly authentic in depicting the frustrations and triumphs of motherhood in all its messiness, hilarity, and heartfelt moment, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.
My Review:
Thank goodness for the zany ladies in this read because all of the men sucked - except for maybe Julian. 😉 I cannot express enough just how FUN this book is! And I love that this book was forged in a Panera - the same as Finlay discussing HER book. (People, read the acknowledgements, k?)
I always wonder what people around me may think of my topic of conversation sometimes. But imagine discussing murder for the plot of your book and being overheard by a woman who takes it seriously and wants to pay you $50,000 to get rid of her husband. Even if it wasn't a pandemic where people are barely scraping by, it would be hard to pass up. Especially if you already have a bad taste in your mouth for men in general because your ex-husband is so hugely an asshole that his whole body puckers when he clenches. And what starts off as *innocent* research for the book turns into something else entirely.
EVERYBODY, please pick this book up. Finlay's head is SO much fun to be in. Add in her nanny, Vero and voila - a hilarious duo who could use a little extra money. Couldn't we all? And that epilogue.... I loved it. How I would love to see how that all played out.
A unique, fun and binge worthy read.
★★★★★
Jessica's Review:
Talk about an unexpectedly fun thriller! Picking up FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I've gotten so used to the gritty thrillers with serial killers and the investigation side of things. Well, this was a breath of fresh air because Finlay Donovan is definitely not a detective and she is in way over her head. This was as funny as it was suspenseful and I couldn't help but cheer on Finlay as she got more and more entangled in this new criminal world she put herself in.
Finlay Donovan is a single mom of two and she's struggling. Her ex-husband isn't making things any easier, she hasn't even written her next novel that was promised to her agent, and a whole list of things that come with being a mom. One day she is mistaken for a contract killer and is approached with a job. The money is enticing and how hard could it be, right? Well, so begins Finlay's crazy decent into the criminal world and she is quickly realizes it is much different than the fictional situations that authors come up with.
I don't want to give away much more of the plot because it was fun seeing everything unravel and how Finlay was going to take on the next obstacle. She's witty, hilarious, smart, and determined. Finlay is a character and narrator you will fall in love with because of her flaws and tenacity. You have to give credit where credit is due, she won't give up without a fight! I highly recommend this if you're looking for a fun thriller and a lighter read. I heard this is the beginning of a new series and I can't wait for more Finlay Donovan.
5 stars
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