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dalmavatai's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this sequel to Finlay Donovan Is Killing It! It was adventurous, funny, and just as charming as the first one. I still loved Finlay and Vero's relationship as well as the cozy family dynamics with Delia, Zach, and Fin's parents.
The plot was super crazy and adventurous which I really enjoyed, although I read the first book almost a year ago so at times it was a bit hard to follow all the allusions to what happened before. I would also say that the plot got perhaps a little bit too crazy for me and it became a bit hard to follow at times.
I also didn't love how focused the sequel was on Finlay's love life and the love triangle with Nick and Julian. I did enjoy the sexual tension but I just thought it took away the focus from the mystery and the relationship between Finlay and Vero that I enjoyed a lot more.
It got a bit silly at times, as is routine for a cozy mystery, like things being overly dramatic or too convenient, but I didn't mind that too much. Overall though, this was a solid sequel with much of the humor, adventure, and charm of the first book. We got a reveal at the end that I really enjoyed but there's quite a few things that remained a mystery so I'm super excited for the third instalment of this series!!
The plot was super crazy and adventurous which I really enjoyed, although I read the first book almost a year ago so at times it was a bit hard to follow all the allusions to what happened before. I would also say that the plot got perhaps a little bit too crazy for me and it became a bit hard to follow at times.
I also didn't love how focused the sequel was on Finlay's love life and the love triangle with Nick and Julian. I did enjoy the sexual tension but I just thought it took away the focus from the mystery and the relationship between Finlay and Vero that I enjoyed a lot more.
It got a bit silly at times, as is routine for a cozy mystery, like things being overly dramatic or too convenient, but I didn't mind that too much. Overall though, this was a solid sequel with much of the humor, adventure, and charm of the first book. We got a reveal at the end that I really enjoyed but there's quite a few things that remained a mystery so I'm super excited for the third instalment of this series!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Violence
pageswithprosecco's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
amym84's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Finlay Donovan is back. It's only been a month since Finlay was mistaken for a hitwoman and became embroiled in a murder mystery to rival one of her own stories.
Now, she's struggling a bit with the sequel. Someone has put a hit out on her ex-husband, and it seems like someone is already on the job. In trying to discover who, Finlay finds herself a member of an underground chat forum which seems to specifically cater to women who want the problems in their lives taken care of...quietly. Luckily, Finlay has nanny turned friend/accomplice Vero on her side. Except, Vero is definitely keeping something from her.
With Detective Nick Anthony back in Finlay's orbit, and another body thrown in their laps again, Finlay and Vero will have to make some tough deals if they want to come out of this free and clear.
This sequel has been one of my most highly anticipated books of the year. I loved the first one, and I loved this one too.
There was a lot from the first book that wasn't entirely solved by the end, and Knocks 'Em Dead continues developing those story threads, almost actually knitting themselves into a fine throw blanket by now :).
I've been really impressed with how Elle Cosimano forms and twists the storyline, really taking into consideration all varying aspects and making the conclusion very plausible and worthwhile. All while dropping hints of where things will go in the next book.
A huge hint dropped is peeling back the layers of the mysterious Vero. She's been Finlay's right-hand person from the start, but really they've only known each other a short time. And while burying a body will bond people together, there's still a lot left open about who Vero is. I'm hoping the next book will give us more of these insights. I also read it as a possible spin-off with Vero at the foreground and Finlay on the assist, but either way, I'm here for it.
Finlay is a character that you root for. You want her to come out on top, you want to see her succeed. I feel the pressure of balancing being a mother with her writing career. Elle Cosimano writes about these things with compassion and understanding. But then we get the added pleasure of seeing Finlay become embroiled in solving her own mysteries and all the danger that goes along with it. I love seeing a smart, resourceful woman who is also self-employed and a mom getting stuff done.
Being a romance fan, I don't even mind the fact that Finlay's in a sort-of love triangle between law student Julian and Police Detective Nick (although I do have my favorite of the two). At the end of the day, this is about Finlay and I like that nothing takes away from that fact. Her choices are her own.
Honestly, I cannot wait to get another book in this series! If you haven't yet started it's highly recommended and definitely required to start at the beginning. If you are up to date. Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Now, she's struggling a bit with the sequel. Someone has put a hit out on her ex-husband, and it seems like someone is already on the job. In trying to discover who, Finlay finds herself a member of an underground chat forum which seems to specifically cater to women who want the problems in their lives taken care of...quietly. Luckily, Finlay has nanny turned friend/accomplice Vero on her side. Except, Vero is definitely keeping something from her.
With Detective Nick Anthony back in Finlay's orbit, and another body thrown in their laps again, Finlay and Vero will have to make some tough deals if they want to come out of this free and clear.
This sequel has been one of my most highly anticipated books of the year. I loved the first one, and I loved this one too.
There was a lot from the first book that wasn't entirely solved by the end, and Knocks 'Em Dead continues developing those story threads, almost actually knitting themselves into a fine throw blanket by now :).
I've been really impressed with how Elle Cosimano forms and twists the storyline, really taking into consideration all varying aspects and making the conclusion very plausible and worthwhile. All while dropping hints of where things will go in the next book.
A huge hint dropped is peeling back the layers of the mysterious Vero. She's been Finlay's right-hand person from the start, but really they've only known each other a short time. And while burying a body will bond people together, there's still a lot left open about who Vero is. I'm hoping the next book will give us more of these insights. I also read it as a possible spin-off with Vero at the foreground and Finlay on the assist, but either way, I'm here for it.
Finlay is a character that you root for. You want her to come out on top, you want to see her succeed. I feel the pressure of balancing being a mother with her writing career. Elle Cosimano writes about these things with compassion and understanding. But then we get the added pleasure of seeing Finlay become embroiled in solving her own mysteries and all the danger that goes along with it. I love seeing a smart, resourceful woman who is also self-employed and a mom getting stuff done.
Being a romance fan, I don't even mind the fact that Finlay's in a sort-of love triangle between law student Julian and Police Detective Nick (although I do have my favorite of the two). At the end of the day, this is about Finlay and I like that nothing takes away from that fact. Her choices are her own.
Honestly, I cannot wait to get another book in this series! If you haven't yet started it's highly recommended and definitely required to start at the beginning. If you are up to date. Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Death
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