Second Grave on the Left: Charley Davidson, Book 2

Second Grave on the Left, Book #2 of the Charley Davidson seriesAuthor: Darynda JonesSynopsis: When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can't help but wonder what Cookie's up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman's name. Mimi's husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He's left his body because he's being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can't let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they'll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven...well, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson - LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha]:1st and foremost, I found myself shaking my head over and over while reading this book, wondering how in the world Daryda can be such a genius with words even when it's filler. I'm utterly amazed at her ability to turn EVERYTHING funny, even when the characters are in dire straits. It truly is a gift...O.K, on to the book. An amazing follow-up to First Grave on the Right. Another smart, sexy, sassy, sophisticated read, with incredible action, mystery, and romance.Per usual, Charley is constantly finding herself in trouble, though this time she's not only trying to solve a missing person case for the APD and her best friend Cookie, she's also trying desperately to save Reyes from himself.Reyes doesn't make it easy on her AT ALL, and while we learn a little bit more about the enigma that is Reyes Farrow in Second Grave, I know there is still so much to uncover.The underlying stories in this book and the supporting characters' roles were phenomenal. I enjoyed every single offshoot of the main plotline, and found myself right there with the characters at every turn.I laughed (A LOT), I groaned, my heart beat quickened... it was a wonderful journey with a fabulous book, and I'm very excited to dig into Third Grave Dead Ahead.LITERAL ADDICTION gives Second Grave on the Left 5 Skulls and suggests it to anyone who wants a witty, amazing, unique paranormal read.While Second Grave can be read as a stand-alone, I highly suggest reading First Grave on the Right before Second Grave to get the full impact of the character's and the story. Believe me, you won't be disappointed!

Note: This is a joint review of the first two books in the series, originally posted at THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...My Rating:First Grave on the Right4.5 stars: Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)Second Grave on the Left4 stars: Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)Charley is the daughter of a retired cop, and her Uncle Bob (or Ubie as Charley likes to call him) is an accomplished detective for the Albuquerque Police Department. Charley has been helping them solve crimes since she was five years old. Currently, Charley runs a detective agency, which helps with her cover and allows her to actively work with the police. Not too many people know about (or believe in) her ability to talk to ghosts, and even fewer know about her true nature as the Grim Reaper. Among her inner circle is Ubie, her dad, her best friend (and assistant) Cookie, and a handful of helpful ghosts. In the past Charley has been hurt by people she trusted with the truth, so when she decides to let in free-lance skiptracer, Garrett, it really is big deal - and a fantastic emotional journey for the reader.One of the BEST things about Charley is her perpetual sarcastic humor. She has a sharp tongue and a quick wit, poking fun at both herself and those around her. Although it is constant, the quips never come across forced or fake. Here are just a few samples of Charley's droll disposition:"It was hard being such an utter disappointment to the woman who'd raised me, but gosh darn it, I gave it my all. I could have invented the wheel and she would have been disappointed. Or Post-it notes. Or bone marrow." (First Grave on the Right)"I toured them--also known as breaking and entering--regularly after accidentally discovering this asylum on night when I was fifteen." (Second Grave on the Left)In the first book, Charley is busy solving two mysteries at once. First, who killed three lawyers and why? Second, who/what is her dream man (aka Reyes)? The two plots weave around one another in Charley's stream of thought, therefore in the reader's mind as well since we read the story from her POV.Although Reyes only visits Charley in dreams, and later as some sort of non-corporeal being, he is every bit a solid man to Charley. Every encounter with Reyes is sensual, powerful, and engrossing. Charley has no idea what Reyes is, but she knows she can trust him, and the sexual chemistry is swoon-worthy. But Reyes is an enigma -- for example, why are other ghosts scared of him? First Charley must discover what Reyes is in First Grave on the Right, and then how to save him in Second Grave on the Left.The opening of the second book has a different feel than first - it's almost a bit darker, definitely a little more dire. Since Charley now knows who and what Reyes is, the reader gets more paranormal action right from the start, and Reyes is very worried about Charley's well-being. Also, the latest mystery hits close to home with Cookie's friend missing and a mysterious dead guy (ghost) in Cookie's car. Only one week passes between the first and second story.The relationship with Reyes is slightly less hot and steamy in Second Grave on the Left, but mostly because Charley is determined to find Reyes corporeal body and won't let his seductive ways interfere with her search. The two spend a lot of the book at odds with each other, and I have to say that it dampened my feelings for the pair. Reyes is simply too cryptic, withholding information, and Charley is too determined to find him. They did have some quality chat time, which they didn't get much of in book one, and this allowed the reader to learn more about Reyes.We also learn more as Charley discovers more about her powers and purpose. In addition, more people are coming into her inner circle of trust. In fact, Charley isn't so bitter and is able to trust people and share her secrets. After a rough journey, she also has some excellent family bonding at the end of the book.Both stories have highs and lows that create for a tremendous read. The juxtaposition of Charley's successes with the realizations of her failures is poignant. The emotional journeys, coupled with romance, friendships, life lessons and humor, make the Charley Davidson series one I will continue to read. In the end, Ms. Jones leaves just enough of a hook to make me jonesing for the next book.

Loved the tongue in cheek humour as well as plot twists!

Collezione tutta in inglese ottimo prodotto

Well I downloaded this one month ago and it was so good I read all 12 books to date in one month. They were epic! without giving any spoilers away, let me just say, this series was refreshingly different. A grim reaper who is funny, empathetic and has a gorgeous sexy counterpart. Both main characters and main sub characters progress throughout the series to the point that I felt I knew these people. I miss them - waiting on the final book to be released in a couple of weeks - and then I'll be despondent without them. Each book progressed not only the characters but the story without too much repetition - just the right amount that it kept new readers in the loop and didn't bore the pants of serial readers. It was laugh out loud funny in places -you don't get much of that in books - and I really empathised and felt in tune with Charley. It had it all - romance, naughty bits (just the right amount), suspense, complex storyline, and storyline progression throughout the series. These books would make an excellent transition to TV or film. A good director and producer could make these great on this medium. They are also well written. Written from Charley's POV, you get the inside view of what it's like to be Charley and you get her reactions to her circumstances, relationships both normal and paranormal and how she feels about what she does. You love Reyes as much as she does, what's not to love? And the suspense is a page turner. A series not to be missed and one to ensure you put aside time to enjoy.

TIENEN QUE LEER ESTE libro y si no se enamoran de Reyes y su "dutch" entonces no sé que personas son jajajajaja. Pero de verdad, Charley vale todo tu tiempo

J'avais lu un extrait de "First Grave on the right" sur Internet et j'avais immédiatement accroché au style de Darynda Jones. Les personnages sont vraiment attachants et l'histoire donne vraiment envie de les suivre: du coup, j'ai commandé tous les romans de la série Charley Davidson.Certaines séries s'essoufflent, et passé le 5 ou 6ième volume ne cessent de se répéter mais Darynda Jones évite cet écueil avec beaucoup d'imagination et de talent. L'évolution est intéressante et donne toujours envie de lire le livre suivant.Pour ceux qui maîtrisent la langue, je conseille vraiment la lecture des livres en anglais pour ne pas perdre la voix particulière de l'auteur et de celle de Charley!