Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

If you’re looking for a high-energy, fast-paced mystery look no further.  Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead is the second book in the author’s Finlay Donovan series and picks right up where  Finlay Donovan Is Killing It leaves off.  This book publishes today.

From The Publisher:

Finlay Donovan is—once again—struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she’s dealt with lately is that of her daughter’s pet goldfish.
On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven maybe, he’s a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of soccer moms disguised as hit-women, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she’d like.
Meanwhile, Vero’s keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay’s first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes… and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.
With her next book’s deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn’t a noose at the end of it…

Book Review:

I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first in the series.  The story is highly engaging and thoroughly entertaining.  Both Finlay and her sidekick Vero can get into more trouble than Lucy and Ethel in I Love Lucy (yes I’m dating myself).  The fact that Finlay has the added pressure of being a single mother with two small children with looming deadlines for the book she’s writing just makes Finlay so relatable to many women.

The book Finlay writes very much resembles the mystery unfolding in her life and I adore this about this series. In her quest to save her ex Steven, she meets a whole gamut of seedy characters.  Indeed, she is so focused on her quest she disguises herself to meet a mob boss currently serving time.

There are many characters in this story and it took a while to remember these from the first book which I read almost a year ago.  The author does a great job of bringing the reader back to Finlay’s world.  The writing is witty and easy to follow but there are a few scenes that may be offensive to more sensitive readers.

Audiobook Review:

I listened to the audiobook version of the book which was narrated by Angela Dawe.  She provides the perfect combination of drama and comedy and I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.  I would not hesitate to recommend this version of the book to those of you who enjoy this format.

What I Liked:

• The author’s writing style that brings a flair of comedy to a mystery novel
• The fast-paced storyline
• The likeable protagonist whose actions are based on empathy for others.

I Recommend This Book To:

Those readers who enjoy a light-hearted mystery novel.

My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Add Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead to your Goodreads shelf

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC of this book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

Finlay Donovan Is Killing it by Elle Cosimano

A Good Day for Chardonnay by Darynda Jones

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

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Do you enjoy mystery novels?  Let me know in the comments. I hope that you have a wonderful day! ☺️