Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave

Bestseller Cosimano provides an entertaining fifth investigation for mystery writer and divorced mom Finlay Donovan (after Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice). At the outset, the citizens of South Riding, Va., are eagerly gossiping about the discovery of a body in the rose garden of Finlay’s nosy 81-year-old neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty. The dead man is Gilford Dupree, who went missing five years earlier, and South Riding’s rumor mill quickly settles on Finlay’s philandering ex-husband, Steven—who may have been having an affair with Mrs. Dupree—as the culprit. Unfortunately for Steven, detective Mike Tran latches onto the idea, forcing Finlay, as much as she resents it, to help keep the father of her children out of prison. To add to Finlay’s problems, Mrs. Haggerty’s son has dropped his abrasive mother off at Finlay’s home while he skedaddles to Florida, because her house has been declared an active crime scene. Finlay and her nanny, Vero, handle the case alongside handsome detective Nicholas Anthony, untangling the amusing if easy to solve mystery with panache. Series fans will enjoy the opportunity to get to know recurring character Mrs. Haggerty in greater detail. This is good fun. (Mar.)