Published by Minotaur Books in February 2021
Format: ebook
Source: Library
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Finlay 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.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano honestly could not have come to me at a better moment. In February, I turned 30, and despite the fact that I know being 30 isn’t any different than being 29, I struggled mentally with knowing that I haven’t achieved what society says I should have achieved by now. Reading Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, really helped me through that mental block. Plus despite the fact that I have no kids and nor am I a divorcee, I 100% related to the weird conversation plot that could be misinterpreted. Trust me, forensic scientists can have very weird conversations too.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is about Finlay, a struggling single mom that is trying to make it as an author. While discussing her book with her agent at a Panera, a woman mistakes her for a contract killer. Now Finlay finds herself in a messy situation when she unintentionally ends up with a dead body to deal with.
Finlay really resonated with me as a character. Her struggles felt very real as she tried to be a mom, achieve her dreams, and pay the bills. I found her reactions to situations to be very authentic as the story progressed even though they spiraled out of control. Vero, the nanny turned partner-in-crime, was also the perfect contrast to Finlay. She definitely brought comic relief to the story.
There were romantic interests for Finlay in the story. Honestly, neither of them stood out to me, and it wasn’t a big part of the book. I did, however, understand Finlay’s struggle to want someone that fully saw her for who she was.
The mystery of the story was a fun one. I kind of doubt a contract killer would be hired based simply on a misinterpreted conversation, but it definitely made for a fun plot. I do wish that Finlay actually confronted the real killer at some point in the story. Although she solves the mystery, the lack of confrontation made it feel a bit incomplete at the end.
I highly recommend checking out Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, if you’re a fan of mysteries. I also recommend checking out her young adult novels as well. I’m very hopeful that there will be a sequel to this book. It ended in a way that the story could continue. So *fingers crossed* that it does.
Have you read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It yet? What did you think of Elle Cosimano’s debut into adult mystery? I’d love to hear your thoughts!