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kathydavie's review
5.0
Second in the Charley Davidson urban fantasy series about a personable grim reaper-cum-private detective-cum-police consultant in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
My Take
This was excellent although not as funny as the first story, First Grave on the Right. It took forever before I figured out that Dead Trunk Guy was supposed to be a funny bit. Too subtle for me.
There are a lot of revelations in this installment. The fear/fascination/trust her dad has about her. Neil Gossett's stories about Reyes. A new perspective on family life after the attack on Charley and her dad. I'd sure like to know who Mr. Chao, Ulrich, and Frank Smith were and why they were sort of involved with Evil Riggs and Evil Murtaugh.
Now, the worst part. I have to wait for Third Grave Dead Ahead expected to come out in Feb 2012 to find out what happens next!
The Story
Dragging Charley from her bed at 2 a.m. and shoving bunny slippers at her, Cookie tries to force Charley into her car trunk. A car trunk that's already occupied! With Dead Guy! Seems Cookie got a text message from an old friend to meet her. Alone. At a coffee shop. But Cookie just knows that she and Mimi will need Charley's help. Hence the sweats and bunny slippers.
But it's Mimi's dilemma that has two fake FBI guys on her tail. They're eager to find Mimi and wouldn't mind taking Charley out as well. Nor are they the only bad guys looking for Charley for the demons are slipping through to Earth as well and Reyes has put his corporeal body on the line to keep them from finding her. A sacrifice that Charley refuses to accept. She wants Reyes alive. And able.
Slowly Charley and Cookie find other "accidents"/murders/suicides that are connected to Mimi; Janelle York's death is the kicker. The same Janelle York that triggered a violent change in Mimi's behavior in high school.
It's a hurtful period for Charley as she's being attacked left, right, and center: the contract killers after Mimi, demons hunting her and Reyes, a newly-released convict looking to hurt her dad,
Betrayals also abound. Uncle Bob has her followed. Her dad doesn't warn her of the threats he's received on her life. And Charley binds Reyes into his body forbidding his ability to escape prison. An escape he needs to stay sane.
The Characters
Charley Davidson has been a grim reaper from the day she was born. For years, she helped her father, Leland Davidson, solve cases. Once he retired from the police force, she's been helping her Uncle Bob the same way. The dead tell her that she shines like a beacon. Her sister Gemma and stepmother Denise really hate her. Angel is a young---dead---gangbanger who helps Charley investigate.
Reyes Alexander Farrow is Lucifer's son reborn into a human to be on the Earth at the same time as Charley. Son of Satan and more gorgeous than a super-model, Reyes escaped from prison. For killing the man who kidnapped him and abused him horrifically all his young life. His demon father wants him to find the gate to Heaven [Charley] while Reyes simply wants to be with Charley. Able to travel outside his body, Reyes shows up when Charley's life is in danger. Kim Millar is Reyes' sister. His unacknowledged sister. He wants her kept safe away from his problems with Hell. Charley found her in First Grave on the Right and has respected her and Reyes' wish to keep her invisible. Amador Sanchez was Reyes' boyhood friend and cellmate. Together, they used Reyes' fan clubs to build a nest egg and then played the stock market to create a good life for Amador and his wife Bianca. They know all about "Dutch".
Cookie Kowalski is Charley's best friend and her receptionist for her private investigation business; Amber is her daughter. Neil Gossett is an old schoolmate of Charley's; he is now the deputy warden at the prison where Reyes was incarcerated. Garrett Swope is a bounty hunter and unsure if he likes or fears Charley. Rocket Man is the ghost of a grim reaper who tracks everyone who dies on the walls of an abandoned sanitarium; his ghostly sister Blue "lives" with him.
A friend of Cookie's, Mimi was one of a group of high schoolers whose lives changed forever. Now, someone is hunting them down and killing them. Warren Jacobs is her frantic husband charged with her disappearance. Wanda and Harold Marshal are her parents and they believe in Warren. Fellow classmates include Kyle Kirsch, the congressman planning to run for the senate; Tommy Zapata who sold a car to Cookie; Janelle Taylor, former best friend; Jeff Hargrove; Nick Velasquez; Anthony Richardson; and, Hana Insinga who has been missing for 20 years. Her disappearance was investigated by Sheriff Kirsch, Kyle's father.
Elaine Oake is the president of one of the many fan clubs dedicated to Reyes Farrow. Officer Owen Vaughan is a friend of Gossett's and hates Charley. In high school, he tried to run her down with an SUV. Carrie Liedell has a connection with Dead Trunk Guy which Uncle Bob appreciates.
The Cover
The cover is so Charley with all the black but especially the riveted black leather belt with its rhinestoned skull buckle. I liked the touch with the necklace and "A Novel" as the pendant. Even better, the impression is black but the true colors are dark blue and lime green---yummy! And quite eye-catching.
The title is most useful as a clue as to where it falls in chronologically in the series, Second Grave on the Left.
My Take
This was excellent although not as funny as the first story, First Grave on the Right. It took forever before I figured out that Dead Trunk Guy was supposed to be a funny bit. Too subtle for me.
There are a lot of revelations in this installment. The fear/fascination/trust her dad has about her. Neil Gossett's stories about Reyes. A new perspective on family life after the attack on Charley and her dad. I'd sure like to know who Mr. Chao, Ulrich, and Frank Smith were and why they were sort of involved with Evil Riggs and Evil Murtaugh.
Now, the worst part. I have to wait for Third Grave Dead Ahead expected to come out in Feb 2012 to find out what happens next!
The Story
Dragging Charley from her bed at 2 a.m. and shoving bunny slippers at her, Cookie tries to force Charley into her car trunk. A car trunk that's already occupied! With Dead Guy! Seems Cookie got a text message from an old friend to meet her. Alone. At a coffee shop. But Cookie just knows that she and Mimi will need Charley's help. Hence the sweats and bunny slippers.
But it's Mimi's dilemma that has two fake FBI guys on her tail. They're eager to find Mimi and wouldn't mind taking Charley out as well. Nor are they the only bad guys looking for Charley for the demons are slipping through to Earth as well and Reyes has put his corporeal body on the line to keep them from finding her. A sacrifice that Charley refuses to accept. She wants Reyes alive. And able.
Slowly Charley and Cookie find other "accidents"/murders/suicides that are connected to Mimi; Janelle York's death is the kicker. The same Janelle York that triggered a violent change in Mimi's behavior in high school.
It's a hurtful period for Charley as she's being attacked left, right, and center: the contract killers after Mimi, demons hunting her and Reyes, a newly-released convict looking to hurt her dad,
Betrayals also abound. Uncle Bob has her followed. Her dad doesn't warn her of the threats he's received on her life. And Charley binds Reyes into his body forbidding his ability to escape prison. An escape he needs to stay sane.
The Characters
Charley Davidson has been a grim reaper from the day she was born. For years, she helped her father, Leland Davidson, solve cases. Once he retired from the police force, she's been helping her Uncle Bob the same way. The dead tell her that she shines like a beacon. Her sister Gemma and stepmother Denise really hate her. Angel is a young---dead---gangbanger who helps Charley investigate.
Reyes Alexander Farrow is Lucifer's son reborn into a human to be on the Earth at the same time as Charley. Son of Satan and more gorgeous than a super-model, Reyes escaped from prison. For killing the man who kidnapped him and abused him horrifically all his young life. His demon father wants him to find the gate to Heaven [Charley] while Reyes simply wants to be with Charley. Able to travel outside his body, Reyes shows up when Charley's life is in danger. Kim Millar is Reyes' sister. His unacknowledged sister. He wants her kept safe away from his problems with Hell. Charley found her in First Grave on the Right and has respected her and Reyes' wish to keep her invisible. Amador Sanchez was Reyes' boyhood friend and cellmate. Together, they used Reyes' fan clubs to build a nest egg and then played the stock market to create a good life for Amador and his wife Bianca. They know all about "Dutch".
Cookie Kowalski is Charley's best friend and her receptionist for her private investigation business; Amber is her daughter. Neil Gossett is an old schoolmate of Charley's; he is now the deputy warden at the prison where Reyes was incarcerated. Garrett Swope is a bounty hunter and unsure if he likes or fears Charley. Rocket Man is the ghost of a grim reaper who tracks everyone who dies on the walls of an abandoned sanitarium; his ghostly sister Blue "lives" with him.
A friend of Cookie's, Mimi was one of a group of high schoolers whose lives changed forever. Now, someone is hunting them down and killing them. Warren Jacobs is her frantic husband charged with her disappearance. Wanda and Harold Marshal are her parents and they believe in Warren. Fellow classmates include Kyle Kirsch, the congressman planning to run for the senate; Tommy Zapata who sold a car to Cookie; Janelle Taylor, former best friend; Jeff Hargrove; Nick Velasquez; Anthony Richardson; and, Hana Insinga who has been missing for 20 years. Her disappearance was investigated by Sheriff Kirsch, Kyle's father.
Elaine Oake is the president of one of the many fan clubs dedicated to Reyes Farrow. Officer Owen Vaughan is a friend of Gossett's and hates Charley. In high school, he tried to run her down with an SUV. Carrie Liedell has a connection with Dead Trunk Guy which Uncle Bob appreciates.
The Cover
The cover is so Charley with all the black but especially the riveted black leather belt with its rhinestoned skull buckle. I liked the touch with the necklace and "A Novel" as the pendant. Even better, the impression is black but the true colors are dark blue and lime green---yummy! And quite eye-catching.
The title is most useful as a clue as to where it falls in chronologically in the series, Second Grave on the Left.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
3.0
Took my time reading it, not enough suspense and not as good as the first one. Will probably not read another one in this series, sorry to say. Like the snark, but world-building and suspense is not good.
Bought the ebook with 12% off-coupon, but in hindsight still too expensive.
Bought the ebook with 12% off-coupon, but in hindsight still too expensive.
yodamom's review
4.0
-Second Grave on the left- I was a bit taken back with the two case's she was working on. The fact that she could even stop looking for one for a second to spend looking for the other totally miffed me. I still love the Charley and the author's snarky T-shirt humor. My kind of girl, She get's me she really does. I found myself laughing at her as much as I was horrified by her ordeal. It was a darker book for me, than the last one. I enjoyed the ride and can't wait to find out if she is forgiven or if she ever learns what she can do.
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
4.0
Avec ce deuxième tome, Darynda Jones nous offre des moments de lecture qui décoiffent !!
Charley est d’une telle intrépidité que j’en ai parfois eu des sueurs froides. Cette façon qu’elle a d’aller au cœur du danger au mépris des blessures éventuelles est vraiment bluffante. Et Charley est tellement drôle ... J’ai franchement ri à de bien nombreuses reprises, et du coup j’ai d’autant plus apprécié les moments où on perçoit la fragilité et la vulnérabilité de notre Faucheuse.
Cookie est une amie en or, son personnage est vraiment réussi, j’avoue que j’aimerais bien la voir « sur le terrain » histoire de voir comment elle se débrouille. Les autres personnages secondaires sont toujours aussi réussis, les défunts comme les vivants. Et Reyes ? Toujours aussi magnétique et mystérieux, ses motivations se dessinent peu à peu, mais il garde cette part de mystère qui renforce son côté bad boy.
Les deux intrigues menées en parallèle ne sont pas là pour faire du remplissage, elles sont aussi soignées l’une que l’autre, l’auteur nous a gâtées une fois de plus !
J’ai vraiment craqué pour ce tome 2, et vu la fin je n’ai pas pu m’empêcher de démarrer dans la foulée le tome 3 !
Charley est d’une telle intrépidité que j’en ai parfois eu des sueurs froides. Cette façon qu’elle a d’aller au cœur du danger au mépris des blessures éventuelles est vraiment bluffante. Et Charley est tellement drôle ... J’ai franchement ri à de bien nombreuses reprises, et du coup j’ai d’autant plus apprécié les moments où on perçoit la fragilité et la vulnérabilité de notre Faucheuse.
Cookie est une amie en or, son personnage est vraiment réussi, j’avoue que j’aimerais bien la voir « sur le terrain » histoire de voir comment elle se débrouille. Les autres personnages secondaires sont toujours aussi réussis, les défunts comme les vivants. Et Reyes ? Toujours aussi magnétique et mystérieux, ses motivations se dessinent peu à peu, mais il garde cette part de mystère qui renforce son côté bad boy.
Les deux intrigues menées en parallèle ne sont pas là pour faire du remplissage, elles sont aussi soignées l’une que l’autre, l’auteur nous a gâtées une fois de plus !
J’ai vraiment craqué pour ce tome 2, et vu la fin je n’ai pas pu m’empêcher de démarrer dans la foulée le tome 3 !
sdeeim's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
ironskin's review against another edition
3.5
Still very much a product of its time, but I really like Urban Fantasy and I feel like this is mostly a pretty good example. And a surprisingly good ADHD rep (while also reflecting the time it was written).
I’m enjoying the series over all, there are a few moments that are yikes, but mostly this is fun and funny
I’m enjoying the series over all, there are a few moments that are yikes, but mostly this is fun and funny
ktavenue's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bhookjunkhie's review
5.0
Wow! That was an awesome read.. Like the first one I read it super fast not being able to put it down...I just had to find out what happened next!! It kept me guessing and laughing all the way through! And that ending!! Seriously!!!! Argh it's gonna hard to wait for the next one;)
devansbooklife's review
4.0
Charley, is a fantastic heroine! This book cracked me up just like the first one did. Charley is unique because she seems tangible and I can relate to her in many ways. She keeps the stressful situations in check by whipping out wise cracks. And I love her for that. I found the plot intriguing and it kept me glued to the pages until the end. There was never a dull moment. My only request is that we get more Reyes. He is like the ultimate forbidden fruit. I mean he is lethal, a complete mystery, and hotter than hell. Literally. I cannot wait for more!!!
lakea's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5