If we know one thing by now that Finlay Donovan is really good at, it’s digging a grave. Who’s it going to be this time?
Mrs. Haggerty, nosy neighbor extraordinaire and self-appointed president of the neighborhood watch, is in trouble. A body has been discovered in her backyard and she’s been taken in for questioning. Finlay and Vero settle in for a nice relaxing time of minding their own business. But when all the evidence starts pointing at her ex-husband Steven, it’s a race for Finlay to solve the crime before the police start poking into everyone’s secrets.
I can’t believe this is the fifth book, thought we were only on three when I put this on hold! I enjoy Finlay and her interactions with the wild cast of characters. Her friendship with nanny Vero is heartwarming. I especially appreciate that her two small children didn’t fade into the background never to be heard from again, that is a personal pet peeve that drives me nuts. Maybe it’s unrealistic that she can always find someone to watch them while she’s up to her usual sneaking about but I’m glad some thought is given to this. She’s a mom. She’s always tired. Potty training is a war you might not feel like you’re going to win. That is realistic in my experience.
If you were looking to just jump into this series this would probably be the one to do it. This mystery more so than the previous ones feels mostly confined to her local neighborhood, in fact concentrating on her neighbors rather than Finlay herself. It’s not difficult to figure out her connections to everyone else either. But why do that? Grab the first and start your journey there. These books are made for breezing through on a hot day with a cold drink by your side.