Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line
- Judith D Collins
- Mar 17
- 6 min read
Finlay Donovan #6
By: Elle Cosimano
Narrator: Angela Dawe
ISBN: 9781250337603
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: 03/17/2026
Format: e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line—the highly anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series. Please enjoy this sample of the book before Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line publishes in March 2026!
Life hasn’t been easy for Finlay Donovan lately, but it just got a whole lot harder. Her nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero, has been extradited from Virginia to Maryland, where she’s facing criminal charges for a theft she swears she didn’t commit. A prisoner to an ankle bracelet as she awaits her trial, Vero is forced to live with her overbearing mother and nosy aunt. Threatening messages keep arriving on her mother’s door, demanding Vero “turn over the money . . . or else.” And if she doesn’t figure out who really stole her former sorority’s treasury funds, her next home might be a prison cell.
But proving her innocence might be an impossible feat. Vero was the treasurer of her sorority when the money went missing—one of the only people who had access to the cash. And her alibi is a date who ghosted her. With her court date quickly approaching, and her mysterious stalker on her tail, Vero needs to clear her name fast.
Finlay decides a trip to Maryland is in order. After all, Vero stood by her through her darkest moments, and Finlay will be damned if she lets her best friend and children’s nanny be convicted for something she didn’t do. She sets off on a mission to sus out the real thief and bring Vero home.
My Review
In "Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line," the sharp-witted zany sixth installment of Elle Cosimano's thrilling mystery series/rom-com, the narrative centers around a compelling mission: exonerating Vero, Finlay's devoted nanny and partner-in-crime. As the plot unfolds, readers are drawn into a web of intrigue as Finlay embarks on a quest to clear Vero’s name, navigating unexpected challenges and uncovering secrets along the way.
Highlights...
Vero's Legal Trouble:
Vero is extradited from Virginia to Maryland to face criminal charges for allegedly stealing her former sorority's treasury funds years ago.
House Arrest:
While awaiting trial, Vero is confined to her overbearing mother's house in Maryland with a state-issued ankle monitor.
The Threat:
Anonymous threatening messages appear at Vero's mother's door, demanding she "turn over the money... or else," indicating a mysterious stalker is on her tail.
Missing Witness:
Vero’s only alibi is a date who ghosted her on the night the money went missing, making it nearly impossible to prove her innocence.
The Mission:
Finlay leaves her children with Nick (hot cop) and travels to Maryland to help Vero try to find the real thief before the trial begins.
The Investigation:
Finlay and Javi work together to unravel the truth, questioning former sorority sisters and flings from Vero's past.
Will they uncover the truth about the college scandal, clear Vero's name, and return home?
My thoughts...
Get ready for plenty of action, wit, suspense, and lots of laughs with some new fun characters. The dynamics between Finlay, Nick, and their extended "found family" are central to the plot as they manage the fallout of Vero's arrest, which will keep you laughing and on the edge of your seat to solve the mystery.
Much of the search focuses on tracking down a specific man who ghosted Vero the night the money went missing, as he is her only viable alibi.
Characters...
The "Hot Cop" Babysitter:
While Finlay is in Maryland helping Vero, Detective Nick Anthony steps up as the primary caregiver for Finlay’s children, Zach and Delia, back in Virginia. (Hilarious)
Deepening Bond:
Despite the secrets Finlay often keeps from him due to her "accidental" criminal activities, Nick remains her "hero" and a major redeeming factor in her chaotic life.
A Growing Commitment:
Nick's role has shifted from a romantic interest to a permanent fixture in the household.
Vero's Support System:
The "Fantastic Four" in this installment refers to Vero’s elderly neighbors who assist in the investigation.
The Maryland Crew:
Javi: Vero’s boyfriend (husband) and mechanic, who accompanies Finlay to Maryland to check on Vero.
Norma and Gloria:
Vero’s overbearing mother and nosy aunt, who provide both comic relief and tension while Vero is under house arrest.
Ramón:
Vero's brother, who grew up with her and Javi in the D.C. suburbs.
The "Misfit" Team:
The group works together to circumvent Vero's ankle monitor and track down her missing alibi, showcasing the "found family" theme where everyone pitches in to clear Vero's Day name.
True to the series' longstanding tradition, the book reaches a gripping climax that leaves readers on the edge of their seats, culminating in a significant cliffhanger.
This unpredictable ending expertly weaves together an escalating tension that introduces a formidable new threat, challenging Finlay's already delicate equilibrium between her budding writing career and the chaotic entanglements of her "accidental" life as a criminal. As the final pages turn, the stakes are higher than ever, setting the stage for an exhilarating Book 7.
The audiobook...
The audiobook experience of a Finlay Donovan novel is significantly enhanced by the extraordinary talent of the narrator, Angela Dawe, (a personal favorite). Listening to her bring the story to life adds an entirely new dimension to the narrative, creating an immersive experience that fully engages the listener. Her dynamic voice and skillful delivery make each character and scene memorable, transforming an already captivating story into something even more enchanting. This perfect pairing truly enhances the overall enjoyment of the book!
Recs...
If you're a fan of Janet Evanovich's engaging Stephanie Plum series or the charmingly quirky Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto, you'll undoubtedly be captivated by the Finlay Donovan Series.
This delightful collection weaves humor with mystery, inviting you to accompany its clever protagonist on thrilling escapades. It’s best to enjoy these books in order, starting with the first installment, to fully immerse yourself in the unfolding drama and character development. Trust me, you won't want to miss a single moment of this fun journey!
Special thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advanced reading and listening teaser copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustRead Books
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 17, 2026
Praise
“Finlay Donovan is irresistible!"
―Janet Evanovich
“Refreshing, funny and bright, these are wonderfully escapist novels.”
―Charlaine Harris
“The Finlay Donovan series is simply spectacular and always delightful! I adore everything about it―the humor, the screwball plotlines, the mysteries, and above all the cast: the friendship between Vero and Finlay is one for the ages, and Finlay’s love life entertains me to no end. Elle Cosimano’s books are the perfect blend of mystery and romcom, and I’m ready to follow Finlay wherever she goes!”
―Ali Hazelwood
“This series is magical! I’m in awe of Elle Cosimano. Every book lover in the world should be reading Finlay Donovan.”―Christina Lauren
“I love Finlay Donovan so much I would 100% hide a dead body for her.”
―Jesse Q. Sutanto
“Fact: If you’re going to bury a body, you definitely want Finlay Donovan by your side.”
―Julie Clark
“Finlay Donovan remains the heroine of my heart. Elle Cosimano writes fresh, funny mysteries that are an absolute blast to read.”
―Chandler Baker
“I’ve never laughed so much reading books about murder. Elle Cosimano’s accidental hitwoman Finlay Donovan is a darkly hilarious, quick witted, and surprisingly relatable woman. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you have reading this brilliant, funny mystery series from one of the best writers working today.”
―Jennifer Hillier
“The Finlay Donovan series is an unpredictable, fun, funny, page-turning delight."―Gwenda Bond
“A fun, refreshing series."
―Kaira Rouda
"Finlay Donovan is the perfect 21st century heroine―I adore her."
―Sophie Cousens
“A funny and smart, twisty and surprising series.”
―Megan Miranda
“If Desperate Housewives and Dexter had a baby―raised by caffeine and chaos―it’d be this series.”
―Michelle Gagnon
“Romance novelist Finlay Donovan, who’s never met a line she wouldn’t cross, crosses several new ones in her attempt to prove her nanny/best friend’s innocence of theft . . . What provisions of the law are left for the heroine to breach in the next outrageous installment? Readers can only guess.”
―Kirkus Reviews
“Fans will delight in this return to Finlay’s madcap world . . . the hijinks, humor, and heart have never been better. The friendship between Finlay and Vero remains a highlight of the series, and this story beautifully demonstrates the love they have for each other. A satisfying, entertaining entry in a well-loved and enduring series.”
―Booklist
“Great pacing, humor, storytelling, and characterization for fans of the series or those who enjoy the books of Janet Evanovich and Jesse Q. Sutanto.”
―Library Journal
“Cosimano keeps the tone freewheeling and funny . . . this is a raucous good time.”
―Publishers Weekly
About the Author
ELLE COSIMANO is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Writers Award winner, and an Edgar Award nominee. Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series, which was a People magazine pick and was named one of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021. The third book in the series, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, was an instant New York Times bestseller. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in HuffPost and Time. Cosimano lives with her husband and two sons in Virginia. WEBSITE
