Summary

Finlay Donovan is – once again – struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. One the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidante, Vero, to rely on, and the only dead body she’s dealt with lately is that of her daughter’s pet goldfish.

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, permanently out of the picture. Whatever else Steven may be, he’s a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of soccer moms disguised as hit women, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she’d like. 

With her next book’s deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn’t a noose at the end of it.

Why I chose to read this book
The first Finlay Donovan novel was hilarious (you can read my review here), so I have high expectations for this one! I hope it’s just as ridiculous and entertaining.

Thoughts & Opinions

It saddens me to write a negative review, especially since I loved Finlay Donovan is Killing It. In this sequel, Finlay has learned nothing from her past mistakes and is up to the same shenanigans and foolish antics. There is absolutely no character development. Her live-in nanny/friend/partner-in-crime Vero is extremely annoying. I don’t remember her being like this in the previous book. I kept rolling my eyes at every quip and “edgy” comeback she had. Additionally, the stale jokes about murdering Finlay’s ex-husband were truly exhausting. The attempts at humor feel forced and fall flat.

Implausibility was a big theme in the first novel however the formula somehow worked because the premise was hilarious and entertaining. This time around, I find myself wondering how Finlay isn’t in jail yet; nobody is that lucky. I also felt myself questioning Finlay’s lifestyle; she has all the help in the world to take care of her two children – her parents, her sister, her nanny, her ex-husband – yet she is unable to have any sense of organization or time management. Even with a village helping her, she is struggling to find time to meet her writing deadlines as an author. Her unstable and chaotic life made me feel bad for her children because Finlay is irresponsibly living on the edge by choice. 

The ending was absurd and disappointing – in line with the whole book. Sadly, the author was unable to recreate the magic of Finlay Donovan is Killing It and I will not be able to continue on with the series.