Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

Posted by Giselle

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1)

Darynda Jones

First published February 1st, 2011

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.

“You rented the apartment with a dead guy in the corner?” I shrugged. “I wanted the apartment, and I figured I could cover him up with a bookcase or something.

Pee. In. My. Pants. !!! Really, you’ll have to wear Depends while reading this! This was such a fun, fantastic novel. And, oh my god, Hilarious!!! Charley Davidson (that’s right!) is a grim reaper, she sees and helps ghosts cross to the other side, but sometimes she helps solve their murders – which is why she is also a private investigator.

The humor is by far the greatest asset of this book: “oh my god she did not just say that” snarky humor that is just pure awesome. There are so many great lines that I bothered to write them down for future witty comebacks. And talking about witty, Charley is the wittiest and most fun loving character I’ve ever read. She is just priceless and often crazy. I wish I was Charley. I want to form a Charley fan club where we can all share our boobs’ names. Yes, I’m afraid I have a girl crush on Charley!

Ok, I’ll admit it, the thought of those two having hot, unsafe animal sex was a bit creepy, especially since my aunt didn’t have any teeth.

The plot is a murder mystery mixed into the craziness that is Charley’s life. She’s just starting to realize that being the grim reaper is only a small dot in the world(s) she’s mixed in. I can’t say any more without revealing spoilers. I thought it was great. I liked how she had a best friend she could trust who just believed in her and her abilities without questions. I also quite enjoyed Mr. love interest. The romance is mysterious; slow but passionate. Charley is getting visits from a beautiful spirit that she can’t help but feel weak in the knees for. But in the requisite love triangle, we also have the snarky unbeliever who is clearly fascinated by her. I enjoyed their silly bantering and flirtatious behaviours. I really loved both of them they’re both great additions to the story.

I’d just had a near-sex experience with a blazing inferno.

This was my first grim reaper book, so it felt really unique and different to me. Darynda did a great job luring me into her novel and making me adore her characters. It’s sexy, smart and sophisticated and anyone with a sense of humor will think it’s fabulous.

If I couldn’t be a good example, I’d just have to be a horrible warning.


4/5 hot espressos

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.