• 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

Featured Article: Spooky Supernatural Romance Audiobooks to Get Your Heart Racing


The two genres combined here—paranormal and romance—each have highly engaged, passionate fanbases who make finding quality recommendations easy. Listeners are enraptured by these stories. We too love the double escape provided by both fantastical and romantic elements, and for the countless ways authors continually play on listeners’ expectations to keep stories fresh. Whether you prefer werewolves, witches, or wyrs, there’s a listen for you.

What listeners say about First Grave on the Right

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

Good story, a few surprises, the main characters are wonderful, but the sex scenes seemed forced.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Dutch

I am hooked ! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I'll be listening to this book over and over again.
And L.King excellent reading.

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

Still great - a tad iterative on the third install

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

Fun, Flirty, and Fabulous.I love this series, and you can't beat Lorelie King, but at this point a real portion of the narrative feels as if it is filling you in on backstory instead of moving the current plot-line forward. Honestly, by the time a new one comes out, I'd rather take the time to enjoy re-listening to the previous installment, than to wade the the predictable formula of the editors catching us up on the timeline.Next to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, and Bowen's Lady Georgiana, though, this is my fave "time for something lighthearted" series.

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

Evanovich's Stephanie Plum - Bad-Ass girl, putting herself out there for the greater good.

Bowen's Lady Georgiana - A real Lady, teaching herself to be a bad-ass girl of her era.

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

Main character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

refreshingly enjoyable

Completely different than any of the books I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it! the performance of the narrator was very well done as well. Recommend read if you want something different than the typical UN-normal storyline.

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

For the Joss Whedon Fan

This is one of the only books I could listen to for more than 2+ hours at a time. Lorelei gives a stellar performance and the story progresses at the perfect speed. It can be a little cheesy at times, but I only think it adds to the feel. I bought this book at a deal and now I can't wait to listen to the rest of the series!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fun and DIfferent - Keeps you Hooked

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, it keeps you hooked and is different. the performance in good and very clear. All the characters are great.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rayas

Which scene was your favorite?

all with Rayas

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

Love from beyond...son of Satan or is he?

Any additional comments?

no

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I just love this book.

time flies and your earbuds are glued on, who cares about the hubby and kids.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow. Not what I was expecting

Good story. Love the snarky Charlie-narrator was awesome. Not for young children to hear.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant!

Great story line and premise, and the perfect narrator to bring it to life! The comedy in this series is top tier!

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

Jokes ruin the book

The writing suffered from the forced humor. Though the plot was intriguing - minus the “figure out what Reyes is”, I was frequently frustrated by the corny jokes. Just when the action and intrigue heightened, a one liner would ruin it for me.

Not sure if the jokes could have been saved by the performance but I’m not certain I will continue the series.

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