Book 18/30.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Finlay Donovan’s life is anything but under control. As a single mother raising two children while trying to make a career as a novelist, she is overwhelmed by one problem after another. Things take a strange turn when Finlay’s conversation with her agent about the plot of her unfinished suspense novel is overheard in a restaurant. Someone mistakes her fictional discussion for a real conversation about murder and assumes Finlay is a professional hitwoman. Before she fully understands what is happening, she finds herself accepting a lucrative offer to eliminate a troublesome husband.
But carrying out a crime proves far more complicated than writing about one. As Finlay attempts to navigate her unexpected new situation, she becomes caught up in an actual murder investigation, forcing her to discover just how different real-life crime is from the stories she creates on the page.
I went into this expecting something similar to Good Girls – smart, ordinary suburban women who, when faced with difficult circumstances, decide to turn to crime after an unexpected opportunity comes their way. But that was not it at all! Instead, I got a story too ludicrous to be real in the DNA world, and a deus ex machina ending at its finest. I am a pro at suspending disbelief, but even my suspension of disbelief has limits.
Also, why are we constantly being reminded of how gross Finlay is? She barely showers, makes virtually no effort with her appearance, and is perpetually walking around in clothes covered in baby puke or old formula stains. She is always sticky, always sweaty, and generally seems to have questionable hygiene. I assume all of this is meant to make her relatable, but the constant emphasis became really irritating and honestly just made her seem kind of gross.
And then there are not one, but TWO attractive men pursuing Finlay. Really? The woman who wears clothes with old formula stains, survives on junk food and alcohol, barely showers or makes any effort with her appearance, lies to both men, and is constantly drenched in sweat from guilt? I just could not buy it.
I had big expectations for Finlay Donovan Is Killing It but it ended up being a ludicrous 2-star read. I initially rated it 3 stars because it was mildly entertaining, but when I thought about it I realised its ludicrousness did not deserve a third star so I dropped my rating down to 2 stars.
** A guide to ratings **
1 star – did not like it
2 stars – it was okay
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing