Finlay Donovan Knocks 'em Dead - by Elle Cosimano (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Megan Miranda 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 may be, 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"--

Book Synopsis

In development to be a major TV series on Peacock, adapted by Tina Fey and Lang Fisher

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes the hilarious and heart-pounding follow-up to Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

"Cosimano skillfully combines suspense and laughs in the manner of Janet Evanovich's early (and best) novels."--New York Times Book Review
"A funny and smart, twisty and surprising series."--Megan Miranda

Someone wanted my ex-husband dead. And this time it wasn't me.

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 may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, 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.

Review Quotes

A February 2022 LibraryReads Pick

One of Bustle's "Most Anticipated Books of 2022"
One of Business Insider's "Most Anticipated Books of 2022"
One of The Bibliofile's "Best New Mystery & Thriller Books for 2022"
One of Bookbub's "Most Anticipated Books of 2022"
One of Goodreads "Most Anticipated Mysteries of 2022"
One of POPSUGAR's "Must-Read Thrillers and Mystery Books" of 2022
One of Canadian Living Magazine's "2022 TBR List"

"Riotous . . . Given the challenge of matching her first novel's gorgeous premise, Cosimano does a remarkable job. What next?"--Kirkus Reviews

"Cosimano builds on Finlay Donovan is Killing It (2021) for another rollicking adventure in which the tribulations of single parenthood feel just as high stakes as the attempted murders. A sharp, slick sequel."--Booklist

"Diverting . . . such fun. Fans of wacky, offbeat mysteries will eagerly await Finlay's further exploits."--Publishers Weekly

"Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano was a delightfully fun surprise in 2021, and Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is every bit as bright and hilarious as its predecessor."--PopSugar

"Elle Cosimano spins a twisted and hilarious tale that is well plotted, suspenseful, and is marvelously outfitted with multiple colorful characters are both flaws and believable. This propulsive page turner is a welcome antidote to everyone's angst."--Mystery Scene Magazine

"Read for round two of the fun, light-hearted mystery series. From assassins and contending with the mob to balancing life as a mother and writer while entertaining suitors, Finlay has a lot going on and it's all explored in hilarious ways. The titular character's high jinks and her best friend/partner's fun, snarky personality are sure to entertain."--Book Riot

"The second entry in Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan series, another bumbling comedy of errors and hilarious, fast-paced mystery, upends the life of a struggling writer and single mother."--Shelf Awareness

"The Finlay Donovan series is simply spectacular and always delightful! I adore everything about it--the humor, the screwball plotlines, the mysteries, and above all the cast: the friendship between Vero and Finlay is one for the ages, and Finlay's love life entertains me to no end. Elle Cosimano's books are the perfect blend of mystery and romcom, and I'm ready to follow Finlay wherever she goes!"--Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

"Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead could easily have become a ridiculous and over-the-top novel, but Elle Cosimano has the skill and talent to blend social satire with the mystery plot in completely believable--albeit hilarious--ways . . . a welcome escape from 2022's trials and tribulations."--BOLO Books

"Finlay Donovan fans rejoice! Hired guns, the Russian mob, and a love triangle for the ages? Yes, please! Reminiscent of Jennifer Weiner's Goodnight Nobody and Susan Isaac's After All These Years, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead is clever, dark, and laugh-out-loud funny. I'm a fan for life." --Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest

"The Finlay Donovan series is an unpredictable, fun, funny, page-turning delight. Like her creation, Elle Cosimano knocks 'em dead."--Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Not Your Average Hot Guy

"Finlay Donovan is the perfect 21st century heroine--I adore her."--Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year

"A delightful escape with a lovable heroine. Finlay Donavan will keep you rooting for her as the pages fly by!" --Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs Parrish

"Elle Cosimano does it again! A funny, fast-paced sequel that's part rom-com, part mystery, pure joy!"--Chantel Guertin, bestselling author of Instamom

"A fun, refreshing series. From the first page to the last, Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead kept me smiling. A fast-paced, fabulous read, full of heart. I can't wait for the next one!"--Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of Somebody's Home

"A clever, razor-sharp thrill ride from beginning to end! I'd follow Finlay Donovan anywhere."--Rachel Lynn Solomon, bestselling author of The Ex Talk

"Readers will be swept up in this wacky heroine's attempts to just make it through her mishap-filled life and have a little romance along the way . . . A fun romp for bookclubs and for anyone who enjoys slapstick mysteries."--First Clue - Superstar Sleuths

Praise for Finlay Donovan is Killing It:

"A twisty delight."--PEOPLE

"[Cosimano's] main character is so endearing it's easy to surrender..."--New York Times Book Review

"If you love thrillers, but wish the genre would lighten up a little then you absolutely must read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It."--PopSugar

"Fast-paced, fresh, full of humor, and original."--Jill Orr in St. Louis Magazine

"Part comedy of errors, part genuine thriller... Deftly balancing genre conventions with sly, tongue-in-cheek comments on motherhood and femininity, Cosimano crafts a deliciously twisted tale."--Booklist

"Suspenseful, funny.... More, please."--Kirkus Reviews

"Amusing... pleasingly absurd... [a] romp from a skilled comic writer."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

ELLE COSIMANO is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Writers Award winner, and an Edgar Award nominee. Elle's debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a People magazine pick and was named one of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021. The third book in the series, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, was an instant New York Times bestseller. A TV show based on the series is now in development by Tina Fey and Lang Fisher for Peacock. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in HuffPost and Time. Cosimano lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia.