Finlay is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
The fifth Finlay Donovan book is out and reminded me how much I enjoy this series. I could tell you about #5 but if you are going to read about Finlay’s crazy life you have to start at the beginning. Each book starts where the last one ended so it is one continuous story.
The first in the series, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano, starts with a typical morning for Finlay. The nanny is late, she’s mopping up the coffee and grinds results of a forgotten filter, her two-year-old needs a diaper change, and five-year-old Delia gave herself a haircut. Of course Delia didn’t just whack off hair she took some scalp too. Finlay’s already late for an appointment with Sylvia, her editor, and the nanny is not answering her phone.
A call to ex-husband Steven nets a lecture and the news that he fired the nanny. With no time for a proper fix and at Delia’s insistence the blood flow is staunched with a burp rag then the cut hair is attached to her head with tape and covered with a cap. The duct tape, bloody rag and knife go in the diaper bag and they are out the door.
After dropping Delia at pre-school and Zach with his dad, Finlay just makes it to meet Sylvia hoping her wig-scarf and sunglasses are enough to hide her identity. Finlay is banned from this Panera for fighting with her exes fiancée, formerly their real estate agent and Steven’s mistress. As she and Sylvia discuss the progress or lack of for her latest thriller, the occupant of the next table notices the duct tape, knife and rag in Finlay’s bag. Sylvia leaves as does the woman from the adjacent table. Finlay then spies a note left on her tray.
$50,000 cash, Harris Mickler, address and a phone number. Intrigued by that dollar sign and all those zeroes, Finlay calls the number. It’s the woman who sat next to them and what she says is confusing. Her husband is not a nice man and has done terrible things so she wants him gone. She was going to take the money and leave him but it’s better this way and she wants Finlay to do it. Do what? After telling her Harris will be at The Lush that night she hangs up.
A confused Finley notices the bloodied items in her bag and starts to recall her conversation with Sylvia. Realization dawns that Mrs. Mickler thinks Finlay is a hit woman.
Even though she is desperate for money with bills unpaid and Steven threatening to sue for full custody of their children, Finlay is not a killer. But she is curious about Harris. Once her sister reluctantly agrees to babysit, Finlay dons her wig scarf and heads to The Lush.
When she observes Harris spiking the drink of his companion Finlay switches the drinks and Harris is the one drugged. She manages to get him out of the bar but he passes out by her minivan. Finlay’s intent is to take him to Mrs. Mickler but she adamantly refuses so Finlay heads home to figure things out. She parks in the garage but leaves the van running, it’s cold out, to go inside and call her sister. When she comes out the garage door is closed but the van is still running and Harris is dead.
As she is trying to do CPR the babysitter shows up to collect her belongings. Vero is ready to bolt and Finlay is going to turn herself in but then they find that Harris was involved with some very bad people. People who would hurt Finlay and her children if they find out Harris is dead.
For a cut of the money and room and board, Vero becomes her nanny again and her partner in crime. They have to hide Harris’ body and figure out who killed him so Finlay can stay out of jail and finish a novel she hasn’t even started.
Even with plenty of bodies, bad guys, and suspects this is a light-hearted read. There is a lot going on but Cosimano does a great job with the flow of the novel so you never get lost in the details. If you are a Stephanie Plum fan, you should check out Finlay Donovan. You won’t be sorry.
Review written by: Patty Crane, Reference Librarian
