Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet

Charley Davidson, Book 4

By: Darynda Jones

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

The fourth in this fun and sexy New York Times best-selling paranormal series.

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans.

©2012 Darynda Jones (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

“If you enjoy Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, you will certainly enjoy Charley Davidson!” ( Suspense)

AS SOON AS I HIT 'PLAY' I WAS TOTALLY ENTHRALLED!!

When you can happily go without sleep and even contemplate missing mealtimes then that's when you realise just how a great listen can affect your life. Every single word that was penned by Ms Jones was done with such skilled precision that there wasn't one wasted.

I thought books 1, 2 and 3 were good but this one, well it was just awesome - I only wish Audible had a special star rating for such well written book like this one. Every chapter was entertaining, funny, tense and quick witted and within them every paragraph held great characters ready to entertain and enthrall you in an amazing plot that has more twists and turns than a roller coaster.

I also found the tee shirt and bumper sticker jokes at the start of each paragraph really funny.

Worth a credit? Oh YES and more....... for her next book Fifth Grave Past The Light released in July 2013, I'm afraid I'm prepared to sell my Grandmother on ebay!

Okay. . .

This was better than the last one. Having said that, Charley still kind of annoys me. I understand that no one is perfect, not even in fiction but sometimes she whines too much or gets too snarky, and I like snark. She's flawed, I get it. Flaws make for good writing, I get that too. The problem is that she's the dumb girl in horror movies who goes down to the dark basement while you're screaming at her to turn around- every time. She's never made a good decision. While no one is perfect, I have a hard time believing that someone can be that stupid- even the dumbest people I know manage to get it right once in a while. Having said all that, I like the supporting characters, I'm glad Swopes is okay and I will be getting the next one because I can't wait to see where his storyline goes. I hope to see the Bandits again. UB and Amber are awesome, and I also hope to see Quentin again. Lorelei King is a great narrator.

Snarky humor, quirky characters & grade-A man meat

Every time I pick-up a Charlie Davidson book I know that I’ll find snarky humor, quirky characters and a grade-A cut of man meat inside. Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet delivers all that and more with its jaw dropping revelations, countless twists and impossible situations; definitely my favourite installment to date!

One of my main complaints about this series has been its lack of forward momentum; as much as I enjoy Jones’ wit, the stagnant storyline has been taking its toll. I’m pleased to say that that issue gets resolved with this installment; I wanted answers and boy did I get ‘em! Aunt Lil finally realizes she’s dead, Charlie uncovers more about her grim reaper origins and Reyes stops being so wishy washy by finally making a move. This influx of information left my head reeling with the possibilities but also plastered a huge, contented smile on my face. This novel felt like a giant step forward for this series and for once, I found myself enjoying the plot just as much as the wisecracks.

I hated seeing the toll that the events from book three have taken on Charlie; she’s not exactly the most stable person to begin with. Her newly acquired reclusive habits have her whittling away her savings on useless junk from the Shopping Channel and spending way too much quality time with Mr. Coffee. I thought the “intervention” organized by Uncle Bob, Cookie and Gemma was a nice touch. They clearly understand their distraught friend’s needs and I enjoyed watching them come up with creative solutions to help an especially unique individual out of a tight spot. Despite all of these challenges, Davidson still manages to dumbfound the FBI by solving four impossible cases in under a day. Her methods may be questionable but her talent as a P.I. is irrefutable.

Reyes is positively fan-freaking-tastic in this installment; there are some great scenes between him and Charlie that’ll have you teetering between wanting to jump him and/or punch him. He finally puts his corporeal form to good use in this novel and the result is downright explosive; although, admittedly, I was a little surprised that there weren’t any consequences, especially after all of the ominous predictions made by demon with the English accent. I suspect that there will be hell to pay in the next book.

Lorelei King continues to beguile me as this series’ narrator; her smoky voice and seamless transitions between characters are some of the main reasons why I prefer to listen to these novels. Her timing is, as usual, impeccable and she continues to deliver Jones’ punch lines with skill and class. You can’t go wrong with the Charlie Davidson series in audio and Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet is the cream of the crop.

OMG !!!! I love this series more, more more!!!!!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet to be better than the print version?

All of them are great; I love the direction this one is going with the development of the relationship. Will love to see them get married and have a child and they face off with his daddy dearest the DEVIL.

What other book might you compare Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet to and why?

It is a cross between the Anita blake series and Kim Harrison series.

What does Lorelei King bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is great . I would not want to see anyone else being the narrator with this series.

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

When he told Charley that he would not be with her if she loved another. I also found the whole book funny, sexy and could not put it down, finished it in one day

Any additional comments?

MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!! keep them coming will get everyone put out no matter if it is book 1 to 101. LOVE IT.

The series gets better with every book!

Would you consider the audio edition of Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet to be better than the print version?

I don't buy the print version so have nothing to compare it to.

What did you like best about this story?

Each story reveals unknown depths. This one is no exception to that rule.

Which scene was your favorite?

The breaking down of the barrier boxes ... it was time to replace the memory and clear it out.

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

Definitely!

Any additional comments?

I thought the first book a little slow but I am very glad that I continued on! Definitely a different take on this subject by the author.

Fourth Grave is my favorite in the series so far.

I have to start off with saying how much I love the narration of this series. After listening to all the other books in the series I can't bring myself to read the new releases even when I have a chance at an ARC. Lorelei King just brings Charley to life in such a great way that I now have her voice in my head and cannot enjoy reading the books.

Fourth Grave is my favorite in the series so far.

Charley and Reyes relationship gets more involved now that he finally has a physical body when they are together. But it's not all sexy times with the couple. They are still dealing with the Earl Walker fall out from the events in Third Grave.

Charley has been hiding from the world in the two months after the events of Third Grave and trying to deal with what Earl Walker did to her. How is she coping? Buying everything she sees on the home shopping network. Really, 12 turkey basters?

Cookie has cut off Charley credit cards, so she is basically broke between all her shopping and not working for the last two months. So when a PI job comes her way she takes it even though it means she has to leave her apartment.

So in true Charley fashion she is working a PI case and trying to stay alive while fighting off demons that what to use her as a doorway to hell. And Charley is only getting stronger and coming into her powers as the Grimm Reaper.

I can't wait to listen to Fifth Grave to see how she deals with the new power and the new neighbor that moved in to her apartment building. Should be interesting times ahead for Charley.

Love this series.

I love this series. I love that Charley is such a smart ass, even when everything is down, she is able to fall back on being a smart ass. Charley has an extremely rough life. If I were her, I would've curled up in a ball and you couldn't get me out.

Charley does start off the book in that type of mental state, but pulls out of it. I'm still amazed at her father, which ended the last book by trying to have her arrested. This book he is even worse. I have no idea what is wrong with this guy.

I'm still not sure what I think of Reyes. One minute I think he is an okay guy, then the next, I just want Charley to send him back to hell.

Overall, I LOVE this series. I just can't get enough. I can't see where Charley goes next and what she will learn about herself and her powers.

Awesome!

Any additional comments?

I thought this book was the best in the series. Can't wait for Book 5!

Typical Charley snark

The fourth installment to the Charley Davidson saga is just as good as the first book. I was saddened that a lot of the questions I had in the first book still remained unanswered in this fourth book. If you have like any of the previous Charley Davidson books you'll surly enjoy this one well.
Charley has a lot of demons to work thought both metaphorically and physically unfortunately this book is extremely predictable therefore I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5. There were also times that I felt Darynda added unnecessary snark to Charley that made her more annoying.
Lorelei King, as always, brought the characters to life with her fantastic narration.

I would recommend this book and I am yet again... impatiently awaiting the next book.

All I can say is Darynda Jones, YOU ROCK!

Book four is just as good as all the rest of the books and the only part that makes me sad is I have to wait for months for the next book. A lot of questions are answered in this book but a lot are still up in the air. Charlie is still her snarky self and Reyes is back and so drool worthy. Darynda Jones definately in my top 5 author list. I cannot wait to see where things go from here. A whole new world has opened up to Charlie in this book and things should get even more interesting.

Lorelei King does an awesome job with narration (as always). She really makes you think several people are reading the book not just her. She is one of the best narrators out there today.

If you have not read these books you really must take a chance and start at book one. You won't be disappointed. All four books keep you hooked from start to finish and then leave you wanting more, more, more, more!!