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

awesome!!

I will definitely be listening to the next in the series. Sharp, fun and unexpected.

6 Stars!

First Grave on the Right is book 1 in the Charley Davidson series. This was my first experience with this author and she knocked my socks off so it will certainly not be the last. My coworker told me about this series over a year ago and I marked it as to read but didn’t circle back to it until 2 days ago. Once I started this book, I had a hard time turning it off. I stayed up late listening and then woke up early to start listening again. Then I finished the book that day.

This story was enthralling from the very beginning. I love the author’s writing style and I love how she wrote the characters and made it all so witty. The main character, Charley, is the grim reaper and also a private investigator. I liked the author’s take on the grim reaper for this story. Since Charley can see and interact with ghosts, she has been helping her father (a now retired police detective) and uncle (current police detective) solve crimes since she was a very young child.

I enjoyed that this book seems to cross genres and have a mix of mystery, suspense, paranormal, fantasy, and romance. And it is all woven together so seamlessly. I liked figuring out the “who dunnit” alongside the main character. I also really liked the family dynamic with Charley, her father, and her uncle. I really dislike her stepmother but I’m wondering if that will change as we learn the reasons behind her behavior. Hopefully it is more than just being a mean person.

I’m really excited to see where Charley will go from here and can’t wait to continue the story.

I thought the narrator did a great job. This is definitely worth a credit. I will be listening to this again in the future.

Awesome story and narration!

Excellent world building for the first in a series. I love Charley and all of her support system!! Lorelei King is the PERFECT narrator for this series— just the right amount of snark and spark!

Disappointed

I picked this book because it had a female author and a narrator I like. It looked like a fantasy about a strong woman who solves crimes by talking to dead people. But it turned out to be a trashy romance about a weak woman who gets sexually assaulted, likes it, and then fantasies about her almost rapist. I hate this kind of crap. Why do authors romanticize sexual assault? I expected better female characters from a female author.

awesome sauce

loved it
so good... had all the right elements in all the right places... super entertaining. I need the next one now

excellent book couldnt stop listening

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

yes

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

the whole book keeps your intrest

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

yes all of stephine plum and its right up there with those she is a great narrator

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

the way she lets the people go though her and can see all there pain and happiness

Any additional comments?

just cant wait for the next one

If you like Stephanie Plumb you'll love these book

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

I love the humor in these stories. The characters are so much fun.

What about Lorelei King’s performance did you like?

I love this narrator. She is always a pleasure to listen to.

Love it!!!

Amazing listen, couldn't stop!!! It's good for those who believe in the paranormal and hits some of the points right on the head. A good pairing between the author and the story. I can't wait for the next one!

This One is Pretty Good!

I have been going through Jeanine Frost withdrawl. I have spent too much money and listened to other books in this genre but have yet to find something that is even half a good as J.F"s books...Until now the content of this book is smart, funny and most of all entertaining. Lorelei King does a wonderful job with her narration. Her voice was nice to hear compared to the many "smoker" type voices in this genre. At last another aurthor I can count on.

Super good!

I bought this book in a whim because it was on sale and got good reviews. I was not disappointed! It's funny and just enough serious that it completely keeps you enthralled. I was not completely happy with who is narrating the book, however the story line makes up for it a thousand times over.