First Grave on the Right (2011) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“This was a cleverly written book about a grim reaper who works as a private investigator. She doesn't understand all of her abilities yet, but a dark entity haunts her dreams ( in a good way). She is solving a mysterious murder of 3 lawyers, as well as the mystery of a criminal named Reyes, and trying to help an abused spouse escape from her controlling husband.......”

• Rated 2 stars

“If Stephanie Plum merged with the Ghost Whisperer, you would have Charley Davidson, part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper and portal into the Afterlife. The first novel in a series opens with the murder of all attorneys at a local law firm and Charley surrounded by their ghosts seeking answers to whom killed them. Actually this story takes a back burner to how Charley became the grim reaper, a revelation which comes in a convoluted journey of discovery with so many spurts and starts that I frequently lost my way and lost interest in the book wishing the read to be over quickly. I don't believe I will be reading any further in the series. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“I love these fun paranormal mysteries. Charley Davidson is a PI, and, oh yes, she just also happens to be the "grim reaper." She also happens to be in love with the son of Satan and all this while solving mysteries. It's sort of like a supernatural Stephanie Plum.”

• Rated 3 stars

“I think I am going to have to read this one again. I don't know whether I was just tired from work or had a difficult time getting in to the story. I enjoyed the character of Charley Davidson. She's quirky, tough, and sarcastic. I really liked her best friend, Cookie. There are some truly funny scenes and lines in the story. It was refreshing to read something with vocabulary that I can imagine hearing among any group of young adults today. On the other hand, there were times when I was wondering if I missed something - trying to understand all the intricacies of her being the "Grim Reaper" and her relationship with Reyes was, at times, confusing. I think I might try the next book in the series - just to see if things get clarified a little.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Lots of fun to read. I would never call it literature, but I really enjoyed it. I think I will check out the rest of the series. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“I picked this book up with high expectations. I'd read a review of it somewhere, and it was a shining one, and let me tell you, this book deserves praise!

Charlotte "Charley" Davidson is a private investigator that helps her uncle Bob, a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department, solve crimes. But, Charley isn't just a normal PI, oh no. She's also a grim reaper.... THE Grim Reaper. So, needless to say, she sees dead people.

I love Charley. She's a smart-mouthed bad ass chick that makes me want to be her. Prime example? She named her breasts "Danger" and "Will Robinson." I love it! She knows she's sexy, but she doesn't let that effect her too much. She does, however use it to her advantage when she needs to. She can hold her own in a fight, she owns her own business, and she's totally independent. Who wouldn't want to be her? Well, except for the whole seeing dead people all the time...

The central plot of this book has two parts that kind of intertwine. The first plot line is that three lawyers were murdered, and they're trying to figure out the whodonit. The second plot line is finding out about this mysterious dream man that Charley keeps getting erotic visits from.

The lawyer plot is ok, but it's kind of just there for me. It shows what Charley does in terms of her PI life, as well as a little bit of the grim reaper side, but to be honest, I was much more interested in dream man.

Alexander Reyes Farrow is Mr. Dream man, and oh does he deserve the title of dreamy. The reason that he's been visiting Charley in her dreams is that he's a bit "lost" and Charley decides to help him out.

Charley met Reyes when she was in high school, and she's never been able to forget him since. And when he starts showing up in her dreams, he begins to remind her of another presence in her life, a presence that she calls "The Big Bad." The Big Bad is kind of a misty protector that has always been there for Charley in her times of need. And now Reyes is starting to do similar things.

Will Charley and Reyes get together in the end? Reyes harbors a secret that will, in the course of the book totally shake up Charley's life. Will she be able to get over this momentous secret? Will she be able to solve the murders of the three lawyers?

Go grab a copy of First Grave on the Right to find out. I promise that you won't be disappointed. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“This new series, to me that is, was recommended as an excellent tale. I was warned that there was explicit sex, and there was. However, blushes aside, the story of a person having been born with the job of 'Grim Reaper' and shinning as the 'light' to cross over to the other side was inspired. We always hear of a tunnel leading to the 'light', but what if...what if it was a person?

Grim Reaper, Charley Davidson, has lived her life in the shadows. Her Father, and Uncle Bob, both Police Officers know Charley's secret. Charley has aided in police homicide cases since she was five. She works with her Uncle now and finds the perpetrators of crimes that boggle the mind.

This debut novel involves three murdered lawyers. They need her help to find the reason they are dead, and also to help them cross over. The story plot was solid and interesting.

The sub-story which is also quite compelling involves the sexual content. The fact that Charley lives in the shadows led to the fact of a character of shadows featuring in her life, and in fact, since her birth. The character is intricate to the character of Charley. I will not disclose identity because the path to discovery was suspenseful and complex and necessary to the storyline.

This novel was written with a great sense of humor. I found myself often chuckling aloud.

I do recommend this mystery to adults. I would not recommend it to persons with rigid religious beliefs or at issue with sexual themes.
”

• Rated 5 stars

“Has to be the funniest book I've ever read. I was laughing with every turn of the page.”

• Rated 4 stars

“If you enjoy snarky, sarcastic and hilariously funny heroines then this book is right up your alley - it sure was mine.
Charley is an endearing amalgamation of worldly cynicism, independence and heart-breaking vulnerability. She has struggled with her ability to see ghosts since childhood, and both fears and embraces her gift. Her snarky sarcasm is a defense mechanism that enables her to exist in a world that might reject her at any moment because experience has taught her that even those closest to her cannot accept who and what she is.
Reyes is another excellent character. The questions and revelations that slowly emerge about his true nature make for compelling listening. A sexy and mysterious enigma, the incongruity between Reyes's identity and his actions only add to his moral ambiguity.
The plot is fast paced and exciting although there are numerous threads and characters to follow, which may be confusing at times. Nevertheless, it all comes together seamlessly by the end and new avenues are opened up for further exploration - I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens next.
The narrator, Lorelei King, is fantastic, bringing each and every character to life and making First Grave on the Right an amazing listening experience. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“Don't you just love it when the majority of your friends love a book and keep telling you to read it but for some reason you don't get around to it. Then when you finally do...the only question that begs asking is why didn't I read this sooner?? That's this book exactly!

But beware...if you do not like snark, do not read this book. It is loaded with snark with more snark on top and even some snark sprinkles but any girl that names her boobs "Danger" and "Will Robinson" and her ovaries, "Beam me up" and "Scotty" is A-OK in my book.

Charley is a private investigator and works closely with the Albuquerque police department (namely her Uncle Bob who is a Detective) but she is also The Grim Reaper and her main job is to help dead people pass to the other side. This is a bonus for Charley in that she can often talk to victims and help solve their crimes.

I really enjoyed Charley and thought she was hilarious. It was great that there were things she didn't know or understand and that she was doing a lot of things on the fly. The one thing that was a bit strange was that she is described as being 'sparkly' as in the light she gives off being the Grim Reaper aka portal. It just gave me a weird Twilight vibe.

Charley has an assistant who is her best friend and who also lives right across the hall from her named Cookie. Cookie is the best friend ever. She is always there for Charley and accepts her as she is. I really enjoyed her but would have liked to get more 'about' her.

Of course, there are a couple of men. Garrett Swopes is a skiptracer (think bounty hunter) and while taken back about Charley in the beginning, it does seem that he is coming around. And then there is Reyes...hot, hot, hot Reyes. and did I mention intense? hot and intense and naughty!! That's right...naughty. And right from the start we find out that nightly he is trying to get into Charley's pants and doing a darn fine job! The problem is he's only doing that in her dreams.

Yep...Reyes is no Gandy Candy...he's hot and earthy and growly. He's a big part of the story and we find out lots of interesting things about him as does Charley. I have a mighty need to know why he calls her 'Dutch'.

Of course, there is a police case going on and things do get a bit muddled. It's just that's there so much going on and so many characters but the good part is that towards the end, you should have a good grip on things. I'm sure this will make the next books much easier.

The other part that needs mentioning is the chapter titles with the tshirt and bumper sticker sayings. A couple of my favorites are:

Never knock on death’s door. Ring the doorbell then run. He totally hates that. —T-SHIRT

I may not look like much, but I’m an expert at pretending to be a ninja. —BUMPER STICKER



LOVED the ending and definitely a fine start to what seems to be a great series. Twenty lashes with a wet noodle accepted.


Favorite quotes:

♦ “Were you just possessed?” Cookie asked after a long moment, awe softening her voice. “ ’Cause let me tell you, sweetheart, if that was possession, I’m selling my soul.”

♥ “Why does the Earth seek the warmth of the sun?” My brows slid together, trying to understand. “Or the forest seek the embrace of the rain?”
”