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Finlay Donovan #3
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
9 hours, 45 minutes
From USA Today bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun—the highly anticipated, hilarious, and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series…
Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she's a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had "borrowed" in the process of saving the life of Finlay's ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.
Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.
Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen's police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay's looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob's clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero's past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.
From USA Today bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun—the highly anticipated, hilarious, and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series…
Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she's a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had "borrowed" in the process of saving the life of Finlay's ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.
Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.
Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen's police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay's looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob's clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero's past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 31, 2023
About the author
Elle Cosimano
17 books9,068 followersUSA TODAY and New York Times bestselling author, Edgar® Nominee, Bram Stoker® Nominee, & ITW Thriller Award winner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 10,298 reviews
September 19, 2022
my least favourite book in the series so far and its probably because it feels like finlay donovans whole situation is being dragged out for as long as possible. and it doesnt seem to be stopping any time soon.
i wouldnt necessarily consider this book filler, but it definitely isnt as engaging as the first two books. everything feels more side quest-ish, rather than main storyline, if that makes sense.
there is one improvement, however! the love square has died - thank goodness! im over guys throwing themselves at FD, so im glad shes finally chosen one that seems to be the one to stick for good.
this also has a generous dose of the signature over-the-top dramatics that these books are known for. so i think if you are really quite obsessed with this series, you will find this newest installment to be filled with pages of fun adventure. but, if you are like me and tend to lose interest the longer a story is dragged out, then you may find this one lacking just a tiny bit.
thank you, st. martins press/minotaur books, for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
i wouldnt necessarily consider this book filler, but it definitely isnt as engaging as the first two books. everything feels more side quest-ish, rather than main storyline, if that makes sense.
there is one improvement, however! the love square has died - thank goodness! im over guys throwing themselves at FD, so im glad shes finally chosen one that seems to be the one to stick for good.
this also has a generous dose of the signature over-the-top dramatics that these books are known for. so i think if you are really quite obsessed with this series, you will find this newest installment to be filled with pages of fun adventure. but, if you are like me and tend to lose interest the longer a story is dragged out, then you may find this one lacking just a tiny bit.
thank you, st. martins press/minotaur books, for the ARC!
↠ 3.5 stars
November 19, 2022
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
by Elle Cosimano (Finlay Donovan #3)
The Finlay Donovan series is about the only one where I will put up with this much nonstop craziness. Everyone's safety is in peril in these stories, whether they are a good guy or a bad guy. Trust no one, almost everyone is telling lies. I'm starting to think of Finlay and Vero as accidental (mostly) serial killers.
Finlay has gotten on wrong side of an imprisoned Russian mob boss. But really, is there a right side of a Russian mob boss? The guy has a task for her to do but the task is proving impossible to accomplish, especially in the short timeline that Finlay is given. That has to be the only reason that Finlay would let her rotten ex husband take the kids for a week. Seriously, these little kids get tossed around like frisbees.
Off to live-in camp for Finlay and Vero. It's firearm training and forensic classes for citizens and the way life has been going for Finlay and Vero, they need this knowledge. Not only that, they have some detecting to do and what better place to get in trouble while spying, sleuthing, and breaking and entering than a citizen's police academy camp. There is nonstop action with some smooching and canoodling along the way. I feel like there is a whole lot of Lucy and Ethel in Finlay and Vero and they wear me out!
Pub: Jan 31, 2023
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.
by Elle Cosimano (Finlay Donovan #3)
The Finlay Donovan series is about the only one where I will put up with this much nonstop craziness. Everyone's safety is in peril in these stories, whether they are a good guy or a bad guy. Trust no one, almost everyone is telling lies. I'm starting to think of Finlay and Vero as accidental (mostly) serial killers.
Finlay has gotten on wrong side of an imprisoned Russian mob boss. But really, is there a right side of a Russian mob boss? The guy has a task for her to do but the task is proving impossible to accomplish, especially in the short timeline that Finlay is given. That has to be the only reason that Finlay would let her rotten ex husband take the kids for a week. Seriously, these little kids get tossed around like frisbees.
Off to live-in camp for Finlay and Vero. It's firearm training and forensic classes for citizens and the way life has been going for Finlay and Vero, they need this knowledge. Not only that, they have some detecting to do and what better place to get in trouble while spying, sleuthing, and breaking and entering than a citizen's police academy camp. There is nonstop action with some smooching and canoodling along the way. I feel like there is a whole lot of Lucy and Ethel in Finlay and Vero and they wear me out!
Pub: Jan 31, 2023
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.
January 31, 2023
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in the Finlay Donovan series. Book #3 involves Finlay Donovan trying to uncover the identity of EasyClean, a contract killer who solicits jobs through an online forum.
This third installment did not really progress the series, and the characters lacked development. What did this book bring to the table that the other two books didn’t? Not much. Everything is very easy in the book with exactly perfect timing. Evidence is always laid out in plain sight. In this book, someone randomly walked by at exactly the right moment gives Finlay her greatest clue.
The way to describe this book is slapstick comedy; however, some of the jokes were a bit too redundant (like tackling one of the good guys). If you make the same joke over and over, it usually isn’t as funny on the retellings.
Also, Finlay mentioned the exorbitant cost of the citizen police academy. What type of citizen police academy costs so much money? All of the ones in Michigan are provided at no cost.
Finlay and Vero are trying to sell a bullet-riddled car for $200,000. I searched for this car to see if this was a reasonable expectation. These types of cars do sell for about $200,000 used (without bullet holes and not hot). Fun fact: I am now probably on a list somewhere for googling “does stolen merchandise usually go for half off”). Oh the life of a reader!
The ending of this book seemed a bit drawn out and not as thrilling as the first book. Also, Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband, crosses quite a few lines, and there was never a showdown. That thread of the story was just dropped.
When Finlay comes up with her “solution” to catch EasyClean, why didn’t she try that even before the citizen police academy? The narrative thread seemed a little weak.
Although Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun was decent, it lacked the luster of the previous two books and didn’t have the laugh-out-loud moments.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
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This third installment did not really progress the series, and the characters lacked development. What did this book bring to the table that the other two books didn’t? Not much. Everything is very easy in the book with exactly perfect timing. Evidence is always laid out in plain sight. In this book, someone randomly walked by at exactly the right moment gives Finlay her greatest clue.
The way to describe this book is slapstick comedy; however, some of the jokes were a bit too redundant (like tackling one of the good guys). If you make the same joke over and over, it usually isn’t as funny on the retellings.
Also, Finlay mentioned the exorbitant cost of the citizen police academy. What type of citizen police academy costs so much money? All of the ones in Michigan are provided at no cost.
Finlay and Vero are trying to sell a bullet-riddled car for $200,000. I searched for this car to see if this was a reasonable expectation. These types of cars do sell for about $200,000 used (without bullet holes and not hot). Fun fact: I am now probably on a list somewhere for googling “does stolen merchandise usually go for half off”). Oh the life of a reader!
The ending of this book seemed a bit drawn out and not as thrilling as the first book. Also, Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband, crosses quite a few lines, and there was never a showdown. That thread of the story was just dropped.
When Finlay comes up with her “solution” to catch EasyClean, why didn’t she try that even before the citizen police academy? The narrative thread seemed a little weak.
Although Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun was decent, it lacked the luster of the previous two books and didn’t have the laugh-out-loud moments.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
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September 5, 2026
"That resolution of yours is a load of horseshit."New Year, New Finlay. She's put it all behind her.
The extra cookies, the stress about her ex, and all of the bodies she has hiding around town (she's not a serial killer...but she's found a lot of people postmortem and there were extenuating circumstances.)
And the latest extenuating circumstance is becoming a hellova problem. (Turns out when you accidently drop a tower of cars on a hitman, and it's witnessed by the Russian mob...things get complicated).
Which is how Finlay and her nanny-accountant Vero find themselves in a citizen's police academy - under the guise of getting firsthand research for Finlay's latest book (but really trying to find a dirty cop for the Russian mob).
"Loan sharks don’t negotiate, Finn. They break kneecaps and chop off fingers."
But how can Finlay keep her secrets when surrounded by officers on all sides? And what is she supposed to do when she actually finds the dirty cop? And why can't she write a single good spicy scene for her latest book? It's all too much!
Okay, okay. I know I gave this one four stars and honestly, for the most part I was along for the ride. It's well-written, lighthearted and a good time!
“You do the job long enough, gets harder to tell. We’re all liars,” he said, taking the gun and reloading the magazine with a snap. “Some of us are just better at hiding it.”
But it did start to stretch the bounds of believability.
There's so many loose ends that I can't imagine Finlay being able to pull this off long term (especially considering the bodies are piling up and it's only been about 4 months since the book series started).
So, I will say a low 4-stars, hovering just above three BUT I still had fun with this book, the characters are enjoyable, the kids are adorable, and we finally get some pretty good action.
It was a fun read, and what more can I ask for?
June 4, 2022
Another thrilling, fun-filled, action packed, over-the-top adventure with my favorite gal pals, Finlay and Vero!!
In this 3rd-installment of the beloved Finlay Donovan Mystery series, Finlay and Vero pack their bags and head to a recently developed Citizen's Police Academy.
Nick, Finlay's potential love interest, is the cop in charge of the program and many of his departmental friends are there acting as instructors. Finlay is under the guise of researching her next book, but we all know how true that is.
She's actually there to try to find the mysterious character, Easy Clean. But like, yeah, she does actually need to finish that book. Will her protagonist get together with the cop?
As you can imagine, Finlay and Vero's time living in dorms, attending classes where they get put through police training along with Finlay's elderly neighbor, some over-enthusiastic podcasters and others, will not be without its hijinks.
There's so much going on in this one. Finlay's ex-husband is circling around, trying to make amends, which Finlay wants no part of. Vero's past gets brought up in a big way and mob boss, Feliks isn't quite done with the ladies yet.
The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorite Cozy Mystery series ever. The main reasons for that are the characters and the humor.
Finlay has such a dry sense of humor. I absolutely love the way she describes everything going on around her and her feelings about it. I'm seriously in stitches half the time.
I have listened to the entire series on audio and definitely recommend that medium. At this point, the narrator, Angela Dawe, is Finlay Donovan to me. Her voice-work in that role is top notch!
The relationship between Finlay and Vero is perfect as well. They're so in deep together at this point. I love how even though, they are pretty different when you think about it, they are fully committed to one another and their friendship benefits them both equally.
The ending of this leads me to believe there will absolutely be a fourth installment. I'm not sure how many books are slated to be in this series, but I will be reading them all. Each and every one. Happily and with excitement.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I have been so excited for this release and it definitely didn't disappoint.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is available now!!!
In this 3rd-installment of the beloved Finlay Donovan Mystery series, Finlay and Vero pack their bags and head to a recently developed Citizen's Police Academy.
Nick, Finlay's potential love interest, is the cop in charge of the program and many of his departmental friends are there acting as instructors. Finlay is under the guise of researching her next book, but we all know how true that is.
She's actually there to try to find the mysterious character, Easy Clean. But like, yeah, she does actually need to finish that book. Will her protagonist get together with the cop?
As you can imagine, Finlay and Vero's time living in dorms, attending classes where they get put through police training along with Finlay's elderly neighbor, some over-enthusiastic podcasters and others, will not be without its hijinks.
There's so much going on in this one. Finlay's ex-husband is circling around, trying to make amends, which Finlay wants no part of. Vero's past gets brought up in a big way and mob boss, Feliks isn't quite done with the ladies yet.
The Finlay Donovan series is one of my favorite Cozy Mystery series ever. The main reasons for that are the characters and the humor.
Finlay has such a dry sense of humor. I absolutely love the way she describes everything going on around her and her feelings about it. I'm seriously in stitches half the time.
I have listened to the entire series on audio and definitely recommend that medium. At this point, the narrator, Angela Dawe, is Finlay Donovan to me. Her voice-work in that role is top notch!
The relationship between Finlay and Vero is perfect as well. They're so in deep together at this point. I love how even though, they are pretty different when you think about it, they are fully committed to one another and their friendship benefits them both equally.
The ending of this leads me to believe there will absolutely be a fourth installment. I'm not sure how many books are slated to be in this series, but I will be reading them all. Each and every one. Happily and with excitement.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I have been so excited for this release and it definitely didn't disappoint.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is available now!!!
January 17, 2023
What do Lucy and Ethel, Laverne and Shirley and Finlay and Vero all have in common? Well, first they’re hilarious, but even more to the point … they can’t stay out of trouble! True to form, Finlay and Vero find themselves neck deep in it again in Book 3 - this time doing a citizen’s police training camp to learn how to administer the law while hoping the cops they’re surrounded by don’t figure out how much of it they’ve broken!
Finlay and Vero want to do the right things, but people keep ending up dead whenever they’re around. That’s what happens when you cross Feliks Zhirov, a Russian mob boss. Now he’s calling in a favor, and if they don’t want their secrets revealed, they’ll play ball! Will Finlay’s smitten detective Nick Anthony, her cop sister Georgia, or any number of the other officers she’s spending her training week with discover hers and Vero’s secrets? I can’t say, but I will say that trouble is no stranger once again!
Full of their typical OTT antics, great characters old and new, a little bite of “dessert” as Vero likes to call it (use your imagination 😉), and a hilarious opening scene involving a toddler and an occupied bathroom stall, this was the fun I’ve come to expect from this series. One new thing? I read and listened to it this time and Angela Dawes was perfection. Her voicing of Vero particularly makes me laugh!
Honestly, if you haven’t tried this series yet and you enjoy books with two comical leading ladies, I highly recommend you try it. This is one series you’d be better off reading in order, though, as the story does build on itself in each book. I can’t wait for Book #4!
★★★★
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley and author Elle Cosimano for the digital ARC and ALC to honestly review. It’s due to be published on Jan. 31, 2023.
Finlay and Vero want to do the right things, but people keep ending up dead whenever they’re around. That’s what happens when you cross Feliks Zhirov, a Russian mob boss. Now he’s calling in a favor, and if they don’t want their secrets revealed, they’ll play ball! Will Finlay’s smitten detective Nick Anthony, her cop sister Georgia, or any number of the other officers she’s spending her training week with discover hers and Vero’s secrets? I can’t say, but I will say that trouble is no stranger once again!
Full of their typical OTT antics, great characters old and new, a little bite of “dessert” as Vero likes to call it (use your imagination 😉), and a hilarious opening scene involving a toddler and an occupied bathroom stall, this was the fun I’ve come to expect from this series. One new thing? I read and listened to it this time and Angela Dawes was perfection. Her voicing of Vero particularly makes me laugh!
Honestly, if you haven’t tried this series yet and you enjoy books with two comical leading ladies, I highly recommend you try it. This is one series you’d be better off reading in order, though, as the story does build on itself in each book. I can’t wait for Book #4!
★★★★
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley and author Elle Cosimano for the digital ARC and ALC to honestly review. It’s due to be published on Jan. 31, 2023.
June 7, 2022
Finlay and Vero are back at it again in book #3!! These two get themselves into some hilarious situations which make for quite an entertaining read. I do have to say this is my least favorite in the series so far, but with that being said, it is still an extremely enjoyable book. The characters are all fantastic and well developed! The only negative of this book for me, is it is very unbelievable and has a lot of super far-fetched scenarios. I expect it to be some level of far-fetched because that’s what makes the book funny and light but this time, it was just too much. In the next book, I’m really hoping to see a bit more happen in Finlay and Vero’s love lives. I can’t wait to see what book #3 brings.
Thank you St Martins Press (Minotaur Books), and Net Galley, for an ARC in return for my honest review.
Thank you St Martins Press (Minotaur Books), and Net Galley, for an ARC in return for my honest review.
August 5, 2022
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series but the beginning of this book made me laugh so hard, any mother who has had a rambunctious 2 year old will identify with this situation!!
The novel opens with Finlay desperately trying to get her toddler son, Zach, to come out from a stall in the men’s restroom of a Walmart!! How he got there with his light up sneakers and how they got out of the situation was great fun!!
On to the main story, Finlay and Vero are still up to their eyeballs in trouble with mob boss Felik who wants Finlay to find and identify a contract killer. He did her a favor and he wants payment and he wants it now!!
As they work through how they will find "EasyClean" (the name they have given the contract killer), they begin to think that perhaps he or she is a cop!!
Lucky for them, there is a civilian police academy that Nick has just started and Finn and Vero sign up for the week. Where else will they find so many policeman, good and bad!
What ensues is an exciting look at what police officers go through during training, toned down for civilians. Finlay and Vero learn more about shooting firearms, evading pursuers, finding the “bad guys”, disarming and restraining them. All of this knowledge will come in handy during the next week.
There are some great side characters including:
Nick, the hot cop who really really wants to get to know Finlay better
Javi, Vero’s friend and on again off again love interest
Georgia, Finlay’s sister and a police officer also at the civilian academy
Joey, Nick’s current partner, is he a good buy or bad guy?
Charlie, a retired cop and Nick’s former partner
Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband
No spoilers here, just a recommendation that this is a fun and exciting read with Finlay and Vero getting into their usual unconventional situations!!
This could easily be read in a couple of sittings, I just had a lot of distractions or I would have whipped through it.
I can recommend this to all those who have enjoyed the first two books and I do think that this book will work best if you have read the previous episodes.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title!
I have enjoyed all of the books in this series but the beginning of this book made me laugh so hard, any mother who has had a rambunctious 2 year old will identify with this situation!!
The novel opens with Finlay desperately trying to get her toddler son, Zach, to come out from a stall in the men’s restroom of a Walmart!! How he got there with his light up sneakers and how they got out of the situation was great fun!!
On to the main story, Finlay and Vero are still up to their eyeballs in trouble with mob boss Felik who wants Finlay to find and identify a contract killer. He did her a favor and he wants payment and he wants it now!!
As they work through how they will find "EasyClean" (the name they have given the contract killer), they begin to think that perhaps he or she is a cop!!
Lucky for them, there is a civilian police academy that Nick has just started and Finn and Vero sign up for the week. Where else will they find so many policeman, good and bad!
What ensues is an exciting look at what police officers go through during training, toned down for civilians. Finlay and Vero learn more about shooting firearms, evading pursuers, finding the “bad guys”, disarming and restraining them. All of this knowledge will come in handy during the next week.
There are some great side characters including:
Nick, the hot cop who really really wants to get to know Finlay better
Javi, Vero’s friend and on again off again love interest
Georgia, Finlay’s sister and a police officer also at the civilian academy
Joey, Nick’s current partner, is he a good buy or bad guy?
Charlie, a retired cop and Nick’s former partner
Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband
No spoilers here, just a recommendation that this is a fun and exciting read with Finlay and Vero getting into their usual unconventional situations!!
This could easily be read in a couple of sittings, I just had a lot of distractions or I would have whipped through it.
I can recommend this to all those who have enjoyed the first two books and I do think that this book will work best if you have read the previous episodes.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this title!
October 8, 2022
We have more over-the-top shenanigans from the two musketeers, Finlay and Vero!
If you read book two, you'll probably remember the contract killer known as EasyClean. This mystery person is back in book three and Finlay/Vero are on the hunt for whoever it is! They have their suspicions, but time is running out and the big Mob Boss, Feliks, isn't playing.
Book one is still my favorite of the series.
I think fans will enjoy following Finlay and Vero on another adventure to the "land of the exaggerated". You can expect all their usual capers, but I didn't get the humorous vibes this time. It was nice though having Nick back in this installment. One of my favorite characters was Mrs. Haggerty (the community busybody) and self-appointed number one in charge of the neighborhood watch. I wish she had a bigger role in the story.
Based on the ending, it seems that book four is already in the works!
Thanks to Netgalley for my arc. OUT January 31, 2023
If you read book two, you'll probably remember the contract killer known as EasyClean. This mystery person is back in book three and Finlay/Vero are on the hunt for whoever it is! They have their suspicions, but time is running out and the big Mob Boss, Feliks, isn't playing.
Book one is still my favorite of the series.
I think fans will enjoy following Finlay and Vero on another adventure to the "land of the exaggerated". You can expect all their usual capers, but I didn't get the humorous vibes this time. It was nice though having Nick back in this installment. One of my favorite characters was Mrs. Haggerty (the community busybody) and self-appointed number one in charge of the neighborhood watch. I wish she had a bigger role in the story.
Based on the ending, it seems that book four is already in the works!
Thanks to Netgalley for my arc. OUT January 31, 2023
March 10, 2024
I'm not sure why I keep reading these as they keep getting more and more absurd, but there's something so entertaining that is keeping me glued to this series. They've lost there initial charm the more the series gets dragged out, but the writing is still light and fun and addicting.
October 21, 2022
Romantic Suspense novelist Finlay Donovan has recently made three resolutions-She has sworn off men, junk food, and hauling “bodies” in her mini van.
But, apparently, holding men hostage in bathroom stalls didn’t make the list, as the book opens in this “compromising” position.
Yes, Finlay and Vero, her nanny/partner in crime are back with their extremely OVER THE TOP antics, and we pick up right where we left off in book #2.
I think it’s important to read this series in order, for maximum enjoyment, as the book’s synopsis (and the book) give away *SPOILERS* if you haven’t read the earlier installments.
So, to avoid that, let’s just say that this book is about DEADLINES!
Finlay has a deadline to submit edits to Sylvia, who claims that her latest manuscript-WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT be based on Finlay’s own life, is “fifty shades of boring”. She wants more “spice” and less “Thelma and Louise”.
She and Vero also have a deadline from Russian Mob boss, Feliks, to identify who “EasyClean” is…if they hope to erase the debt owed to him.
The problem is-they think that the contract killer who goes by that name-could be a cop…
So, the pair enroll in the “Citizen’s Police Academy” hosted by academy coordinator, Detective Nicolas Anthony. (YES! The hot-cop is back!)
Not only does this seem like the safest place to hide out-until they find the answer they need, but it also gives them an opportunity to do some undercover investigating of their own.
They never imagined that their elderly neighbor, “Mrs. Haggerty” (a fun new character) could be the greatest obstacle to their success!
Although we do get some resolution, the book ends with a big cliffhanger-and we will have to wait for book four to see how the latest SITUATION plays out!
Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun is NOW AVAILABLE!
A fun buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to check out her review !
Thank You to Minotaur Books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was a pleasure to offer a candid review!
But, apparently, holding men hostage in bathroom stalls didn’t make the list, as the book opens in this “compromising” position.
Yes, Finlay and Vero, her nanny/partner in crime are back with their extremely OVER THE TOP antics, and we pick up right where we left off in book #2.
I think it’s important to read this series in order, for maximum enjoyment, as the book’s synopsis (and the book) give away *SPOILERS* if you haven’t read the earlier installments.
So, to avoid that, let’s just say that this book is about DEADLINES!
Finlay has a deadline to submit edits to Sylvia, who claims that her latest manuscript-WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT be based on Finlay’s own life, is “fifty shades of boring”. She wants more “spice” and less “Thelma and Louise”.
She and Vero also have a deadline from Russian Mob boss, Feliks, to identify who “EasyClean” is…if they hope to erase the debt owed to him.
The problem is-they think that the contract killer who goes by that name-could be a cop…
So, the pair enroll in the “Citizen’s Police Academy” hosted by academy coordinator, Detective Nicolas Anthony. (YES! The hot-cop is back!)
Not only does this seem like the safest place to hide out-until they find the answer they need, but it also gives them an opportunity to do some undercover investigating of their own.
They never imagined that their elderly neighbor, “Mrs. Haggerty” (a fun new character) could be the greatest obstacle to their success!
Although we do get some resolution, the book ends with a big cliffhanger-and we will have to wait for book four to see how the latest SITUATION plays out!
Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun is NOW AVAILABLE!
A fun buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to check out her review !
Thank You to Minotaur Books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was a pleasure to offer a candid review!
September 22, 2022
3.5⭐
Read...laugh...repeat! Get ready for more antics!
It’s never a wise move to owe a Russian mob boss anything. But that’s where Finlay and Vero now find themselves in this latest edition of a hilarious series.
The two must find a contract killer known as Easy-clean. And their super-sleuthing is leading them to the conclusion that this mysterious killer could be a cop. So when (super hot- cop) Nick assembles a citizens police academy, Finlay and Vero sign up! What better way to investigate the cops than infiltrating their activities all day long!
This is book three of the series and though it’s capable of standing on its own I highly recommend starting at the beginning, with Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.
⚠️To avoid any embarrassment, be mindful where you read this. You will sure to be laughing out loud!
Was this my favorite in the series? Well no. But a fun romp just the same!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Book
Read...laugh...repeat! Get ready for more antics!
It’s never a wise move to owe a Russian mob boss anything. But that’s where Finlay and Vero now find themselves in this latest edition of a hilarious series.
The two must find a contract killer known as Easy-clean. And their super-sleuthing is leading them to the conclusion that this mysterious killer could be a cop. So when (super hot- cop) Nick assembles a citizens police academy, Finlay and Vero sign up! What better way to investigate the cops than infiltrating their activities all day long!
This is book three of the series and though it’s capable of standing on its own I highly recommend starting at the beginning, with Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.
⚠️To avoid any embarrassment, be mindful where you read this. You will sure to be laughing out loud!
Was this my favorite in the series? Well no. But a fun romp just the same!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Book
January 17, 2023
I'll start with the positives:
1. Finlay and Vero are still adorable together and funny as ever.
2. The opening scene with a toddler playing hide and seek in an occupied men's bathroom had me giggling like I was a kid again myself.
3. Mrs. Haggerty a.k.a the Neighborhood Busy Body really stole the show whenever she popped up. I loved her.
4. The love triangle is no longer.
Now for the negatives:
1. I wanted this book to go in a new direction. I've grown tired of the Russian mob aspect.
2. The Police academy angle was a bore.
3. The over-the-top antics that were once so cute are starting to grow stale.
Admittedly I am not a series reader because I tend to get bored over time and that could very well be the case here. My memory also doesn't do me any favors when it comes to recalling the vast amount of characters and who is who from one book to the other.
This book once again closes with a cliffhanger so we all know that book 4 is on the horizon but I'm left to wonder if Finlay and Vero would be better off sailing into the sunset together once and for all. 3 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my complimentary copy.
1. Finlay and Vero are still adorable together and funny as ever.
2. The opening scene with a toddler playing hide and seek in an occupied men's bathroom had me giggling like I was a kid again myself.
3. Mrs. Haggerty a.k.a the Neighborhood Busy Body really stole the show whenever she popped up. I loved her.
4. The love triangle is no longer.
Now for the negatives:
1. I wanted this book to go in a new direction. I've grown tired of the Russian mob aspect.
2. The Police academy angle was a bore.
3. The over-the-top antics that were once so cute are starting to grow stale.
Admittedly I am not a series reader because I tend to get bored over time and that could very well be the case here. My memory also doesn't do me any favors when it comes to recalling the vast amount of characters and who is who from one book to the other.
This book once again closes with a cliffhanger so we all know that book 4 is on the horizon but I'm left to wonder if Finlay and Vero would be better off sailing into the sunset together once and for all. 3 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my complimentary copy.
January 28, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur, and Elle Cosimano for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.31!**
Ever heard (or played) the piano classic, "Chopsticks?"
It's a simple enough song to play, hence why so many can sit down at a piano with little to no training and plunk it out in a matter of minutes. At first, it's exciting: you (or the piano player in earshot) can play it!
But if you KEEP playing it for more than about 2 minutes, the tune starts to grate on you a bit, and it eventually sounds like you're simply playing the same two discordant notes, over and over.
And by the end of installment three, I felt like Cosimano was happily playing away...but I just couldn't ENJOY the tune anymore.
Finlay Donovan has made the transition (of sorts) from writer and mom to hit woman with her own brand of panache, aided by bestie and nanny Vero who is her steady (and sometimes snarky) sidekick. After Finlay's ex Stephen narrowly escaped with his life in installment two, Finlay and Vero are back...but of course, mob boss Feliks hasn't lost track of them...even from prison. Finlay needs to find out who the mysterious "Easy Clean" who put out the initial hit on her ex is before Feliks loses patience...and the bodies start piling up!
When Finlay and Vero discover the perp might be a cop himself, they figure it's best to jump directly into the police's natural habitat: and find themselves enrolled in a bonafide Police Academy (well, a Police Academy for CITIZENS...but why split hairs?) Newly single Finlay has ended her entanglement with Julian, the hot lawyer, but dashing detective Nick is suddenly closer (and cuter) than ever...but can Finlay trust him? With every cop a potential suspect or a lead, will the dynamic duo zero in on their target? Or will loose ends from their past come back to haunt them...and lead them RIGHT back to Feliks?
The beginning of this book had me SO hopeful it would fall in line with the Finlay I fell in love with in book one: there is a hilarious anecdote involving Finlay's toddler aged son (and having my own toddler boy now, especially, this made me chuckle) and I was hoping this would be one of MANY moments of hilarity involving Finlay's sometimes wild but always sweet kiddos.
But sadly...this ONE moment was basically...well, IT.
Finlay's kids get quickly passed off to relatives for the majority of this book, so she can attend the aforementioned Police Academy. Fair trade, if said academy provided the Leslie Nielsen-esque humor I was craving...but sadly, this was yet another idea that probably sounded fun in THEORY, but was somewhat pedantic in its execution. I was hoping for silly hijinks, but instead got a lot of what felt like the same sort of plot over and over again.
I'm not sure if the whole mob angle is just a bit much for me as a reader, since cozy mysteries (even silly ones) aren't usually in my wheelhouse, but I just found it all a bit tiring. Cosimano is a solid writer, so the pages move along, but I didn't feel any sort of emotional push and pull, a gasp at any revelations from Vero's past (one of the main reasons I figured I'd give book three a try after feeling much of the same about book two), or much of ANYTHING, even an interest in they will-they-won't-they between Finlay and Nick...more like a groaning, eye-rolling "get on with it already."
As much as I once fell in love with the frick-and-frack banter of Finlay and Vero, the wild antics of Finlay's silly kiddos, and the increasingly messy situations piling up around our charming heroine, this one for me was less "Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" and more "Finlay Donovan Jumps the Shark." 🦈
3.5 stars
Ever heard (or played) the piano classic, "Chopsticks?"
It's a simple enough song to play, hence why so many can sit down at a piano with little to no training and plunk it out in a matter of minutes. At first, it's exciting: you (or the piano player in earshot) can play it!
But if you KEEP playing it for more than about 2 minutes, the tune starts to grate on you a bit, and it eventually sounds like you're simply playing the same two discordant notes, over and over.
And by the end of installment three, I felt like Cosimano was happily playing away...but I just couldn't ENJOY the tune anymore.
Finlay Donovan has made the transition (of sorts) from writer and mom to hit woman with her own brand of panache, aided by bestie and nanny Vero who is her steady (and sometimes snarky) sidekick. After Finlay's ex Stephen narrowly escaped with his life in installment two, Finlay and Vero are back...but of course, mob boss Feliks hasn't lost track of them...even from prison. Finlay needs to find out who the mysterious "Easy Clean" who put out the initial hit on her ex is before Feliks loses patience...and the bodies start piling up!
When Finlay and Vero discover the perp might be a cop himself, they figure it's best to jump directly into the police's natural habitat: and find themselves enrolled in a bonafide Police Academy (well, a Police Academy for CITIZENS...but why split hairs?) Newly single Finlay has ended her entanglement with Julian, the hot lawyer, but dashing detective Nick is suddenly closer (and cuter) than ever...but can Finlay trust him? With every cop a potential suspect or a lead, will the dynamic duo zero in on their target? Or will loose ends from their past come back to haunt them...and lead them RIGHT back to Feliks?
The beginning of this book had me SO hopeful it would fall in line with the Finlay I fell in love with in book one: there is a hilarious anecdote involving Finlay's toddler aged son (and having my own toddler boy now, especially, this made me chuckle) and I was hoping this would be one of MANY moments of hilarity involving Finlay's sometimes wild but always sweet kiddos.
But sadly...this ONE moment was basically...well, IT.
Finlay's kids get quickly passed off to relatives for the majority of this book, so she can attend the aforementioned Police Academy. Fair trade, if said academy provided the Leslie Nielsen-esque humor I was craving...but sadly, this was yet another idea that probably sounded fun in THEORY, but was somewhat pedantic in its execution. I was hoping for silly hijinks, but instead got a lot of what felt like the same sort of plot over and over again.
I'm not sure if the whole mob angle is just a bit much for me as a reader, since cozy mysteries (even silly ones) aren't usually in my wheelhouse, but I just found it all a bit tiring. Cosimano is a solid writer, so the pages move along, but I didn't feel any sort of emotional push and pull, a gasp at any revelations from Vero's past (one of the main reasons I figured I'd give book three a try after feeling much of the same about book two), or much of ANYTHING, even an interest in they will-they-won't-they between Finlay and Nick...more like a groaning, eye-rolling "get on with it already."
As much as I once fell in love with the frick-and-frack banter of Finlay and Vero, the wild antics of Finlay's silly kiddos, and the increasingly messy situations piling up around our charming heroine, this one for me was less "Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" and more "Finlay Donovan Jumps the Shark." 🦈
3.5 stars
January 18, 2023
"Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" by Elle Cosimano is Book #3 in the Finlay Donovan Series!
Author and single mom, Finlay, and her nanny, self-appointed accountant, and partner-in-crime, Vero, are back with book #3 picking up just weeks after where book #2 left off.
Finlay is none too happy to be looking down the barrel of another book deadline with a request from her agent and publisher to add some spicy overtones to her new and currently poorly seasoned novel.
Taken by surprise, Finlay and Vero are cornered by Russian Mob boss, Feliks, into repaying an outstanding debt by locating and identifying a contract killer named "Easy Clean"...and the clock begins ticking.
It doesn't take long for Finlay and Vero to believe the allusive killer might actually be a cop.
When Finlay and Vero hear about the upcoming citizens police academy led by none other than "hot cop" Detective Nick Anthony, they hop on-board the bus. It's a perfect cover with firearms and forensics training included and plenty of time for super sleuthing and working on the dreaded rewrites. Ugh!
The best laid plans, right?
It's always a hilariously fun ride with Finlay and Vero. The pages turn rip-fast with quick chapters that beg you to keep reading and so you do. I was hoping for a bit more of the kiddo's in this one and maybe just a little something different to change things up a bit.
This series is definitely one to read in sequential order to stay abreast of the continuing antics and keeping up with the characters, which are plentiful. Each story moves quickly and just when you think things are coming to a head, answers surfacing, up pops another something and around and around we go.
Once again Vero stole the show. I love this character and she's the main reason I keep reading this series. I was sure this was the last book but not with a cliffhanger like that! Sign me up for Book #4, please! I highly recommend!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Author and single mom, Finlay, and her nanny, self-appointed accountant, and partner-in-crime, Vero, are back with book #3 picking up just weeks after where book #2 left off.
Finlay is none too happy to be looking down the barrel of another book deadline with a request from her agent and publisher to add some spicy overtones to her new and currently poorly seasoned novel.
Taken by surprise, Finlay and Vero are cornered by Russian Mob boss, Feliks, into repaying an outstanding debt by locating and identifying a contract killer named "Easy Clean"...and the clock begins ticking.
It doesn't take long for Finlay and Vero to believe the allusive killer might actually be a cop.
When Finlay and Vero hear about the upcoming citizens police academy led by none other than "hot cop" Detective Nick Anthony, they hop on-board the bus. It's a perfect cover with firearms and forensics training included and plenty of time for super sleuthing and working on the dreaded rewrites. Ugh!
The best laid plans, right?
It's always a hilariously fun ride with Finlay and Vero. The pages turn rip-fast with quick chapters that beg you to keep reading and so you do. I was hoping for a bit more of the kiddo's in this one and maybe just a little something different to change things up a bit.
This series is definitely one to read in sequential order to stay abreast of the continuing antics and keeping up with the characters, which are plentiful. Each story moves quickly and just when you think things are coming to a head, answers surfacing, up pops another something and around and around we go.
Once again Vero stole the show. I love this character and she's the main reason I keep reading this series. I was sure this was the last book but not with a cliffhanger like that! Sign me up for Book #4, please! I highly recommend!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
March 1, 2023
Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/cnAA3AkYT2I
Quick Pro to contrast all the Cons: I adore Vero and Javi's banter and relationship in this book. That was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
IF I HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT STEVEN'S BTCH ASS ONE MORE TIME I SWEAR TO HEAVEN ABOVE
The AUDACITY of this man to suggest marriage counseling? I almost had a stroke.
It isn't often that I actively want a character to die. But I'm counting down the days.
Why are all these men infatuated with Finlay? She's unbuttered toast. She'd bland and basic and makes the worst decisions. She doesn't try in any avenue of her life. She is never seen parenting or loving her kids. Just passing them off to someone else so she can do side quests. Not that she doesn't love them. But where's the evidence? Cause all I see is them being a nuisance to her schemes.
The fact that she gives Steven the time to BREATHE is abhorrent to me. Do you have no self respect? I don't care that he's her children's father. She can be cordial with him. But don't kiki for gods sake.
Quick Pro to contrast all the Cons: I adore Vero and Javi's banter and relationship in this book. That was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
IF I HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT STEVEN'S BTCH ASS ONE MORE TIME I SWEAR TO HEAVEN ABOVE
The AUDACITY of this man to suggest marriage counseling? I almost had a stroke.
It isn't often that I actively want a character to die. But I'm counting down the days.
Why are all these men infatuated with Finlay? She's unbuttered toast. She'd bland and basic and makes the worst decisions. She doesn't try in any avenue of her life. She is never seen parenting or loving her kids. Just passing them off to someone else so she can do side quests. Not that she doesn't love them. But where's the evidence? Cause all I see is them being a nuisance to her schemes.
The fact that she gives Steven the time to BREATHE is abhorrent to me. Do you have no self respect? I don't care that he's her children's father. She can be cordial with him. But don't kiki for gods sake.
February 25, 2023
I loved the first book, liked the second and grew tired of the characters in this one. There were some funny scenes, but the crazy crimes got too much. I think I’ve ready to move on and not involve myself in Vero and Finlay’s universe anymore.
December 11, 2022
**now available**
Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun is the third book in Elle Cosimano’s slapstick mystery series. I recommend reading the series in order to fully understand what is going on.
Finlay and her nanny/accountant, Vero, are up to their usual antics while trying to discover the identity of a person who takes on hit jobs under the internet name, Easy Clean. Not only did Easy Clean try to kill Finlay’s ex-husband, but he or she is also trying to blackmail a Russian-American mob boss. The mob boss wants Finlay to id Easy Clean in exchange for paying off one of Vero’s debts. Since Finlay and Vero believe Easy Clean is a current or former police officer, they agree to attend a week-long Citizen’s Police Academy. One of Finlay’s love interests just happens to be in charge of the academy. Sparks fly in more ways than one.
As with the first two books, this one ends with a cliffhanger. I am glad to know that the dynamic duo will be back again for round four.
4-Stars. This novel will be published on January 31, 2023. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun is the third book in Elle Cosimano’s slapstick mystery series. I recommend reading the series in order to fully understand what is going on.
Finlay and her nanny/accountant, Vero, are up to their usual antics while trying to discover the identity of a person who takes on hit jobs under the internet name, Easy Clean. Not only did Easy Clean try to kill Finlay’s ex-husband, but he or she is also trying to blackmail a Russian-American mob boss. The mob boss wants Finlay to id Easy Clean in exchange for paying off one of Vero’s debts. Since Finlay and Vero believe Easy Clean is a current or former police officer, they agree to attend a week-long Citizen’s Police Academy. One of Finlay’s love interests just happens to be in charge of the academy. Sparks fly in more ways than one.
As with the first two books, this one ends with a cliffhanger. I am glad to know that the dynamic duo will be back again for round four.
4-Stars. This novel will be published on January 31, 2023. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2024
This was a little bit of a stretch, wasn’t it?
I enjoy Finn and Vero’s friendship too much to complain about the actual synopsis of the story, which is barely a thing in this third book of the series.
At the end of the day, the main aspects of a cosy mystery are all here: the action, the big question mark, the romance, as many plot twists as you can think, and some obviousness none of them see.
What doesn't help is this massive continuity with the last book: she hasn't yet completed her second book, so she's doing research for it; she's okay with the kids spending an entire week with their father, who's far from being responsible, and she seems to have forgotten what he has done to her; we thought the lawyer was a closed chapter, but he's here for the sake of it; and so on.
Also, why does any action of the story always happen in the last quarter of the book?
I'm gonna read the next one to find out if anything she has done comes back to bite her. I mean, for how long will she look guilty for things she hasn't done, and innocent for the ones she actually did?
↠ 3 stars
I enjoy Finn and Vero’s friendship too much to complain about the actual synopsis of the story, which is barely a thing in this third book of the series.
At the end of the day, the main aspects of a cosy mystery are all here: the action, the big question mark, the romance, as many plot twists as you can think, and some obviousness none of them see.
What doesn't help is this massive continuity with the last book: she hasn't yet completed her second book, so she's doing research for it; she's okay with the kids spending an entire week with their father, who's far from being responsible, and she seems to have forgotten what he has done to her; we thought the lawyer was a closed chapter, but he's here for the sake of it; and so on.
Also, why does any action of the story always happen in the last quarter of the book?
I'm gonna read the next one to find out if anything she has done comes back to bite her. I mean, for how long will she look guilty for things she hasn't done, and innocent for the ones she actually did?
↠ 3 stars
March 1, 2023
I listened to the audio and it made me laugh so many times. I can picture Vero and Finlay in all the crazy situations they get themselves into.
This time, Finlay and Vero are in dire straights from different baddies.
The Russian mob leader, Feliks wants Finlay to find Easy Clean. Finlay has no clue how to do it but she believes Easy Clean might be a cop and she still suspects Joey, Nick's partner.
Vero owes money to people in Atlantic City and they are coming for payment.
So what do they do, they decide to join the one-week police academy for civilians and lay low while investigating who is Easy Clean.
It's always nice to get back into this crazy world. I love Finlay and Vero. I also liked Nick and Javi. I like Finlay's sister Georgia who now has a love interest. I still don't trust Finlay's ex-husband, Steven. He is hiding something. There is also a cameo of a certain law student and I was kind of sad Finlay was done with him.
In my opinion, this series should be read in order, otherwise, you might not get too many spoilers at once or not appreciate the craziness Finlay lives in.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
This time, Finlay and Vero are in dire straights from different baddies.
The Russian mob leader, Feliks wants Finlay to find Easy Clean. Finlay has no clue how to do it but she believes Easy Clean might be a cop and she still suspects Joey, Nick's partner.
Vero owes money to people in Atlantic City and they are coming for payment.
So what do they do, they decide to join the one-week police academy for civilians and lay low while investigating who is Easy Clean.
It's always nice to get back into this crazy world. I love Finlay and Vero. I also liked Nick and Javi. I like Finlay's sister Georgia who now has a love interest. I still don't trust Finlay's ex-husband, Steven. He is hiding something. There is also a cameo of a certain law student and I was kind of sad Finlay was done with him.
In my opinion, this series should be read in order, otherwise, you might not get too many spoilers at once or not appreciate the craziness Finlay lives in.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
October 30, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is the third in the Finlay Donovan series and while definitely entertaining, it’s not as strong as the prior two.
The story takes up immediately from book two. Finally is in debt to Felicks, the Russian mob leader, after he bought the car she wrecked in FDK’ED. Felicks is in jail but still calling the shots. And he wants Finlay to find and kill a contract killer. A killer who may be a cop. Finlay and Vero decide to investigate while attending a Citizens Police Academy week. Comedy ensues, as the two women get in one scrap after another. If the written word can be called slapstick, that’s how I would characterize the plot here. There’s just enough romance without it being obtrusive.
This series needs to be read in order and I don’t recommend reading this as a stand-alone. I’m not a big fan of cliffhangers and this one ends with a doozy. Cosimano also leaves two big questions unanswered. But at least that means there will be a book four.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
This is the third in the Finlay Donovan series and while definitely entertaining, it’s not as strong as the prior two.
The story takes up immediately from book two. Finally is in debt to Felicks, the Russian mob leader, after he bought the car she wrecked in FDK’ED. Felicks is in jail but still calling the shots. And he wants Finlay to find and kill a contract killer. A killer who may be a cop. Finlay and Vero decide to investigate while attending a Citizens Police Academy week. Comedy ensues, as the two women get in one scrap after another. If the written word can be called slapstick, that’s how I would characterize the plot here. There’s just enough romance without it being obtrusive.
This series needs to be read in order and I don’t recommend reading this as a stand-alone. I’m not a big fan of cliffhangers and this one ends with a doozy. Cosimano also leaves two big questions unanswered. But at least that means there will be a book four.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
October 22, 2022
AVAILABLE NOW!
Move over Steve Guttenberg, Finlay Donovan is back and ready to turn the citizen’s police academy upside down!
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in this hilarious romantic mystery series. Together with her nanny/accountant, Vero, the dynamic duo of amateur sleuths are at it again in another over the top adventure.
Finlay owes a favor to the Russian mob boss and must find and identify Easyclean, a contract killer, before the cops solve the case. However, the killer is suspected to be one of their very own.
Fortunately, Finlay’s love interest, Nick the hot cop, has just started a citizen’s police academy. What a perfect place to hide out from mob, get inspiration for her book, and solve the case!
I am a huge fan of Finlay Donovan and have really enjoyed the books in this series. However, I usually avoid series because I have a difficult time remembering everything that happened in the past. That being said, as new books in this series are added, the complex plot points increase as well.
While I enjoyed this one, I felt slightly disconnected from the action, as very little recap is provided to the reader. I’m sure this would have rated higher for me if I had read all three books in quick succession.
Note to author: PLEASE DO MORE RECAP! 🙏
Overall, this is another fun adventure and sure to keep readers entertained!
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 1/31/23
Thank you to Edelweiss and Macmillan books for the ARC of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun in Exchange for an honest review.
Move over Steve Guttenberg, Finlay Donovan is back and ready to turn the citizen’s police academy upside down!
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is the third book in this hilarious romantic mystery series. Together with her nanny/accountant, Vero, the dynamic duo of amateur sleuths are at it again in another over the top adventure.
Finlay owes a favor to the Russian mob boss and must find and identify Easyclean, a contract killer, before the cops solve the case. However, the killer is suspected to be one of their very own.
Fortunately, Finlay’s love interest, Nick the hot cop, has just started a citizen’s police academy. What a perfect place to hide out from mob, get inspiration for her book, and solve the case!
I am a huge fan of Finlay Donovan and have really enjoyed the books in this series. However, I usually avoid series because I have a difficult time remembering everything that happened in the past. That being said, as new books in this series are added, the complex plot points increase as well.
While I enjoyed this one, I felt slightly disconnected from the action, as very little recap is provided to the reader. I’m sure this would have rated higher for me if I had read all three books in quick succession.
Note to author: PLEASE DO MORE RECAP! 🙏
Overall, this is another fun adventure and sure to keep readers entertained!
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 1/31/23
Thank you to Edelweiss and Macmillan books for the ARC of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun in Exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2022
Finlay and Vero are at it again! This time they’ve been hired to locate and identify Mob Boss Felik’s contract killer “Easy Clean”. Hijinks of course ensue (what else is new?!).
Even though Felik is in the slammer, he’s still running the show and expects Finlay and Vero to do his bidding. Trying to find “Easy Clean” of course isn’t that easy. When they find evidence linking him to the police force, Finlay and Vero take desperate measures to catch him. They join the Citizen’s Police Academy, a week-long civilian academy, led by Finlay’s cop friend Nick, in hopes of finding their target. On the plus side, they learn how to shoot, evade pursuers, and harm “bad guys.”
Talk about skills that will come in handy in their new line of work!
If Finlay and Vero can keep out of trouble long enough, they just might find what they’re looking for.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a wild, crazy, over-the-top read that will keep readers entertained.
Admittedly, this most recent addition to the series was a tad too over the top for me. While lots of hilarity ensued, as much of the novel was unrealistic, I had a hard time connecting. I am however only one reader, thus I suggest checking out other reviews.
Another buddy read with Kaceey.
Thanks to Minotaur Books via NetGalley for the arc.
Even though Felik is in the slammer, he’s still running the show and expects Finlay and Vero to do his bidding. Trying to find “Easy Clean” of course isn’t that easy. When they find evidence linking him to the police force, Finlay and Vero take desperate measures to catch him. They join the Citizen’s Police Academy, a week-long civilian academy, led by Finlay’s cop friend Nick, in hopes of finding their target. On the plus side, they learn how to shoot, evade pursuers, and harm “bad guys.”
Talk about skills that will come in handy in their new line of work!
If Finlay and Vero can keep out of trouble long enough, they just might find what they’re looking for.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a wild, crazy, over-the-top read that will keep readers entertained.
Admittedly, this most recent addition to the series was a tad too over the top for me. While lots of hilarity ensued, as much of the novel was unrealistic, I had a hard time connecting. I am however only one reader, thus I suggest checking out other reviews.
Another buddy read with Kaceey.
Thanks to Minotaur Books via NetGalley for the arc.
February 18, 2023
3 stars - This one felt far less enjoyable to me, or maybe Finlay & Vero’s antics are just getting way OTT. There’s also zero chance anyone could read this one as a standalone; I kept having to rack my brain to remember all the previous plot lines and various characters from the first two, and I read all three within a year. Not sure yet if I’m down for the already outlined fourth installment or just ready to move on from this series.
March 2, 2023
4 stars
Probably my least favorite book in the series so far. Finlay and Vero find themselves at like a cop boot camp with their neighbors (is that a thing in real life?) where they are there to find out the real identity of Easy Clean (I listened to the audio not sure if I spelled that correctly). Finlay finds herself distracted by Felicks the mob boss, the antics of her children and her ex, and the hot cop Nick.
Sadly, of the love triangle set up in book one, Finlay seems to be choosing Nick and it honestly is taking away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Aside from his career choice, there’s also just something off about his character that I don’t like. The antics of Finlay’s children and her banter with Vero are what saved this book and series for me. I for sure will read whatever comes next, but this third book wasn’t as good as the first two (but it was still darn good!).
I was given an arc by the publisher, but I never read it and then checked out the e-audio from the library instead. Not sure if that counts but I wanted to include that haha
Probably my least favorite book in the series so far. Finlay and Vero find themselves at like a cop boot camp with their neighbors (is that a thing in real life?) where they are there to find out the real identity of Easy Clean (I listened to the audio not sure if I spelled that correctly). Finlay finds herself distracted by Felicks the mob boss, the antics of her children and her ex, and the hot cop Nick.
Sadly, of the love triangle set up in book one, Finlay seems to be choosing Nick and it honestly is taking away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Aside from his career choice, there’s also just something off about his character that I don’t like. The antics of Finlay’s children and her banter with Vero are what saved this book and series for me. I for sure will read whatever comes next, but this third book wasn’t as good as the first two (but it was still darn good!).
I was given an arc by the publisher, but I never read it and then checked out the e-audio from the library instead. Not sure if that counts but I wanted to include that haha
December 15, 2022
Finlay and her sidekick, Vero, are back to getting themselves in ridiculously dangerous, and fun, situations.
Shortly after the events in book #2, Finlay finds herself “owing” a favor to the Russian mob. They want her to find a contract killer and kill him/her. After realizing the contract killer may be a police officer, Finlay and Vero come up with a brilliant idea: Join the local police academy to find the killer. Of course, things don’t go as smooth as they had hoped.
This series is an absolute blast to read. Finlay and Vero, her “accountant/nanny”, are hilarious together. The mystery is OTT of course, but that’s the fun in this series. I’m already highly anticipating book #4, which I hope is in the works after another cliffhanger ending!
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 1/31/23.
Shortly after the events in book #2, Finlay finds herself “owing” a favor to the Russian mob. They want her to find a contract killer and kill him/her. After realizing the contract killer may be a police officer, Finlay and Vero come up with a brilliant idea: Join the local police academy to find the killer. Of course, things don’t go as smooth as they had hoped.
This series is an absolute blast to read. Finlay and Vero, her “accountant/nanny”, are hilarious together. The mystery is OTT of course, but that’s the fun in this series. I’m already highly anticipating book #4, which I hope is in the works after another cliffhanger ending!
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 1/31/23.
February 24, 2025
Okay, I hate to say this, but... this was my least favorite in the series so far. 😭 I love Finlay and Vero, but this book felt like we were running on a treadmill—lots of movement, no real progress.
The whole situation with the Russian mob? STILL GOING. 🚨 The chaos? As unhinged as ever. But the actual plot? Kind of felt like a side quest rather than the main storyline. We get it, Finlay is in deep trouble, but how long are we gonna drag this out?!
✨ What I liked:
✔️ Finlay & Vero’s chaotic bestie energy – their dynamic is still GOLD. 🔥
✔️ The love square is finally DEAD. 🙌 Nick is the one, and I’m breathing a sigh of relief.
✔️ Mrs. Haggerty, the neighborhood busybody, stole the show. I need more of her! 🤣
🤨 What didn’t work for me:
❌ The Russian mob plotline is overstaying its welcome. It was fun in the first two books, but now? I need something NEW.
❌ The police academy plot felt like a filler episode. I was waiting for something HUGE to happen, but it was just… meh. 😶
❌ The over-the-top antics are starting to get repetitive. At some point, I just wanted them to make ONE good decision.
Look, this was still fun (in a ridiculous, slapstick comedy way), but it lacked the laugh-out-loud moments and OMG twists from the first two books. Will I still read book #4? Of course. Do I need this story to wrap up before it loses all its magic? ABSOLUTELY.
Tropes:
🔫 Amateur Sleuths
📚 Reluctant Heroine
🔫 Romantic Subplot
📚 Humorous Banter
🔫 Single Mother Protagonist
📚 Cliffhanger Ending
Would I still recommend this series? YES. But if you’re like me and prefer stories that don’t drag forever, just prepare for a little frustration with this one. 🤷♀️
Final verdict: Fun, but running in circles. Hopefully, book 4 shakes things up!
The whole situation with the Russian mob? STILL GOING. 🚨 The chaos? As unhinged as ever. But the actual plot? Kind of felt like a side quest rather than the main storyline. We get it, Finlay is in deep trouble, but how long are we gonna drag this out?!
✨ What I liked:
✔️ Finlay & Vero’s chaotic bestie energy – their dynamic is still GOLD. 🔥
✔️ The love square is finally DEAD. 🙌 Nick is the one, and I’m breathing a sigh of relief.
✔️ Mrs. Haggerty, the neighborhood busybody, stole the show. I need more of her! 🤣
🤨 What didn’t work for me:
❌ The Russian mob plotline is overstaying its welcome. It was fun in the first two books, but now? I need something NEW.
❌ The police academy plot felt like a filler episode. I was waiting for something HUGE to happen, but it was just… meh. 😶
❌ The over-the-top antics are starting to get repetitive. At some point, I just wanted them to make ONE good decision.
Look, this was still fun (in a ridiculous, slapstick comedy way), but it lacked the laugh-out-loud moments and OMG twists from the first two books. Will I still read book #4? Of course. Do I need this story to wrap up before it loses all its magic? ABSOLUTELY.
Tropes:
🔫 Amateur Sleuths
📚 Reluctant Heroine
🔫 Romantic Subplot
📚 Humorous Banter
🔫 Single Mother Protagonist
📚 Cliffhanger Ending
Would I still recommend this series? YES. But if you’re like me and prefer stories that don’t drag forever, just prepare for a little frustration with this one. 🤷♀️
Final verdict: Fun, but running in circles. Hopefully, book 4 shakes things up!
October 23, 2022
4 wild antic stars --- *jump to get your copy as it's now available!
This is the third book in the series and best read in order for the full escapist experience. These books border on over-the-top entertainment, but I love them and eagerly read the newest saga and hijinks of Finlay and her sidekick/nanny/accountant Vero.
Finlay is a writer, and her life seems to mimic her books – or vice versa. She’s got two adorable children and trouble seems to follow them all, how fast can a toddler get away from you? She’s on a book deadline and a report back to a mob boss deadline. Said mobster is Feliks and even though he’s behind bars, he demands that Finlay identify a killer for hire.
Finlay’s ex-husband has agreed to take the kids for a week so that Finlay and Vero can go to a police camp for average citizens to try to uncover the contract killer. It helps that the camp is run by hot cop Nick. There are some hilarious escapades as both Finlay and Vero have secrets and people after them. I wondered if Finlay and Nick would finally confess their feelings in this book (and act on them) and if Finlay could settle her debt with the mob.
There’s a cliffhanger ending and I’m already anxiously awaiting the next installment, write faster Elle Cosimano. Jayme and I had a great buddy read with this one.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
This is the third book in the series and best read in order for the full escapist experience. These books border on over-the-top entertainment, but I love them and eagerly read the newest saga and hijinks of Finlay and her sidekick/nanny/accountant Vero.
Finlay is a writer, and her life seems to mimic her books – or vice versa. She’s got two adorable children and trouble seems to follow them all, how fast can a toddler get away from you? She’s on a book deadline and a report back to a mob boss deadline. Said mobster is Feliks and even though he’s behind bars, he demands that Finlay identify a killer for hire.
Finlay’s ex-husband has agreed to take the kids for a week so that Finlay and Vero can go to a police camp for average citizens to try to uncover the contract killer. It helps that the camp is run by hot cop Nick. There are some hilarious escapades as both Finlay and Vero have secrets and people after them. I wondered if Finlay and Nick would finally confess their feelings in this book (and act on them) and if Finlay could settle her debt with the mob.
There’s a cliffhanger ending and I’m already anxiously awaiting the next installment, write faster Elle Cosimano. Jayme and I had a great buddy read with this one.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
November 10, 2022
Update 1/31/23: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun in exchange for an honest review.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun picks up shortly after the ending of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead. As usual, Finlay is once again struggling with a book, this time unable to figure out how to bring together the character based on her and the character she based on hot Detective Nicolas Anthony. Her best friend and literal partner-in-crime Vero is being tracked by Marco, a New Jersey loan shark, for a mistake she made in college, and also dealing with the return of Javier, a former flame. And due to a favor she owes Russian mobster Feliks Zhirov from the last book, she has to figure out the identity of EasyClean, the screen name of the mysterious contract killer (also from the last book) who’s been blackmailing Feliks. So, Finlay and Vero do exactly what you’d expect—enroll in the one-week Fairfax County Citizen’s Police Academy so they can be safe from Feliks and Marco, figure out who EasyClean really is, and give Finlay time for some “hands on” research with Nick to help with her, um, writer’s block. 😄
It’s now clear that, while broken into distinct novels, the Finlay Donovan series is telling one long story. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a continuation of the first two books, bringing back many of the surviving characters: Julian, Finlay’s ex-boyfriend/hot bartender/law student; Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband; Cameron, the teen hacker; Georgia, Finlay’s sister; Joey, Nick’s mysterious new partner; even Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay’s nosy neighbor. And the novel ends on a cliffhanger that guarantees that the next book will tell the next part of the story.
As with the earlier entries in the series, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is not gritty, realistic crime fiction. But the story works because Finlay is a well-developed character who you can’t help but root for, the snarky banter between Finlay and Vero, the will-they-or-won’t-they chemistry between Finlay and Nick, and because there’s a decent mystery stayed unpredictable through the finish. It’s another fun read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
“All this,” she said, mimicking my gesture with her head, “would make a pretty great story, you know.”
“If a little far-fetched.”
“Are you kidding me? It’s a recipe for a blockbuster hit!” Her handcuffs rattled as she counted on her fingers. “It’s got courtroom drama, car chases, deep cover agents … not to mention a pretty tricky mystery to solve.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun in exchange for an honest review.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun picks up shortly after the ending of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead. As usual, Finlay is once again struggling with a book, this time unable to figure out how to bring together the character based on her and the character she based on hot Detective Nicolas Anthony. Her best friend and literal partner-in-crime Vero is being tracked by Marco, a New Jersey loan shark, for a mistake she made in college, and also dealing with the return of Javier, a former flame. And due to a favor she owes Russian mobster Feliks Zhirov from the last book, she has to figure out the identity of EasyClean, the screen name of the mysterious contract killer (also from the last book) who’s been blackmailing Feliks. So, Finlay and Vero do exactly what you’d expect—enroll in the one-week Fairfax County Citizen’s Police Academy so they can be safe from Feliks and Marco, figure out who EasyClean really is, and give Finlay time for some “hands on” research with Nick to help with her, um, writer’s block. 😄
It’s now clear that, while broken into distinct novels, the Finlay Donovan series is telling one long story. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a continuation of the first two books, bringing back many of the surviving characters: Julian, Finlay’s ex-boyfriend/hot bartender/law student; Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband; Cameron, the teen hacker; Georgia, Finlay’s sister; Joey, Nick’s mysterious new partner; even Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay’s nosy neighbor. And the novel ends on a cliffhanger that guarantees that the next book will tell the next part of the story.
As with the earlier entries in the series, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is not gritty, realistic crime fiction. But the story works because Finlay is a well-developed character who you can’t help but root for, the snarky banter between Finlay and Vero, the will-they-or-won’t-they chemistry between Finlay and Nick, and because there’s a decent mystery stayed unpredictable through the finish. It’s another fun read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
August 26, 2025
3.75💫
i forgot how fun this series was!
i read the first two in the series last year i believe and completely forgot i had the third one on my shelf which is why i just now picked it up, but i absolutely need to get through the rest of the series.
this is typical finlay donovan, getting herself into messes and trying to secretly get out of them. i though it was so fun and sneaky that this one was set at police camp, surrounded by lots of cops, while performing secret actions that are definitely illegal.
i audio booked this one, and i really enjoyed the narration and will probably audio the rest of the series!
i forgot how fun this series was!
i read the first two in the series last year i believe and completely forgot i had the third one on my shelf which is why i just now picked it up, but i absolutely need to get through the rest of the series.
this is typical finlay donovan, getting herself into messes and trying to secretly get out of them. i though it was so fun and sneaky that this one was set at police camp, surrounded by lots of cops, while performing secret actions that are definitely illegal.
i audio booked this one, and i really enjoyed the narration and will probably audio the rest of the series!
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