Cups & Curiosity

When my book club selected Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, I was excited but wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had heard great things about the series, but I went into it knowing very little about the story. What I found was a book that was funny, suspenseful, fast paced, and full of characters that felt surprisingly real despite the outrageous situations they found themselves in. When I first picked up this novel, I expected a light mystery with a few laughs along the way. What I got was so much more. This book blends mystery, comedy, crime, and friendship into a story that kept me entertained from beginning to end. It quickly became one of those reads that was impossible to stop thinking about, even after the final page.

The story follows Finlay Donovan, a struggling author and recently-divorced, single mother who is trying to balance deadlines, finances, co parenting, and the everyday chaos of raising two young children. During a meeting with her literary agent at a local restaurant, a woman overhears them discussing the plot of Finlay’s latest crime novel and mistakenly believes Finlay is a contract killer. Before Finlay can clear up the misunderstanding, she is handed a large sum of money and asked to get rid of someone’s husband.

From there, the story spirals into a series of increasingly complicated and often hilarious situations. What starts as a misunderstanding quickly becomes a tangled web of secrets, investigations, and unexpected danger. The plot moves quickly, but it never feels rushed. Each twist builds naturally on the last, making it difficult to predict what will happen next.

One of the things I loved most about this book was Finlay herself. She is not the typical heroine you might find in a crime novel. She does not have special skills, extensive training, or endless confidence. Instead, she is tired, overwhelmed, stressed about money, and doing her best to keep her life from falling apart. That made her feel incredibly relatable. Even when she makes questionable decisions, you understand why she makes them, and you cannot help but root for her.

I also loved the character Vero, Finlay’s nanny and eventual partner in crime solving. Their friendship quickly became one of my favorite parts of the book. Vero is confident, resourceful, and often far calmer than Finlay when things start to go wrong. The dynamic between the two women creates many of the funniest moments in the story, but it also provides some genuinely heartfelt moments. Their friendship gives the novel a warmth that balances the suspense perfectly.

The humor throughout the book was one of its greatest strengths. Even when the stakes became higher and the situations more dangerous, there was always a sense of fun woven into the story. I found myself laughing at Finlay’s inner thoughts, her attempts to navigate increasingly absurd circumstances, and the way ordinary life continued to collide with extraordinary events. The humor never took away from the mystery. Instead, it made the story even more enjoyable.

The mystery itself was well crafted, with enough twists and surprises to keep me guessing. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was heading, something new would happen that completely changed my assumptions. The pacing was excellent, and there was never a point where I felt bored or tempted to put the book down.

What stood out to me most was the way the novel embraces imperfection. Finlay is not someone who has everything figured out. She is messy, flawed, and often making things up as she goes along. In many ways, that is what makes her such an engaging character. Life rarely goes according to plan, and Finlay’s journey is a reminder that sometimes we simply have to keep moving forward, even when we have no idea what we are doing.

If you enjoy mysteries that do not take themselves too seriously, strong female friendships, witty dialogue, and plenty of unexpected twists, I highly recommend Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. It is a fun escape that delivers both laughs and suspense in equal measure. I can easily see why this book launched such a successful series, and I am looking forward to spending more time with Finlay and Vero in the next installment.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

This book was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was entertaining, clever, and impossible to put down. Between the memorable characters, the sharp humor, and the engaging mystery, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year.

Discussion Questions

1. Did you find Finlay’s initial misunderstanding believable, or did it require some suspension of disbelief?
2. What was your favorite moment between Finlay and Vero?
3. Were there any twists that genuinely surprised you?
4. How did the blend of comedy and mystery work for you?
5. Which character would you most like to see more of in future books?

Journal Prompt

Think about a time when a simple misunderstanding led to a much larger situation than you expected. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is a reminder that life can be chaotic, unpredictable, and sometimes completely absurd. Yet it is often those unexpected moments that make for the best stories.