First Grave on the Right

Charley Davidson, Book 1

By: Darynda Jones

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

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

Great listen!

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

Quirky in death and love

What did you like best about this story?

I love that she is a funny girl that doesn't take things to seriously. she a grimm reaper with a sense of humar

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

Death by laughter!

Any additional comments?

This was a great read and i'm so glad i found another series to read. After the sookie stackhouse series had ended it was needed to find another story similar and i'm so glad i finally found one. This is a great story that has so much potential to see where it goes. Light harded, romance with a mystery twist! GREAT LISTEN

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

What made the experience of listening to First Grave on the Right the most enjoyable?

The narrator was sooo Good. I loved the main character Charley and she was so funny all of her little comments to herself were so right on and her interactions with her next door neighbor was always delightful. These things were just a bonus to the great storyline

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

I was comparing the book to Sue Grafton novels while listening, only because they both have female heroines. However, Lindsey and Charley are very different

Have you listened to any of Lorelei King’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first, however since then I have listened to two others, which I enjoyed equally as much.

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

I did and there where times when I sat in my car and kept listening, when it was time to stop.

Any additional comments?

I don't read paranormal, I tried this because of a sale on the website, I am so glad I did.

sarcastic, sexy Ghost Whisper

The story is told by Charlie Davidson, a mid-twenty year old, She claims private eye as her profession but it is difficult to discover how the recently deceased pay. This tale is more fantasy than even the TV show, Charlie is the grim reaper but belives she is something more that she cannot quite put her finger on (probably for a later book). Her boy friend, who rescues her on several occasions, is the son of the devil. Sometimes funny, always unbelievable, and laced with sarcastum this book carries a 'smart pants' overtone. I rated the title a 3 because it was good to branch out from my usual genres but I don't need any more of Charlie Davidson and will not listen to any more of the series.

Charley Rocks!

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

Funny sexy cool

What was one of the most memorable moments of First Grave on the Right?

The last two chapters. Held my breath because I really wasn't sure how it was going to end.

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

Cross between Charley and Reyes. His evolution was handled well.

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

The reveal of Reyes and his past.

Any additional comments?

Hard to review without giving too much away. Let's just say the moment the book was over, I downloaded the next in the series. Will be happily working my way through them.

Quirky and fun but took a bit to get going....

What did you like best about First Grave on the Right? What did you like least?

The best part of this book was the one-liners. The chapter titles were all funny T-shirt slogans or one-liners. Some of them made me laugh out loud!

l did, however, find this book tough to get into. I tend to listen while doing other things - commuting, house cleaning - and there were several times that I had to backtrack because I missed some details. There are LOTS of details, many characters and the book requires your attention. I wondered if this would have been an easier book to read vs. listen to.

What about Lorelei King’s performance did you like?

Lorelei King is a great narrator. A narrator can make or break a book. Without Ms. King's excellent narration, I would not have liked this book as much as I did.

The title and cover snagged me

I listened to the snippet on Audible.com hoping it would deter me. But no, because of Lorelei King's narration of Darynda Jones' words. Now I am doomed to another series because they left me wanting to know what happens to her and her vaporous boyfriend.

"Her" was Charley Davidson; PI and a not so "grim reaper". In this book, she had to help 3 dead lawyers solve their case so they could "pass over". The "vaporous boyfriend" was there when she was born and then again whenever her life had been in danger, as well as in her vivid dreams.

Charley's retired father was cop. Uncle Bob was still on the force. She has been helping them since she was 5 with her ability to speak to the dead. I loved her mind, heart...oh, lots of things, especially her wit which carried me through the rough parts.

Would I recommend this book? You bet your sweet bibby I would to anyone who likes good mysteries written with good humor! It was well worth my Audible.com credit!

Not your mom’s chick lit

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

Charley Davidson is one funny, witty, pain-in-the-butt Albuquerque PI. She used to be a consultant to her police detective dad, and is now a consultant to her police detective uncle. But there’s more the Charley than “Danger” and “Will Robinson” – her tits. She’s also a grim reaper. Not the Dead Like Me type either, but the kind chosen from birth, can speak every language known to man, see the dead and let them pass through her, and remember everything from birth kind. That’s a hard burden for a girl who’s just trying to make rent and avoid getting killed while doing it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of First Grave on the Right?

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – or rather on the cover. The cover art screams silly chick lit, but as the old adage goes, don’t judge this audiobook by the paint on the model’s toes. This book is so much more. The beginning is quirky, fun, and entertaining, and because of that humor, the story builds on you without you realizing it. The listener’s sense of Charley’s complicated relationship with her family, especially her evil step-mother, starts out light and fluffy and ends with shocking depth. Her interest in Reyes starts out seeming superficial before becoming a desperate need. Somewhere between the laughs, the serious themes of child abuse, domestic violence, etc., sneak up on you. An overall great listen.

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

I’m not going to lie. The only two reasons I purchased the Charley Davidson series were because: (1) it fit the paranormal/urban fantasy mystery genre; and (2) Lorelei King narrated it. As usual, she doesn’t disappoint. If you’re familiar with Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, you know how well Ms. King pulls of snarky, and there’s plenty of snark in these books. She gives great cop voice, and there are a ton of cops in this book. Lorelei King even does a good biker gang…wait, that sounded wrong. You know what I mean. In one of the books, she even clucks like a chicken. The things a narrator does for her art.

Great read

I really liked the story, fast paced but easy to keep up with. Characters were interesting and real. Will read the next in series

Good Performance but Story isn't Compelling

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I wouldn't recommend this book. The storyline has promise but I'm 1/2 way through the book and feeling like it's not going anywhere. A good audiobook makes it impossible for you to not listen - meaning you will do anything to keep it on, including scrubbing the bathroom again. This story is appealing but it's dragging along so I'm not inclined to finish it. The orator does a good job, though.

Getting the second book now!

Love Lorelei King and the way she brings life to the characters. I am buying the second book as soon as I finish this review.