#NetGalley Book Review: Summoned to Thirteenth Grave by Darynda Jones

This is an interesting series ending... for now.
Summoned to Thirteenth Grave: A Novel (Charley Davidson Series Book 13)
by Darynda Jones

File Size: 2039 KB
Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (January 15, 2019)
ASIN: B071JMJF4G
Genre: Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series--Summoned to Thirteenth Grave.
Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plane for eternity –which is exactly the amount of time it takes to make a person stark, raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.
She’s missed her daughter. She’s missed Reyes. She’s missed Cookie and Garrett and Uncle Bob. But now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine for a broken heart? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

Review:
Charley expected to be exiled alone on an isolated plane for an eternity. She is surprised, and thrilled, when she finds herself returned to the earthly plane after only a hundred years. She is sad to think that 100 years has passed on earth. She would have missed her child, Beep, growing up but she is hoping that her darling girl brought peace to earth. But time doesn’t work quite like that.

Charley’s return to earth is only 10 days after she left b that shut she discovers that she and her half demon husband, Reyes, have opened a portal that has allowed shadow demons into earth. Their home community in New Mexico is being attacked from within and Charley and Reyes have only three days to save the planet. To accomplish that Charley must uncover a mystery connected to her own mother.

Meanwhile a five-year-old boy spirit has sought out Charley and she and her stellar staff are trying to locate his mother who was kidnapped years before. Charley’s assistant Cookie, her daughter Amber and Amber’s boyfriend, Quentin, all take part in the search. They get extra help from Garret, Osh, Artemis and Charley’s biker friends. Meanwhile, there are twists and surprises – one involving Uncle Bob and another involving Rocket.

If you haven’t read this series- you will want to go start at the beginning not at this final installment. There are plenty of fun chapter openings with snarky memes and quotes. As usual Darynda Jones includes a PI (private investigation) case for Charley to solve while facing a life challenge. I enjoyed that so many of the series characters were included in this ending story and I liked the good twist for several of the characters. I admire how Jones creates a depth of romantic love between Charley and Reyes but I felt she overdid the extra sex scenes during the madness of three days to save the world. I also didn’t appreciate the foul language; some deliberately crude in my opinion.

I imagine many fans of the series will be happy with this interim conclusion. I say interim as I am fairly sure there will be a future story(ies) for Beep and her army. I do recommend this to fans of detective, paranormal fantasy who like snarky humor and don’t mind a bit of crudeness and sex.

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019NetGalley and 2019Alphabet Goals.

My Reviews of Books 1 through 12 can be found at this link.

#NetGalley and Audible Book Review: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones

This was a good entry in the series.
The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
A Novel
By: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Series: Charley Davidson, Book 12
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-31-17
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator
My Rating: 4.5 Overall; 4.25 Story; 5.0 Narration

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave: A Novel (Charley Davidson Series Book 12) Kindle Edition

Publisher's Summary
Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the 12th installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times best-selling paranormal series, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave.
Ever since Reyes Farrow escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley Davidson accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that's not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings - some corporeal, some not so much - as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she's not uncovering a murder. This time she's covering one up.
Add to that her new occupation of keeping a start-up PI venture - the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford - out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican's inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it's time to let loose her razor-sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she's loved for centuries. So the question becomes: Can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she's worked so hard to protect?
©2017 Darynda Jones (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley’s husband, Reyes, has returned from the hell dimension as a wrathful, brimstone satanic god set on destroying Charley’s world. Charley is convinced that the better side of Reyes is still within the evil Rey’aziel but God’s archangel, Michael, has given her a time limit to control Reyes or he must be eliminated. Charley and her friends, Cookie, Osh, Garrett and ghost Angel, plot out how to capture Reyes.

Charley is also trying to help her Uncle Bob investigate bizarre deaths where the victims are strangely burned. Charley is desperately hoping that the killer isn’t her fiery husband.

Meanwhile Charley is dealing with the mundane mysteries of her private investigation business, including trying to help clients sort out the ghostly beings in their homes. Additionally, she has to protect a friend who had an unfortunate connection with an overbearing, possessive and abusive man who has ended up dead. On top of all of that, her best friend’s daughter, Amber, is starting her own investigation agency to pursue troubles at school.

There is plenty to keep the reader interested in this volume. I enjoyed seeing so many of Charley’s friends, including her supernatural rottweiler, Artemis, and her asylum friends, Rocket and Blue. Even Beep is threatened and makes a brief appearance. There is good tension and a few surprises. All of the action made it worthwhile getting past the one fairly steamy scene. The book ends with a customary zinger so I am certainly anxious to see how the author wraps up this series in the final book.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King is the voice of Charley and her cohorts. Her narration is spot on as usual and adds to the emotion of the story.

Source(s) NetGalley 2018 and Audible Sale Purchase November 2018. I am counting this towards NetGalley and Audio Challenges.

My reviews for books one through eleven can be read under this link.

Audible Book Review: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones

This is a good addition moving the series along toward the conclusion.

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight, A Novel
By: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Series: Charley Davidson, Book 11
Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-24-17
Language: English
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Series narrator Lorelei King returns to narrate Eleventh Grave in Moonlight, the latest installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times best-selling paranormal series.
My entire life can be summed up in one sentence: "Well, that didn't go as planned." (T-shirt)
A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, errant wives, missing people, philandering business owners, and, oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people.
As a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. Now Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, will Charley be able to defeat the ultimate evil and find a way to have her happily ever after after all?
©2017 Darynda Jones (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley has her memory again and is happy to be back with Reyes. She is trying to help Cookie who is worried about Ubie (Uncle Bob) who keeps getting grumpier. They are keeping an eye on him until finally a conflict brings his issues out in the open.

Meanwhile, Reyes half-brother, Shaun, has sought help from Charley. She and Cookie track down the foster parents who kidnapped Reyes and then turned him over to the monster man who abused him. Reyes keeps telling Charley to drop the investigation but she now suspects that a missing young girl is the latest kidnap victim and she isn't willing to back down.

Charley is slowly starting to accept her powers as a god with the training help – and challenge -- of  Reyes. When Cookie's daughter, Angel, develops problems, Charley seeks the help of demon Osh to go undercover at school to trap a stalker.

There is plenty of strong, snarky humor to go along with the suspense of the several investigations. There are also several rather sexy encounters between Charley and Reyes. I like how Charley is maturing as this moves along. I can't help but chuckle at the fun, sardonic sayings that start each chapter. There is additional backstory divulged in this volume and it helps as the author prepares for the next story. I wasn’t so taken with book 10, but this one is engaging and moves the story forward. I recommend this series to those who enjoy snarky fantasy, but I do suggest beginning at the beginning.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King has this series down pat with wonderful narration. She conveys the full range of emotion and snark and trepidation of the characters. I truly enjoy this series in audio.

Source: Audible Credit November 2018. This qualifies for Audiobook Challenge.

My Reviews for Books 1 through 10 can be found through THIS LINK.

Audible Review: The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel by Darynda Jones

This series is fun listening, although this one got a bit edgy for my tastes.
The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 10
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-28-16
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
"If one door closes and another one opens, your house is probably haunted." (Bumper sticker)
As a part-time PI and full-time grim reaper, Charley Davidson has asked a lot of questions throughout her life: Why can I see dead people? Who is the hot supernatural entity following me? How do I get gum out of my sister's hair before she wakes up? But "how do I trap not one malevolent god but three?" was never among them. Until now. And since those gods are on earth to kill her daughter, she has little choice but to track them down, trap them, and cast them from this dimension.
There's just one problem. One of the three stole her heart a very long time ago. Can the Razer, a god of absolute death and destruction, change his omniscient spots, or will his allegiances lie with his brothers?
Those are just a few of the questions Charley must answer, and quick. Add to that a homeless girl running for her life, an innocent man who's been charged with murdering the daughter of a degenerate gambler, and a pendant made from god glass that has the entire supernatural world in an uproar, and Charley has her hands full. If she can manage to take care of the whole world-destroying gods thing, we're saved. If not, well...
©2016 Darynda Jones (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Review:
I enjoy Charley’s intense, sassy character and the smokin’ (in more ways than one) chemistry between Reyes and her. This episode starts with tension between them as Charley has found out secrets about Reyes and he seems to be keeping secrets from her too. Word that their daughter “Beep” (Elwyn) is in danger doesn’t help when it sends Charley into a murderous panic.

Meanwhile Charley has been called in to consult on a murder case by none other than the prosecuting attorney (PA). Although all the very bloody evidence points to the accused, the PA is sure he isn’t guilty and he will do his best to get the man off the charges. That means he needs Charley’s to 'do her thing' and find the real murderer.

As Charley spots a young girl who is hiding on the streets. This one isn’t a ghost but she might become one if Charley can’t protect her from what appears to be a curse -- or ill deeds -- at a local children’s home where children are dying in unreasonable numbers.

As usual Ms. Jones skillfully weaves three lines of ‘mystery’ at a time. Clues and dangers keep Charley moving at a fast pace. The overall story moves forward with some sorrow and rage that could tear things apart. I like how Ms. Jones pulls in the secondary characters (Osh, Garret, Rocket, Agent Carson, Artemis and others) so they each get some reader time. And I love the fun memes/bumper stickers and quotes that start each chapter.

What I didn’t care for in this episode was some foul language, some crudeness and almost eroticism (one review even describes it as "erotic romance"). Although those elements make me wince, what I really found most difficult was an expressed irreverence for Jehovah. I know it is fantasy and probably not meant to be demeaning, but anything that belittles my God hurts my spirit. It makes me wonder if the series is worth continuing. I understand the series is to end at book 13 so I might push through but sadly not with the same enthusiasm as the early books.

Audio Notes: I can’t praise Lorelei King’s narration enough. She has helped to make these characters come alive and I love listening to her performance. It is an awesome experience (when not jarred by the issues that bothered me).

I pulled this in from my Audible TBR Shelf for Mount TBR, Audible Challenge and "C" in Alphabet Challenge.

My Reviews for Books 1 through 9 can be found through THIS LINK.

Book Review: The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson Book 9) by Darynda Jones

Another engaging installment in this fun series although the forward movement is a small step.

The Dirt on Ninth Grave (Charley Davidson Book 9)

by Darynda Jones

File Size: 1471 KB
Print Length: 337 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (January 12, 2016)
ASIN: B00V36ODVM
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.

But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her-even from her new and trusted friends-the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.

Review:
Charley has found herself in Sleepy Hollow, New York, with no memory of who, or what, she is. She has been hired as a waitress at the local diner and is glad to have found a friend in another waitress, Cookie. Cookie is there with her new husband, Robert. There are regulars at the diner including, Garrett, Osh and the devastatingly handsome and alluring, Reyes. There are others too, including a few that Charley, aka “Janey”, recognizes as ghosts although she doesn’t want to acknowledge that she can see them.

Janey is hounded a bit by Ian, the local cop who first found her. Ian seems the hardest one to convince that they are no more than friends. Janey is determined to pay her own way until she can recall who she is. Others have offered help and she will borrow the car from her elderly neighbor because she can do errands for her and bring her groceries. But she won’t take actual gifts, even from Reyes as he shows sincere concern for her and they grow closer.

As usual form, Janey/Charley has a few mysteries to solve, including an evil spirit that is killing children of another co-worker and a neighbor businessman whose family has been taken hostage as a crew of Russians digs under his building to another neighboring building. Janey doesn’t want to expose the family to danger so she tells “Bobert” (Cookie’s hubby, Robert) in hopes he can find an unobtrusive way to help. Janey may be able to solve the local problems but she doesn’t recognize the larger danger stalking her.

I really enjoyed having all the usual characters surrounding Charley even though they wouldn’t let her know her background. They are supposedly keeping an eye on her with team tag surveillance but somehow she slips through the cracks. It was a surprise, and emotional moment, how she finally regains her memory.

I think this one could have used a little more backstory earlier to refresh my memory from book eight, but the gap was filled in later so all was fine. The book is full of the usual Charley snarkiness, complete with coffee addiction, T-shirt and internet quotes, and, of course, lust for Reyes.There is even a headless horseman. For the most part I enjoyed the action, the upheaval of emotion, danger and the underlying sense of love even during the balancing of good versus evil.There is still mystery and danger to be unraveled in future books.

What I didn’t enjoy was the totally unnecessary use of the “F” word. Really? What does that add that the author and editors feel it has to be included? Yuck. I keep hoping it will stop but I guess not. I either live with it and keep reading or say “that’s enough” and find some other series to read/listen to. I am glad I received this from Net Galley for review so I wasn’t paying for that language.

This is the first time I have read a Charely Davidson novel instead of listening. Although I missed Lorelei King’s wonderful narration, I was able to hear a lot of it in my mind so I’m not sorry I snagged this for review while I could. I do recommend the book and series as good entertainment, just with the caution that it does contain language that is offensive to some of us.

I received this through NetGalley. Title Release date 1/12/16. This is part of my NetGalley Challenge and TBR Triple Dare.

Audible Book Review: Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones

This eighth episode adds new twists to this engaging series.
Eighth Grave After Dark
By Darynda Jones
Narrated By Lorelei King

Length: 9 hrs
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 8
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-19-15
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
With 12 hellhounds after her, pregnant Charley Davidson takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can't get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. But after months of being cooped up there, Charley is ready to pop. Both metaphorically and literally, since she is now roughly the size of a beached whale. Fortunately a new case has captured her attention, one that involves a murder on the very grounds the team has taken shelter upon. A decades-old murder of the newly vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows is almost enough to pull her out of her doldrums.
Charley's been forbidden to step foot off the sacred grounds. While the angry hellhounds can't traverse the consecrated soil, they can lurk just beyond its borders. They have the entire team on edge, especially Reyes. And if Charley didn't know better, she would swear Reyes is getting sick. He grows hotter with every moment that passes, his heat scorching across her skin every time he's near, but naturally he swears he's fine. Charley is about to get the surprise of her crazy, mixed-up, supernatural life.
©2015 Darynda Jones (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley, the grim reaper, and Reyes, the son of Satan, and friends are settled - or more like ‘locked’ in - at an abandoned convent where they believe the 12 hellhounds can’t venture. Charley is glad to have the diversion and excitement of helping the wedding plans for Uncle Bob and her assistant, best friend, Cookie. Everyone is a bit on edge looking for activity. Charley is happy to get a last minute call for help from her FBI friend and even Cookie has her own reasons to delay her honeymoon.

Charley doesn’t realize at first what is happening to Reyes, she just knows he is scorching hot - even more than usual. She is also concerned when she realizes he keeps sneaking off to meet with her ghostly investigator, 13 year old Angel.

Charley is dealing with other problems as her step-mother, Denise, who is far from her favorite person, is trying to build a new relationship so she can be part of little ‘beep’s life. Charley’s old house ghost, Mr. Wong, has moved into the convent and there are ghosts multiplying on the lawn while Charley’s dead father slips in to tell her there are spies in the household.

Charley is plenty restless. Since Reyes is keeping secrets she decides to keep her own secrets and ‘slip out’ to interview a kidnapper. That causes friction but things really heat up when Charley races out of the convent thinking that Cookie and Amber are in danger. Charley runs into some old friends who rein her back to the convent when they realize there is trouble at home.

This episode is a little quieter at first as the story focuses on the wedding and the birth of 'beep'. There is the usual snappy humor is full force but at times I wondered where the story was going. Finally the action picks up and I liked the twists and surprises when the enemies and allies face off. The ending takes an unexpected leap to leave us hanging till book nine.

Audio Notes: After eight listens there is not much more to say about the wonderfully entertaining narration by Lorelei King. She makes it an easy, enjoyable listening experience.

I picked this up at Audible with one of my monthly credits. This is part of my audio challenge.

Audible Book Review: Seventh Grave and No Body by Darynda Jones

This is fun, quick listening entertainment.

Seventh Grave and No Body

Written by: Darynda Jones

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 7
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-21-14
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre:  Paranormal, Detective
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there's that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she's ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life.
But all of that combined barely scratches the surface of her problems. Recent developments - and a few distressing prophesies - have forced her to become a responsible adult. Exactly the kind of adult she's never aspired to be. To conquer such a monumental task, she's decided to start small. Really small. She gets a pet. But how can she save the world against the forces of evil when she can’t even keep a goldfish alive? A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her power to protect it. We're doomed.
©2014 Darynda Jones (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Review:
This is the seventh story in this fun series. Charley is excited to be pregnant but she is insecure about her ability to succeed as a mother. Meanwhile she still wants to continue her PI duties and she is glad to help her Uncle Bob on a case of suicide notes and missing people. It is just too inconvenient that the twelve hounds of hell are out to kill her.

Reyes, Charley’s ‘affianced’, is frustrated because he wants to keep Charley and the baby safe but Charley keeps slipping out on him. She gets help from The Dealer, a demon who Reyes doesn’t trust, and Garret, Charley’s skip trace buddy who learned the truth the hard way. But no one really knows how to kill the hellhounds.

Charley helps FBI SAC Carson to find the bodies of missing girls. In the process Carson begins to uncover some of Charley’s secrets. Charley is also worried because her missing father and she has learned that the Vatican has a full file on her. Charley is being annoyed by the whiney ghost of her former bff and Rocket actually leaves his ‘asylum’ to complain to Charley about her actions that are upsetting heaven.

I continue to enjoy the snarky t-shirt and bumper stickers that open each chapter. I also enjoy the humor and the action that keeps the crew hopping. Charley is a little whiny herself at times even as she grows into her surprising strengths and skills. The sex scenes are on the steamy side but I like the natural frustrations that spark the relationship between Charley and Reyes. The overall story moved forward only a little with a bit more history and some new elements thanks to some dead flashbacks and a Priest from the Vatican. Still this is fun, quick listening entertainment.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King does such a great job narrating this series. Her reading completely enhances the story entertainment.

This title is a purchase in my Audible library.

Audible Book Review: Sixth Grave on the Edge: Charley Davidson, Book 6 by Darynda Jones

"I have a perfect body; it’s in my trunk." T-Shirt.

Sixth Grave on the Edge: Charley Davidson, Book 6
Written by: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
Series: Charley Davidson, Book 6
Format: Unabridged
Release Date:05-20-14
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Sometimes I wrestle my demons. Sometimes we just snuggle. (Bumper Sticker)
Most girls might think twice before getting engaged to someone like Reyes Farrow - but Charley Davidson is not most girls. She’s a paranormal private eye and grim-reaper-in-training who’s known to be a bit of a hell-raiser, especially after a few shots of caffeine. Her beloved Reyes may be the only begotten son of evil, but he’s dark and sultry and deeply sexy and everything Charley could hope for. Really. But when the FBI file on Reyes’ childhood happens to land into her lap, she can’t help herself: She opens it...and then the real fun begins. First, Charley finds a naked corpse riding shotgun in her car. Then, a man loses his soul in a card game. Throw in a deaf boy who sees dead people, a woman running from mobsters, and a very suspicious Reyes, and things can’t get any worse for Charley. Unless, of course, the 12 Beasts of Hell are unleashed.
©2014 Darynda Jones (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Once again Charley, a paranormal PI who not only sees the dead but is a grim reaper who allows them to pass, sets off to help a client resolve an unusual issue. It seems the man has gambled away his soul to a ‘demon’ dealer. Charley’s “almost fiance” (she just has to say “yes”) Reyes, the sexy son of Satan, doesn’t want Charley getting close to any demons. Of course that won’t stop her. At least she enlists the help of another sexy friend, Garret.

Garret is trying to help decipher the prophecies regarding Charley, the daughter of light, and Reyes, the son of dark. He now thinks there are twelve hell-hounds who may be after Charley so she needs to be extra careful.

While challenging the ‘demon’ dealer, Charley is also researching a cold FBI kidnapping case that involves Reyes’ childhood. Reyes would just as soon she stay out of his past but, again, that won’t stop Charley.

Between research for the jobs, Charley is playing match-maker for her employee/across the hall neighbor/best friend, Cookie, and Charley’s beloved Uncle Bob. Charley’s plan is to make Uncle Bob jealous by having Cookie go out on ‘fake’ dates. Meanwhile someone is tailing Charley and there is a scare for Cookie’s twelve year-old daughter, Amber, who sneaks off to play hooky with Quentin, Charley’s deaf, teenage friend, who also sees ghosts.

Readers get to learn more about Angel’s background and also to enjoy all the usual Charley sass including a visit with Rocket. The t-shirt or bumper sticker slogans that introduce each chapter continue to bring smiles to my face. The relationship between Charley and Reyes is warm and sensual with a few nice surprises. Occasionally I am frustrated by Charley’s ‘ditziness’ but - hey - it fits her character. And of course there are some twists and surprises at the end of this installment’s dangers that left me eager for the next book - Seventh Grave and No Body releasing in October, 2014.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King does a great job with this series. She captures the voices of the characters and conveys danger, sensuality and, of course, the snarky humor. This is a fun series to listen to.

I downloaded this from my own Audible Library.

Audible Book Review: Fifth Grave Past the Light: Charley Davidson, Book 5 by Darynda Jones

This is another good installment of mysteries and action as Charley and Reyes try to resolve their issues.
Fifth Grave Past the Light: Charley Davidson, Book 5
    UNABRIDGED
    by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 5
LENGTH  8 hrs and 52 mins
RELEASE DATE  07-09-13
PUBLISHER  Macmillan Audio
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, PI
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Never underestimate the power of a woman on a double espresso with a mocha latte chaser high. (T-shirt)

Charley Davidson isn’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper. She’s more of a paranormal private eye/grim reaper extraordinaire. However, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. To further complicate matters, Reyes is her main suspect in an arson case. Charley has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth... but then dead women start appearing in her apartment, one after another, each lost, confused, and terrified beyond reason.

When it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma, is the serial killer’s next target Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes’ help. Arsonist or not, he’s the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return. Charley. All of her, body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay.

Charley Davidson is at it again in Fifth Grave Past the Light, the sexy, suspenseful, and laugh-out-loud funny fifth installment of the New York Times best-selling series by Darynda Jones.
©2013 Darynda Jones (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley is worrying that Reyes may be responsible for several building fires. Although no one has been injured she recognizes the locations have a connection to Reyes’ past. While she is trying to avoid Reyes he is busy remodeling the apartment at the end of her floor to move in!

One morning Charley discovers a dirt covered blond little girl under her bed. The ghost is clearly frightened and Charley is unable to get her to speak. Soon there are a multitude of dirty, blond female ghosts cowering in every corner of Charley's apartment.

Meanwhile Charley has a visit by the spirit a nurse who claims there is a body under an old bridge out of town. As Charley follows this line she is surprised when she meets the nurse who is actually alive but has a history of prophetic dreams. As a serial killer begins to be revealed Charley gets frightened that her own sister may be the next target.

There is plenty of mystery and action to keep this moving along and interesting. There is also renewed contact between Charley and Reyes for those who crave the romance elements. There are still the fun chapter headings - snarky t-shirt and bumper sticker sayings. There is also good interaction among the regular characters, Charley's team of friends. There is some rough language but it passes quickly. This is a fast listen in a fun series and I look forward to more adventures.

I have been enjoying this snarky, fun series - from my own Audible library.

Audible Book Review: Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet: Charley Davidson, Book 4, by Darynda Jones

This is a fun addition to this entertaining series.
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet: Charley Davidson, Book 4
    by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King

    LENGTH    9 hrs and 28 mins
    RELEASE DATE    10-30-12
    PUBLISHER    Macmillan Audio
Genre: Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The fourth in this fun and sexy New York Times best-selling paranormal series.

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans.
©2012 Darynda Jones (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley, the grim reaper and ghost confidant, has been hiding (or according to her, recuperating) in her home for the past two months after she was used as bait and severely injured. Her physical body has healed but her mind and psyche are still struggling to get over a) being arrested by her father and b) being set up as bait by her romantic interest, Reyes, so he could lure out his monstrous step-father to prove Reyes wasn’t guilty of his murder. Needless to say Charley is still furious with the two most important men in her life besides being a bit scared to venture out.

Charley’s office manager/assistant, Cookie, who lives across the hall, has decided to take control of Charley’s TV infomercial product buying binge. This is necessary since the credit cards are maxed and it is hard to find Charley behind the boxes. It is time that Charley get a new assignment.

Fortunately, Harper appears seeking to hire Charley to uncover the stalker who has been harassing her for years and making death threats. Harper’s family, especially her step-mother, has ignored her situation claiming that she is just seeking attention. But Charley takes her seriously and jumps right into the investigation.

Her efforts bring Charley to uncover a group of local bank robbers as well as bringing her into contact with Reyes. Reyes tries to get Charley to ‘lay low’ as the demons are still out to get him and to get to Charley through him. The demons are targeting those with powers to see auras as they can identify Charley.

Charley isn’t about to sit home now that she has a case to solve. As usual she charges into danger.

I enjoyed the investigation into Harper’s harassment and death threats and the extra twist in the case. I also liked the contact with prior characters, the crazy Rocket and the biker gang. The typical snarkiness of Charley abounds. There is some actual sexual encounter but not so focused on the sexual as one of the prior stories. This is another fun installment with a good solid plot and fun interaction among the characters.

Audio Note: Once again Lorelei King does an excellent job of portraying Charley and her cohorts. Ms. King is able to infuse the voices with the appropriate emotions adding to the charm and draw of the story.

I picked this up from my own Audible Library.

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.

Audible Book Review: Second Grave on the Left: Charley Davidson, Book 2 by Darynda Jones

This is another fun listen with more romantic conflict and paranormal danger.
Second Grave on the Left: Charley Davidson, Book 2
    UNABRIDGED
    by Darynda Jones
    Narrated by Lorelei King
        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 2
    LENGTH    9 hrs and 30 mins
    RELEASE DATE    08-16-11
    PUBLISHER    Macmillan Audio
Genre: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper Extraordinaire, is back in this sexy, suspenseful novel of supernatural shenanigans.

When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously?
Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.

Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven… well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?

Here is your signpost for the most hilarious listen of the summer: Second Grave on the Left.
©2011 Darynda Jones (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley is once again addressing two mysteries in this second book.  One mystery involves the disappearance of one of Cookie’s good friends, Mimi. It appears that Mimi was acting strangely before disappearing and now the investigation reveals that many of her high school friends have recently died. Charley and Cookie are in a desperate race to find Mimi before she turns up dead too.

However, Charley is also caught up in trying to save her dream lover, Reyes, aka the Son of Satan. We learn much more about Reyes, his history and connections to Charley. All of her life Reyes has secretly been protecting her through an astral connection. But now he is in danger of leading demons to find Charley which would be a very bad thing, allowing them to use her as a portal to heaven. Charley found Reyes in prison, actually in a hospital in a coma, but now he has escaped and gone into hiding. Charley is intent on finding Reyes before he allows his corporeal body to die while he continues to hide from her in an effort to keep her safe.

The conflict between Charley and Reyes creates great tension. Also, Charley is learning that she has more powers than even she realizes and she is beginning to let her family in on some of her secrets with some heartbreaking and encouraging moments. If you enjoy sass, humor and romantic conflict I highly recommend this series.

Audio Notes: Again, Ms. King does a great job of narrating and making the characters come more alive than a print book might. This listen moved quickly and I am ready to purchase book three from Audible!

This download was from my Audible Library.

Audible Book Review: First Grave on The Right: Charley Davidson, Book 1 by Darynda Jones

This is sassy and full of action and sensual relationship. Great, fun listening!

First Grave on the Right: Charley Davidson, Book 1

    UNABRIDGED

    by Darynda Jones

    Narrated by Lorelei King

        Series: Charley Davidson, Book 1
    LENGTH    9 hrs and 4 mins
    RELEASE DATE    02-09-11
    PUBLISHER    Macmillan Audio
Genre: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper 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.
This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense. The audio includes a sneak peak of Second Grave on the Left.
Keep chilled: spend some more time with Charley Davidson.
©2010 Darynda Jones (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Charley Davidson has known for a long time that she was different from most folks. As a child she didn’t understand but over the years she learned to hide her abilities -- she sees dead people. Not only does she see them but she apparently is THE Grim Reaper and she helps people pass through into "the light." Sometimes the dead want Charley to help them with unresolved issues before they will move along. That is how she became invovled in fighting the bad guys and solving murders.

Charley has worked as a Private Investigator helping the Albuquerque police, first her father, who has retired, and now Uncle Bob. No one, not even her family, really know the extent of her secrets. They just know that somehow she gets the right clues to solve the cases. Additionally, they have observed that, although sometimes clumsy, Charley always seems to manage to “dodge the bullet” so to speak. Actually, when she has been really in danger the bad guys seem to end up with very severe injuries, like broken spinal columns.

Charley struggles with being ‘a freak’ especially as she is scorned by her step mother and seems to have lost the friendship of her beautiful, talented sister. And of course having a normal dating life is pretty much out of the question. Lately though Charley has had a great night life- even if it is just in her dreams. She doesn’t know who her secret, sexy dream lover is, or quite ‘what’ he is and that begins to concern her when he starts appearing during her working hours too.

This first book of the series introduces Charley, her family, her work nemesis, Garrett, her assistant/best friend/neighbor, Cookie, and several other secondary characters. The reader also begins to experience Charley’s rather crazy world and life. It seems each of the books has Charley involved in helping a couple of cases. In this story she has arranged an escape for an abused wife and she is pulled in to help solve a killing of three local attorneys, who are conveniently providing her mixed messages.

There is great action, mystery, tension and humor in these stories! I love Charley’s sass and determination. Initially it isn’t clear if her dream lover, Reyes, is a good guy or not, but it is clear he has a protective streak and strong attraction for Charley. I also enjoyed Charley’s struggles as she slowly begins to reveal more of herself to her circle of family and friends. The plot is full and fast paced and I was eager to get and listen to the second book in the series.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King does a wonderful job carrying the craziness of Charley’s life and her somewhat vulnerable but irrepressible personality. Ms. King does a good job with the other characters and portraying the emotions as the story moves along. The narration definitely added to my enjoyment of this title.

I read this from my own Audible library.