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gamz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brookevol's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
4.0
I have been seeing reviews if this series all over the place for a while now and finally got to the first book. I was not disappointed.
We have Charley who is a grim reaper but also a PI and Police consultant. She is strong and fights back no matter how many times someone is trying to kill her. She won’t stay down for long. She is smart and funny and super snarky. Though sometimes it came over a little strong.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/first-grave-on-the-right-charley-davidson-1-by-darynda-jones/
We have Charley who is a grim reaper but also a PI and Police consultant. She is strong and fights back no matter how many times someone is trying to kill her. She won’t stay down for long. She is smart and funny and super snarky. Though sometimes it came over a little strong.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/first-grave-on-the-right-charley-davidson-1-by-darynda-jones/
janie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Charley Davidson urban-fantasy series set in Albuquerque, New Mexico and revolving around a grim reaper and her family.
Just found it won a 2009 Golden Heart for Best Paranormal Romance.
My Take
Omigod!! This one is a buy! Darynda Jones is an absolute crack-up from page one on.
The Story
After staggering into bed, Charley wakes much too soon to yet another call to a murder scene. Worse, the Dead Guy is hanging out by her bed. Between the phone call and the DG, they've interrupted yet another of those fabulous dreams. Hot, sensual...Charley came more often in her dreams than she did in reality. Now if she could only find the guy in the real world?!
The Characters
Charlotte "Charley" Davidson is the grim reaper. Yup, uh-huh. The dead show up on her doorstep, in her bathroom...especially in her bathroom until she can direct them to the light. By setting herself up as a private detective, it makes it so much easier to explain her presence at a crime scene. Her dad, an ex-cop now, make good use of her abilities to solve crimes; then, her Uncle Bob inherited her services. Denise is her super-bitch of a stepmother and Gemma is her sister.
Cookie is Charley's secretary and best friend while Amber is her so-very precocious daughter. Rocket is a dead grim reaper. Born too early for his time period and misdiagnosed, Rocket's brain was fried and twisted. Now, he simply knows who is dead and who isn't. Angel is a thirteen-year-old gangbanger who helps out on Charley's cases. It's cool; he's dead. But the night she met Angel is the same night she encountered...
Reyes Farrow is a memory from high school. Now, he's a dream. He calls Charley, "Dutch". Garrett Swopes is a PI and bounty hunter. Hot and irritating all at the same time. Officer Taft is being followed around by a Strawberry Shortcake blonde and as her antics become more obvious, Taft becomes more friendly.
Patrick Sussman III, Elizabeth Ellery, and Jason Barber are all murdered the same night. Lawyers in the same law firm. The same night, Carlos Rivera tried to give Barber a flash drive with the proof of what Bennie Price is doing to children.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a crack-up. And it gets better when you discover that Charley is the grim reaper—puts a whole new perspective on the skulled-strap sandals on the end of that white pant-clad leg and the gleaming sickle resting on her thigh. Nicely set off by the black mani-pedi she's flaunting.
The title has got to be another play on words. I swear, Darynda Jones has such a way with words. Seein' as Charley is always giving directions, I reckon it only makes sense that one of those directions to the dead may well be First Grave on the Right.
Just found it won a 2009 Golden Heart for Best Paranormal Romance.
My Take
Omigod!! This one is a buy! Darynda Jones is an absolute crack-up from page one on.
"...wonder if repetitive exposure to nightly…earth-shattering climaxes could have any long-term side effects." "Death via extreme pleasure was a serious concern.Then there's:
Do I seek help or buy drinks all around?"
"I had on a Scorpions hockey jersey I'd snatched off a goalie and a pair of plaid boxers—same team, different position."Of course, we can all relate to:
"I dragged all 470 throbbing pounds toward the kitchen and, more important, the coffeepot. Caffeine would chisel the pounds off…"As well as…
"I kept the coffeepot in my office...it was my answer to potpourri."Jones has one of the more explosive orgasm scenes I've read yet...pure poetry!
"Galaxies formed in my mind as I saw the universe being born..."I am so looking forward to reading Second Grave on the Left!
The Story
After staggering into bed, Charley wakes much too soon to yet another call to a murder scene. Worse, the Dead Guy is hanging out by her bed. Between the phone call and the DG, they've interrupted yet another of those fabulous dreams. Hot, sensual...Charley came more often in her dreams than she did in reality. Now if she could only find the guy in the real world?!
The Characters
Charlotte "Charley" Davidson is the grim reaper. Yup, uh-huh. The dead show up on her doorstep, in her bathroom...especially in her bathroom until she can direct them to the light. By setting herself up as a private detective, it makes it so much easier to explain her presence at a crime scene. Her dad, an ex-cop now, make good use of her abilities to solve crimes; then, her Uncle Bob inherited her services. Denise is her super-bitch of a stepmother and Gemma is her sister.
Cookie is Charley's secretary and best friend while Amber is her so-very precocious daughter. Rocket is a dead grim reaper. Born too early for his time period and misdiagnosed, Rocket's brain was fried and twisted. Now, he simply knows who is dead and who isn't. Angel is a thirteen-year-old gangbanger who helps out on Charley's cases. It's cool; he's dead. But the night she met Angel is the same night she encountered...
Reyes Farrow is a memory from high school. Now, he's a dream. He calls Charley, "Dutch". Garrett Swopes is a PI and bounty hunter. Hot and irritating all at the same time. Officer Taft is being followed around by a Strawberry Shortcake blonde and as her antics become more obvious, Taft becomes more friendly.
Patrick Sussman III, Elizabeth Ellery, and Jason Barber are all murdered the same night. Lawyers in the same law firm. The same night, Carlos Rivera tried to give Barber a flash drive with the proof of what Bennie Price is doing to children.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a crack-up. And it gets better when you discover that Charley is the grim reaper—puts a whole new perspective on the skulled-strap sandals on the end of that white pant-clad leg and the gleaming sickle resting on her thigh. Nicely set off by the black mani-pedi she's flaunting.
The title has got to be another play on words. I swear, Darynda Jones has such a way with words. Seein' as Charley is always giving directions, I reckon it only makes sense that one of those directions to the dead may well be First Grave on the Right.
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
4.0
For a first book, start of a series, I rate this a generous 4 stars. Not really sure if that is entirely deserved. As the main case ended it felt too long, then came the side story of Charly's love-live.
Nice sex-scenes (explicit but rather non-kinky and straight).
Like the POV-tone of the MC Charley, snarky, but sometimes also a bit unsure and whiny, but not too whiny.
World-building nicely integrated in the story as the MC does not know everything, even in the end there are things hidden from her. So far luckily no Zombies, no Vampires, so that is a plus, also no love-triangle, and no insta-love (open to interpretation, some might say it is insta-love).
For the older YA-Generation, would not really see this for a 12 yr-old, I guess 14 and above. Bloody death scenes, torture described, and all that. Maybe not even YA but more NA.
Recommended four stars, might read the next book, but not too soon, I think.
Nice sex-scenes (explicit but rather non-kinky and straight).
Like the POV-tone of the MC Charley, snarky, but sometimes also a bit unsure and whiny, but not too whiny.
World-building nicely integrated in the story as the MC does not know everything, even in the end there are things hidden from her. So far luckily no Zombies, no Vampires, so that is a plus, also no love-triangle, and no insta-love (open to interpretation, some might say it is insta-love).
For the older YA-Generation, would not really see this for a 12 yr-old, I guess 14 and above. Bloody death scenes, torture described, and all that. Maybe not even YA but more NA.
Recommended four stars, might read the next book, but not too soon, I think.
laureenreads's review against another edition
2.0
Have you ever read a book, finished it, wandered off, then came back a couple months later and started to read it again because you forgot you read it? No? That's what happened with me with this book. Borrowed it from the library, read it, returned it, forgot it, borrowed it, and started reading it... only to remember it. Sadly, I don't think that says much about the story.
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked it. It was pure entertainment for me. The heroine was strong independent with a dark past, who just happens to be the Grim reaper. She has been 'haunted' by this dusty shadow her whole life, it have saved her life many times, and yet she fears it. The ghosts attracted to her because of her job fear it. Although she feels some comfort that it's always there, since her birth, which she remembers from her first breath on. Oh, and her eventual love interest, is something. -Very different, very mysterious, and sexy. There is sex, written well, not out of place in the story. Not a serious, break you with details book, lots of snark. I just enjoyed it. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
erikajay's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoy corny paranormal books, but this one was way over the top. Every other sentence / thought from our main character was supposed to be a joke, which got old really fast.
I did enjoy the premise though, having a grim reaper has your main character is fun and unique. But overall I don’t think it was executed well.
I did enjoy the premise though, having a grim reaper has your main character is fun and unique. But overall I don’t think it was executed well.