Fifth Grave Past the Light

Charley Davidson, Book 5

By: Darynda Jones

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Never underestimate the power of a woman
on a double espresso with a mocha latte chaser high.

—T-shirt

Charley Davidson isn't your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper. She's more of a paranormal private eye/grim reaper extraordinaire. However, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. To further complicate matters, Reyes is her main suspect in an arson case. Charley has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth…but then dead women start appearing in her apartment, one after another, each lost, confused, and terrified beyond reason. When it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma, is the serial killer's next target Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes' help. Arsonist or not, he's 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 is willing to pay.

Charley Davidson is at it again in Fifth Grave Past the Light, the sexy, suspenseful, and laugh-out-loud funny fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling series by Darynda Jones.

©2013 Darynda Jones (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Lorelei King continues to provide superb narration, adding great depth to the characters.” —Library Journal

“Narrator Lorelei King's inspired interpretation of Jones's characters allows listeners to truly lose themselves in this otherworldly tale. King's delivery is well paced and simple, and her characterizations lend the book an air of believability and immediacy…inspired, realistic, and entertaining, King's performance ability is the perfect medium for Jones's witty and cunning prose.” —Publishers Weekly

Perfect

This series just keeps getting better! I love Charley and Reyes! And narrator Lorelei King is great!

Great series!

I love this series! It’s great. The narrator is fabulous and the characters are fun to spend time with.

How does this series keep getting better?

Holy Moly! Best one so far.

Book 5, Charley's main case is solving a possible 20 year serial killer case. A lot of dead women ages 7 and up, all with the same M.O., showed up in her apartment at the same time. Based off clothing, she can tell they died in different year spans.

Some side cases involve Charley investigating a cheating spouse, and she is still searching for the arsonist from book 4. This time she has as an inkling who the arsonist is and turning that person in could be tricky. No matter how small a case is, they do seem to have a big impact in the story. Just a hint, I was biting my nails by the end of the book because of one of these smaller cases.

A new side character was introduced in book 4. I wasn't sure he would continue on and I'm happy to say he made an appearance in this book as well. Quinton is the deaf boy who was possessed by a demon to get to Charley in the previous book. After freeing him from that possession, what we learn about him just makes you fall in love with him and I love that he is continuing on with the series.

A new side character was introduced and her story is fascinating. I think she is going to add a lot to this series depending on if the author really utilizes her special talent. I'm hoping she does.

We got a few more pieces to the puzzle that is Charley. Some new abilities and more to her and Reyes story. We finally got to see some real movement to their relationship. Fingers crossed it keeps heading the way it is. A prediction was revealed that has me truly nervous.

I'm absolutely loving this series. it's highly entertaining with some great side characters. Charley is so funny and her interactions with Cookie really had me laughing in this book. On to book six!

OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION: Heroine, Charley Davidson, Private Investigator and Grim Reaper. She's a portal for the dead to pass through to heaven. Hero, Reyes Alexander Farrow, Son of Satan and portal to Hell. Since Charley can see and talk to the dead, she has helped her former cop father and current cop uncle solve cases. The main focus in each book are the cases Charley solves with the help of her best friend Cookie, her uncle and the dead victims. The side focus is the romance between Charley and Reyes and the impending war with the demons that is predicted.

The Darynda Jones/Lorelei King duo is unstoppable!

Every time I listen to a CHARLEY DAVIDSON book I know that I’m in for a wild ride, but Darynda Jones has truly outdone herself with this latest installment. We finally get a real sense of “the big picture” that’s previously only been hinted, and the infamous “key” is at long last inserted into the “lock.” Cryptic enough for you? I’m sure that long-time fans of this series know exactly what I’m talking about, but as for the rest of you… this is a spoiler-free review, so you’d best get reading!

There’s definitely no shortage of plot threads in FIFTH GRAVE PAST THE LIGHT with ghosts galore, a serial arsonist on the loose, a new client with a cheating ex husband, and then of course there’s Charley’s ongoing issues with the son of Satan. My favourite mystery out of the bunch was the one surrounding the 20 dead blondes; I loved the way Jones developed this story line, and the resolution was masterfully done. The other subplots were equally as entertaining, especially the new tidbits we learn about this series’ main arc. Mr Wong continues to be stand-in-the-corner dude, but I’m beginning to suspect that he’s there for a reason. And, that cliffhanger, well let’s just say it’s the reason why I’ve postponed listening to this audio for so long.

I’ve been DYING for more Charley/Reyes’ smexy time since I first started these books, and Jones finally delivers in this installment. I guess it’s a good thing that the author made readers wait for so long because it allowed their chemistry to reach its boiling point, but you can’t blame a girl for wanting less flirting and more “doing.” Their relationship undergoes a lot of growth in this novel—both in and out of the bedroom—and it’s clear that their romance is in no danger of waning anytime soon. The secondary characters continue to be incredibly endearing; Cookie is hands down my fav, but Garrett and Ubie aren’t too far behind.

Lorelei King brings just the right amounts of sultry and sass to these audios. She really captures the essence of Charley’s larger-than-life, smart mouthed, ADD personality, and makes you feel like she’s a real person. King is a skilled narrator with a knack for bringing the snark while still maintaining a good pace and tone. Her character voices are distinct yet remain consistent throughout this series, and she sure knows how to deliver a punch line! I can’t imagine that it’s easy reading Jones’ writing aloud with a straight face, so this woman deserves mad props for this and for her stellar performance.

FIFTH GRAVE PAST THE LIGHT is the best of the best, the crème de la crème, the pick of the litter—well, you get the idea. The Darynda Jones / Lorelei King duo is unstoppable!

I want more Charley Davidson!!

Just so I didn't forget anything, I finished listening to the first 4 books again while I was on vacation last week. Since I've been on pins and needles waiting for the latest book, I downloaded it as soon as I woke up at 5:00 am this morning, listened to it off and on at work today and just now (8:00 PM) finished it. The only complaint is that the books are so short. Darynda Jones packs a whole lot of story in such a short book but I want more and longer. Why such fanaticism from a grown woman? It's because I just love Charley Davidson. What a great female character, she's so funny, warm, and smart. I think she just the kind of woman who should get the most sexy, beautiful, reformed bad boy of the underworld. There is so much going on, so many plot twists and turns to keep us on the edge of our seats. But, underneath all the action, Reyes is the main focus of this book. We learn more about him as a man than as a supernatural being, although more is revealed about that as well. His relationship with Charley grows deeper and we get to see them more as a couple, lots of fun, very sexy!! This is hands down, my favorite series out there, and I can't wait until the next book. And how does Lorelei King do it?? She reads all the characters so well, each with their own sound and personality brought to life. And, she does sexy Reyes so well, I forget it's a woman reading the part, or...I just try not to ponder that too closely. :o) Thank you both, Darynda and Lorelei, another purrrfect installment. Just don't make me wait too long for the next book! Did I mention cliff hanger??

Couldn't stop listening

I can stop listening to these books! I live the story line and the narrator is one of my favorites. I purchased the first book just because Lorelei King was the narrator!

love this series sooo much!

Would you consider the audio edition of Fifth Grave Past the Light to be better than the print version?

absolfreakinlutely! the print version is fantastic but Lorelei King brings something soooo great to the story. she was made to narrate this series. her timing is fantastic and she can totally deliver the snark!
if you haven't started this series you NEED to. start with book 1 and enjoy. they get better and better as you go, which says a lot because they are so good. mystery, suspense, fantastic humor, wonderful paranormal characters that are very unique, great story telling and VERY HOT! thank you Ms. Jones for keeping it hot!!! this is the fifth book and the chemistry is still intense, never boring.

fifth grave past the light

great book and loving the whole series xxx xxx xxx ccc xxc xxx xxx fff

Cookie was the star! I love that!

Read from August 16 to September 01, 2013

Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 4.75

Audio Rating: 5.00 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: I love Charlie but I am thrilled we got more Cookie in Fifth Grave Past the Light!

Story Thoughts: Poor Charlie! The life of a Grim Reaper is never boring. Her love life is even more complicated that her Grim Reaper job. I am not sure how she maintains her excellent sense of humor but that is what makes me love her. Let's talk about how Cookie played an awesome role in this installment. I loved that she stepped up to the plate in only way that Cookie can (baseball bats, guns, sexy outfits, and snark). She kicked some serious bootie. The story was two-fold in Fifth Grave: the case of the cheating husband and the ongoing arson case. Both were solved but you are going to have to read to find out how. Let's just say that the stakes were higher, the emotions rawer, and the humor over-floweth!

Favorite Parts: Cookie's daughter showing us the sign language she learned. Uncle Bob getting flustered when called on his crush. The very last scene with Charlie and Reyes!

Character Thoughts: I adore Charlie, Cookie, Reyes, Uncle Bob, Garret, and Gemma! They are a great cast that just plays well off of each other. They sparkle, shine, and having amazing wit. I am hoping that we get more of the shrink in the books to come. I also was happy to see Gemma more in this installment. I think we are finally getting to really know her and I like her! Overall the characters are what shine in the Charley Davidson series. I don't think you will be disappointed in them.

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Lorelei King / Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins


Freaking brilliant! I wouldn't do this series in any other way as I think I would miss Lorelei's voice while reading. I highly recommend these on audio. As always, remember to listen to a sample before purchasing an audio book to make sure the narration works for you.

Final Thoughts: I refuse to look at the release date for the next one because I fear it is 2014 *sigh*

Best one yet!

I didn't love this series with the first book, but everyone loved it so much that I kept at it. I now love it. This book was the best one yet!