Eva Millien
She has no memory of where she came from but she senses a dark force that wants to harm her and her only saving grace comes in the form of a new friend that makes her feel almost safe in this enthralling urban fantasy. Intriguing events and spine tingling tension draws the readers into the story as Janey realizes that she can see ghosts and that the people entering her life seem to know things about her but are hiding the information with lies and half-truths. The spine tingling tension builds throughout the story as Janey tries to learn whom she can she trust while discovering who is harming some of her friends and excitement continues to build as she begins to realize that she can’t outrun the past and that there is more going on than she could have imagined which of course has lots of emotional turbulence flying from the pages which holds the reader captive. The sizzling chemistry between Janey and Reyes builds to scalding proportions as she becomes determined to get to the bottom of what he knows no matter what which has a relationship building between them despite the fact that she knows he’s hiding things from her. Strong, compelling characters grab the reader’s attention from the very beginning while the fast paced plot and smooth flowing plot keeps reads on the edge of their seats with lots of suspense, excitement and romance. The scenes are well written and full of vivid details that make it easy for the reader to become immersed in the story and makes the characters come to life. There was so many unexpected twists and intriguing events happening that I was completely glued to the pages of this story with the suspense keeping me on edge and anticipating what would happen next. In fact, I would have to say that this Charley Davidson novel was one major twist in her life and that surprised me all around and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Kristina Anderson
The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones is the ninth book in the Charley Davidson series. It Sleepy Hollow, New York the Firelight Grill has a new employee named Janey Doerr (aka Charlotte “Charley” Davidson). Jane Doe was too boring and normal so she changed it up a little. Charley has amnesia and does not remember who she is. She woke up behind the diner four weeks ago with memory. Charley has special abilities (she can see the dead, see aura, and can tell if someone is lying are a few of them), but she does not understand how they work. She is also afraid to tell anyone (for fear of what they will think). Charley is lucky to have made a good friend in fellow worker Cookie (and her husband, Bob). The diner gets a new cook. One of the regulars, Reyes Alexander Farrow has just been hired, and Charley is very attracted to him. Charley is not sure she should act on the attraction (he also infuriates her). Then Charley notices something strange going on at Mr. Vandenberg’s antique store. Charley discovers that some Middle Eastern men are holding Mr. Vandenberg and his family hostage so they can use his storeroom (to drill a tunnel into a dry cleaners). Charley sets out to help him. Will Charley be able to help the Vandenberg’s? Will she ever get her memory back (and why did she lose it) and what happens when she does? I have not read any of the books in this series before, and I discovered that is a detriment. You really do need to read the other books in the Charley Davidson series in order to understand everything going on in The Dirt on Ninth Grave (or just to understand the book). I thought the book was okay. There is a lot of foul language and sex (talk and act) with very little mystery. The first twenty percent of the book is basically Charley admiring Reyes (how handsome, sexy, hot, etc.) and the other guys that are regulars at the diner. There is no action (the book does not move forward at all). The book picks up pace in the last forty percent (if you make it that far). I give Dirt on Ninth Grave 3 out of 5 stars. The idea is good, but I was just not a fan (I think I will have to go back and read the other books in the series—at least the first book). The Dirt on Ninth Grave reads more like an erotic novel than a paranormal mystery book. I received a complimentary copy of Dirt on Ninth Grave from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Sandy S.
4.25 stars---THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE is the ninth installment in Darynda Jones’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON urban fantasy series focusing on part time PI/ full time Grim Reaper Charley Davidson. SOME BACKGROUND: This is the continuing story of Charley’s life as the Grim Reaper, the corporeal spirits who have yet to pass, and the man to whom she has pledged her undying love-the son of Satan-Reyes Farrow. Charley Davidson is the key to saving or destroying the world. If you have not read the previous installments there may be some spoilers. Told from first person point of view (Charley) THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE is a bit of a departure from the series as our heroine wakes up in the small town of Sleepy Hollow with no memory of her past. The amnesia follows the heartbreaking events of EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK and focuses on Charley through several weeks as she tries to come to terms with the ability to ‘see dead people’ and the loss of everything and everyone she has ever loved: Enter Reyes, Cookie, Uncle Bob (Ubie), Osh, Angel, Garrett and a host of others, dead people, and demons from her past who tread lightly in the path of the woman now known as Janey Doerr- a bumbling waitress at the Firelight Cafe who believes she is from the future. As Janey continues to search for the truth, our small band of family and friends keep an eye on the woman they love. Strawberry Shortcake and Artemis make a cameo appearance. And the local cop who saved ‘Janey Doerr’ has some nefarious plans for our broken heroine. Throughout THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE we follow Charley ‘aka Janey’ as she endeavors to unravel a mystery involving the antique storeowner Mr.V and his missing family, as well as the infiltration of what appears to be the Russian Mob which in my opinion reads more like a ‘red herring’ that is irrelevant to the entire story and series but for all intents and purposes brings together several people from Charley’s past. Meanwhile, as per usual, Charley is visited by several corporeal beings who have yet to cross to the other side, in the hopes, of passing on a message to loved ones, or to help Charley in what it is she is supposed to do. Darynda Jones continues to add her off-beat humor, sarcastic witticisms, and funny one-liners but because of Charley’s amnesia some of the humorous moments are few and far between as our heroine must come to terms with what she has lost-Janey ‘Charley’ knows that she has lost something fragile and small; someone she has left behind and spends the majority of the storyline feeling powerless and lost (herself). The relationship between Charley and Reyes is seductive and provocative as Reyes heats up the pages with his need and protectiveness of the woman he loves. THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE is an intriguing but slow building installment that followed many paths to reveal a little more about Charley’s history-from the beginning of time-and why it is, so many gods, demons, fallen angels and angels are battling for control of Charley Davidson, but saying that, NINTH GRAVE did not reveal its’ purpose until the very end. We spent much of the storyline focusing on ‘Janey’s’ need to save the family across the street, and solve the mystery about one family’s numerous dying children. Charley’s true purpose is slowly revealing and with it comes the inevitable possibility that when the time comes, there will be many broken hearts and painful tears. I will add, that at times, I kept thinking that part of the premise felt familiar-too familiar- that I was confusing it with another UF series, so much so, that I thought I was reading –ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN by Jennifer Estep. I love both Darynda Jones’s CHARLEY DAVIDSON and Jennifer Estep’s ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN series-a compliment to both authors. If you are a fan and have read BOTH series, please let me know what you think after reading THE DIRT ON NINTH GRAVE.