First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1)

by Darynda Jones

[Amanda]

Original review: http://onabookbender.com/2012/05/16/audiobook-review-first-grave-on-the-right-by-darynda-jones/

For me, First Grave on the Right is like Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum meets the paranormal. Except instead of being a bounty hunter (we’ll leave that to Garrett), Charley is a private investigator. Who can talk to the dead. Because she’s the grim reaper and all. I loved Charley’s world, and her being the grim reaper — the grim reaper being a bright light and the actual portal to heaven.

I love love love the voice of Charley. She’s got an attitude that won’t quit, and most people think she’s crazy (she can see dead people, after all) so she rolls with it rather than fights it. In fact, she’s so much fun that I’m looking forward to diving into the next book right away. The other characters are a ton of fun as well. And the ghosts!

Part of the reason why First Grave on the Right hit all the right notes for me is that it had a little bit of everything I love: mystery, romance, and the paranormal. Well, and it had quirky characters that you can’t help but love. PLUS, Charley Davidson’s name is a play on Harley Davidson, and Charley makes it work.

There were actually two separate storylines going on here: one regarding the mystery of who killed the three lawyers, and the mystery regarding Charley’s orgasmic dreams and the “big bad” who has been saving her all her life. Despite Charley’s crazy attitude, she has really been through a lot, and we did get a number of stories about Charley’s past and how these shaped who she became. The mystery was pretty standard — but well done — and the other, well, that was fascinating, and I hope we learn more about it in the next book. Even though we’ve learned a lot about Charley, it’s hinted that there’s more to know.

Audiobook specific: I think the Iron Druid Chronicles and Luke Daniels are like a double edged sword; they got me into audiobooks, but they’re a tough act to follow. I wasn’t quite as charmed by this narrator, especially regarding different voices, but it was still enjoyable.