Title: Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
Author: Elle Cosimano
Series: Finlay Donovan
Source: Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
Genre: Mystery
Explicit? No
Trigger Warnings: Violence but mainly offscreen
Summary: 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.

The Job and The Mob

This time the job is linked to the mob and man, is it a tough one involving investigation skills beyond what Vero and Finlay manage to possess, but as per usually it’s fun, and bracing. They definitely feel more real, and intimidating in this book. And on top of that, the one working for them is a dirty cop and these two end up surrounded by them.

Did I solve the mystery? Hahaha I got this one so wrong, allowing myself to be led by a red herring. And then another one.

The Characters

There are some new characters in this book who I’d like to talk about.

Roddy – Cop – He has experience with children but man did Finlay make me question her choices when she let him babysit her kids. But the few times he did appear make me smile.

Wade – Former Cop – I never suspected him. I actually loved him, god help me I love a broody bad boy.

Not so new characters

Joey – Gosh he was such a dick in this.

Nick – I love Nick but he seems to straddle a line where Finlay is concerned and it makes me a little nervous to find out what may happen between them in the future if/when it all comes to a head.

The Setting

I have never ever read a mystery that took place in the belly of the beast so to speak and I freaking loved how cleverly Elle Cosimano managed to put together the reason why they could be there and everything that happened when they were there. It was one of the most perfect settings for a mystery about dirty cops for me.

The Plot

At one point while reading this book, late at night I told a friend that there was no possible way I was going to sleep before I finished the book because I absolutely, positively needed to know who had done it and what would happen next.

This book, possibly more than the previous two hooked me right from the get-go and yet it has blended so seamlessly with the previous books. Somehow the trope of a dirty cop seemed even more threatening in this book considering Vero and Finlay are surrounded by them.

Elle Cosimano is also so good at blending romance in without it overshadowing the entire plot.