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Finlay Donovan #4

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

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Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride.

Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back.

But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco's already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay's night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side.

If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2024

About the author

Elle Cosimano

15 books6,130 followers
USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling author, Edgar® Nominee, Bram Stoker® Nominee, & ITW Thriller Award winner.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,769 reviews
Profile Image for Jayme.
1,323 reviews3,320 followers
March 5, 2024
ROAD TRIP!!!

How did Finlay and Vero end up on a road trip to Atlantic City, with Finlay’s ex husband, her two kids, and her mother?

Well, it all started with a ransom note, and a plan to rescue the kidnapped!

Book 4 picks up right where the last book ended! No spoilers for any of the books here, but it really is imperative to start at the beginning of this series, as each installment builds upon the last!

This is the SILLIEST CAPER yet, and all of your favorite characters (except for Mrs. Haggerty) will find their way to Atlantic City to participate in the shenanigans, including hot cop, Detective Nicholas Anthony…ooh la la!

But, if you are disappointed that Mrs. Haggerty didn’t tag along, do not worry! It looks like she will have a prominent role in the next book in the series (yay!)

These books are reminiscent of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series for me-so if you enjoy(ed) those-you will love these! Both feature a leading lady who is always finding trouble, a side kick who once had a questionable past, a love triangle, and a lot of laughs!

🍿Pop the popcorn and enjoy the ride! 🚗🚓

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

A buddy read with DeAnn and MarilynW. Check out their amazing reviews for additional insight!

AVAILABLE NOW!

Thank you to Minotaur Books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Profile Image for Kat .
285 reviews939 followers
March 4, 2024
If ever a duo epitomized the saying Out of the frying pan and into the fire, it’s Finlay and Vero! My favorite magnets for trouble are back and as usual they’re attracting ALL of it!

This fourth book in the series hits the ground running immediately after the crazy events of the Citizens’ Police Academy in the previous book. Under the guise of needing a girls’ weekend in Atlantic City to recover, Finlay and Vero, in classic fashion, intend to fix a dangerous debt to the wrong person, recover a stolen Aston Martin and save Vero’s friend, all while trying to avoid the reach of Felix, the Russian mob boss!

There seems to be no mess that Finlay and Vero can’t find themselves in, but one they didn’t anticipate? Ending up with Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and their two kids, Delia and Zach, as well as her mom along for the ride, because … OF COURSE! When sexy Detective Nick Anthony unexpectedly shows up in Atlantic City with an FBI agent and several of his FCPD associates, including Finlay’s sister Georgia, to protect Finlay … typical craziness ensues!

Expecting a story with Finlay and Vero to be anything BUT over the top, is missing the point of this series, in my opinion. In the same spirit as Lucy and Ethel in I Love Lucy, the humor rests in the ridiculous, absurd scenarios they find themselves in. If you’re looking for believability, this is definitely not your series! Chuck your brain aside and just roll with it! Having said that, I can understand those who feel a bit fatigued by the silliness. I love it, but not everyone will.

I had a blast with this on audiobook. I don’t think I can do this series anymore without hearing Angela Dawe expertly embody every age, personality and gender. She nails every single voice - even the kids. As much as she is now Finlay in my mind, she’s Vero even more! I could listen to her do Vero’s snarky comebacks all day long and never tire of it!

If you enjoy a fast-paced, fun mystery with constant twists and turns and a host of hilariously charming characters, this is a book and series I highly recommend. After the first book, this may be my next favorite. As always, I can’t wait to see what misadventures lie ahead for Finlay and Vero. The last sentence of this book has me SO curious!

★★★★ ½

Thanks to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Elle Cosimano for this digital ARC and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to honestly review. This will be out on March 5, 2024.
Profile Image for Terrie  Robinson (short break).
511 reviews1,019 followers
May 4, 2024
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano is Book #4 in the Finlay Donovan Series!

Do you know how hard it is to begin this review without a spoiler from the previous book?

Under the guise of a girls' weekend, Finlay and Vero are headed to Atlantic City when Finlay's mother, ex-husband Stephen, and their two adorable kids insist on tagging along. Finlay and Vera feel like their adventure is beginning with all the odds against them.

Experiencing roadblock after roadblock from family, friends, lovers, and bad guys, Finlay and Vero are doubling down on this crapshoot with every gimmick and wild card they can line up. This isn't Penny ante poker they're playing and the stakes are high for these two female super sleuths to hit the jackpot...

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up right where Book #3 - Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun leaves off. It takes a while for the familiar rhythm of this series to kick in but once it does the shenanigans begin and the entertainment delivers full-on.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice has an almost perfect ending with a segue into the next book that may take a different direction with a reoccurring character who was absent in this book taking center stage in the storyline. I'll be there for Book #5 in the Finlay Donovan Series and recommend all previous books to be read in chronological order for the best experience.

3.75⭐rounded up!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for megs_bookrack.
1,851 reviews12.4k followers
June 27, 2024
**4.5-stars rounded up**

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is the highly-anticipated 4th-installment to Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Cozy Mystery series, featuring my favorite gal pals, Finlay and Vero!



When Finlay and Vero mention they need a Girls Weekend, people think rest, relaxation, that the women need to let their hair down. After the events at the Citizen's Police Academy, it wouldn't be surprising if they needed a break.

This is Finlay and Vero though, so you know there's more to it than that. What they've really got planned is negotiating with a loan shark, rescuing Vero's childhood crush, Javi, and finding a stolen luxury car.



Getting away won't be so easy though. After Finlay's mother hears about the Girls Weekend to Atlantic City, she insists on going. They'll need help with the kids and she's a girl too. She wants in.

Then Steven, Finlay's ex-husband, gets word of the trip and insists that Finlay cannot take the kids over a state border without his permission, which he's not giving, but he's willing to go along.

Thus begins the most hilarious road trip from hell.



They check into a seedy casino hotel, two rooms of course, and Finlay and Vero get to work right away. It's tricky, but they don't have a lot of time.

After negotiations with the loan shark, Marco, fail, the gals have to move on to Plan B. They'll just have to find the whereabouts of Javi and the Aston Martin themselves, using nothing but their phenomenal sleuthing skills.



They figure out where Marco's suite is and decide to break in to search for clues. I mean, obviously, right!?

Unfortunately, they discover much more than they bargained for in that suite; Marco's dead body. With police circling like birds of prey, Finlay and Vero need to stay out of their sights, find Javi and get the heck out of dodge before they get accused of killing Marco themselves.



Y'all, I had so much fun with this. First of all, I was stoked to be back with this outrageous cast of characters. I love Finlay and Vero with my whole heart, but it's not just them. All the side characters are wildly entertaining as well.

The way this one kicked off, with the road trip to Atlantic City, was hilarious. Just how the girls thought they could get away real quick and do what they needed to do, and the next thing you know, we've got two rambunctious kids, a opinionated mother and a jerk of an ex-husband in tow.



Then Marco's hotel room. OMG, I was laughing out loud, exclaiming things. I couldn't believe how much they were bumbling up that crime scene. It was hilarious.

And people kept showing up! Like, oh, now Nick is here!? I loved that, how even though the setting had changed, we still ended up having the full cast of wacky characters.

I absolutely adored the Atlantic City setting. It's absurd how many opportunities for hi-jinks they had there. I was living for every minute of it.



This is an extremely strong addition to the series. At this point, my level of attachment for these characters is off the charts and this is one of my favorite mysteries so far.

Overall, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is another well-plotted, explosive, uproarious, utterly ridiculous adventure with Finlay and friends. 100% recommend to Readers who have enjoyed other books in this series.



If you haven't started the series yet, but enjoy Cozy Mysteries full of OTT-humor and wild escapades, you definitely should give it a go.

I have listened to the audiobooks for the last three and have loved that format so much. The narration is perfect, A++!!!



Thank you so very much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I love this series and hope that it continues for a long, long time!
Profile Image for Liz.
2,419 reviews3,295 followers
January 20, 2024
I was a big fan of the first two in the Finlay Donovan series. I was less impressed with the third and even less impressed with this, the fourth book. Light hearted humor has crossed over into silliness. None of the prior books have been exactly believable (in fact, quite the opposite). But this one felt incredulous. Coincidence piled on coincidence.
Picking up from the cliffhanger ending of book 3, Finlay and Vero are getting ready to hightail it to Atlantic City. Well, first Steven decided he had to come along, then Finlay’s mother and then it seems like everybody and his brother are there. They no sooner arrive in AC, then they find the man they’ve come to see dead in a hotel bathroom with his associate also dead in the suite. They have to hid the dead bodies, attempt to find the missing Aston Martin and the loan shark’s “book”, all while avoiding the police, the FBI and Finlay’s family members.
This does not work as a stand-alone and the series definitely needs to be read in order.
Another reviewer likened this series to Stephanie Plum and it’s a very apt comparison. If you like one, you’ll like the other. And in the same way I had a problem with the Stephanie Plum series, what was fresh in the first book is beginning to feel a little formulaic by book four.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
Profile Image for mimi (on vacation).
449 reviews431 followers
July 1, 2024
What if I tell you Finlay Donovan: Mission Atlantic City is the funniest book in the series? Four books in, and Elle Cosimano is still capable of writing masterpieces.

I’ve concluded that my expectations for the other books were too high and I wasn't treating them for what they were: a fun escape from reality.
I’m still of the idea that things worked a little too well for Finlay, way detached from reality, but for this one, my only goal was to enjoy the journey. And what an adventure!

So, Finaly still has awful timing and ends up being a crucial part of someone else murders, but everything ends up fine thanks to her endless luck and the attitude of a spy. And the crush the detective has for her. And the poor opinions her ex-husband has on her. And the unlimited trust of her best friend. You get the drill.
I mean, did you think Steven was a better person after someone tried very hard to kill him? Well, you're wrong.
Also, no sexy lawyer here, but I'm not giving up; I know we’ll see him again, especially after the final twist.

As an Italian, I feel I must emphasize the stereotypes of only Russians and Italians being the bad guys and the difference between them. I mean, it's all fun, but don't we forget how the real Italian mafia really works.
Anyway, the so-called Italian gangsters are the funniest part of the story, so I'll hold on to the lecture and say that yes, we could kill whoever threatens our dog.

Now, how long do I have to wait for the next one? Because I needed it yesterday!

3.8 stars

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Nina (ninjasbooks).
1,210 reviews900 followers
April 6, 2024
This was fun! So much drama, with plenty of smiles due to those feisty characters and their strange ways.
Profile Image for Blaine.
869 reviews1,003 followers
March 5, 2024
Update 3/5/24: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!

“But I’m telling you, Finlay, this book is good. This whole series is good. The plots may be a little far-fetched, but these characters are so real! It’s like they just leap off the page!”

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice in exchange for an honest review.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up almost immediately after Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun. Soon-to-be-breakout author Finlay and her best friend and literal partner-in-crime Vero have to get to Atlantic City to try to negotiate with Marco, a New Jersey loan shark, who kidnapped Vero’s former and maybe future flame, Javi. But their plan is going to be more difficult than they hoped when Finlay’s ex-husband Steven, her mother, and her two young children insist on joining them on their trip. And their plan gets even more difficult when someone murders Marco, and several officers of the law—including Finlay’s new boyfriend Nick—also arrive on the scene to watch over Finlay and Vero. Is this the book where Finlay either finally gets caught or finally comes clean (I wouldn’t bet on either 😄).

The Finlay Donovan series is telling one long story, and Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is a continuation of the first three books. In addition to the ones above, this book brings back many of the other surviving characters: Cameron, the teen hacker; Georgia, Finlay’s sister; Georgia’s FBI girlfriend Sam; Joey and Charlie, Nick’s current and former partners; Russian mobster Feliks Zhirov and his right-hand woman Ekatarina Rybakov. And the novel ends on a cliffhanger that guarantees that the next book will tell the next part of the story—apparently involving Finlay’s nosy neighbor Mrs. Haggerty.

As with the earlier entries in the series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is not gritty, realistic crime fiction. This story was probably the busiest one in the series, maybe too busy. So much was happening between the different characters and storylines that it was a bit hard to keep straight at times. At its best, this series works because Finlay is a well-developed character who you can’t help but root for, the snarky banter between Finlay and Vero, and the chemistry between Finlay and Nick. I felt like this book was so plot-focused that it moved away from those elements. I still enjoyed the book, but I’m glad that several plot lines and characters were finally resolved in this book. Hopefully the next book will be a little funnier, and a little more character-focused. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
Profile Image for Rachel  L.
1,993 reviews2,441 followers
March 29, 2024
3.5 stars

After the events of the third book, Finlay and Vero find themselves on a road trip to Atlantic City to track down a stolen car and Vero's old friend Javi. Except Finlay's husband, mother and two children are along for the ride as well. Hiding their true mission becomes even harder when Finlay's cop boyfriend Nick shows up with all of this colleagues chasing a lead and won't let Finlay out of his sight.

I think what is bringing these books down now is the stakes: there's too many of them and they just keep going on and on. A lot was resolved by the end of the book but I remember thinking as I was listening that it was all getting a bit over the top (and I enjoyed the first three books!) and if Finlay wanted a relationship with Nick, how could she ever come clean with him? There's too much built up at this point. The highlights of this book were the dog Kevin Bacon, some resolution with Finlay's ex-husband, and some plot lines closed. I'll still be reading these books, I just didn't enjoy the direction this fourth book went in.

An advanced listening copy was provided by the libro.fm librarian ALC program
Profile Image for EmBibliophile.
603 reviews1,878 followers
March 5, 2024
3.5 stars

”Give them a blow.”
“Why?”
“For luck.”
“You said we were supposed to lose all our chips.”
“Why do you think I asked you to blow on them?”


Finlay and Vero’s shenanigans never go out of style. Being with them and all those characters are always such a fun time. Their adventures are silly, getting kinda repetitive tho, but i still end up enjoying my time.

Huge Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy.

#1 Finlay Donovan is killing it ~ 4 stars
#2 Finlay Donovan knocks ‘em dead ~ 3.75 stars
#3 Finlay Donovan jumps the gun ~ 3.5 stars
#4 Finlay Donovan rolls the dice ~ 3.5 stars
Profile Image for Chantal.
761 reviews671 followers
March 2, 2024
Finlay and Vera sure knows how to keep us entertained! Back with their "odd" detective ways, we go on a journey to Atlantic City in search of Javi, Vera's childhood friend. Of course Finlay's Mom, Steve the ex-husband and the kids all go with providing us with laugh's, nail-biting moments and pure disbelief of what these two ladies get up. Not forgetting her new cop boyfriend who shows up too ;)

The Finlay Donovan is such a feel good series that you want more when the book is done. Narrated by Angela Dawe, Angela brings this story to life. Elle Cosimano does a fantastic job keeping the story going with little breathing room in between. Definitely waiting for the next instalment!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC.
Profile Image for Sandra Hoover.
1,329 reviews220 followers
October 12, 2023
Finlay Donovan and crew are back in the most outrageously funny, sexy, fast paced story yet in FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE. Author Elle Cosimano doesn’t miss a beat or trick in giving fans of the series all they’ve been clamoring for and then some in book four of the Finlay Donovan series. Get ready to repeatedly laugh out loud while holding your breath in anticipation of the next fine mess these two hard luck ladies will inadvertently land in. It’s never a matter of “if” but rather “when” another dead body will surface as Finlay and Vero entertain readers in another adventure of a lifetime. They’re in Atlantic City, baby! Let the good times and dice roll!

Under the guise of a girl’s weekend away, Finlay and Vero plan to slip away in a desperate search for Vero’s guy Javi who’s been kidnapped by a loan shark willing to exchange him for the money Vero owes him. Simple, right? Not with these two self-appointed sleuths! Before they can skip town, an entourage including Finlay’s mother and kids plus her annoying ex Steven pile into their rental to join their getaway. It’s only a matter of hours after their arrival at a rundown hotel until Finlay and Vero break into the loan shark’s room and discover him and an accomplice dead. They do what any responsible citizen would do . . . put the bodies on ice in the bathtub and start covering their tracks, of course! Complicating an already stressful situation, they return to their seedy hotel to discover that Finlay’s crush hunky cop Nick and dirty partner Charlie plus Finlay’s sister and her cop lady friend have checked into rooms across the hall under the ruse of protecting Finlay and family from Russian mobster Feliks Zhirov. In a matter of hours, a bad situation hits rock bottom with conflicting personalities, desires and motives clashing and more dead bodies surfacing. The story that unfolds is a hysterical runaway train of impossible situations careening off the tracks as the twists and turns keep coming page after page. Plan on reading straight through as there’s no more chance of you pausing reading than there is a prayer of stopping the train wreck happening on page.

From start to finish, FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE is pure reading entertainment with fast-paced action, over the top suspense and slapstick style comedy reminiscent of the age-old antics of Lucy and Ethel fame. If that’s not enough, it’s also sensuously sexy and steamy as affairs between Finlay and Nick heat up much to the delight of fans, but the despair of Steven who’s delusional in clinging to hope of a reconciliation with Finlay. Cosimano excels at rendering visual scenes that draw readers into the story while charging them with figuring out how in the world these two seemingly doomed characters will worm their way out of another catastrophe resulting from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Highly entertaining, hilarious and heartwarming, FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE pushes all the right buttons for fans of the series. While each book stands alone, I recommend beginning with book 1 and enjoy each subsequent title in turn. You won’t regret getting to know these characters firsthand as the overall story arc unfolds from book to book. This reader’s already looking forward to the next addition to the series and the convoluted adventures this duo will undoubtedly find themselves in. Highly recommended to fans of the series and readers who enjoy a hardy laugh along with their suspense.
Special thanks to Minotaur Books for an advanced readers' copy of this title. It's scheduled for release on March 5, 2024 and available for preorder on Amazon. This review is published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Lauren Lombardo.
58 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2023
Can’t wait for this!! For the love of all things unholy please let there be some SPICEEEEEEEE with Nick and Finn!
Profile Image for Dee - Delighting in the Desert!.
404 reviews73 followers
March 8, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up for 🤣🤣🤣 More OTT cray-cray with Finn & Vero on an Atlantic City road trip, but way too many characters to follow the plot. Definitely some hilarious moments and crazy antics (Weekends at Bernies meets Chippendale’s🤯). It’s still pretty fun, so just go with it & don’t overthink this series.
Profile Image for The Gist.
176 reviews24 followers
March 5, 2024
I loved this entire series. Each book was a great and easy palate cleanser. Funny, fast-paced, and a little mystery, I mean, what else could be better? As a person who lives in Northern VA, I could really sppreElle Cosimano's geographical detail and could relate to her accurate locations and detail so Thank you.

I love Finlay and Vero's friendship, but also how Elle keeps it real with love isn't always a fairy tale, and life can be messy.
#FinlayDonovanRollstheDice.
Profile Image for Sheyla ✎.
1,913 reviews577 followers
May 19, 2024
I swear this series is much funnier if you listen to the audiobooks!

I didn't think I was going to enjoy this one as much as the first Finlay book but surprisingly, I did. I had so much fun with it.

I recommend reading this series in order. By the end of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice. It felt like an arc had ended. So I'm excited about next Finlay's adventure.

This novel begins with Finlay and Vero planning to travel to Atlantic City to find Javi and the Aston Martin but their girls' weekend becomes complicated when they can't leave alone. Finlay's ex-husband Steven, her children, and her mother are all coming with them.

Their trip became even more complicated when the cops showed up.

I loved the emerging Finlay. The character continues to evolve and is becoming more assertive. I also love her friendship with Vero. They are a great duo.

I look forward to reading the next one.

Cliffhanger: No

4.5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Profile Image for Corina.
771 reviews2,482 followers
April 6, 2024
Bromance - Womance - Sisterhood - Soul-sisters

Whatever the word - Finlay and Vero are IT ♡

A bromance is cool and fun, but I'm so glad we have the female version of it now too, thanks to Elle Cosimano. Thank you!!!

description
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I still very much enjoy this series. Especially the audiobooks.

They feel at times like a soap opera. Since there is always something happening, and most of it is a bit over the top but the books are also very entertaining and never boring.

The audiobook was really well done, especially the narration kept me glued to the book and I actually finished it in one day, from morning to evening. It was a fun read!

AND, there is no end in sight.

The relationship between Finlay and her detective is looking great. They are on solid footing.
Finlay and Vero are still going strong. It's the kind of bestie friendship we are probably all looking for.
And I'm glad Finlay is putting down her food when it comes to her looser exhusband.
I also appreciate that many of the open questions have been answered. It feels like a new plot arc might be coming.....

So it was very much what I was expecting from this series. The author delivered a wonderful new edition. And I'm here for more...

___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
March 20, 2024
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (Finlay Donovan, #4) by Elle Cosimano was every bit as fast paced, exciting and hold your breath suspenseful as the other books in this series. Finlay and Vero have become the friends that I continuously enjoy welcoming back into my life and heart. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picked up exactly where their last installment left off.

Finlay and Vero were headed to Atlantic City on the pretense of wanting a girl’s weekend away. They found themselves accompanied by Finlay’s children, mother and ex-husband. With Finlay and Vero at the helm of this girl’s weekend escape, it was expected that it would turn out to be anything but the expected calm and relaxing time it was meant to be. Finlay and Vero were on a mission to find Javi. Be prepared for dead bodies, confrontations, lots of sleuthing, a lost dog with a reward offered for its return, new and familiar characters and of course romance.

This series never gets dull for me! I expected twists and turns, drama and situations that only Elle Cosimano could have dreamed up and made believable and that was exactly what I got in this book. The ending was unexpected and made me want to read the next book in this series even more. I really enjoyed reading Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for allowing me to read Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Meagan (Meagansbookclub).
539 reviews3,690 followers
December 23, 2023
Rounding up from 3.5 ⭐️

After books 2&3, I almost gave up on this series but book 4 came back with action and more fun! I do think it was absolute chaos start to finish with not much actual character development. I think there was TOO much going on. IMO. Buuuuut it’s a big deal for me that I didn’t hate it. 🤣🤣🤣
Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
2,725 reviews419 followers
March 5, 2024
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dive by Elle Cosimano
The Finlay Donovan Mystery series #4. Can be read as a standalone but better as part of the series in order for family and friendship dynamics that are subtly changing.
More accidental bodies. Now the mob is involved and Finlay has more to hide. Juggling children, nanny, ex-husband, and two romantic interests, Atlantic City is adding bodies and complications to her resume. All in the interests of writing her next book.

🎧 I listened to a audiobook version by Angela Dawe who performs the full series. The performance is fast moving, engaging and captivating. Multiple voices for the various characters tell you immediately who is talking as the improbable becomes Findlay’s life. The children add a layer of incompetence for Findlay’s ex and potential safety pressure from the crime boss threats.
How many bodies can this amateur possibly find?
More than you’d think!

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.
Profile Image for TL .
2,031 reviews120 followers
March 26, 2024
*Libby app, Overdrive was better*

Okay first of all.. you just leave us with that line??? Gah, wanna know more *pouts*

It was a good wrap up to the series, the twist and turns flowed more smoothly than the last book and the pacing wasn't as uneven.

We get to know some characters more and a couple unexpected things I didn't expect but also wasn't surprised by either.

Love Finlay's mom :) Still want Vero to adopt me also.

Still don't like Stephen but we got to see him learn at one point in the book. One instance I wanted to smack him for his decision (well okay, more than one).

Nick as a character I do like but not the romance with him and Finlay. I didn't really feel the chemistry between them. I cringed at a love scene and skipped ahead of it.

Loose ends are all tied up nicely so if she ends the series here I can see why. Still kinda hoping we get another novella to catch up with everyone.

Narrator was excellent at usual 👌 👏

You would have had fun watching me react to the audiobook 😄. Made gestures and yelled at characters frequently.

Would recommend, this series is so much fun.
Profile Image for Woman Reading  (is away exploring).
465 reviews351 followers
June 12, 2024
4 ☆
A frantic laugh slipped out of me, probably so I wouldn't cry. There was no running from this. Our only hope for saving ourselves was to figure out who really did this and turn the evidence over to the cops before ... the police could open an investigation of their own.


Finlay Donovan and nanny / budding accountant / partner-in-crime Vero have barely survived the inferno of events that transpired in the previous installment. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun #3 had ended on a cliffhanger which sends them off and running into new capers in Atlantic City -- the land of casinos, loan sharks, and too many people carrying guns.

As Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up the same evening as the end of the previous novel, this is really a sequel to wrap up the loose threads that were fraying in book #3. Despite the massive info dump that Elle Cosimano inserted in the early chapters of this book, I couldn't recall most of the details for the ending of the previous book. But no matter; one doesn't really pick up the Finlay Donovan series for plausible, tightly woven crime mysteries. Readers are going to enjoy this series for the escapist, preposterous high jinks these two women orchestrate in order to stay out of jail and out of the mob's reach.

As readers learned in the previous novels, Vero is running from problems that arose during her university stint. These were problems that she thought could be resolved with a trip to Atlantic City and some poker skills. Ah, but life is not so simple and Vero's issues, now Finlay's as well, have more than doubled.

The way I see it, you only have two choices: you can fold-- and probably go to jail--or you can go all in and take a gamble on yourself. You want my advice? Stop worrying about the cards you've been dealt. As long as you don't give anything away, no one else can see your sh**ty cards but you. Fake it 'til you make it, Finn.


Oy vey. Finlay is a divorced mother of two young children with a writing career that is just beginning to pick up momentum. A hot police Detective is seriously into her. Finlay has a lot to lose if things turn sour. Neither jail time nor being taken down by the Russian mob are options that she can afford.

The ensuing events are improbable and nutty but they also occasionally made me laugh. I enjoyed this more than the preceding novel. Given the information that Cosimano had incorporated, the novels can be read as a standalone, though they are spoiler-y for the earlier installments.
Profile Image for Kelly • Kell of a Read.
675 reviews208 followers
March 5, 2024
3⭐️ I think this has to be my last rodeo with Finlay and her merry band of misfits. The hijinks and chaos and suspension of all disbelief is just getting to be too much for me.

I loved the first book so much and I have a lot appreciation for it specifically because it encouraged me to branch out and try some less gritty thrillers and mysteries. While I still prefer the darker books, stories like Finlay’s showed me just how fun FUN mysteries can be!

The writing is good and the story is entertaining here but in my opinion, Finlay & Friends have lost some of their luster and I just don’t care to keep going with the series. If you loved the last few books you’ll very likely enjoy this one! If you’ve started to feel a bit blah about the series, I don’t think book four will knock your socks off.

Either way, kudos to Elle Cosimano for such fun characters and a hugely successful series! Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Alicia.
97 reviews3,459 followers
March 12, 2024
4.5

I absolutely love this series and highly recommend listening to the books on audio! They are so well narrated; the accents are distinct and fun, and the pacing is gripping.

The crew is in Atlantic City! Between shady motels, lovers, love confessions, strip clubs, twin masseuses, dirty cops, an Aston Martin, a dog named Kevin Beacon, $14M, and a fortune teller, solving this book’s mystery will be the biggest gamble of all.

This cast of characters feels so comforting, and I’m so excited this is slotted to be a seven-book series – I’m not ready to give up the cozy, murdery shenanigans of Finlay Donovan and her cohorts.

In true Elle Cosimano fashion, we are left on a cliffhanger with hints at what’s to come in the next one – how am I supposed to wait??
Profile Image for Judy.
1,315 reviews44 followers
March 1, 2024
This is the fourth Finlay Donovan book by Elle Cosimano and I've read them all. This is a fun series and Finlay and Vero get themselves in so much trouble and their attempts to remedy situations are hilarious. They always keep me laughing.

Description:
Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride.

Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back.

But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco's already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay's night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side.

If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?

My Thoughts:
This one has a lot of shady characters and mobsters to keep up with. The crimes are involved and danger lurks everywhere it seems. Finlay and Vero are great characters. Some of the book is silly and you have to suspend belief because let's face it - this could never happen. This book is not my favorite in the series, but it is still good. I have to say the first two books are my favorites so far. You really need to have read prior books to keep up with this as it is a continuing situation. Characters in the earlier books continue to appear in this one. There is tension and suspense as the story progresses and, of course, some dead bodies. I really like the hot cop, Nick, who is Finlay's romantic interest. I highly recommend this series to anyone reading for entertainment with a touch of crime solving.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication March 5, 2024.
Profile Image for Tonya.
584 reviews119 followers
February 29, 2024
The dynamic duo is back at it and I am here for every minute! Going away for a disguised girls’ weekend is more than just fun and games. Add in dead bodies, a lost dog, an annoying ex-husband, a little bit of romance, and Atlantic City will never be the same. I love this series. I laugh while also being on the edge of my seat wondering what shenanigans Finlay and Vero will find themselves in. I enjoy how the conclusion keeps me wanting more from this wacky pair. Can't wait for their next adventure. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my copy.
Profile Image for Audrey.
581 reviews532 followers
April 15, 2024
Get in, Readers! We’re going to Atlantic City 🎲🎲

In ELLE COSIMANO’s latest novel FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE we get to spend more delightful time in the world of Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero. And what a fun world it is!

I’ve been devouring this series since it launched in 2021. It’s smart and witty, filled with hijinks, good humor, twisty mysteries and some delicious love interests. Finlay and Vero get themselves into some truly precarious situations and throughout the novels have surrounded themselves with a great ensemble cast of characters.

The standout relationship by far is Finlay and Vero who grow into total ride or die besties. They are Lucy & Ethel with a dash of Dead To Me’s Jen & Judy. I couldn’t love them more.

In case you are new to the series here’s the premise:

Finlay Donovan is a newly-divorced mom of two young children. She is stressed out, struggling and late on the deadline for her latest suspense novel. While out at lunch with her agent, talking about the proposed plot, Finlay gets mistaken for a contract killer. When she inadvertently accepts an offer from a wealthy woman to get rid of her problem husband Finlay finds herself accidentally caught up in a real-life murder investigation.

Since ROLLS THE DICE is the 4th book in the series I’m going to keep the plot a bit vague, but here’s what you need to know:

Finlay and Vero are in dire need of girl’s trip and have their reasons for setting their sights on Atlantic City. But when Finlay’s ex, Steven, and her mother insist on tagging along, they are forced to strap the kids into the car too. Not quite the plan they had in mind but that’s never stopped them before. Casinos + a stolen car + a missing person. Just another day for Finlay & Vero.

If you’re caught up on the series then don’t wait to jump into this latest release. And if you haven’t started — what are you waiting for?

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted copy of the audiobook. Angela Dawe delivers an outstanding narration that kept me engaged from the start and hooked me in for yet another wildly fun ride!

This book was pure delight. I'm such a fan of this series and Finlay and Vero scratch a particular itch for me.

I agree with other reviewers - skip the synopsis and go right in (assuming you're up to speed on the series). So much more fun getting into trouble alongside these ladies than knowing what's coming!
Profile Image for Judy Collins.
2,967 reviews428 followers
March 5, 2024
INTERVIEW: check out my fun "#AuthorElelvatorSeries Q&A with Elle where we go behind the book and the author!

Elle Cosimano returns following Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun with more Team Finlay #4 in the popular series— FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE —a wildly entertaining, action-packed, witty road trip caper with plenty of company. Always 5-stars!

Crashing the trip, Finlay's ex-husband (Captain Buzzkill), her mom, and two kids with partners in crime, Finlay (romantic suspense novelist & mother of two) and Vero (nanny) heading to Atlantic City, NJ —a wild caper with 72 hours to pay back what they owe.

It started as a disguised girl's weekend trip to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush, Javi, and hunt down a stolen car.

Steven (jealous ex-husband) did not want her to take the kids out of state. Then the nosy mother inserted herself, so the girl's weekend trip was a bust. Can you imagine all these in one mini-van?

Steven had recently been the target of a contract killer called EasyClean. They do not know what kinds of shady business Steven was involved in, so they figured Delia and Zach would be safer with them. The lively banter with Vero, the kids, and those complex sleeping arrangements were hilarious.

Upon arrival, Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. He says he knows the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared.

Javi had always been Vero's savior, so she must save him! Now, they must come up with a new plan. They must find Javi and the Aston Martin (gifted by the Russian mob), then steal them back.

However, things get more complicated. In the loan shark's suite, they find Marco dead. Now, they have to figure out what to do with the two dead bodies. Then, four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, looking for Ike. Georgia, her sister, and her girlfriend arrive, and more due to a hot tip—lots of danger and action.

Hot cop Nick (Finlay's latest squeeze) Detective Nicholas Anthony of the Fairfax County Police Department wants to protect Finlay and her family (especially Finlay). Of course, he is the inspiration for her hot and steamy novels. Is Finlay the connection? How will Finlay and Vero fare?

Quirky, hilarious, non-stop action and laughs with these two partners in crime and their cast of supporting characters! Atlantic City has never been so much fun—a perfect setting.

We also get cameo character appearances from previous books: Georgia, Finlay's sister, her FBI girlfriend, Sam; Cameron, the teen hacker; Joey and Charlie, Nick’s current and former partners; Russian mobster Feliks Zhirov and his right-hand woman Rybakov.

Clever, witty, and, as always, sassy, funny, sexy, and full of madness, mayhem, and entertainment! Dazzling —I love this series! If you love humor, rom-coms, mysteries, and resourceful women sleuths, this one is for you! We can only hope there will be more books in the series!

I have read them all and anxiously await the next. I am a huge fan of Janet Evanovich and her zany books and series. If you enjoy Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books or her others, you will devour the Finally Donovan series. I would recommend you start with the first and read them all. You do not want to MISS a thing.

Elle Cosimano keeps you in stitches laughing with her snarky banter! Vero is my favorite character (think Lula | Stephanie Plum series). If you want more Vero, read the novella Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank. I adore this series. Team Finlay and Veronica all the way. Keep them coming! Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride.

I had the privilege of reading the e-book and listening to the audio. I have all of Finlay Donovan's audiobooks for the complete series.

AUDIOBOOK 🔉 🎧 As always, I love the audiobook and the fantastic narrator, Angela Dawe! She makes the book. Like Stephanie Plum, Lorelei King, the narrator as Angela Dawe is to Finlay series. Both fantastic! Angela is fabulous, and I love her voice and the laugh-out-loud fun banter. Her performance makes all the characters come ALIVE. I highly recommend the audiobook! Listened in one sitting.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan, and Netgalley for the opportunity to READ, LISTEN, and REVIEW.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
March 2024 Must-Read Books

#jdcmustreadbooks #FinlayDonovan #finlaydonovanrollsthedice #mar2024books #ellecosimano #minotaurinfluencers #minotaurbooks #AuthorElevatorSeries #SMPInfluencers
Profile Image for Anita.
2,347 reviews194 followers
March 5, 2024
Lucy and Ethel go the Atlantic City. Oops, sorry, make that Finlay and Vero go the Atlantic City. Please pardon my mistake, but the slap stick and silly situations confused me for a moment. Finlay and Vero have gotten into some really bad situations in the past books and if you haven't read any of those, I highly recommend that you don't start with this one. The problems for our duo seem to compound by the hour to the point that it was easy to lose track of what is going on. This is a pure escape read and I loved it. Finley has a knack for getting into and out of really, really nasty situations, with the help of Vero, her nanny/bookkeeper/bestie/partner in crime. This time around the situation is compounded when Finlay's problems with the Russian mob collide with Vero's problems with an Atlantic City bookie. Oh, and everyone is there to get in the way. If you like your cozy mystery with a side of zany, this book is for you.

With the guise of a girl's weekend in Atlantic City, Finlay and Vero are out to rescue Vero's boyfriend, Javi, from Marco the loan shark who kidnapped him and stole Finlay's very expensive Aston-Martin, a "gift" from a Russian mobster that Finley really wants to give back. Easy-peasy, right?

Not. Then Finlay's mom, her ex, her kids, sister and sister's new squeeze, Nick and other law enforcement types tag along and make the situation really, really complicated. But Finlay and Vero are on a mission and just have to figure out how to ditch the unwelcome company, find Javi and the car and satisfy Marco, the bookie, and that's the easy part. Things get a lot more complicated from that basic mission and in the end, Finlay makes a gamble and it's all or nothing, but that just seems to be the way Finlay and Vero roll.

My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
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