Audible Book Review: Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones

The beginning of this was a little too focused on sensual aspects for my tastes, but the second half was non-stop fun listen.

Third Grave Dead Ahead
by Darynda Jones
    
Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 3
    LENGTH    9 hrs and 51 mins
    RELEASE DATE    01-31-12
    PUBLISHER    Macmillan Audio

Genre: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Third in the award-winning paranormal series that’s “hilarious and heartfelt, sexy and surprising.” (J.R. Ward)

Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back in Darynda Jones' Third Grave Dead Ahead! And she’s drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the parthuman, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hellbent on murder when the devil’s son just won’t give up?

Review:
This is the third Charley Davidson book continuing her misadventures as the Grim Reaper and a private eye. This third story actually has three investigations although two are primary and one is on the periphery.

The first case involves finding a missing wife. Although the supposedly concerned husband brings the case to her, Charley doesn’t actually accept the case on his behalf since she believes the husband is responsible for the disappearance. Charley starts looking for the missing lady and then accepts the case on behalf of the woman’s angry brother, who has been brought in by the other worried, and ill, sister. Charley’s investigation leads her to determine the husband is a control freak who most likely got away with killing his first wife. She is determined to find the wife before she turns up as a ghost.

The second matter tying up Charley’s time is the most dangerous. Her dream lover, Reyes, the son of Satan, escapes prison and kidnaps Charley. He wants her aid to find the step-father he was convicted of killing but now believes to be alive. Charley soon discovers a trail of dead, and dying witnesses, as she courts danger in the investigation. The cops are tailing her, either to keep  Reyes from making contact or to protect her. Having the cop tales isn’t likely to protect her since she tends to evade them, even Garrett, the skip tracer who has learned her secrets and has appointed himself as a protector.

The third investigation involves the biker gang that occupy the abandoned building that Charley sneaks into to talk to her crazy friend Rocket. Rocket is always busy cataloguing deaths by writing the names on the walls. Charley can usually rely on him to let her know when someone she is looking for is dead or still alive. Charley always had to sneak into the building as she wanted to avoid the biker gang and their large guard dogs. Turns out they knew about her and they want her to help find the person who is poisoning their dogs.

An interesting line in this story is a prediction that Charley would be the cause of a death that would result in a new protector for her. Charley is distressed to think she is the cause of deaths around her and she is concerned who this latest victim might be.

I didn’t enjoy the beginning of this book as it seemed too focused on the sexual aspects between Charley and Reyes. However after a bit the story shifts to the craziness of the investigations and I enjoyed the snarkiness that is Charley’s trademark.  Darynda Jones does a wonderful job of surprising the reader with last minute twists in the plotlines. I am looking forward to book four and more adventures and snark!

Audio Notes: It still surprises me how good a job Lorelei King does with the characters, nailing their accents and characters. She makes it a joy to listen to this series.

This was a selection from my own Audible Library.