First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Book 1) [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Darynda Jones (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 5, 2011

A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper

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.

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

 

First Grave on the Right is the winner of the 2012 Rita Award for Best First Book.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Charley Davidson�s police-officer father and uncle began consulting her for help in solving murders when she was five years old. Charley has a special gift�she sees and talks to the victims. Her job is to point the recently departed to the light, but those who have been murdered want her to make sure their killers are caught. Charley�s latest clients-from-beyondare three personable lawyers, all murdered by the same person at nearly the same time. When she�s not helping ghosts with the ultimate closure, Charley is trying to figure out who her sizzling-hot dream lover is. The manuscript for this sassy, sarcastic, sexy novel won the Romance Writers of America�s Golden Heart for Best Paranormal Romance. Now Jones� wickedly witty debut will delight aficionados of such humorous paranormals as Casey Daniels� Pepper Martin Mysteries (Don of the Dead, 2006; The Chick and the Dead, 2007; Tombs of Endearment, 2007) and Dakota Cassidy�s Accidental Friends series (The Accidental Werewolf, 2008; Accidentally Dead, 2008; The Accidental Human, 2009). Librarians will want to be on the lookout for the next book in Jones� series, Second Grave on the Left (2011). --Shelley Mosley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Actress/Audie Award winner Lorelei King is comfortable in Charlie’s skin and performs a wide variety of characters distinctly. For anyone enjoying sexy paranormal detective fiction.” – Library Journal, starred review

“King (familiar to many as the recent reader of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels) brings sassy fun to the role of Charley, who is spunky and sarcastic… King does a great job setting the characters through varying pitch and tone levels.” – Booklist, Starred Review

“King’s a perfect choice for portraying Charley Davidson, an Albuquerque P.I. and grim reaper responsible for leading the dead to the other side…Jones’s book will leave romance, chick-lit, humor, and mystery lovers waiting for Charley’s second adventure.” – AudioFile Magazine

“… I found it very convenient in this format because I wanted to find out where this original and humorous tale was going and was literally able to take it with me and continue, even while driving…readers who like a bit of Chick lit with their Paranormal Romance will find First Grave on the Right, right down their alley.” – Bookin’ with Bingo

“A deliciously involving saga blending wit, suspense, and heart, First Grave on the Right is enthusiastically recommended.” – The Midwest Book Review

“…this is 9 ½ hours that were well spent. The story is humorous, there is a sufficient amount of tension and suspense and plenty of snark to keep you wanting more.” – Teresa’s Reading Corner

 

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (July 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312577427
• ASIN: B006Z30DLC
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (354 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series with St. Martin's Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#77 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#77 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 103 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Light, Entertaining, And Outrageously Funny January 9, 2011

By Karen Joan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Sometimes, even avid readers get into slumps where they are just too tired to pick up a new book. I'd been that way for about two - three months. I just didn't feel like reading, which is very odd for me. So, after the first of the year, I went looking for something engaging, easy, and light-hearted to get me back in the reading mood. Something that I wouldn't have to think too much about; something that would be marvelously enjoyable. Lucky for me, I stumbled across FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT, by newcomer Darynda Jones. Wacky, off-beat, and a tiny bit naughty, FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT fit the bill in oh-so-many ways.

FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is a riotous combination of chic lit, detective suspense, and urban paranormal genres. P.I. Charley Davidson sees dead people. Well, she not only sees them, they are drawn to her. Because she is shiny. Very shiny. You see, Charley Davidson is a grim reaper. Well, not just a grim reaper, she is THE Grim Reaper. And not just THE Grim Reaper; Charlie Davidson is the portal (the shining light) through which all souls must travel to gain entrance to Heaven. The advantage to having these miraculous talents is that Charley Davidson not only helps the dead move on, she also help the police solve "unsolvable" cases. It does help when the victim can point you to the murderer.

Charlotte "Charley" Davidson is a strong, take no prisioners, my way or the highway kinda girl. She knows what she needs to do, and she does it, not really caring what other people think. Her character is delightful, endearing, and off the wall - she feels REAL and has quickly become a new favorite. Her spunky, devil-may-care attitude may get her in a world of trouble, but she always bounces back, and her heart is always in the right place. I predict that these qualities will make her very popular with readers.

FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is happily mindless, something to be read for pure enjoyment. It is also an action-packed, fast-paced page turner that is very, very hard to put down. I read FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT nearly straight through, losing out on some much need sleep!

Delightful and zany, FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT is brain candy for the soul. It will wash away your worries, lift your spirits, and leave you smiling. Pretty impressive for a debut novel. I can't wait to see what Darynda Jones and Charley do next.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Danger Will Robinson! January 25, 2011

By Dianne E. Socci-Tetro TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

First Grave on the Right -by Darynda Jones

Let me say right off the bat -any author that has the nerve and the sense of humor to have her female lead name her breasts "the right one is Danger and the left one - Will Robinson" is going to be one I need to keep very close tabs on. Of course, she named her other girly parts, "but they don't get out as much". *chortle* Perhaps I have a skewed sense of humor, but I spritzed and snorted my coffee all over the place when I read that exchange between Charley Davidson and her nemesis Garret . And when you hear her say the name Garret you can almost hear the sneer in her voice.

A fine mix of Mystery, Speculative fiction, Comedy and action with just the tiniest slightest soupcon of Chick Lit thrown in just to keep things shakin'.
I don't really know what to say that probably hasn't been said, but this book was funny, refreshing, sexy without being ultra vulgar oh and did I mention funny already? I mean to me some of it was hilarious. If you took the best of MaryJanice Davidson's early Betsy the Vampire Queen and melded it with Janet Evanoviches, Stephnie Plum---you still wouldn't get half the laughs, half the mystery or half the fun. I already have the hard-cover on pre-order and that doesn't come out til August ..darn it all!

Ok but you may want to know a bit about this book don't you? Well Charley sees dead people to put it bluntly. She has her PI license and help the APD with cases and her Uncle is the cop she helps the most. She helps the murdered dead get justice. Most people don't believe she sees the dead, interacts with the dead, and as the Grim Reaper helps the dead pass over. That's right she is THE Grim Reaper as in the only one...or is she. Now lately she has been having some really good dreams if you know what I mean. Dreams that include one hot, studly Entity (her name for him) but lately she is coming to find out the The Entity may not be a dead guy or a ghost at all...oh my no. But, you'll just have to read this to find out just who and what he really is and just why was he in Prison. It will floor you. Oh and did I mention a really, clever mystery within all of this funny stuff?

There is enough everything to put this Author at the top of my To Buy list, and to know that this is a debut novel just absolutely floors me! Odd for me to have thought of this but for some reason I love the cover art too. I'm tired of the cartoonish covers or the uber broody dark covers that usually go along with some of the books in this genre. I think that the cover artist deserves kudos too this time around as well as the author. I try not to over populate my reviews with 5 star ones...but darn it, this one really deserves it for the out and out pure pleasure it gave me.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved, loved, loved this book! January 14, 2011

By Bonnie Jo Davis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Author Darynda Jones has a smashing success with her debut novel "First Grave On The Right". I must admit that my favorite book subject is the paranormal but I've read so many bad novels in this genre that I didn't have high hopes for this book. Boy, was I wrong and I'm glad I was. You can tell me you told me so and I won't protest!

Charley Davidson (Dutch) is a private investigator, consultant to the Albuquerque Police and full-time Grim Reaper. Charley is not grim in the least. She is a bright, sparkling portal (to the dead) to the other side also known as "heaven". The dearly departed who did not immediately pass over can remedy their mistake later by moving through Charley to where they need to go. Charley sees dead people. She can also speak with them which puts her in a unique position to solve unsolved murders. She has a deceased assistant named Angel and an alive assistant named Cookie. Her uncle is a detective who has an unusually high rate of solved cases thanks to Charley and her unusual abilities. Added to the mix is a dream lover that Charley at first does not recognize and things get more complicated from there.

Charley's sarcasm and dry wit are a hoot and the writing is smart and fast paced. I couldn't put the book down and I am so looking forward to the sequel that will be released later this year.