Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

Accidental hitwoman, struggling mom, comedic genius—Finlay Donovan is back!

"Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" is a worthy addition to the series, maintaining the high standard set by its predecessors. It's the literary equivalent of a gourmet comfort food - familiar and satisfying, but with enough surprises to keep you coming back for more.

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When Life Hands You Lemons, Make a Molotov Cocktail

You know that feeling when you’re just trying to make it through the day as a single mom/struggling author, and suddenly you find yourself embroiled in mob shenanigans, potential murder plots, and a citizen’s police academy where you’re desperately trying not to blow your cover? No? Just Finlay Donovan then? Fair enough.

Elle Cosimano’s third installment in the Finlay Donovan series, “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun,” delivers exactly what fans have come to expect – a perfect cocktail of humor, heart-pounding suspense, and just enough sexual tension to make you wonder if you should grab a fan. Or a fire extinguisher. You’ll see why.

The Story So Far: A Quick Recap for the Uninitiated

For those just jumping into the Finlay-verse (and honestly, why would you start here? Go read the first two books, you heathens!), here’s a quick rundown:

  • Finlay Donovan Is Killing It“: Our heroine accidentally becomes a hit woman for hire. Hilarity and danger ensue.
  • Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead“: Finlay tries to prevent her ex-husband’s murder while juggling motherhood, writing deadlines, and an annoyingly attractive cop.
  • And now, “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun“: Finlay infiltrates a citizen’s police academy to find a contract killer. What could possibly go wrong? (Spoiler: Everything. Everything could go wrong.)

Plot Rundown: Cops, Robbers, and Everything in Between

In this latest adventure, Finlay and her partner-in-crime (literally) Vero find themselves pressured by the Russian mob boss Feliks Zhirov to identify a mysterious contract killer known as EasyClean. Their brilliant solution? Enroll in a citizen’s police academy, of course! Because nothing says “undercover” like learning how to dust for fingerprints and practice your Miranda rights.

As Finlay navigates the academy alongside a colorful cast of characters – including her nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty and a pair of true-crime podcasters – she finds herself juggling multiple challenges:

  • Identifying EasyClean before Feliks loses patience (and Finlay loses her head)
  • Finishing her latest novel, which her editor insists needs more steamy scenes (awkward)
  • Dealing with her ex-husband’s sudden interest in reconciliation (ugh)
  • And trying not to fall head-over-heels for the very detective she’s been lying to

It’s like juggling flaming chainsaws while riding a unicycle. On a tightrope. Over a pit of hungry alligators.

Character Spotlight: Finlay Donovan – Accidental Badass

Finlay continues to be the relatably disaster-prone protagonist we’ve come to know and love. She’s still struggling to balance single motherhood, her writing career, and her increasingly complicated personal life. But in this installment, we see Finlay growing more confident in her ability to handle the chaos around her. She’s still fumbling, sure, but she’s fumbling with style.

One of the most entertaining aspects of Finlay’s character is her constant internal struggle between her writer’s imagination and the very real dangers she faces. Her tendency to view life through the lens of potential plot points leads to some genuinely hilarious moments, like when she considers the logistics of disposing of a body during a forensics class. You know, as one does.

Supporting Cast: The Real MVPs

While Finlay is undoubtedly the star of the show, Cosimano’s supporting characters continue to shine:

  • Vero, Finlay’s nanny-turned-accomplice, remains a delightful mix of competence and chaos. Her backstory gets fleshed out more in this book, adding depth to her character.
  • Detective Nick Anthony, Finlay’s will-they-won’t-they love interest, continues to be frustratingly perfect. Seriously, the sexual tension between these two could power a small city.
  • Mrs. Haggerty, the nosy neighbor turned unexpected ally, steals every scene she’s in. Her enthusiasm for the citizen’s police academy is both hilarious and oddly touching.

Themes: More Than Just a Romp

While “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun” is undeniably a fun, fast-paced read, Cosimano weaves in some deeper themes that give the story weight:

The Gray Areas of Morality

Throughout the series, Finlay has grappled with the blurry line between right and wrong. In this installment, that struggle becomes even more pronounced as she finds herself lying to and manipulating people she cares about in the name of protecting them. It’s a nuanced take on the idea that good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes.

The Power of Female Friendship

The relationship between Finlay and Vero continues to be the heart of the series. Their ride-or-die friendship, complete with banter and unwavering support, is a refreshing portrayal of women supporting each other through thick and thin (and the occasional felony).

Balancing Ambition and Personal Life

Finlay’s ongoing struggle to meet her writing deadlines while juggling her personal life and, you know, not getting murdered, serves as a relatable metaphor for the challenges of work-life balance. It’s just that most of us don’t have to worry about mob bosses breathing down our necks. Hopefully.

Writing Style: Wit Sharper Than a Prison Shank

Cosimano’s writing continues to be a highlight of the series. Her prose is snappy, filled with clever observations and genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. (Seriously, I may have pulled an all-nighter reading this. No regrets.)

The author’s ability to balance humor with genuine tension is impressive. One moment you’re giggling at Finlay’s internal monologue, the next you’re gripping the book white-knuckled as she narrowly escapes danger. It’s like riding a roller coaster, if roller coasters had witty one-liners and sexual tension.

Comparisons and Context

For fans of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series or Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson books, the Finlay Donovan series offers a similar blend of mystery, humor, and romance. However, Cosimano’s writing feels fresher and more grounded in reality (well, as grounded as a story about an accidental hit woman can be).

In the broader context of the mystery/thriller genre, the Finlay Donovan series stands out for its unique premise and its ability to balance genuine suspense with laugh-out-loud humor. It’s like if “Breaking Bad” and “Bridget Jones’s Diary” had a baby, and that baby was raised by Tina Fey.

Critiques: Nobody’s Perfect (Except Maybe Detective Nick)

While “Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun” is a thoroughly enjoyable read, it’s not without its flaws:

  • The plot can sometimes feel a bit convoluted, with multiple threads that don’t always come together neatly.
  • Some readers might find the continued “will-they-won’t-they” between Finlay and Nick frustrating. (Though personally, I’m here for it. The tension! The angst! The smoldering looks!)
  • The resolution of the main conflict feels a bit rushed compared to the build-up.

However, these minor issues don’t significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Final Thoughts: Jump on This Bandwagon

“Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun” is a worthy addition to the series, maintaining the high standard set by its predecessors. It’s the literary equivalent of a gourmet comfort food – familiar and satisfying, but with enough surprises to keep you coming back for more.

For fans of the series, this book delivers everything you’ve come to love about Finlay’s misadventures. For newcomers, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

As we look forward to the next installments in the series – “Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice” and the upcoming “Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave” – one thing is clear: Elle Cosimano has created a character and a world that readers can’t get enough of. And really, who can blame us? In a world that often feels overwhelming and serious, Finlay Donovan’s chaotic but ultimately hopeful journey is a much-needed escape.

So grab a copy, settle in with your beverage of choice (maybe skip the Molotov cocktails), and prepare to laugh, gasp, and root for Finlay as she stumbles her way through another adventure. Just remember: if anyone asks, you’re totally not researching how to dispose of a body. It’s purely fictional. Right?

Human Touch: You know, I stayed up way too late reading this book, and I regret nothing. Except maybe the fact that I now have an inexplicable urge to enroll in a citizen’s police academy. Is that weird? That’s probably weird. Oh well, at least I’m not alone in my weirdness. Finlay Donovan, you beautiful disaster, never change.

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"Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" is a worthy addition to the series, maintaining the high standard set by its predecessors. It's the literary equivalent of a gourmet comfort food - familiar and satisfying, but with enough surprises to keep you coming back for more.Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano