'Finlay Donovan Is Killing It' by Elle Cosimano follows the story of struggling writer and divorced mom, Finlay Donovan, who gets mistaken for a contract killer after a misunderstanding at a Panera. Offered money to dispose of a husband, chaos ensues as Finlay navigates through outlandish situations, real-life murder investigations, and a series of misadventures with her ex-nanny turned partner in crime, Vero. The plot is described as a mix of mystery, humor, and suspense, with a touch of romance, all wrapped up in a fast-paced and witty narrative style that keeps readers entertained and rooting for the quirky protagonist.
The writing style of 'Finlay Donovan Is Killing It' is praised for its humor, unpredictability, and carefully plotted storyline. Readers find the book to be a fun and light-hearted rom-com mystery, with engaging characters, amusing situations, and a dash of absurdity that adds to the entertainment value. Despite the unlikely premise, the story is engaging and fast-paced, making it a delightful read for those looking for a blend of humor, mystery, and a touch of romance in a well-executed plot.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are elements of crime and discussions around murder that may be sensitive for some readers, thus it carries a medium content warning.
Has Romance?
While the primary focus is on the comedic and suspenseful elements, there are romantic subplots present that add to the story.
From The Publisher:
"Getting the job done" for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.
One of "The Most Anticipated Books of Winter 2021" -Parade
One of "The Most Anticipated Debuts of 2021" -Bustle
One of "The Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2021" -Goodreads
One of "The Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2021" -Crimereads
"Funny and smart, twisty and surprising."-Megan Miranda
Finlay Donovan is killing it . . . except, she's really not. She's a stressed-out single-mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay's life is in chaos: the new book she promised her literary agent isn't written, her ex-husband fired the nanny without telling her, and this morning she had to send her four-year-old to school with hair duct-taped to her head after an incident with scissors.
When Finlay is overheard discussing the plot of her new suspense novel with her agent over lunch, she's mistaken for a contract killer, and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet . . . Soon, Finlay discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart, as she becomes tangled in a real-life murder investigation.
Fast-paced, deliciously witty, and wholeheartedly authentic in depicting the frustrations and triumphs of motherhood in all its messiness, hilarity, and heartfelt moment, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a brilliant new series from YA Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano.
Ratings (54)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (21) | |
Liked It (14) | |
It Was OK (8) | |
Did Not Like (5) |
Reader Stats (96):
Read It (55) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (34) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (5) |
2 comment(s)
I had high expectations for this book and I was not disappointed. I myself am surprised by this, because it is not quite a book that I should like.
I usually avoid humorous books, especially those more like chick-lit, because I don't find them funny at all, but only irritating. The silly main characters who constantly get into trouble are not something I want to read about. And while there were times in this book where I rolled my eyes or felt embarrassed, I still had a pretty good time.
I think this is largely due to Finlay, the main character. She is not just a silly girl abandoned by her husband who got himself into a lot of trouble. When it is necessary, Finlay can think quickly and show considerable ingenuity. She does not count on someone to help her in her troubles, but does everything she can to deal with them on her own. She is much smarter than it may seem at first. It made me really like her. Together with Vero, they make a really great duo.
I liked the plot too, it is very similar to the stories I usually like. Though I was a little disappointed at first because I thought the whole book would be about how Finlay carries out a plan to kill her first victim. But the actual story turned out to be good too. There were a lot of really interesting twists and the stakes were high all the time.
I would love to read more books in this series. It can be a lot of fun.
Absurd. One of those books where everything that can go wrong does go wrong, until you get a happily ever after anyway.
Booktone = Vermilion Red (Emotional, plot focus). https://youtube.com/watch?v=AD4WKlAB0Jw
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Finlay Donovan Is Killing It?
About the Author:
Elle Cosimano is the award-winning author of several acclaimed young adult novels including Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Elle's debut, Nearly Gone, was an Edgar Award finalist, and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award and the Mathical Book Prize recognizing mathematics in children's literature. Her more recent young adult thriller Holding Smoke was an International Thriller Writers Award nominee and a Bram Stoker Award finalist. In addition to her novels, her essays have appeared in HuffPost and Time. Elle lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia.
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