First Grave on the Right

Darynda Jones

Feb 2011 · Charley Davidson Series Book 1 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this eBook

First Grave on the Right is the 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 Darynda Jones, an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

First Grave on the Right is the winner of the 2012 Rita Award for Best First Book.

Ratings and reviews

Let me just say that in most cases, I'm a huge fan of sarcastic wit, but it has to be properly timed. First Grave on the Right certainly has an abundance of sarcasm, and at the very beginning of the story, it was amusing. That amusement quickly waned as the book went on because there was just too much of it. The premise is good and looked like something I would enjoy, but in reality, I got a character that seriously needed a muzzle (the kind that keeps you from talking). Charley comes across like an over-sexed teenager rather than a private investigator and I found it ridiculous that any police officer would request her help, even if they did know she could see the dead. I did push through and finish the book in the hopes that it would improve and while the ending is open as far as Charley's relationship with an otherworldly character, this reader won't be exploring the series any further.

Intrigued I tried the sample of the first book. I was so uncomfortable with the writing style with its cavalier attitude towards grammar that I could not continue. I am a nit picker. Language is so important to me as well as sentence structure and grammar. My discomfort reading the acknowledgements intensified once I began the novel. The first word is a contraction. I "get" that the author is attempting a casual style of writing to bring a sense of atmosphere but I read for the beauty of structure and was so irritated but partial sentences and disjointed thoughts that I stopped reading. I should have given the author more of a chance and in the past I have always done so but there are soooooo many books out there and life is short so I just shut the book on this one. Even the above snippet, About the author annoyed me twice with its insider jokes. Sorry Darynda, but yours is not a style I am entertained by. Obviously, I am in the minority.

I'm a bit behind the times on getting started with this series, but I'm so glad that I finally did. Charley Davidson is a complete riot. Her "squirrel" moments of easily distraction and rapid through-train changes made both her internal and external dialogue amusing and somehow perfectly timed for every moment. As the grim reaper, souls that haven't crossed yet can find her to help them cross over or take care of unfinished business. Although not all of them want to, like the intriguing Mr. Wong that hangs out in a corner of her apartment. I keep waiting for him to do something - and maybe he will eventually. With the ability to see the departed, Charley is an invaluable asset to Uncle, a detective on the police force. As she navigates her place in the investigation, often providing information that no one else can, she seems to stroll through life in her own cloud of uniqueness. The departed each have their own unique personalities as well. From Angel, the teenage gang banger, to the ones involved in her uncle's most recent case. Throw in the "Big Bad" aka Reyes - who is smoking hot and more than what he seems at first, and you have a hint of romance along the way - maybe. It's not entirely clear where this arc will go, but I really can't wait to find out.

About the author

DARYNDA JONES lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of more than twenty-five years and two beautiful sons, aka the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.