An Instant New York Times Bestseller!
From USA Today bestseller and Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun―the hilarious and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.
Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she’s a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had “borrowed” in the process of saving the life of Finlay’s ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.
Mob boss Feliks is still running the show from behind bars, and he has a task for Finlay: find and identify a contract killer before the cops do. The problem is, the killer might be an officer themself.
Luckily, hot cop Nick has just been tasked with starting up a citizen’s police academy, and combined pressure from Finlay’s looming book deadline and Feliks is enough to convince Finlay and Vero to get involved. Through firearm training and forensic classes (and some hands-on research with a tempting detective), Finlay and Vero use their time in police academy to sleuth out the real contract killer to free themselves from the mob’s clutches―all the while dodging spies, confronting Vero’s past, and juggling the daily trials of parenthood.
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Acclaim
Bookbub’s “21of This Winter’s Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers”
Novel Suspects “Most Anticipated Crime Fiction Coming in 2023”
SheReads’s “Most Anticipated Thrillers Coming in 2023”
Praise
“Fresh, heartfelt and witty, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is a twisty, page-turner, and its relatable heroine Finlay Donovan is irresistible!”
—Janet Evanovich
“This series is magical! The premise is absolutely brilliant, the writing is tight, sharp, hilarious, and heartfelt. I’m in awe of Elle Cosimano. Every book lover in the world should be reading Finlay Donovan.”
—Christina Lauren, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something Wilder
“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, award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of Things We Do in the Dark and Little Secrets
“Finlay Donovan remains the heroine of my heart. Murder and hot men while rocking a messy mom bun, yes please! Elle Cosimano writes fresh, funny mysteries that are an absolute blast to read.”
—Chandler Baker, New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network
“It would be next to impossible to find another author who writes stories that are as thrilling as they are hilarious. By now, I love Finlay Donovan so much I would 100% hide a dead body for her.”
—Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Dial A For Aunties
“Cosimano’s newest Finlay book is laugh out loud funny…a story of second chances, family and loyalty. Fact: If you’re going to bury a body, you definitely want Finlay Donovan by your side.”
—Julie Clark, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Lies I Tell
“Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is an edge-of-your-seat, fun, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud, sexy and smart novel. It can’t be pinned down to one genre because it spans so many, pulling readers all the way in for an absolutely awesome adventure. Elle Cosimano is a word wizard and this series gets better with every book.”
—Sophie Sullivan, author of Ten Rules For Faking It
“Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is another great addition to this marvelous series. The pace is insane, the characters larger than life and the plot line more twisted than it appears. It takes a master to manipulate the large cast through this tapestry of interwoven plot lines, and Cosimano does so with style. . . If you’re a fan of crazy off-the-wall antics and hysterical comedy, sexy tension laden chemistry and an outstanding who’s-the-bad-guy mystery, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun is for you! Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys highly entertaining mysteries.”
—Mystery & Suspense Magazine
“A spiral staircase of imaginative twists and captivating characters, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun never disappoints. And Cosimano continues to burnish her bona fides as she runs the gamut from murder to mirth.”
—The Fredericksburg Free Lance Star
“Elle Cosimano is back with the third book in the Finlay Donovan series, and this one might be the most hilarious and suspenseful one yet.”
—Novel Suspects
“Cosimano’s heroine, and her snarky babysitter-turned-crime-assistant, are a fantastic duo to follow, and I hope to be reading their adventures for quite some time.”
—CrimeReads
“The girl power in this book is fierce and the comedy even fiercer. It’s a don’t-miss addition to the Finlay Donovan series!”
—BookTrib
“This series continues to deliver fun characters with laugh-out-loud moments . . .a hilarious nonstop roller-coaster ride.”
—Audiofile Magazine
“The latest installment in Cosimano’s “Finlay Donovan” series (following Finlay Donovan Knocks ’Em Dead) will undoubtedly have listeners rolling with laughter. An excellent recommendation for anyone pining for the next Stephanie Plum novel.”
—Library Journal, starred review (audio edition)
“This is good, fast fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fasten your seat belts… murder most madcap.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Readers who love fast-paced, action-packed mysteries should pick this up.”
—Library Journal
Discussion Guide
Whether you’re meeting in person, on Zoom, or via your somewhat- shady online women’s forum, or in the police academy dorms—dust off those wigs, scarves, and sunglasses, grab a Panera pastry and a glass of wine, and enjoy your discussion of Finlay and Vero’s latest hijinks.
We love to see your Finlay Donovan-inspired photos! Please tag us on social media and use #FinlayDonovanJumpsTheGun and #HitMomBookClub.
- Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun opens with the heroine, Finlay, in a standoff—but not in the way you’d expect. How does the author parallel motherhood with negotiations, and even crime-solving? Were you surprised by Mo’s eventual role in the story?
- Throughout most of this novel, we stay in one setting: the Citizen’s Police Academy. Why do you think the author chose this as her backdrop, rather than the more domestic settings of previous books? How did this change of scenery contribute to or change your understanding of Finlay?
- Finlay’s writer’s block seems to be worse than ever in this novel. Why do you think she’s so reluctant to give her fictional counterpart a happy ending? What do you think the future holds for Finlay and Nick?
- Once again, we discover in dramatic fashion that Vero has been keeping secrets from Finlay. Why do you think Finlay continues to trust her nanny/accountant? And why do you think Vero keeps holding back?
- Trust—and the lack thereof—play a large role in the story overall. Discuss Nick’s relationship with Joey and Charlie, and Joey’s with Cam, even Finlay and Nick’s. When do you think our characters take loyalty too far?
- Mrs. Haggerty, a minor but pivotal supporting character throughout the series, gets her moment to shine in Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun. Why do you think the author gave Mrs. Haggerty this act of heroism?
- The series’ most villainous villain, Feliks Zhirov, remains off-page for the majority of the book, sending threats through underlings. Though we know he is imprisoned, what do these delegation techniques tell us about his character? What about the characters of those he sends messages through—Cam and Ekatarina Rybakov?
- Fires and heat, both literal and metaphorical, pop up frequently in this story. Why do you think the author has chosen to use flames both in inciting incidents and at the climax of the story?
- In Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, Finlay and Vero finally discover the identity of EasyClean, a paid hit man. Were you surprised by this reveal? What red herrings in particular threw you off the scent?
- The novel leaves Finlay and Vero driving off into the sunrise on a rescue mission. Earlier, the pair (or at least the fictional versions of them in Finlay’s novel) are compared to the title characters in Thelma and Louise. Do you see any similarities between our characters and that beloved duo? Where do you think their next mission will take them?
Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
The man’s voice cracked on the other side of the partition. “I’m going to prison for this, aren’t I?”
“You’re not going to prison,” I assured him through the gap in the door. A small, familiar giggle issued from the other side and the man whimpered. “What’s your name?” I asked him, distracting him with small talk as I rummaged in my diaper bag.
“Why do you want to know my name? Are you reporting me to the police?”
“I’m not going to report you. Trust me.”
“Trust you!”
“Do you seriously think I want this to end badly?” I listened to his ragged breaths, waiting for an answer.
“Mo…” he said tentatively. Another giggle came from behind the partition and the man cried, “Mo! My name is Mo! Dear god, please do something!”
“I need you to stay calm, Mo. Listen to me and do exactly what I tell you.”
His voice climbed. “You’ve done this before?”
“Yes,” I assured him, “I have dealt with this before.” Just never in the men’s room of a Walmart. “Listen to me carefully, Mo. I’m going to bend down very slowly and reach into the stall. Whatever happens, don’t move.”
Mo started hyperventilating in earnest. “Wait, you’re going to what? I really don’t think that’s a good idea. There must be some other way—”
“There is no other way, Mo. Are you going to let me help you or do I need to call someone to unlock the stall door?”
“Don’t call anyone!” he begged. “Do whatever it is you’re going to do. But please hurry!”
I eased to the floor, cringing as I pressed my palms to the sticky tiles. I didn’t want to think about what might be growing in the grout between them as I lowered my head and peeked under the partition at Mo’s feet.
His slacks pooled around his ankles and a pair of Argyle socks were drawn high over his calves. My son’s light-up Buzz Lightyear sneakers flashed a few feet in front of the man.
“Zach,” I pleaded as he babbled and grinned at Mo. “Come out of there, right this minute.”
Thirty seconds. In the thirty seconds it had taken me to relieve my bladder, my toddler had managed to slither under the door of my stall and slip out of the women’s restroom and into the men’s, probably on the heels of some unsuspecting young person who had never been responsible for small children or zoo animals and hadn’t had the forethought to stop him.
Zach laughed as I groped under the partition for him. The baggy hem of his overalls slipped from my fingers as he retreated deeper into the stall.
“He’s coming closer!” Mo shrieked, his knees clamping together. “No, no! Stay back!”
“You don’t have much experience with children, do you?”
“No! Why would you ask that?”
“Just a hunch.” I dropped my shoulder under the partition, my arm outstretched. Forgoing two other empty stalls, Mo had chosen the larger accessible toilet, and the commode—and now my child—were in the farthest corner of it. “I can’t reach him. He’s too far from the door.”
“I thought you said you knew how to fix this!”
“I’m working on it. Don’t panic.”
“Don’t panic? Do you have any idea what happens to men who get caught in bathrooms with small children without their pants on? I was just in here minding my own business!”
Zach’s giggles fell suddenly, ominously silent. I dug furiously in my diaper bag. Where were the damn Cheerios when you needed them?
“Something’s wrong,” Mo said through a strained whisper. “The child is holding very still. I think he might be up to something.”
I wrinkled my nose. Zach was definitely up to something.
“He’s grunting and his face is turning red. I think he’s possessed.”
“He’s not possessed. He’s having a bowel movement.”
“He’s what?! That’s it! I’m coming out—”
“No! Whatever you do, do not stand up!” I buried my arm elbow-deep in my bag. There definitely wasn’t time to run out to the cereal aisle. The poor man would probably suffer a heart attack and wind up dead on the floor before I made it back, and the last thing I needed to deal with was one more corpse. Especially one with his pants around his ankles.
New year, new me. I wasn’t a criminal or a killer, at least not by my own choice. Harris Mickler, the sleazy accountant who had turned up dead in the back of my minivan three months ago, was not murdered by me, regardless of the fact that his wife, Patricia, had insisted on paying me to kill him. And yet, no matter how many times I explained to Mrs. Mickler that I was not a contract killer, disturbingly similar job offers continued to find me. The list of resolutions I’d adopted two weeks ago had included three very important bullets: no more junk food, no more men, and no more bodies in my minivan. Not necessarily in that order.
Copyright © 2023 by Elle Cosimano