Finlay Donovan is Killing It – Fun Cozy Mystery From Elle Cosimano

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that occasionally, I have picked up a new book and not exactly been enthralled by the first few chapters.

So I keep reading, or do I bin it off in favour of something else? Finlay Donovan is Killing It gave me that problem but, as I had already committed to it (and had to review it), I ploughed on.

The good news is that it was worth it. At a third of the way through, after many an eye roll, there was a plot twist big enough to hook me in and keep me there.

Was it worth it overall? Let’s find out…

Meet Finlay Donovan

Finlay Donovan is a divorced mother of two small kids, freshly free from her jerk of a husband who left her for the real estate agent who sold them their ‘forever’ home.

She is 31-years-old, a moderately successful writer with a book due and with no time or money, is behind on everything.

That includes the bills which are piling up and the chapters that are due to her agent. Between one thing and another, she is simply drowning, trying to make ends meet, with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Her ex, Steven, and his fiancee, Theresa, are living the high life in Theresa’s incredible house. Steven has also bought himself a sod farm, has plenty of money, a great attorney and is suing for full custody of the kids.

It really can’t get much worse for Finlay. Until it does.

Agreeing to meet her agent in a coffee shop she is barred from she dons a stupid wig and sneaks in for a quick chat hoping to buy herself more time or bargain for more desperately needed money.

During what is a bit of a daft covert conversation, the woman sitting next to Finlay mistakingly takes her for a contract killer. Seeing an opportunity, said woman slips a note to Finlay offering her $50,000 to kill her husband.

Of course, Finlay is horrified. But she’s also a little curious as to how bad this guy could be if his wife was willing to pay to have him killed.

So, she decides to find out…

Was It Worth It?

To tell you any more about the book would ruin it – no, really, it would. Suffice it to say that the man in question is a Grade-A piece of sh*t who kind of has it coming.

Not that Finlay plans on killing him or anything, but a guy like that will have plenty of enemies and maybe one of them gets there first…

Okay okay…I promise I won’t tell you anymore.

The gist is that it all works out fine for Finlay, more than fine actually, and soon her whole life is back on track.

And, you’d think that would be enough. But then author Elle Cosimano throws in a whopper of a twist and, much like The Housemaid, ends the book with a line that will have your jaw on the ground.

It is absolutely, 100%, enough to make me buy the next book and all has been forgiven for the rather dodgy intro to Finlay’s life.

Is It A Cozy Mystery Classic?

Finlay Donovan is Killing It is an interesting case when it comes to categorizing it within the cozy mystery genre.

While it shares some elements with traditional cozy mysteries, it also deviates from the typical formula in several ways.

Ticking the boxes are the fact that Finlay Donovan is an amateur sleuth who stumbles into crime-solving. Check.

The story has a strong sense of humor and wit throughout. Check

There are quirky secondary characters, including Vero, Finlay’s former nanny turned partner-in-crime. Check.

The plot involves a misunderstanding that leads to the main character’s involvement in the mystery. Check.

However, the book also diverges from traditional cozy mystery conventions in several ways.

While cozy mysteries often take place in small, close-knit communities, this story seems to have a broader setting.

Finlay also gets more directly involved in dangerous situations than is typical for cozies, which usually keep violence off-stage. Though to be fair, it’s not particularly violent.

And lastly, I would describe the book as having a blend of silliness, mystery, romance, and a bit of action which is more dynamic than the typically gentler pace of cozy mysteries.

For me, I think it slots in nicely given that overall it’s very light hearted, with a decent central whodunit and a likable lead.

What more can you ask for?

Next In The Series

If you’re looking for a new series to get stuck into you could do worse than this one which now has FOUR books in the offering with a fifth due to be publish in March 2025.

• Finlay Donovan Is Killing It (2021)
• Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead (2022)
• Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (2024)
• Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (2024)
• Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave (March 2025)

The second book picks up where the first one ended. And, as I’m a no-spoilers kind of gal, all I’ll say is that Finlay discovers a hit has been taken out on somebody she knows.

To make sure it doesn’t happen she and Vero attempt to intercept the hit by offering to do the job themselves at a lower price.

In the meantime they must figure out who ordered the job and why as well as preventing the actual hitman from carrying it out.

And, of course, she has another book to write…and probably a guy to fall in love with…