A bit of a slow starter, as it seemed to take almost a third of the book to set the scene and introduce the characters. But after that, I found it to be a very fast paced, exciting plot with a genuinely likeable protagonist. While the ending is fitting with the premise of the series: finding out the facts of a paranormal incident, not catching the killer, it still left me feeling a bit like the story didn’t really end – or at least not in a satisfying manner. Still, I’ll look for the second one, as I am interested in the characters enough to want to know what happens next.
Author: MurderByDeath
Second Grave on the Left (Grim Reaper #2)
Second Grave on the Leftby Darynda Jones
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780312360818
Series: Charlie Davidson #2
Publication Date: August 4, 2011
Pages: 307
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
When Charley and Cookie, her best friend slash receptionist, have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally.) has left his corporeal 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.
2021 Update: I didn’t say much first go-around, but the second book, along with the standard mystery plots – because she always has a couple going on at once – introduced more of what will be the overall series arc. Charlie starts to learn about her background and role as grim reaper and that she plays a larger part in Jones’ version of the end time prophesies.
Knowing where the series was going made it easier to understand some of the nuances of this second book, and it made the relationship between Charlie and Reyes a lot more understandable.
Original Thoughts: Great book! I love the writing and Charley is a great character. The plots are all interesting and nicely intertwined. The secondary characters are all really well written and you like the ones your supposed to like.
I really hope this is the beginning of a continuing series.
First Grave on the Right (Grim Reaper #1)
First Grave on the Rightby Darynda Jones
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780312662752
Series: Charlie Davidson #1
Publication Date: February 4, 2011
Pages: 309
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
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.
Well, based on the blurb I read, this is not the book I expected it to be. But it’s MUCH better.
While Charlie is a smart mouth with a bad attitude, the book is far more mature than it’s ‘chick-lit’ blurb description would lead you to believe. Or at least the one I read. Great humour, a few sincere moments and very good plot lines kept me reading this book until I was finished.
Luckily I was smart enough to buy the second one at the same time, so I can get right to reading it. Instant gratification. Oh yeah…
Footsteps in the Dark
What a great, fun read! I was almost late for dinner out with friends because I didn’t want to put it down until I reached the end. Great British humour throughout the story, really well blended with the mystery, the setting, the atmosphere. The ghost story was really done well too. I found this to be just an excellent cozy mystery in every sense of the word.
Ghost of a Chance (Chintz and China Mystery Series #1)
There are really two stories in this book: one strictly paranormal and one involving the murder mystery. I really liked the paranormal one – just spooky enough to make me wonder if I shouldn’t have avoided reading it right before bed. The murder mystery part, I’m not sure – it was a bit psychotic for my personal tastes – a bit too darkish. And I really didn’t care for her romantic interest in this book. Overall, I’m not sure if I’ll read another or not – I really liked her and her friends, but I’ll have to take a peek at further books to see if she sticks with this love interest or finds another before deciding.
Ghost a la Mode (Ghost of Granny Apples Series #1)
Loved this book! Really fun characters, great setting and a plot with an ending I didn’t see coming. Can’t wait to get the next one.
Smokin’ Seventeen: A Stephanie Plum Novel (Stephanie Plum Novels)
Ok – I figured out the bad guy right off the bat – but I still really enjoyed this entry in the series – probably because there was more quality Ranger time. I don’t care, really, who she ends up with – or even if she should make a choice – I just know I do like her encounters with Ranger! Eighteen should be interesting and at least we don’t have to wait a whole year for it.
Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files
I’ve only read the first three books of the Dresden Files – I intend to continue the series on Audio as I’ve heard James Marsters does an excellent job. However, I still really enjoyed this anthology of short stories and novellas. Jim Butcher does an excellent job of introducing each story and the stories themselves are excellent.
Hallowed Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney Series #5)
The more I read of this series, the more I truly like it and admire the author. The stories have elements of fun, humour, sincerity, and depth. They are intelligently written and the plots are intricately woven. This book is probably her best in the series so far. I look forward to continuing with the series.
Crossed Bones (Sarah Booth Delaney Series #4)
Carolyn Haines has a talent for making an intricate, detailed plot easy to read and fast moving. Her sense of place is so vivid it’s easy to feel you’re in the Mississippi Delta and it’s lovely to read about someone who respects her heritage.
This book’s story was interesting and gripping and I just couldn’t put it down. Jitty is still a nag but at least she’s starting to show signs of a softer side. I’m looking forward to continuing with this series.