Finlay Donovan Is Killing It
The Finlay Donovan series written by Elle Cosimano is an adult mystery series following a struggling author and single mom of two who’s barely making ends meet. She’s overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel, when she is mistaken for a contract killer. When she receives a pretty hefty offer to “get rid” of someone’s husband, before you know it, she unintentionally accepts. Little does she know that this will change her life as she knows it.
I wanted to start reading mystery novels, and in my search, this one immediately peaked my interest. It’s the perfect mix of humorous fiction, thriller and mystery and a great introduction to the genres. Cosimano is a master at creating relatable characters. From the jump, I loved Finlay. This series wonderfully depicts motherhood, in all it’s messiness, and Finlay’s life is nothing short of messy. Struggling to pay the bills and threatened with a custody battle, you could say she’s out of options. Although her circumstances are somewhat devastating, she is somehow such a positive person, smart as hell and, to her core, really comical. You cannot help but root for her from the beginning. And through every obstacle, she leads with wit and fearlessness.
I was a bit skeptical as to how something so unbelievable and quite ridiculous could make sense. Mistaken for a contract killer? Finlay succeeding…by accident? It all seemed very questionable. But Cosimano turned something far-fetched into a suspenseful and exciting story. You get all of the rollercoaster emotions of an unsolved mystery, some steamy romance, hilarious moments and touching ones, with plot twists that keep you turning to the next page. I really appreciated the variety, it truly kept me on the edge of my seat. She turned a situation that would otherwise be bleak and dramatic, into such a dynamic story.
My favorite duo, of course, has to be Finlay and Vero, the babysitter turned partner in crime, turned best friend. You know those memes about best friends always having each other’s backs, one kills someone and the other grabs the shovel. That is Finlay and Vero. Two struggling and very lonely women, find solace in each other (even if it comes at a pretty hefty price- the possibility of getting caught red-handed). Although their partnership may have started with a frantic need to dispose of a body, it quickly blossomed into a platonic love that both women so desperately needed. A zero judgment, 100% supportive, “tell you what you NEED to hear not just what you WANT to hear” kind of friendship.
As the first in this series, Cosimano really catapults you into such a unique story that leaves you wanting more. If you’re looking to jump into mystery but not quite ready to commit to the dark, classic novels, I definitely recommend picking this one up!