S&S Book Club: Finlay DonovanElle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
Carol, Tina, and Lida chat about Jen’s pick: Elle Cosimano’s Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
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We had so much fun talking with Elle Cosimano about her Finlay Donovan series, how she approaches writing, and what she’s learned along the way. Watch the recording of our live book club here.
Why Jen Picked It
I first encountered Elle Cosimano on a humor panel hosted by my Chicagoland chapter of Sisters in Crime. I loved her approach to writing and couldn’t wait to dive into her Finlay Donovan series. It’s the story of a down-on-her-luck (to put it mildly) writer who is mistaken for a hit man, and the troubles that ensue. It’s a magical blend of funny and touching, with a serious message about friendship and independence amid the mayhem. It was wonderful talking with Elle and learning how she crafts such a wacky, fast-paced series.
What Lida Thought
If it wasn’t for Jen, I wouldn’t have read the Finlay Donovan series or virtually met Elle. I’m so glad I did on both counts. The series is fun and action-packed, and I loved Elle’s attitude. Her enthusiasm for writing was catchy and inspiring. It’s clear she truly enjoys creating and writing her characters and placing them in all sorts of predicaments. I can’t resist the themes of friendship and loyalty, and Finlay’s kids are cute, too. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
What Carol Thought
Like Lida, I’m glad that Jen suggested the Finlay Donovan series. I don’t normally read humorous mysteries, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I especially liked the growing friendship between Finlay and Vero, Finlay’s nanny, co-conspirator, and all around partner-in-crime. My favorite part in Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun was the inside look at a Citizen’s Police Academy. During our live book club, Elle shared some of her experiences attending a Writer’s Police Academy. It sounded like lots of fun! If you enjoy Janet Evanovich’s books and Lida Sideris’s mysteries, you’ll be sure to enjoy the Finlay Donovan series.
What Tina Thought
The Finlay Donovan series was a delightful surprise for me. Like Carol, I rarely read humorous books, but I found myself quickly immersed in Finlay’s wacky adventures. I was drawn to Elle’s ability to populate her story with so many diverse characters. During our live event we talked a bit about how we arrive at our characters. I loved learning from Elle how she has developed as a writer. I discovered that she wrote dark, serious YA books before the Finlay series. How wonderful that an author can evolve from gritty YA to comic adult writing. If you missed our LIVE Book Club, you’ll want to watch the recording because Elle has so many insightful things to say about the writing experience that will be of interest to writers and readers alike.
