• First Grave on the Right

  • Charley Davidson, Book 1
  • By: Darynda Jones
  • Narrated by: Lorelei King
  • Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (10,211 ratings)

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First Grave on the Right  By  cover art

First Grave on the Right

By: Darynda Jones
Narrated by: Lorelei King
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Editorial reviews

Charlotte “Charley” Davidson is not your stereotypical Grim Reaper. She’s sexy, sassy, and likes to help dead people with unfinished business before they cross. She’s more of a bright light kind of girl than a hood with an axe. For her day job, Charley is an Albuquerque private investigator and a consultant to her police detective uncle. Lately, her nights have been steamed up with dreams of a hot mystery lover who may or may not be real. It’s chick-lit meets paranormal with a touch of mystery in the buzz-worthy First Grave on the Right.

Inevitably, this book will be compared to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. They both have feisty female protagonists, snappy dialogue, and zany characters. Veteran narrator Lorelei King also performs the Stephanie Plum books and is well-cast in this novel. What makes her fantastic in the Plum series is her ability to define the voices of all the secondary characters and inject them with interest and distinct personalities. In this performance, she does not disappoint. King seamlessly switches among the characters and has fantastic comedic timing. She elevates the work and keeps the laughs coming.

This is a debut novel from Darynda Jones. It will not be her last; this is clearly a launch for a series. There’s quite a bit of set-up as Charley begins to understand more of her abilities and the presence of other supernatural beings. Jones has created an interesting premise and characters. The mystery element is weak, however, and the writing is on the mediocre side. Jones is at her best with witty dialogue and keeps things moving at a brisk pace. Overall, it’s a fun, breezy listen and an enjoyable escape.

Fans of Janet Evanovich, Lorelei King, and paranormal romance will want to give this new series a listen. Julie MacDonald

Publisher's summary

First Grave on the Right is the smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.

Charley sees dead people. That's right, she sees dead people. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e., murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

This is a thrilling debut novel from Darynda Jones, an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

First Grave on the Right is the winner of the 2012 Rita Award for Best First Book.

Keep chilled: spend some more time with Charley Davidson.
©2011 Darynda Jones (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Sexy, sassy . . . Jones's characters, both living and dead, are colorful and endearing. . . . Cheeky charm . . . sarcastic wit.” —The Associated Press

“Jones's wickedly witty debut will delight aficionados of such humorous paranormals as Casey Daniels's Pepper Martin Mysteries and Dakota Cassidy's Accidental Friends series.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Fast-talking Charley's wicked exuberance and lust for life will appeal to fans of MaryJanice Davidson and Janet Evanovich and maybe fill a hole for those mourning the recently canceled Ghost Whisperer.” —Publishers Weekly

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What listeners say about First Grave on the Right

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Cute Characters

I read for entertainment and loved getting lost in the characters. Funny, easy reading, a great distraction from worries and woes.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great humourous Story

If you could sum up First Grave on the Right in three words, what would they be?

Funny Ghost Whisperer

Who was your favorite character and why?

Charlie
her spunky-I-Don't-Give-Sh-t Badass nature makes her a great heroine

Did Lorelei King do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

More or less yes she was very good; male voices were annoying at first but you get used to it

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Ghost Whisperer Meets CSI Meets Romance Comedy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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ENGAGING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING!

What a terrific book...and I wasn't sure I would love it as much as I did! It has it all...a funny, quick-witted, brave and yet vulnerable heroine, a great nemesis, plots, sub-plots, cops, robbers, just enough sex and sexuality, ghosts, demons and even an "Angel". I laughed, cried and felt so much for all of the characters (and not just Charley). I MUST get the additional books because I need to know more about Charley Davidson and how her life will unfold. I love everything Lorelei King reads, but I did find the pace of her reading just a little too fast for me. However, I managed to keep up! HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great listen

Would you consider the audio edition of First Grave on the Right to be better than the print version?

All my books are audibles since I found audible.com

What did you like best about this story?

Great family relation between charley

Which scene was your favorite?

Everytime reuse shows to save her

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Smart and sassy

I loved the humor woven throughout this innovative book. I can't wait to read the next ones, glad to have found this writer.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So much fun!

This book has a great narrator and a great story!
Definitely one of my favorites!

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So much fun!!!

What an amazing book series! I was honestly a little nervous when people kept comparing the main character to Stephanie Plum (not because I don’t love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, but because there are so many authors out there literally mimicking her writing style and most are just awful). While there are certainly similarities between the two, this series and the writing style is brilliant all on its own. The characters are well developed and entertaining, the romance doesn’t leave you rolling your eyes at ridiculous “bodice ripping” sexual encounters, and the story line is both hilarious and poignant. These books are truly addictive and I have spent a fortune on extra credits over the past three weeks unable to wait to start the next book. I am so excited to see what Darynda Jones has in store for us in her next series!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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AWESOME BOOK, BUY IT, READ IT!

So happy to find this book series! read this one if you enjoy mysteries, and quirky fun plot twists!

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Great paranormal mystery with a dash of romance!

Where does First Grave on the Right rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

Lorelei King is one of my favorite narrators for a reason and she brings a favorite series to life! Definitely in my top ten!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Don't get me wrong, I love Charley, but Cookie is the perfect foil! She is actually my favorite!

Which character ??? as performed by Lorelei King ??? was your favorite?

I still love Cookie! She cracks me up and is the perfect compliment to Charley!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Being the Grim Reaper is one tough job but managing to be a Private Investigator at the same time is just plain nuts! Add in a very complicated love life and you have a fun and compelling story that you can't put down!

Any additional comments?

Lorelei King is a brilliant narrator! Enjoy!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I cannot express how much I love this series

What did you love best about First Grave on the Right?

everything. The humor, the sarcasm, the hottness, and especially Reyes Farrow.

What other book might you compare First Grave on the Right to and why?

I don't really know, I can't think of anything like it.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Charley found Reyes.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end moved me to wanting to start the second book immidiately.

Any additional comments?

If you're not sure about audio books, this is the book to try. Lorelei King is fantastic as the voice of Charley. I've only listened to the books, haven't read any of them and I couldn't imagine reading them after I've heard this excellent narration. It's just perfect.

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