Simple Book Review

I am a huge fan of Darynda Jones. When Keisha asked me to do a review on First Grave on the Right, I thought "Yay! What a fantastic book!" I mean, this is the third time I have read First Grave and I fell in love with the series all over again. If you like your romance books with adventure, snarky humor, and a character who names her body parts, then you will absolutely adore this series.

"Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely."


I fell in love with Charley after reading the first paragraph of First Grave on the Right. This is a woman who I would love to have as a best friend. She's sarcastic, snarky, and kind of crazy. Really, who doesn't want a friend like that? Darynda Jones wrote Charley as my favorite kind of heroine. Charley does what she needs to do in order to get the job done or to help her loved ones. Even if the situation is life threatening, she goes into it guns blazing. Charley kind of reminds me of a cross between Kate Daniels of Magic Bites and Mercy Thompson of Moon Called. Now, you can't have a paranormal romance without the supernatural hero. In First Grave, that would be Reyes. *sigh* This dude is super hawt!! He also comes in different forms. You've got to read the book to find this fun aspect of Reyes. Learning who and what Reyes was just rocked my world. Ms. Jones has definitely written a couple of interesting characters.

I always love the leading characters, but Ms. Jones gives us several secondary characters to fall for. Just to name a few there's Charley's neighbor/secretary/best friend Cookie; her Uncle Ubie, a detective on the police force; and Garrett Swopes, the attractive yet aggravating skiptracer. Charley Davidson is a P.I. and the Grim Reaper. In First Grave on the Right, she is investigating the murders of three lawyers from a partnered firm. While working this case, Charley is also busy investigating a personal matter. Just who and what is Reyes? Besides being an amazing phantom lover, that is. Charley's investigatory techniques are fun and sometimes quite inventive. Granted, 9 times out of 10 they end her up in some kind of trouble. She even uses her friends and family shamelessly.

The two story lines are easy to follow and blend really well. I loved the twists and turns the investigations follow. The interactions between the characters are funny, heart warming, and, of course, snarky. Charley and co. solve the murders with plenty of personal danger to Charlie...which she seems to attract. The situation with Reyes, however, is just beginning. Finding out who he is and where he comes from is just the tip of the iceberg. Ms. Darynda Jones has me hooked on Charley Davidson and I love her for it.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review Michelle!!!!!!