A review by machadamia
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book wasn't the most amazing thing ever but the premise was so intriguing that just by reading the blurb, I had to check it out. In short, it's about a down and out of luck writer with 2 children who unwittingly stumbles upon a contract to kill a very evil and bad person and somehow she manages to achieve it which results in a whole lot of shenanigans to cover it up and figure out what really happened. It is rather low stakes because it doesn't seem likely that the heroine will be found out. From the start I kind of guessed what might happen when she

called herself Theresa and then all the places she went to were kind of where she stayed, even borrowed her dress. But I didn't expect Theresa to also be involved in some way to the mafia.

I liked that it was very clear on who the good and bad guys are even though the main character was committing crimes, to the reader at least it felt like a justifiable crime. 

Some of the plot points or scenes were however, quite ridiculous especially

when Vero just agreed to join her in this murder like I don't think that is a very normal reaction? Also when Andrei somehow shot himself while he had sand in his eyes which made absolutely no sense whatsoever, the man was a professional killer?? Also the fact that she just never got found out and the bartender just agreed to basically cover up for her or the police officer who had the hots for her so she easily lead him off her trail. I mean okay the police officer part I do think is believable considering the competence of American police.

I was rather annoyed with Finlay at the start and didn't understand her decision to

not want joint custody with her ex-husband because she clearly cannot handle caring for her kids full time and doing her job properly.

I disliked that these things just happened to her so it's like she got lucky rather than her making her own honest fortunes and trying her best to earn money somehow (well aside from the contract killing). Maybe it's just the Asian in me that really hate lack of financial planning and independence. I really almost dropped the book at the start because I was so irritated but I stuck it through and it got really interesting and I really had to finish it towards the end. 

All in all though, I thought it was a well paced book with a funny plot that had a lot of plot holes but also a lot of fun once I took it a lot less seriously and I'm glad that the writer made her have a friend in Vero who helped her out so much (really shows how important support systems are). Worth a casual read if you're not looking for something too serious!