☕ Perfect Sip:

Iced Dirty Chai with Extra Espresso and a Caramel Drizzle
(served in a spill-proof travel mug—trust me, you’ll need it)

Why it Works:

This drink has it all: the warm spice of chai for Finlay’s unpredictable life, a bold espresso kick to match her constant chaos, and a swirl of caramel because somehow, through all the crime scenes and kidnapping plots, there’s still heart and sweetness (thank you, Vero). It’s comfort in a cup… with a side of adrenaline.

About the Series

💀 Finlay Donovan Series Recap (Books 2–5)

More Chaos, More Crimes, More Caffeine

Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan series just keeps getting wilder—and I’m absolutely here for it. What started as one mom’s accidental side hustle as a hitwoman has spiraled into a full-blown, high-stakes, laugh-out-loud mystery series packed with mob wives, body disposal mishaps, and enough caffeine to power an entire Panera.

In this post, I’m diving into books 2 (Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead), 3 (Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun), the short 3.5 novella (Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank), book 4 (Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice), and book 5 (Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave). Buckle up—because Finlay and Vero are back, and things only get more unhinged from here.

My Thoughts

I absolutely devoured this series. I was going to write an individual review for each book, but I flew through these so quickly that I scrapped that idea pretty quickly. I will give a rating for each book at the end of the article. The overall review is 5 coffees. This is such a fun series. It spins the typical mystery on its head. While Finlay and Vero do solve mysteries along the way, they aren’t really the heroes. It’s a difficult line for them. Most everything they do is technically an accident, however, the cover up is where there are issues and makes them the morally grey anti-heroes. They may solve a mystery and turn the bad guys over to the police, but they aren’t honest about how they arrived at the situation. Elle Cosimano does a beautiful job of writing the characters so that you don’t hate them for doing the wrong thing, because again, it’s either an accident or they stumble upon it. Finlay and Vero’s friendship is honestly what shines through in the series the most. Everyone wants a friendship like these two share. They are in it through thick and thin. They are ride or die. Now let’s get into this book by book.

🚨 Spoiler Alert! 🚨

This post contains minor spoilers for books 2 through 5 in the Finlay Donovan series. Proceed with caution—or with a double shot of espresso for emotional support. Either works. 💀☕️

Finlay Donovan Knocks ’em Dead – Book 2 – ☕☕☕☕☕ (5 Coffees!)

Someone wants Steven dead—and honestly, can you blame them? At this point, we’ve all had that thought. But as Finlay herself admits, he’s still a really good dad to her kids, which complicates things. As she chases down leads, she starts to suspect Steven might be wrapped up in something shady. The twists and turns in this book are top-tier, and the comedy is absolutely on point. That trip to West Virginia? Pure chaotic gold. And the mayhem that follows? Even better.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun – Book 3 – ☕☕☕☕ (4 Coffees!)

In this installment, Finlay and Vero sign up for a citizen police academy—because what could go wrong spending a week surrounded by law enforcement, right? Turns out… everything. You’d think being locked away with dozens of cops would keep them out of trouble, but nope. Trouble finds them like it’s got a GPS. Between threats from every direction and a surprise rival gunning for the same target, the chaos multiplies fast.

One of the highlights of this book? We finally get a peek behind the emotional fortress Vero’s been hiding behind. Her mysterious past starts to unravel, and the reveal adds a whole new layer to her character—and to her ride-or-die bond with Finlay.

While the plot still delivered on twists and laughs, I’ll admit this one didn’t hit quite as hard as the first two books for me. It’s still a solid entry in the series, just missing a bit of that early spark. But hey—Finlay and Vero in a police academy? You know it’s still wildly entertaining.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank – Novella 3.5 – ☕☕☕ (3 Coffees!)

This quick novella gives us a glimpse into Vero’s life before she became Finlay’s partner in crime—and it’s as chaotic and clever as you’d expect. The story picks up as Vero returns to Virginia, freshly untethered and looking for a new start. We get a deeper look at what she hinted at in book 3, including how she landed a janitor job at a local bank. But Vero being Vero, she quickly uncovers that someone’s skimming money off the top—and decides to solve the mystery herself. Not out of justice, of course, but so she can get them fired and snag the teller position for herself. Priorities.

This is also where her path first crosses with Finlay’s, setting the stage for one of my favorite fictional friendships ever.

Because it’s a novella, it moves fast—maybe too fast. The chaos and humor are still there, but there’s not a lot of room for deeper development outside of giving us a taste of Vero’s backstory. It’s clear that even when she’s doing the right thing, there’s usually a self-serving motive at play. That said, her friendship with Finlay clearly softens those edges over time (even if the morally grey streak never fully fades).

While it doesn’t push the main plot forward, it’s still a fun, worthwhile read for fans of the series who want to understand Vero a little better. Don’t skip it.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice – Book 4 – ☕☕☕☕ (4 Coffees!)

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice takes our favorite chaotic duo on a road trip—with some very unexpected baggage. Between helping Vero get out from under a loan shark’s thumb, rescuing her ex (who’s now caught in the shark’s crosshairs), and tracking down a stolen mob car, Finlay has a lot on her plate. Oh, and did I mention they’re being “supervised” by Finlay’s sister and hot cop Nick, because the mobster who wants them all dead has escaped prison? Naturally.

The glitzy, unhinged world of Atlantic City gives the chaos a fresh new backdrop, and Elle Cosimano cranks the comedy up to eleven. Vero, driven by pure rage and a desperate need to find Javier, is making increasingly bold (and often terrible) decisions. And we love her for it. We also get to spend more time with some returning side characters whose arcs are finally fleshing out—and yes, they bring even more delightful disaster to the mix.

This installment is packed with laugh-out-loud moments—like moving things they absolutely shouldn’t be moving and entering places they definitely shouldn’t go. And sure, some of the mess could’ve been avoided with a simple phone call to the cops… but let’s be real, if you’re reading this series for realism, you’ve completely missed the point. This is premium escapist fiction with a splash of chaos and a double shot of dark humor.

After wrapping up their wild Atlantic City misadventures, it seems like everything’s been handled. Case closed, right?
WRONG. The final pages drop a twist that perfectly tees up the next book—and I’m already buckled in.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave – Book 5 – ☕☕☕☕☕ (5 Coffees!)

And just like that, we’re back to a five-coffee read! This installment serves everything: plot twists, character growth, absolute chaos, and that signature Cosimano comedy.

The book picks up right where we left off in Rolls the Dice, and wastes no time throwing a massive twist our way. Someone gets arrested—only to be quickly released when new evidence surfaces. And guess who’s suddenly suspect number one? That’s right… Steven. Ugh. Can we just let that man rot already? But of course, Finlay has a soft spot for the father of her children, no matter how many red flags he’s waving. I get it… but at what point do we admit he’s shady and maybe not worth the benefit of the doubt?

While Finlay juggles this new mess, we dive deeper into the enigma that is Mrs. Haggerty. And let me tell you—this woman is a ride. Temporarily moving in with Finlay, Vero, and the kids, she brings her cranky energy and “I know best” attitude right into the heart of the household. At first, she seems like a meddling old busybody… but then she starts making suspicious late-night outings. Finlay begins to wonder: who is she meeting? How is she connected to these women popping up around the investigation? And is she really just a nosy neighbor, or something more?

There’s a deeper mystery here, and this time, it’s not just about dead bodies or missing mob money—it’s about secrets people have been keeping for decades. This book manages to keep the chaos grounded with heart. Finlay and Vero are still a mess (bless them), but now they’re a mess with even more at stake—and more people watching.

Final Thought

The Finlay Donovan series is what happens when you toss a struggling single mom, a snarky sidekick, and a string of accidental crimes into a blender—and hit purée. It’s messy, hilarious, slightly unhinged, and wildly entertaining. From agent meetings to mob drama, Finlay and Vero navigate it all with duct tape, dumb luck, and just enough brilliance to survive.

What makes this series shine isn’t just the chaos (though there’s plenty of it)—it’s the heart underneath. The fierce loyalty between Finlay and Vero, the complexities of motherhood, friendship, and moral ambiguity, all wrapped up in crime capers you absolutely shouldn’t think too hard about. Because if you’re here for realism, you’re in the wrong carpool lane.

This series reminded me that books can be fun and smart. The characters grow, the plots twist in all the right (and wrong) directions, and somehow, it all works.

So grab a giant iced espresso, suspend your disbelief, and buckle up—because once you start this series, you won’t want to get off the ride.