Berls
Written on May 7, 2016
Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth.
However, when dead women start appearing in her apartment - lost, confused and terrified beyond reason - Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes's help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her - body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she might be willing to pay . . .
- ISBN10 1250014409
- ISBN13 9781250014405
- Publish Date 9 July 2013
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 13 March 2021
- Imprint St. Martin's Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 339
- Language English
Reviews
EBookObsessed
Written on May 6, 2015
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.
Women are flocking to Dad’s bar and men are hitting on Charley, at least one dead guy, and she’s trying to get the husband of a client to hit on her as well, but according to the dead guy, Charley’s not his type. So Charley moves to Plan C — Cookie. All is going well until the husband starts to smell a set up and Cookie ends up pulling a gun, in the middle of a bar full of off-duty cops. Could it get any worse?
Apparently, it could. Angel’s mother shows up in Charley’s office wanting to know why Charley is depositing money into her bank account each month, and Angel is adamant that Charley not tell her he is still around. His mother grieved for a long time and he doesn’t want her to suffer any more. But his mother is just as stubborn as Angel and she’s not letting go until she has answers.
When Charley visits Rocket, he is afraid to show her the name he’s written on his wall — Reyes. Alexander. Farrow. Reyes isn’t dead yet, but Rocket is certain he will be soon and Charley will do whatever is necessary to make sure that doesn’t happen.
The topper is when Charley gets back to her apartment, it is filled with women — dead women. All blonde, all traumatized. None of them will speak to her about when happened or speak to her at all but they are there for a reason and Charley needs to find out why because more show up every day and it’s getting hard to take a shower when a traumatized departed is already in your tub.
Charley makes a new friend. Unlike Quentin and her friend Pari, this woman doesn’t see dead people, she experiences their deaths as if they were her own. Charley is hoping she will be able to lead Charley to the serial killer, especially when it looks like the serial killer is eyeing Gemma as his next target, Charley puts herself in the way and it doesn’t go well for Charley.
THOUGHTS:
Another mix of fun, sex and torture for Charley. It is not easy being the heroine in an Urban Fantasy.
Reyes has a thing for post-it notes in this story and it’s adorable that he keep leaving them all over for Charley to find. The son of satan can be intimidating and cute too.
littleread1
Written on Apr 2, 2015
tellemonstar
Written on Jun 24, 2014
MurderByDeath
Written on Aug 23, 2013
The mythology(?) of Charlie's world comes together in this book and I was totally sucked in - and relieved that what she'd been led to believe about the future was inaccurate. Questions are answered in this book, in between solving murders and other mysteries. I can't wait to see what happens with all of these people coming together: Cookie, Uncle Bob, Garret, Quentin, Reyes, Sister Mary Elizabeth. Charlie is getting herself a gang.
As for Reyes and Charlie, well damn. Hot damn. Literally. Just taking these two and their relationship into consideration, this is by far the best book of the series so far.
Thank you Ms. Jones, for writing a story/series I can lose myself in and come out of grinning like a fool.
Melanie
Written on Jul 11, 2013
OMG!! Darynda Jones and Lorelei King do it again. I will say this is my favorite series on audio. The way the snark is written so well with such a great storyline really makes this series wonderful. Lorelei King then acts it out with such great voices and is able to show the sarcasm to a tee.
This series has made me laugh out loud on many occasions (people at work are still trying to figure it out). This is the first time this series has made my eyes water. I wasn't expecting it. I've had in other series when some of my favorite characters died (The Hollows by Kim Harrison), but never expected it in this series. (Don't worry, that doesn't happen in this book). Charley is really put in the toughest spot she's ever been in. I was concerned at one point that she would break, but I should've know better. Charley might not be out kicking ass the way we see a lot of UF heroines, but she is a pretty tough chick and deserves to be right up them with them.
My favorite line in the entire book. Charley has gone over to Swopes' house. He goes to the kitchen to fix a drink. Charley then thinks in her head, "For some reason, every time I came over he felt the need to drink. It was weird." Comments like this in Charley's head is part of what makes this series wonderful. She is a tough chick, but keeps her spirits up with snark. How can you not love that? :)
Also, a little teaser. In the last chapter, there is a major bomb dropped at the very end of the story (like last sentence).
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Jul 10, 2013
“Coffee was that place where the sun comes up over the horizon and lights the heavens in a burst of vibrant colors.”
So we all know who moved in next store? *faints* Poor Charley has other things to think about right now. She needs to focus and when Reyes slinks around all panther like and smexy no one can think. Oh, we can think but not about the case, instead our thoughts are filled with his smexy smile, his hair, his abs..you get the picture. Charley needs answers: Is Reyes the arsonist in a recent string of fires? Where did all of these terrified dead woman and children wandering around her apartment come from? Is Garret ok after his trip to hell and why does the police chief suddenly have an interests in her success rate? Charley’s latest case causes all kinds of problems because nothing is ever easy. But forget about all that! Sure those story-lines are all fascinating, suspenseful, action-packed and filled with danger, not to mention awesome-tastic snark but the best part of the tale that unfolded was Reyes Farrow. If you loved him before you will be signing up to sell your soul to the son of Satan.
“You,” he said, his voice lowering an octave. “I want you, Dutch, body and soul. I want you in my bed every night. I want you there when I wake up in the morning. I want your clothes strung across my apartment and your scent on my skin.”
I absolutely love the characters Jones has created in this series from the main characters to the ones in her latest case. Charley is a riot and her snarky humor is her way of dealing with life as a Grim Reaper and I would hang out with her anytime. While she still is getting her ass handed to her, she is also developing some pretty wicked skills and learning more about who she is. I just love the things that pop out of her mouth and Jones makes her so three dimensional. Now you have to understand just how deep my love for Charley goes because Reyes only has eyes for her and I haven’t had thoughts of killing her! Now if she happens to cross-over and leave Reyes unattended? I would totally take advantage of the situation. *Hubby? What hubby?* Let’s dish about Reyes shall we? I have always loved him, but admittedly he has been
mysterious, standoffish and at times possessive but in Fifth we see so many sides of him and ooh-la-la. I am not just talking about his smexy bod, his mile long eye lashes or his panther like moves and sexual aura. I am also talking about his smile, humor, his touchy-feely side. The steps he has taken/takes to protect and care for Charley and how he made post-it notes the sexist thing on the planet. *I should totally hate Charley but I am too busy staring at Reyes to notice.* Cookie is back, and gads the girl is the best side kick ever! Uncle Bob and Charley’s family are present and add to both the suspense and humor of the tale. Garrett is working on something after his little vacation in hell, and holy Toledo this thread is so interesting.
He quirked a brow. “How would you like your eggs? I tried. I really did. But I glanced at his crotch and it came out anyway. “Fertilized?”
In Fifth Grave Past the Light we not only get some great cases and smexy time with Reyes, but we also see plot growth and character development making it one of my favorite in the series thus far. Answers! Yes! We finally get some answers about Charley and Reyes concerning their abilities, destiny and powers. Eep! The overall ARC is getting intense and where it is headed has me shivering in anticipation. We see growth in their relationship and get some downright deliciously hot sexy time too! Let’s just say I will never look at utensils the same again. Jones can spin a tale with elements of dark and light and everything in between making making me laugh, snort, lose track of time, sigh and even shed a tear or two. She is brilliant and left me with just enough of a cliffhanger to have me counting down the days till once again I can lose myself and capture that book high only her blend of awesome can create.
“Charley, you’re putting me in an awkward position.” “Then paint polka dots on me and call me Twister, but I think you can sweet-talk your boss.”
For fans of the series Fifth Grave Past the Light is a must read and an exciting addition to this amazing-tastic series. If you aren’t stalking Darynda Jones and this series- you should be! Sixth Grave On the Edge is due out in 2014. My coffee and I are waiting.
originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Cocktails and Books
Written on Jun 23, 2013
Linda
Written on Apr 26, 2013
There is an overall arc in the series which is getting more exciting, and I love how Charlie is more interested in learning all she can possibly do.