Series: Charley Davidson Reaper #5
Published by Macmillan, St. Martin's Press on July 9, 2013
Genres: Adult, Crime, Humor, Mystery, Paranormal
Pages: 339
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
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Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she is determined to stay away from him until she can find out the truth. According to her therapist, however, she lacks conviction.
When dead women start appearing in her apartment - lost, confused and terrified beyond reason - Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes's help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her - body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay…
Last year we joined the Read-Along for the first book in this hilarious series and we were both hooked instantly!! We fell in love with Darynda Jones’ incredible wit and humor, and are huge fangirls ever since!
Today, we want to share our top 10 Reasons why you a) must read this series and why you b) will love book number 5. This should make this “review” both interesting for both new readers to this series (see point a) and for fans of this series who have not yet read book 5 (see point b)
Top 5 Reasons why you must start this series!
1.) The incredibly smart humor!
Danny: The whole story is simply hilarious! Darynda Jones clearly knows how to write characters and dialogues with so much smart wit and humor as we have rarely seen in other Urban Fantasy stories!
Each chapter begins with some saying foundoin T-Shirts or Stickers or somewhere else! Not only are they hilarious by themselves, but they also always perfectly match the chapter!
“I’m a virgin.
But this is an old shirt. –T-SHIRT”
“Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong. -T-Shirt”
“I know karate, and like two other Japanese words – T-SHIRT”
Heather: Few series have a main character that can pull off the kind of snark that Charley Davidson gets away with. Not only is it consistently high quality snark, but it’s also right on the mark and often pointed back at herself and not putting down other people.
2.) Charley Davidson – Reaper extraordinaire
Danny: I love the way Darynda Jones created her Grim Reaper. Charley is not dark like you’d usually expect the Grim Reaper to be, but she’s like a bright beacon, helping lost souls to cross over!
Heather: Charley is one heck of a private detective, but she’s an even better reaper. It may take her a few tries to get to the bottom of why someone doesn’t want to pass over to the other side through her, but she always gets them in the end.
3.) Reyes Farrow – or The Swoon Factor
Danny: We could talk for ages about Reyes Farrow! Seriously girls, he’s THE swoon factor in this series! He’s strong, beautiful and the bad boy who kicks ass but loves Charley with all his heart! There is an aura of true danger surrounding him, but we cannot help ourselves but be utterly drawn to him. Here’s a picture for you ladies:
Heather: Evil incarnate, son of the devil, one smoking hot sexy bad boy, a walking contradiction with his sights set on only one girl: Charley. He’s smart, dangerous, protective, and deadly when someone threatens Charley.
4.) Murder Mysteries in each book
Heather: Darynda Jones layers a few mysteries into each books so you’re always guessing until the end, and as a mystery lover I really like not being able to guess the bad guys right from the start. The red herrings aren’t very obviously red herrings so you can’t dismiss them, and you just have to go right along for the ride with Charley, putting the clues together as they click into place.
5.) The Reaper, Satan and other mystical twists and turns!
Heather: The mythology slowly builds from book to book, laying out the destinies of Charley, Reyes, heaven and hell…and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out in the end. (But not too soon, let’s say on like book twenty or so)
Danny: I think the mythology is also a very strong aspect of these books. And even though we always have a murder mystery to solve, there is the overall story arc that keeps us buying each book! There are tons of fascinating twists and turns which I truly loved – and each book adds a new level of awesomeness!
Top 5 Reasons why “Fifth Grave Past the Light” was made of pure win!
1.) A House full of blonde ghosts!?!?
Danny: Charley finds her apartment full of blonde ghosts who do not talk but hang out at her apartment and there are more than 20 of them. *shivers. But… Charley is just as casual about them as she usually is with all ghosts! Love that about her! But, she soon realizes that it looks like they are all killed by a serial killer and it’s again on her to solve this case!
Heather: When all of these ghosts turned up in Charley’s apartment–all sporting blonde hair whether it was natural or not–refusing to communicate with the Reaper or even go to the other side or just leave the space, I really started to wonder what the heck was going on. But it’s quickly apparent that there’s a serial killer out there that likes females with a certain look…
2.) Not just Charley kicks ass, but also Cookie!
Heather: *Giggles* I’ll just say that it’s probably not a good idea for Cookie to have a gun, especially in public at first. Oh, Cook. Subtlety is not her strong suit.
Danny: That was hilarious!!!
3.) A new Cook and a Ferrari
Heather: Women are flocking to Charley’s dad’s bar like mad, making what was once a cop hangout into more of a lady place. After eating some really great food and finding out that the usual cook is out because he’d broken his legs skiing, you’d think that Charley wouldn’t care that much. That is until she puts two and two together about the seriously awesome food and the women flocking to the bar all of a sudden…
Danny: now I must giggle – I loved this sidestory so much and… when we finally also know that Reyes drives a Ferrari I couldn’t swoon over him any more!!!
4.) Laughter and Torment
Heather: This is the first book where Charley doesn’t get the crap kicked out of her throughout most of the book. But that’s made up for in other ways, like in mental anguish and multiple run ins with the Chief of Police who just knows that she can’t be that good of a P.I. to be solving so many crimes that easily…
Danny: Oh the end was so bad, it was one of those gasping moments when you read something and cannot belive it’s happening! I teared up horribly. But then, there is also this smart wit and humor which never fails to pull me out of any sad moment!
5.) The Swoon factor Reyes … *swoons* (he will always gets his own point!)
Heather: He who should be a menacing, evil figure is seriously one of the sweetest, sexiest, most honest men in paranormal fiction. Charley has her doubts, and I can see why she has them, but Reyes certainly is doing nothing but trying to win Charley over the right way. He even goes so far as to make strides with her family.
Danny: I could talk about Reyes constantly and when we meet him in the beginning of the first book I had no idea he would turn out like he did now. In Fifth Grave he again showed us a layer of himself that made me swoon even more. The way he loved Charley is endlessly and so pure, that he can’t be a evil person even if he tried! Seriously ladies, be prepared for some major swoon moments!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
The Charley Davidson series just rocks our socks with the swoon worthy Reyes, the kickass and hilarious Charley and a major compelling mythology! If you have not yet picked up this series, then please please go and get a copy now. And if you are behind then you must read this latest installment. It was again epically awesome!!
Additional Info
- First Grave on the Right – Book 1 – Feb 1st 2011 – goodreads | amazon | Book Depository
- Second Grave on the Left – Book 2 – Aug 16th 2011 –goodreads |amazon | Book Depository
- Third Grave Dead Ahead – Book 3 – Jan 31st 2012 – goodreads | amazon | Book Depository
- Fourth Grave Beneath my Feet – Oct 30th 2012 – goodreads | amazon | Book Depository
- Fifth Grave Past the Light – July 9th 2013 – goodreads | amazon | Book Depository
- Sixth Grave TBA in 2014
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Seriously. I want those t-shirts. They encompass all of Charlie’s snark in one or two short lines. LOVE IT!! Reyes better get his own point, girls! *drools* *swoons* *falls into drool puddle*
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Top Off Tuesday: HEDGING HIS BETS by Celia Kyle and Mina Carter
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I want the t-shirts too, Mary! You know that we wouldn’t leave Reyes without his own point. Heck, we could have given him his own “5 reasons” without having to think too hard… Boy, I love this series.
Heather recently posted..Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones – Heather & Danny review Series & Sequel!
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Well you have definitely convinced me. I am adding this series to my TBR list now.
Ellen recently posted..Blog Tour: TMI by Patty Blount – Guest Post
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Yay! We hope you love this series as much as we do, Ellen! Come back and tell us what you think!
Heather recently posted..Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones – Heather & Danny review Series & Sequel!
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OMG. I love this series like I love doughnuts (which is to say, A LOT). I haven’t bought Fifth Grave yet, because it was priced so very high, but after hearing nothing but amazing things about it, I’m thinking I need to put a kink in my book budget for this one. It sounds like it’s worth it. And, after the ending of Fourth Grave, I’ve been dying to find out what happens next with Charley and Reyes. It’s time to take their relationship to the next level (and make it an actual RELATIONSHIP!).
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We have so much in common, Krista. I too, love doughnuts, lol! I couldn’t even tell you how much this book cost since I preordered it and didn’t give it a second thought (which is probably a bad thing). But I did notice that the hardcover was pretty pricey when I put the amazon link in for this post. There’s always the library. The end of this fifth installment will make you swoon hard, let me tell you!
Heather recently posted..Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones – Heather & Danny review Series & Sequel!
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“high quality snark’ Yep, that’s what I like! I read the first book and loved it! Now I need to fit in time to read the rest of the books!
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This is the highest quality snark, Candace. And I dish this stuff out daily myself, so I’m an expert! LOL. I read through books two through four relatively quickly (maybe a week? I’d have to check out Goodreads to see), so I think you should be able to catch up with this series without a problem. They flow so easily and are so entertaining, you don’t want to put them down!
Heather recently posted..Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones – Heather & Danny review Series & Sequel!
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I have to admit the cover leaves much to be desired in my opinion. But since you love it so much I will take a look at the first book description to see if I might like it.
Pabkins recently posted..Review: Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig
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I’m one of those people who don’t pay attention to the cover at all, so all I saw was pretty purple and a necklace and was more eager to crack it open than anything. Check out the first book and see if it’s something for you. You could always try a sample of the first book on Kindle to try it out too without having to buy it, see if you like it.
Heather recently posted..Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones – Heather & Danny review Series & Sequel!
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That’s what I love about the kindle – is the chapter sampler you can try out!
pabkins recently posted..Discussion: Are You Afraid to Branch Out With Your Blog?
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I read this post first thing this morning in my bloglovin feed and forgot to leave a comment. I am so happy that you two ladies continued with this series and you are certified fans of Darynda, Reyes and Charley. I love so many things about this series, the humor, the ghosts, Cookie, Garrett… on and on. Wasn’t that ending a shocker, though? I can’t wait to see what happens next. Totally an addict for CD! Thanks for joining WIcked!
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Oh, Heidi–there was no way Danny and I weren’t going to continue with this series. Each book just keeps getting better and better! Like you, there’s so much to love about the books that it’s hard to pin down just a few things. I loved that ending and I seriously cannot wait for the next book either!
Thanks for hosting that read along that started our obsession! 🙂
Heather recently posted..Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones – Heather & Danny review Series & Sequel!
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WOW!!! Thank you guys so much for this review! I loved it! I know, that’s a little self-serving, but this was just so great. Thanks for all the thought you put into it.
Darynda Jones recently posted..WELCOME TO THE PARTY!
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Thank you, Darynda, for writing such fun, well thought out, sexy, and colorful mysteries for readers like us! Since we’re a bit newer to the series, having come into the books last year, we figured that we could introduce everybody to the series if they haven’t read the books yet while giving our thoughts about the fifth book. We’re glad that you enjoyed our post!
Heather recently posted..Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones – Heather & Danny review Series & Sequel!
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I LOVE this series by Darynda Jones’! I’m a bit behind (book four) but can’t wait to catch up. Charley Davidson has SO much wit and charm, and can I just say Reyes Farrow *Swooning* seriously! Shower scenes anyone?! These books are fantastic-the characters, mystery. and the paranormal!
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