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Book Reviews of First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1)

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1)
First Grave on the Right - Charley Davidson, Bk 1
Author: Darynda Jones
ISBN-13: 9780312662752
ISBN-10: 0312662750
Publication Date: 2/1/2011
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 106

4.2 stars, based on 106 ratings
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

37 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

moondance120 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Charley Davidson is the grim reaper. Not a dark scary reaper, but a bright shiny reaper. I enjoyed the character interaction, Charley's smart mouth and the casual acceptance of the dead hanging around. Good start to the series. I look forward to the next book. 4 stars
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
If you like humor and supernatural reads, this is the book for you. By page 9, I was laughing and I absolutely loved it.
Charley Davidson is THE grim reaper and she's also a part-time private investigator. Her life is filled with dead people, quirky friends and relatives and a nightly "visitor" who gives her the hottest "dreams" she's ever had. Her dad is an ex-cop and her uncle Bob is still on the force. She helps solve murders with the help of the dead people that want closure before they leave for heaven.
And then she realizes that the lover who visits her in her dreams may be a boy she met as a child. His name is Reyes but he's also not who---or what---he seems.
Trust me, this is a terrific 1st book. I will definitely be picking up Darynda Jones' 2nd book.
AZmom875 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 624 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I am not an erotica or dark paranormal fan, but do read books like this from time to time. So if you are like me and prefer lighter paranormals I think you will just love this book. I just loved this book from page one.

I am not a book critic but one of the reasons this book is so great is that it is edited to perfection. Everything said or written has such perfect timing. It does help that the author lists some great writers like Mary Janice Davidson, and JR ward as friends who read and edited and honed her book. But she obviously has a fresh talent, and a fresh voice and a great way of making her story stand out as its own.

This book got an award and it was so well deserved.

Our main character is one awesome woman, who is still trying to figure out a few things about who she is as the grim reaper. Add this hot mysterious man, who she is also trying to figure out why he keeps showing up in her dreams.

I did mention I dont like erotica. I just hate romances, all that stupid yearning burning that never gets satisfied, or some stupid graphic stuff about the earth moving, or they get too graphic and use anatomically correct words which are just not too sexy. Ok so having said all that, this author wrote some of the best fantasy sexual encounters that I have ever read. Nothing sappy, insipid, or just earth moving. It was well done. 5 stars for writing sex scenes that are right on the money.

The mystery is great, the other characters stand out on their own. The end is satisfying, we get some answers and cant wait to see what happens in the next book.
whatstacy avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 235 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I discovered this book through a Goodreads Friend review, and she was right, its a great start to a series for a new author. It is full of humor (i found myself laughing out loud), the banter between Charley and everyone else is non-stop, and that's how it hooked me. Then the characters had me falling in love with it. Charley is not your ordinary Grim Reaper and the Entity following her is smoking HOT in more ways than one. I couldn't wait to find out who the Entity was. And as if her life wasn't complicated enough, she finds new and interesting ways to get injured---daily. There is so much going on in this story that you can't possibly get bored with it. And it's not your normal paranormal suspense. The basic premise of the story is such a refreshing change, I have not read anything like it. And truthfully, I'm not sure I could explain this book without giving spoilers away. So I'm just going to say that you have to give it a try. My only complaint is that it ended. I have already pre-ordered the next one and Darynda Jones has been added to my favorites list. She is definitely a new author to watch...

www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
www.goodreads.com/whatstacy
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
For the most part a very good book. Charley is a funny and relatable heroine. The thing with Reyes was confusing at times but maybe it clears up in book 2. Worth the read, a very original storyline with memorable characters and seriously laugh out loud moments.
robinmy avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 2051 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Charley Davidson can see dead people. As a matter of fact, she helps them cross over to the other side. She is the Grim Reaper. But sometimes the dead people aren't ready to leave. When Charley talks to the late Attorney Patrick Sussman, he wants her to help find the person who killed him and his law partners. Since her uncle is the lead detective on the murder case, she can feed him information to help the case along.

I was in a bit of a slump when I picked up this book. I think I'm officially over it. This is a funny story that is very hard to put down. I loved the humor. The characters are fun. And, Charley has a mysterious entity who has been following her around her whole life...one who is now starring in her dreams. Is he a ghost or some other type of being? I'll definitely be reading more of this series. My rating: 5 Stars.
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 149 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved it! The snarky comments, the dry wit, the rapid pace....couldn't wait to get to the next book. And, that one continues where this one leaves off.
nrlymrtl avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 297 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is full of quick-snap comebacks and snarky humor, set in the desert Southwest. I loved the quick wit, the murder mystery, and the Hispanic culture and words tossed in. Being familiar with Charley Davidsons chosen city of Albuquerque, I could clearly see her acting as a portal to the dead (Go towards the light!) in the heat shimmer of the day. I so very much wanted a hot green chile breakfast burrito to go with this book. An independent strong woman with her share of friends and supportive family, she also has terrors both in the past and potentially right in front of her.

Her whole life, The Bad has watched over her, protecting her in his flowing cloak and death-dealing sword. However, only she can see him. Of course, suddenly slumping corpses following in her wake has caused for some interesting family discussions with her cop family. Add to that a mysterious entity that interrupts her shower, calling her a nick name only one other being (Reyes Alexander Pharaoh) has ever used, bringing to the forefront memories of a messed up event from her teen years. This book was off to a good start, grabbing my attention straight off and then hauling me around for the rest of it.

The adult romance and sexual tension between Charley and Reyes was exciting and added yet one more thing for Charley to try to track down in the midst of her triple homicide investigation. Deadly handsome and off the radar, Charley feels a great need to track him down, especially since he keeps appearing in a almost-ghostly way to give her waking wet dreams.

Still, with all that goodness, at the end I was a little conflicted. There were parts I so greatly enjoyed, but then parts that quirked my eyebrow in a negative way. First, there is objectification of woman, mostly the main character Charley. And mostly it is Charley doing the objectification. Large breasted, 125 points, a 9 out of 10 on the beauty scale this is the description of Charley by herself. The book is smattered with compliments on her feminine anatomy and propositions by most of the men. So, sometimes I felt this added to the atmosphere I mean she works mostly with men and also a woman should feel free to express her own sexuality. But sometimes I felt it stayed too much on the objectification, especially after the love word got pulled out of the closet.

The second point deals with the main love interest of the book. I know messed up stuff happens in life and we sometimes choose to move past that and keep the people involved in that messed up stuff in our lives. Still, I think if the author through Charley had acknowledged the effed up nature of this relationship, I could have swallowed it better. OK, so here is the SPOILER ALERT: Charley meets Reyes when she is 14 or 15 and he is 17 or 18. Hes just taken a nasty beating and she threatens to call the cops (to defend him from further beatings). He desperately wants her to leave, so he threatens her with rape. He then gropes her breasts and her sex, making sure she is paying attention to his threat. She promises to leave and he lets her go. OK, messed up things happen. But then fast forward like 10+ years, and for the rest of the book he is the main sex attraction. Um.arent we going to talk about whether or not he has a violent (sexual?) streak? END SPOILER. So, yeah, without having a few paragraphs or a chapter for those two to acknowledge their assault & battery beginning, I had a hard time rooting for Reyes and for their potential coupling.

All that aside, it was a quick fun read, complete with a car named Misery, a best friend, neighbor, and secretary all in one Cookie, and evil step-mother and step-sister. Of course there are also other handsome men, such as investigator Garrett complete with intense eyes and a questioning attitude when it comes to Charleys ability to chat with the dead. Also, Charley gets hit, a lot, in this book and this, and the resultant bruises, show that she is human, can be damaged, and does need the support of her friends and family.
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 150 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
My daughter introduced me to this series and I love it. Reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series. It's funny and sexy while still solving some kind of mystery. Looking forward to the next installment.
ladyd2206 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I picked this book up with high expectations. I'd read a review of it somewhere, and it was a shining one, and let me tell you, this book deserves praise!

Charlotte "Charley" Davidson is a private investigator that helps her uncle Bob, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, solve crimes. But, Charley isn't just a normal PI, oh no. She's also a grim reaper.... THE Grim Reaper. So, needless to say, she sees dead people.

I love Charley. She's a smart-mouthed bad ass chick that makes me want to be her. Prime example? She named her breasts "Danger" and "Will Robinson." I love it! She knows she's sexy, but she doesn't let that effect her too much. She does, however use it to her advantage when she needs to. She can hold her own in a fight, she owns her own business, and she's totally independent. Who wouldn't want to be her? Well, except for the whole seeing dead people all the time...

The central plot of this book has two parts that kind of intertwine. The first plot line is that three lawyers were murdered, and they're trying to figure out the whodonit. The second plot line is finding out about this mysterious dream man that Charley keeps getting erotic visits from.

The lawyer plot is ok, but it's kind of just there for me. It shows what Charley does in terms of her PI life, as well as a little bit of the grim reaper side, but to be honest, I was much more interested in dream man.

Alexander Reyes Farrow is Mr. Dream man, and oh does he deserve the title of dreamy. The reason that he's been visiting Charley in her dreams is that he's a bit "lost" and Charley decides to help him out.

Charley met Reyes when she was in high school, and she's never been able to forget him since. And when he starts showing up in her dreams, he begins to remind her of another presence in her life, a presence that she calls "The Big Bad." The Big Bad is kind of a misty protector that has always been there for Charley in her times of need. And now Reyes is starting to do similar things.

Will Charley and Reyes get together in the end? Reyes harbors a secret that will, in the course of the book totally shake up Charley's life. Will she be able to get over this momentous secret? Will she be able to solve the murders of the three lawyers?

Go grab a copy of First Grave on the Right to find out. I promise that you won't be disappointed.
solarawynn avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 724 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Amazing start to a new series. This author is great.
desert-rain avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for probably a year, and I routinely pass it by when I'm looking for something to read. I finally grabbed it off the shelf and I'm so glad I did.

I read a lot of paranormal, paranormal romance, erotica and urban fantasy. The genre for paranormal is vast but ideas and plots often overlap. I won't say this one is 100% fresh, but I will say that it was not quite like all the others and that made it all the more enjoyable. I'm actually thinking of PAYING for the next one in the series rather than waiting until it comes up for me on the swap. I rarely buy a book new these days, and for me to consider it says a lot.

I loved all the characters, main and supporting and it was a great blend of paranormal/humor/mystery and romance. It didn't take itself too seriously but it also didn't make a mockery of the characters by trying too hard or throwing in cliché after cliché.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I felt like some of the backstory on Charley & Reyes was very unclear--who they were, especially Charley, and why Reyes kept waiting like he did. Maybe the vagueness was intentional and will be explained further a long in the series. Or maybe I just missed something.

In any event, definitely worth a read and while I've listed my copy, it wouldn't surprise me down the road finding myself trying to get a copy again to have on my keeper shelf, which is what I've found myself doing with authors like Nalini Singh.
myhotstylist avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on
Ah-MA-zing debut! This book was full of action, mystery and humor with a sprinkle of LULz and grim reapers! This story sucked me in from the first page and didnt let go.

Charley Davidson is a born grim reaper and PI extrordinaire. We get glimpses into her past and really get to KNOW her as a character and why shes so durn snarkey. Her persoanlity had me rolling on the floor with laughter many many times.

There are quite a few things going on in Charley's life when we meet her. 3 lawyers have been killed, a teen boy is dead, and another one is missing. One of her clients is fleeing from an abusive husband, and they are trying to take down a string of human traffickers. WHEW! If thats not enough to make your head spin completely off, throw in a very sexy man who gives Charley some hot and spicey dreams only to find out hes sucking air on a life support machine miles away. But thats not his ONLY secret. You will have to read it to find out all the juicy details. Being the grim reaper is a tough job, but you need an even tougher chick to handle it. If Charley were a real person, Ive love to meet her and we'd probably be best friends. Personally, I'd like to meet the author and ask her if I can dig around in her brain for a few hours, because those wheels are definitley turning and churning.

If you have not read this book yet, you should try it. I Promise. You WONT be dissapointed!
barbsis avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 1076 more book reviews
All I can say is WOW!!!! And Reyes...double WOW. This story is amazing.

Charley Davidson is a kick-ass heroine who gets her ass handed to her nightly (she really needs to learn how to fight). Luckily she has a guardian angel to save her from death time and time again. Charley is the Grim Reaper which really just means she sees dead people and helps them move on to the next world. She also uses her ability to see ghosts to help her cop uncle solve crimes. In addition to the death elements, the book is extremely erotic. Charley has majorly erotic dreams of Reyes and when she finds out he is a real person, she stops at nothing to find him.

I can't wait for her next adventure and hope that Reyes reappears for more nightly fun and games. Charley uses sarcasm as a means of communication which provides some much needed levity with the whole death and dying theme. This passage totally cracked me up. She's talking to a cop who just learned of her abilities and doesn't quite believe her.

"I mean, how does it work?"
"Well."
"Do you see dead people all the time?"
"Every other weekend and holidays."
"Are they, you know, everywhere?"
"Is a frog's ass watertight?"
marcijo28 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 287 more book reviews
This book was wicked fun to read! And only the 1st in a series!
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Sooooo funny! Totally hooked - couldn't stop laughing the entire book. It's so fast paced and then at the end - surprising!

Obviously I am now wishing for and perhaps even buying the entire series.

Favorite passage:

"Then, as if my perpetual state of sunshine couldn't allow such a negative thought to infect my mind - I'm pretty sure I was a flower child in a past life - I just HAD to see the cup half full. Hopefully of Jack Daniel's." pg. 131
cathyskye avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 2267 more book reviews
First Line: I'd been having the same dream for the past month-- the one where a dark stranger materialized out of smoke and shadows to play doctor with me.

Charley Davidson sees dead people. She's the one and only Grim Reaper here on earth, and it's her job to convince these dead people to go into the light. However, if these dead people have been murdered, sometimes they can insist that Charley bring the bad guys to justice.

Take for example the three lawyers who've turned up dead. In no time at all, Charley's helping her Uncle Bob who's a detective in the Albuquerque Police Department. (Seems as though her father and her uncle both have received commendations and citations through the years for taking advantage of Charley's gift.) And when Charley isn't working on the dead lawyer case, she's trying to figure out the identity of the tall, dark, handsome and extremely sexy Entity who's been visiting her in her dreams.

As I read this, I liked Charley's sarcastic voice even though I knew that sarcasm was keeping me at a distance from this intriguing main character. The mystery was also a good one. What kept me from thoroughly enjoying this book was the fact that it felt as though Jones was making an all-out bid to capture Janet Evanovich's die-hard Stephanie Plum fans. Humor, danger, dead bodies, a main character who has a hard time paying the bills (and who's also named her breasts and ovaries), two sexy men who follow her around.... There's so much going on in this book that it's a bit frantic. And by the way-- the sex scenes in this book are a bit more explicit than anything Stephanie Plum has ever divulged to us, so keep that in mind.

Did I become a fan of Charley Davidson while reading First Grave on the Right? Not really. I found a lot to like, but I think it's going to come down to what happens in the second book in the series, Second Grave on the Left. Here's hoping Charley has settled down a tiny bit... and stopped naming her body parts.
poohbritt avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
This book was almost nothing I expected it to be. At first it was a little annoying. I was kind of expecting something along the lines of most paranormal romance books. Be honest, there's a formula most seem to follow. But this book, I don't know, I think Darynda Jones has created her own formula. It seems like neither she, the main character or the reader know what that is, but we're all alone for the ride.

Charley is the definition of snarky without being too...prickly, like some heroines tend to be when the author wants them to be bad-ass. Also, she screws up. But in realistic ways that don't speak of mind-blowing idiocy, as I've seem some main characters. (A certain lover of a sparkly vampire, comes to mind.) Among my favorite lines were Charley's names for her...erm...girls? And also her ovaries. Yup. She named those too.

While, yes, there is a sexy fun-time aspect in this book, it was more a mystery book. The love interest isn't exactly corporeal most of the time. And the romance is more like one of the many threads that made up the story. Not main event. (But she doesn't skimp on the sex scenes, so don't fret)

I assume/hope/prey/plead/wish there will be another book in this series. And soon. These authors that write kick-ass books, but make us wait a year to read the next installment, well lets just say I'm not that patient. I am. But I complain all the while. Either way, I got this book from the library. But I would have paid for it. It's worth the price.
butterfly262007 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
I just have one word....AWESOME!!!!
This book was excitement and humor from the first page to the last. I was able to connect emotionally with the characters and I laughed and giggled constantly at Charley's wonderful (if yet sarcastic) personality. I would recommend this book to ANYONE. I really hope Darynda Jones plans on writing a sequel because I am hooked! :)
FantasyDreamer avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Sassy, smart, snarky, tough but very much in touch with her feminine side is Charley Davidson. Charley is a character that I felt an instant bond with from the very start of this book. From the very beginning of reading First Grave on the Right I was either smiling or giggling at Charley. She definitely has a way with words to get her point across whether to another person or to herself. I loved her style and how she handled herself in all situations she landed herself into.

First Grave on the Right follows Charley Davidson as she investigates the murders of several connected victims while finding out what her role is in all things paranormal including the meaning behind her hot-in-heavy dream lover. I found real-to-life characters, some with very colorful personalities like Charley's assistant Cookie. Everyone should have a best friend like Cookie. While the pace was just right and the plot itself, very entertaining, the story just hit's the tip of the iceberg on the overall story arc in a enticing way leaving this reader ready and wanting the next book. More please!
never-enough-books avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Atypical. Not quite a supernatural, romance or mystery book. Though it has elements of them all, it goes far beyond. Doesn't disappoint from beginning to the end, which is a very rare thing with most books these days. Charley is edgy, with a wicked sense of humor, but never uses it against other people. She's a heroine you can relate to....tough but not a *itch, loveable but not a wimp. She has wild adventures just by living her life....and you wish you were her BFF so you can be along for the ride. Hope there's more where this came from.
iqb2001 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 87 more book reviews
Charley Davidson sees dead people. Actually, Charley is the Grim Reaper. She also moonlights as a private investigator. Being a PI allows to help her Uncle Bob who is a detective for the Albuquerque Police Department. Together they solve local crimes. Charley also helps ghosts find the closure they need to move onto heaven.

When three local lawyers are murdered, Charley is determined to uncover everything about the case to help them move on. While working on the case Charley encounters a person from her past she has never quite forgotten.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Darynda has created such a interesting world filled with a great cast of characters. I love the relationship between Charley and her neighbor Cookie who also doubles as her best friend/assistant. They both are very quirky and I love the back and forth banter between the two. I would also love to see more of Garret. There seemed to be a lot of chemistry brewing between him and Charley and I would love to see if anything comes of it. First Grave on the Right was a spectacular read. Charley Davidson is full of spunk and wit. It's not often that a book can make me laugh. Charley had me giggling throughout the entire story.
bichonmom avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
I loved this book and already bought the second and can not wait to read it. great charachters and a must read for any paranormal lover
donkeycheese avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 1255 more book reviews
Charley Davidson can see and interact with dead people, not because she is psychic but because she is a grim reaper. She helps people finish whatever is keeping them on this plane and helps them toward the light. The only thing is, Charley is the light. She feels them as they pass through her.

She is a private investigator and also works sometimes as a bartender for her dad at his bar. But she has a third job helping the police. For some reason, Charley can usually close a case quickly, but it helps when the murdered person can finger the killer. Three lawyers from the same firm were killed on the same night and they have come to Charley for help.

Meanwhile, Charley is having trouble with her dreams. A really hot man visits her at night and it is so real, it is hard to believe it is a dream. But when she finally realizes it is Reyes Farrow, a blast from her past, she is intrigued. She sets her best friend Cookie on the job of locating Reyes, the only man to ever call her by the nickname of "Dutch".

With the trio of the three delete 'the three' ghosts, her bumbling Uncle Bob and her only ghost on the payroll, Angel, their investigation leads them to a human trafficking ring. Charley has no problem throwing herself into danger at every turn to try and solve the murders and put a killer behind bars for a long time.

However, she finds out that Reyes is in a coma and the state is about to pull the plug. He is not only visiting her in her dreams now, but also during the day. Everytime Charley's life is in danger, Reyes is there in some form to help her. She realizes that he isn't human but she cannot figure out who or what he is. Will she be able to stop the state from ending his human life before she and Reyes can be together?

Brimming with sarcastic dialogue, steamy romantic scenes, a cast of unique and eccentric ghosts, a splash of suspense and a generous helping of the paranormal, FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is a welcome addition to the paranormal genre. Charley is a down-to-earth, attitude-swinging, heart-of-gold character who is a breath of fresh air. I can't wait for the next one, SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT, due out in August 2011.
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 100 more book reviews
Read only first third of this book. It was funny, just not my taste in light reading.
Leesa-Dee avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
This was a pretty typical entree in the supernatural romance genre. It is also clearly meant to be a series, since the ending is very open-ended with many strings left dangling. It is also supposed to be "hilarious" but I didn't find it so. I did get rather tired of the main character constantly being injured or beat up. That was really off-putting, as I don't find abuse particularly entertaining. Also, I'm sure the sex scenes are appropriately steamy, but overblown depictions of the sex act don't appeal to me. As far as the plot goes, it is basically a murder mystery, when three dead lawyers visit Charley after they have been murdered, all three lawyers working for the same law firm.

I am such a sucker for any book that claims to amusing, funny, or hilarious. Here lately, though, it seems I am usually disappointed when the book turns out to be, at the most, mildly amusing. That is the case here, where a book is hyped as hilarious but isn't. Sure, it has a few lighter touches but mainly it is not a funny book. How could it be with the subjects of human trafficking, child abuse and murder as its topics? Overall, the book is a pretty good murder mystery with an intriguing supernatural mystery attached. But it is not hilarious. I am not going to hold the misleading blurbs against it, though. I was disappointed that it wasn't the humorous book I was looking for, but it was a pretty good read.
twinmomx5 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Loved the start of this series.. mystery and mystery men. The book was a quick read and quite a few laugh out loud moments
ra7 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 1009 more book reviews
Charley is a PI. Oh and she can see dead people. She is a reaper and helps people cross over. She helps her uncle (Bob), a detective with his cases. She helped her father too before he retired. She's still learning about her ability.
This also introduces Reyes. Reyes is a man who Charley met once when she (and he) were teenagers. He features very heavily in her dreams. She also learns her name and other things about him in this book.
This was a fun read. I liked Charley's sense of humor. I also felt for her; not having the most supportive family (with the exception of a few) and very few friends. Hopefully Cookie will continue to be a good friend. I am interested to see where this goes!
ophelia99 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
This was a great start to a fun urban fantasy series. I really enjoyed the humor, the characters, and the world.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. The narrator is exactly how I imagine Charley would sound and does a great job with other character voices as well.

Charley is a grim reaper; meaning that she serves as a doorway to the dead and also..unfortunately...as a ghost problem solver when ghosts aren't ready to move on . Charley is incredibly snarky, off-beat, and funny. I enjoyed her as a character a lot.

I also really enjoyed the surrounding characters. Charley's best friend Cookie is a lot of fun. Then there is the sexy skip tracer Garrett who has a sort of love/hate relationship with Charley. Of course there is the dark and literally dreamy Reyes who has an incredibly mysterious history and past that seems to involve Charley. There is also the funny ghost boy Angel who helps Charley out when he can. Also her wonderful uncle who knows Charley is different and trusts her completely. There are just so many fun and wonderful character in here.

Jones' writing style reminds me a lot of Molly Harper's. The humor in this story is incredibly funny (sometimes almost slapstickish) and very offbeat and silly.

The story is well done and engaging. This is definitely a blend of investigative urban fantasy with some paranormal romance as well. The romance isn't the focus of the story but there are some very explicit and steamy scenes which were well done.

I enjoyed the whole story but absolutely loved some of the twists that happen at the end. These really hooked me on this series. I like that there was a main mystery that was solved in this book but that there is also a bigger story that will continue in book 2.

Overall I really enjoyed this series and I plan to continue reading this series in the future. It's a hilarious series with some creative world-building, a great mystery, and wonderful characters. I would recommend to those who enjoy lighter urban fantasy and don't mind some romance in their story.
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 988 more book reviews
Charley sees dead people. Thats right, she sees dead people. And its 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 shes 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.
bratz54 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 1024 more book reviews
Solving cases, dealing with family drama sleep deprivation and coffee normal day for a PI, but with one slight gift, being the Earth's grim reaper. Charley deals with seeing and helping dead people crops over, even help solve their murder cases can be a bit of a health problem. Charley has to solve a case of three murdered layers and a young teenager that is all related to this one case, but what she finds out is more then she could ever known. On top of this case she has a new mystery Shea needs to solve to save a life of a an she hasn't seen in many years and is tied to her destiny as a grim reaper and is also more of a body guard/ guardian angel in his shrouded smoke shaped body.
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Let me say that the only time I've read a book faster than this book was when I read The Hunger Games trilogy in less than two days. I didn't eat, sleep or go to the bathroom until I finished reading all about Katniss Everdeen and Panem. That being said, I finished First Grave on the Right in two, three-hour sessions before bed. Im making that number up because its been over two months since I read the book and I couldnt possibly remember exactly how many hours I spent reading it but I do know I finished it in two nightly sessions. (Side note: I mainly read before going to bed. It puts me in the mood to sleep and its a good wind down from the rest of my day. You should try it sometime if you havent before.) I have to admit this book was addicting. I had such a hard time putting it down so I ended up staying up later than I wanted to just so I could find out what happened next.

The main character is Charlotte Charley Davidson, a consultant with the police department (reminiscent of Adrian Monk from Monk). Except, Charley has no formal training as a detective/police officer and her uncle, Bob, happens to be the chief of police. Theres something unique about Charley, thoughshe can see dead people! Shes a sparkly beacon of light that dead people flock to, and she helps ghosts with their unfinished emotional business so they can cross over (reminiscent of Melinda Gordon from Ghost Whisperer). The difference is that the ghosts go through Charley when they cross over and, as far as she knows, shes the only one in the world who can do this becausesurpriseshes the grim reaper. You know, black cloak, scythe, and skeleton body? Yes, that grim reaper, minus the black cloak, scythe, and skeleton body, of course. (Because an unconventional looking main character would never make a good book, right?) Who was the first person Charley ever reaped? Her mother, after she gave birth to her. Interested already? You should be.

Read more: http://theparanormalreview.blogspot.com/2014/11/first-grave-on-right-by-darynda-jones.html
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 36 more book reviews
I was intrigued from the first chapter on. Wow the Grim Reaper! Keeps you on the edge and throws in delightful humor!
alterlisa avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 335 more book reviews
I'm probably one of the few people who love paranormal romances not to have already read this fantastic book. Not really sure how it got missed but so glad I finally took the time to start this freaking awesome series. I had requested the newest release as an ARC and was granted my wish by the wonderful people at Net Galley, both books 1 and 12.
I absolutely fell in love with the wise cracking Charley and her secondary characters in this book. I'm not going to rehash this book as everyone knows what a fabulous grim reaper and detective she is. Yeah, she gets a lot of her info from the ghosts she's trying to convince to go into the light but she's still pretty durn awesome.
If you like some snark in your paranormal romance and you are one of the few who has not yet picked up this series, head over to Amazon and pick up one of the dozens of used copies of this book. I've got the next seven books in my library so I know what I'll be binging on next. Heck I might even get caught up before number 12 comes out at Halloween.
I often wish when reviewing a book in a later series that I had the opportunity to dive into a series where there were a dozen books already out to indulge in. Well now I do and I'm going to make time to slip them in and binge away.
Bama-Booklover avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 140 more book reviews
First book in a long time I didn't enjoy. Private investigator who sees dead people. The problem is I stayed confused as to who was alive and who was dead. This definitely is not my style, I won't attempt to read anymore of this series. I only finished the book to use it in a reading challenge.
reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 988 more book reviews
I actually liked this more than I thought I would. A bit off beat but well done characters you can believe in. From the book jacked:

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to âgo into the light.â But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like 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. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?
orchid7 avatar reviewed First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Bk 1) on + 265 more book reviews
Wow. I loved it. I want the second book in the series. Now. (I don't want to wait for it to come out!)

Finally- a mystery that actually has a little thought put into it! I think there was a lot of story building going on during the first 100 pages, and a lot of names to keep track of, but those are really my only complaints. The author didn't reveal everything in the first three chapters, she built slowly and before I knew it, I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.

I absolutely loved Charley's wit and attitude. There are so many laugh out loud moments! A fun book. And Reyes... yum. What an ending! So many possibilities for the next book. Hurry Ms. Jones! We need the sequel!