Note: Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and author Elle Cosimano for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book

This is the third book in author ElleCosimano’s fun series about author turned killer-for-hire Finlay Donovan. It’s a fun series about how a misunderstanding leads to not only her involvement in several murders but also with the local Russian mafia. The series really relies on knowing what’s happened already. It’s not something a reader can easily pick up in the middle.

Finlay is still trying to figure out who EasyClean is for the head of the local Russian mafia, Feliks Zhirov. She also owes him money after she “borrowed” an Aston Martin from his car dealership and it came back riddled with bullets. Plus, her nanny/friend/accountant Vero Ruiz is keeping a secret and now owes a loan shark in Atlantic City $200,000. What’s a girl to do? Why, join the citizens academy of the local police department, of course!

Finlay is certain EasyClean is a police officer. What better way to root him or her out than to spend a week with the local police force? The two sign up, and their antics during the week provide a lot of unrealistic, escapist fun as they try to root out the killer, keep Finlay’s sister, Georgia (a police officer), and love interest Nick (also a police officer) from figuring out what they are up to. Also in the picture is Finlay’s ex-husband Steven, whom Finlay saved from EasyClean in the previous book. He’s convinced that Finlay saving him means she still loves him and wants to win her back. Plus, FInlay’s neighbor and her grandson have joined the citizens academy and Finlay is determined to beat them.

If you enjoy the Stephanie Plum series, this is right up that alley. Finlay is constantly in over her head and second-guessing every decision. I feel like screaming “What are you thinking?” at her, but it’s also a fun ride. Vero is at a crossroads as Finlay learns her secret, and Vero is panicked she will lose her friend when she finds out. Every plan they make falls apart spectacularly, and with a lot of laughs along the way.

You have to suspend disbelief with a series like this and just enjoy it. Nothing makes sense, really, but it’s a lot of fun. Vero’s childhood sweetheart shows up to try to help them out, and every time he shows up he seems to get hurt. It’s a comedy of errors, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Finlay is also trying to revise her next book and has writer’s block, while her agent is on her back to get it done. The problem is that she needs to throw caution to the wind both in her writing and in her life, and with all of the crises surrounding her, that’s hard to do.

Lots of characters from the previous books show up. We learn a little more about the hacker, Cam, who Finlay befriended and tried to protect. Nick’s partner, Joe, gets more in-depth here, as does Nick himself. He shows more of the side we’ve seen before that’s attracting Finlay but also forces her to hold back with him. Vero eventually gives her the pep-talk she needs about valuing herself, something she’s struggling with following her divorce. There are great moments like this in the middle of a lot of zany fun. And when does this woman sleep?

I enjoyed Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun quite a bit. It’s a fun bit of escapism that’s perfect when you need something light that will make you laugh. Think Lucy and Ethel meet Stephanie Plum.

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