The Hook:
Our favorite mystery writer Finlay is back again, getting into even more shenanigans in the seedy world of contract killers. This time, she must unearth the identity of the person who has taken out a hit on her ex-husband. Before long, she finds herself in a high stakes game of cat and mouse with the assassin stalking her ex, and she’ll have to dig deep to decide what to do about all the peril he’s in.
My Impressions:
I could literally talk for hours about the Finlay Donovan books, which are undoubtably some of my favorite books in the entire mystery genre. The protagonist is extremely likable and fun to root for, the side characters are all memorable and enjoyable to read about, and the suspense is balanced perfectly with humor. I laughed so hard at times while reading this that I’m told my shrieks could be easily heard from across the house.
In a time when so much media strives to be dark and broody and to “subvert audience expectations” by pulling out increasingly alienating plot twists and shocking character deaths, books like this are truly a breath of fresh air. Cosimano’s writing style feels welcoming, as if the book is meant to take the reader by the hand and lead them on a fun, suspenseful journey with beloved characters.
I honestly loved every minute of this book, and will be reading it again whenever I need a pick-me-up or a reminder of what excellent foreshadowing and tight plotting can accomplish. Every single delicious beat of this book is constructed with a love of the genre and a level of respect and affection for the readers that is in a league of it’s own.
If you’ve read this book already, feel free to leave a comment discussing it, as I’d love to hear what other readers liked most about the story.
Happy reading!
Kat Pollock 