Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet: Number 4 in series (Charley Davidson, #4)

by Darynda Jones

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is, well, grim. And since Charley's last case went so awry, she has taken a couple of months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep, convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to pull herself together. In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, is out of prison and out of Charley's life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment and the devil in blue jeans in this hilarious fourth instalment in the New York Times bestselling series.

• ISBN10: 0749959177
• ISBN13: 9780749959173
• Publish Date: 3 January 2013 (first published 1 October 2012)
• Publish Status: Transferred
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Piatkus Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet starts about two months later with Charley addicted to the Home Shopping Network. She's surrounded by boxes of random crap in order to hide the area where she was held by Earl. It's an odd mix of sad and silly. Her father also kicked out of her office, but that doesn't stop her from taking on a new client. This time it's a woman who thinks someone is out to kill her after leaving a dead rabbit in her bed. Apparently, this has been happening for years, but no one has believed her until Charley.

I have to say that I was a bit confused reading Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet because the description talks about an arsonist taking the city hostage. That takes up approximately five pages scattered throughout the book, so if you blink you'd miss it. The much more important plot is that the demons are out to get Charley, and Reyes is of course out to get the demons. There's plenty of demon battles along the way! And there's the fact that Charley also gets accidentally involved in a bank robbery. That takes up a lot more page time than the arsonist.

The reason that I didn't enjoy Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet quite as much as the others was the mystery plot. Harper comes to Charley because no one else will help her, not even the police. She's been tormented since she was a child. Yet it's all just pushed aside as her wanting attention after her father remarried. Well, we learn early on that she spent a week with her grandparents and after that is when things changed. She also doesn't remember that week. Obviously something happened and yet no one else puts two and two together? And everyone conveniently forgot that someone else was at her grandparents' house during that time? I don't think so.

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet was still a fun read, but it required a bit more suspension of belief than I could give it. I do have to say that there was a clever twist involving Harper which shocked me.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Berls]

4.5 - great handling of Charley post incident! Couple great twists at the end there and love the advancement of her's and Reyes' abilities. Taking a short Charley break but loving this series.

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet brought more insight to Charley and what she is capable of, and it also shed more light on everything else that is going on with the reaper, the ghosts, and the people surrounding her.



I loved the case Charley had to work on in Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet, because she really had to use all of her wits to figure out what was going on, and she definitely got it before I did! Cookie is such a great side-character and best friend, she is always there for Charley, even when Charley only wants to spend her hard-earned money on buying stuff she sees on late-night infomercials and not leave her apartment if at all possible. Finally, we also got to see that there is love between Charley and her sister, and I thought that was really good, especially after what Charley had to go through with her dad in the last book. I was so mad at him - and still is - about the way he treated Charley.

Reyes... What to say about this perfect bad boy? The one who might be either the salvation or the one who ultimately ends the world as Charley knows it? The chemistry between the two of them continues to be very strong, even if Charley is truly fed-up with the way he treats her, and how he won't always let her know what's going on until it's almost too late.

The series continues to be one I really enjoy, and I'm already looking forward to the next instalment. There were some very intriguing interactions between Charley and a certain ghost here, as well as what happened at the asylum. Definitely a story fans of Charley will devour.



A midmorning sun filtered through the blinds and cut hard streaks of light across my body, casting me in an ultra-cool film noir effect. Since my life had definitely taken a turn toward the dark side, film noir fit.

"And they've all been canceled. I have to make sure I get paid every week. I've also funneled all of your remaining funds out of your bank account and into a secret account in the Cayman Islands."
"You can funnel money?"
"Apparently."
"Isn't that like embezzling?"
"It's exactly like embezzling."

[ellieroth]

damn you, Art. DAMN YOU.

[EBookObsessed]

Poor Charley is still recovering from the trauma of her attack. She believes PTSD can be solved with non-stop Home Shopping Channel, until Gemma and Cookie stage an intervention.

Charley Davidson is a private investigator and grim reaper. She can speak to the departed, which makes solving their deaths so much easier. Charley sometimes works with Uncle Bob, a detective with the Albuquerque Police Department to solve crimes.

NOTE: There might be small spoilers here on the emerging relationship between Charley and Reyes since the last book. You’ve been warned.

Charley is suffering from PTSD. It is hard to be a PI when you won’t leave your apartment, and Cookie has cut off her credit cards since Charley’s apartment is now filled with boxes from the Home Shopping Network.

Framed for murder, Reyes is finally a free man but that doesn’t mean a happily ever after for Charley and Reyes. At least not yet. If it wasn’t bad enough that her father set her up with no warning, then Reyes did the same. It’s Charley’s turn to be pissed off.

Not only did he set her up, but now that he’s out of prison, he hasn’t stopped by to see how she’s recovering. How is she going to let him know how pissed off she is, if he won’t stop by? So she decides to serve him with a bill for her services for helping get him released from prison.

Reyes has been spending his new freedom skulking about town trying to find the demons who are looking for Charley. After their last attempt failed, they have a new plan. They are possessing the bodies of people with special gifts, usually those would can see the dead…and the special light that comes from Charley. The type of light like her friend Pari can see whenever Charley is around.

Uncle Bob asks for Charley’s help again. There is an arsonist burning down buildings around town and when Charley finally realizes that these are all residences that Reyes lived in and was abused in as a child, Charley is afraid her uncle will be sending Reyes back to prison.

Charley can push him off for a little while, since she does have a new client. A woman claims that she has been tormented by someone since she was a young girl but that no one has ever believed her. After spending most of her life with a step-mother who called her a liar and an embarrassment, Charley wants to help prove that Harper’s tormentor is real.

THOUGHTS:
Charley’s investigations are usually quite interesting and this story included a very interesting twist which was quite unexpected.

We also meet a new character who will become an important addition, deaf teenager Quentin will join out usual cast of characters.

My one frustration is the constant statement from both Angel and Reyes that Charley “can do anything” and “if she only knew what she could do…” I am getting as frustrated as Charley with these vague responses. They don’t even give her a hint like “Wouldn’t it be cool to shoot laser beams out of your eyes?” or “You’re inner light could kill a demon. Figure out how to make it shine.” Nothing.

I highly recommend the audiobooks. Lorelei King does a wonderful job, especially bringing to life the quirkiness of Charley.

[tellemonstar]

A lot happened in Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet. A few very funny things, and quite a few less than funny things. There’s the usual ghosts, near-death experiences and steamy encounters with Reyes, as well as a new case for Charley. If only she could summon the effort to leave her apartment.

Charley is also refusing to speak with her father, which I can’t say I blame her for. At one point she is lured back over to her offices, (which she abandoned after the being-arrested-after-bing-tortured incident) and he shoots at her. With blanks, but still. Apparently he is just trying to make sure she will be okay when he dies but she is, quite rightly, freaked out.

Some other things occur and I can’t really talk about them too much without spoiling the book completely. However, I will say that Harper’s case takes some very interesting twists and turns, and doesn’t end how you might think at all. Charley sort of reconciles with her father. A little bit.

I have a couple of issues. Reyes had no right to be angry at Charley because she’s pissed at him. She has every right to feel that way because he essentially used her for bait! Which lead to her torture and almost death. Bad Reyes. Especially since Charley has this whole “I can’t resist him” thing going.

Read the full review: here

[MurderByDeath]

Just excellent. I love this whole series and this book was just excellent. Truly great snark making for excellent readability. Fabulous characters with depth. No relationship in the book is perfect, but realistically messy - with the exception of Charlie and Cookie and, please, just don't mess with that!

The main(ish) plot point of this book was an interesting one with a creepy twist at the end that I only half liked (and that's all I can say without spoilers), but the entire story and all the plots had my undivided attention. I literally devoured this book in one sitting. It's going to be a very long year waiting for the next book...

[Melanie]

Listening to audiobook. Love Lorelei King

I love this series. I love that Charley is such a smart ass, even when everything is down, she is able to fall back on being a smart ass. Charley has an extremely rough life. If I were her, I would've curled up in a ball and you couldn't get me out.

Charley does start off the book in that type of mental state, but pulls out of it. I'm still amazed at her father, which ended the last book by trying to have her arrested. This book he is even worse. I have no idea what is wrong with this guy.

I'm still not sure what I think of Reyes. One minute I think he is an okay guy, then the next, I just want Charley to send him back to hell.

Overall, I LOVE this series. I just can't get enough. I can't see where Charley goes next and what she will learn about herself and her powers.

[Cocktails and Books]

As Fourth Grave starts, Charley is still dealing with the aftermath of being tortured and almost killed, along with the betrayal by her father. It's a lot for our girl to take in, so in an effort to at least protect herself from what happened in her apartment with Earl Walker, she's been on a home shopping network shopping spree. An intervention by her loving family and a PI case finally gets Charley out of the house and back into the land of the functioning. Except, with Charley, nothing is normal and she soon discovers that Reyes (now free and clear of his murder charges) has been running around killing the demons who are after Charley.

Charley has a lot of her plate if Fourth Grave. She's suffering post traumatic stress from what she went through with Earl and dealing with the betrayal by both her father and Reyes. She doesn't always want to deal with her emotional issues, but she does finally admit that maybe she needs a little push. That push comes from her case with a woman being terrorized. It helps her see the similarities between what her client faced and what's she's dealing with. Charley may use sarcasm and wit to deflect her emotions, it was nice to the emotional turmoil she was going through.

And no review about this book without mentioning Reyes. He's his normal self (meaning he is an ass most of the time, but in a completely I'm trying to save you way), but there are times when we see beyond the 'son of satan' to the man who really does love Charley. His method of helping Charley through the aversion she had to a certain spot in her apartment was ingenious and oh so hot. Reyes may not want Charley's sympathy or pity, but what we see of Reyes in this book reminded me exactly why I love Reyes. I can't wait to see more!

If you haven't read this series, you are missing out. Darynda Jones is one of those authors that knows exactly how to mix in the right amount of humor, suspense and romance into the story they have created. I dare anyone to not fall in love with Charley, Cookie, Reyes, Uncle Bob and all the lovable characters in this series. You will laugh out loud, you will cringe and you will be fanning yourself as you enjoy Charley's latest escapades.

[kimbacaffeinate]

I was tickled pink to receive an advanced copy of Fourth Grave Beneath my Feet. As soon as I receive a new book in the series, I lock myself away and consume it. My family is often startled at my sudden outburst of laughter, giggles and rants about Reyes and Charley. When I finish, I walk around in a state of depression, thinking about how long I have to wait till the next book is released. *sigh* That is until someone flashes a shiny book cover in front of me (I get easily distracted).

Two months have passed since Charley was attacked and arrested. She is home in her apartment basically wallowing in her own self-pity. Of course she is doing it Charley style! I felt sorry for her and giggled at the same time. An intervention and a new case force Charley out of her pajamas and back into action in her role as a private investigator and Grim Reaper. Reyes is back and hotter than ever. Some very bad creatures want Charley. The tale that unfolds is full of twists, humor, swoon-worthy moments and plenty of action.

I loved hooking up with my favorite characters again and was deliriously happy to be back inside Charley’s crappy ghost infested apartment. Charley is more messed up than ever and happy to be a couch potato. Despite her over the top issues (which she refuses to deal with) she still manages to get out there and kick some butt. We see growth in her knowledge and skills and foreshadowing of things to come. Eep! Cookie is her usual self, and Charlie's sister is woven into the tale more. Cookie’s daughter was absolutely hysterical in this novel. Reyes *swoon* We see a lot of him, and I loved every smexy, red hot minute of it. He and Charley actually have conversations. I know! Right? I still want to bash both their heads in and tell them to stop their wicked tango and admit their feelings already!! (Rant over) We do finally get some satisfaction regarding the romance and I will tell you it was worth the wait. Villains’ and other secondary characters (some old, some new) add to the tale and further advance the plot. Charley’s family is crazy and her Dad will blow your freakin' mind. Garrett who nearly died in book three reveals some interesting information and so do the sisters..and that’ all I am sayin’.

The world-building and the overall theme progress in this novel, while I still have tons of questions Jones reveals a wealth of information regarding Charley, Reyes and things to come. The cases were interested and full of clever twists. They are more in the background as we get some real Charley and Reyes time. It amazes me how Jones juggles and weaves all of the different threads of this tale and ties them together at the end. We really get to see the vulnerable side of Charley in this tale, and while we have always known her snarky comments and one-line zingers are a defense mechanism; we see it even more clearly. She is such a strong, stubborn character and only one person is strong enough to break through her walls. Jones tackled the tough subject of PTSD in this novel and I thought she did an excellent job. While the ending tied up nicely, in her typical Jones fashion she revealed a startling piece of information at the very end that has me squealing in anticipation for Fifth Grave Past the Light.

If you love snarky characters, humor, mystery and smexy son’s of Satan you really need to read this series. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet delivered and I cannot wait to continue this series. I abso-freaking-lutely love this author and she is on my auto-buy list.

I want to thank St. Martin Press for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. *Purchases made through buy links result in a small commission which funds our giveaways.

I gave this novel 5 Mr.Coffee cups out of 5
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer