March 8, 2012

Review: Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones


March 7, 2012
Third Grave Dead Ahead
Charley Davidson series #3
by Darynda Jones
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: January 31st 2012



Warning:  This review will contain spoilers for those who haven’t read the others in the series…


Author Summary
Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she’s drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the parthuman, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hellbent on murder when the devil’s son just won’t give up?


My Thoughts
“Never trust a man with a penis.”  Now I ask you, how can you not love a character that says that!!

This urban fantasy series is one of the most unique out there and Charley Davidson is one the funniest, original and messed up heroines I’ve ever read in a novel.  When you pick up a Darynda Jones’ novel, you’re going to get a fantastic read that is off the charts and a step above most.  You’ll be entertained, fret over the characters and totally escape into another world of craziness.  You can’t ask for any more than that!

So here’s what I thought about the latest in the Charley Davidson series - Third Grave Dead Ahead


Continuing shortly after where Second Grave on the Left ended, Charley gets a new case of a doctor’s missing wife.  She gets a bad vibe off him and instead of working for the doctor; she decides to work for the wife’s family to find her.  Our bad boy Reyes also asks Charley to find his father (Earl not Satan) who is apparently still alive.  Reyes didn’t kill him after all.  This is very dangerous, as Earl did not hang with the nicest of people.  And, as a side case, she’s asked to find a killer for a biker group, however, that’s just a small part of the story and I think a way to introduce the bikers into the story. 

Charley hasn’t slept since she bound Reyes to his mortal body after he tried to kill himself in the last novel.  Her reason for not sleeping for 2 weeks is that when she does, she dreams of Reyes.  I’m not sure why that’s a bad thing but she didn’t want to…so there you have it.  She’s OD’ing on coffee to stay awake and I think the lack of sleep has dulled her senses a little.  She makes mistakes that have dire consequences.



My heart breaks for Charley.  In the last novel, she discovers how her father sold her out and in this novel, she has a similar fate.  I want all good things to happen for her but I guess I’m naïve to think that’s possible in her line of work and her being the grim reaper and all.  So I fret when she’s hurt.  Kudos to a brilliant author to make me care so much. 

We meet a new character, Donovan, who is the leader of the biker gang that purchased the asylum where Rocket lives/haunts.  Apparently they have known all along about Charley sneaking into the asylum to talk to the ghost.  They found it quite amusing to watch her sneaking in and especially when she would get stuck in the window. We don’t know too much about his character yet only that he doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not and he’s straight with her.  Will Donovan be a possible new love interest?  It might be a refreshing change for her.

Cookie is her normal amazing self.  Loyal, supportive and a little crazy like Charley.  I’m not sure if it’s just me but I found that Cookie and Ubie seemed to speak and act more like Charley instead of themselves in this novel.  But like I said it might just be me.  Besides Charley being more in touch with her sexuality in this novel, there wasn’t much in the way of character development or growth.  Not a huge deal because all the characters are already great. 


Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the ultimate escapism in a novel, this is the series to read.  Darynda Jones skillfully draws us in by giving just enough detail to steer us into Charley’s world and just enough suspense and action to intrigue and keep us there but not too much as to overwhelm.  Charley’s stories are all consuming and perfectly delivered in a strong narrative voice.  If you’re already a fan of the series, you will not be disappointed in the latest.  And I guarantee that you will be left anxiously waiting for book 4 that’s coming out on October 30th.

Happy Reading!!

4 Bad Boys – Really Enjoyed It!!!!



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