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First Grave on the Right [Hardcover]

Darynda Jones
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (372 customer reviews)

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Book Description

February 1, 2011
First Grave on the Right is the 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 Darynda Jones, 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.

Frequently Bought Together

First Grave on the Right + Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson, Book 2) + Third Grave Dead Ahead
Price for all three: $29.16

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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

Review

“Sexy, sassy . . . Jones’s characters, both living and dead, are colorful and endearing. . . . Cheeky charm . . . sarcastic wit.”The Associated Press

“Jones’s wickedly witty debut will delight aficionados of such humorous paranormals as Casey Daniels’s Pepper Martin Mysteries and Dakota Cassidy’s Accidental Friends series.”—Booklist (starred review)

 “Jones skillfully establishes the novel’s setting and keeps up the pace with plenty of action. And let’s be honest—the sex is pretty hot, too. Fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon and other authors of paranormal romance will love this series debut.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Fast-talking Charley’s wicked exuberance and lust for life will appeal to fans of MaryJanice Davidson and Janet Evanovich and maybe fill a hole for those mourning the recently canceled Ghost Whisperer.”—Publishers Weekly

“Jones makes a truly memorable debut with her unique tale that is sexy, mysterious, and sarcastically fun!”—RT Books Reviews

“It’s a fun, sexy, exciting read.”—Suspense Magazine

“A true paranormal princess has been proclaimed. Bravo Ms. Jones, you have just hit the big time. . . . A brilliant novel . . . Do not walk; run to get your copy of First Grave on the Right when it debuts.”—Night Owl Reviews

This book is full of surprises and fun to be had for all. I barely finished this book and already can’t wait to visit with Charley Davidson again in the next novel, Second Grave on the Left. First Grave on the Right deserves nothing less than a Five Angel, Recommend Read status.”Fallen Angel Reviews

“Hold on to your hats and get comfortable, you won’t want to get up for a long, long time as Charley Davidson sweeps you in and holds on tight.”—The Romance Reviews

“A smashing, award-winning debut novel.”—Goodreads

“In the currently crowded paranormal world, First Grave on the Right is a bright beacon of originality. Jones writes with a sharp, addictively acerbic sense of humor, and she combines genres with the carefully controlled precision of a master literary mixologist.”Reader to Reader . . .

“A fast and fun read [that] will leave you begging for more. Second Grave on the Left is due out in August, and I can’t wait.”Fresh Fiction

“This book takes a humorous view on the old Grim Reaper cliché. Charley is a smart, enjoyable character with enough snark to keep one laughing even as the plot darkens.”Affaire de Coeur

“The best debut novel I’ve read in years! Hilarious and heartfelt, sexy and surprising . . . I’m begging for the next one!!”—J. R. Ward, New York Times bestselling author of Lover Avenged

“I am furiously envious of Darynda Jones and rue the day she came up with this concept, damn her eyes. First Grave on the Right . . . kidnapped me from the first paragraph, and didn’t let go until the exceedingly yummy conclusion.”—MaryJanice Davidson, New York Times bestselling author of Undead and Unwelcome and Me, Myself and Why?

First Grave on the Right is smart, sharp, and wickedly entertaining. Grab this one.”—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of Fired Up

First Grave on the Right is witty, darkly thrilling, and oh, so sexy!”—Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author of The Darkest Whisper

First Grave on the Right is a phenomenal debut! This series opener has it all—rollicking humor, sizzling sexual tension, and a spine-tingling mystery. I’m eagerly awaiting the next Charley Davidson tale!”—Kresley Cole, New York Times bestselling author of Pleasure of a Dark Prince


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (February 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312662750
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312662752
  • Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (372 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #699,205 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 104 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Light, Entertaining, And Outrageously Funny January 9, 2011
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.
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49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Danger Will Robinson! January 25, 2011
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.
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved, loved, loved this book! January 14, 2011
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.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Charley Davidson was born a reaper. The Grim Reaper, to be exact. She convinces the dead to go into the light. They're drawn to her, and she to them. Because of this she often ends up investigating the deaths that happened under unusual circumstances - like murder. Which is good, since being a reaper doesn't really pay the bills.

When three attorneys turn up dead, Charley helps out the PD with their case, through her Uncle Bob who's a detective. While she's searching for the culprit, and trying to help her other clients, Charley is also trying to figure out if her nightly visits from a phantom lover are more than they seem. This phantom has been following her all her life, and he just might not be dead. In fact, he could be something a whole lot more disturbing.

First Grave on the Right is sarcastic, humorous, quick and fun. There's the two mystery threads - the attorneys murders, and the spectral visitor - that serve to move the story along, though Charley's phantom is given much more credence and is much more interesting because of it.

Charley herself is extremely sarcastic. Extremely. She uses it to keep people and situations at arms length from her. I think this is a realistic defense considering what she is, but it also served to keep me at a distance. I think that I would have liked to be able to delve a little bit more into her, get some more depth and gotten to know her. I had a hard time connecting with her.

That being said, I caught myself laughing out loud a few times, even if I wasn't loving the fact that she named her breasts which just seemed absurd to me. There were times when it felt like she was being witty for the sake of being witty.

The ending I absolutely loved.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read. Engaging Characters.
Finally an original story. So many books today are story's that are ripped off from another author. This book is truly unique. I enjoyed the characters right from the start. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Nomijoy
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun adventure with mystery and laughs in every chapter
For a while I kept seeing this in the bookstores and walmarts and I kept avoiding it, thinking I wasn't going to like it. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Marie Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars wow
Well have had this on my to read pile for awhile. Reyes is an impressive alpha male, mysterious and heroic. Their relationship is complex, and uniquely real. Read more
Published 5 days ago by P. R. Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!
I have had this on my "To Be Read" shelf for a year now and I wish I had gotten to it sooner! I finally sat down and read this book and it was AWESOME! Read more
Published 7 days ago by Avid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars First good book in a long time
Loved it! Been looking for a cute read but with some story to it. Can't wait for the next book
Published 7 days ago by Cherie Kuykendall
5.0 out of 5 stars OMG! loved it!
New to this author and am amazed about that ! This book is so funny and well written ! Buying all of them !
Published 8 days ago by K. Johnston
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Amazing. Simply amazing. Reminds me a lot of ghost whisper television show.....but only funnier. A lot funnier. Love the dry humour. Love the characters. Read more
Published 9 days ago by shauna trujillo
4.0 out of 5 stars This one is funny
This is a funny book. I don't know that I would buy more from this author, but I enjoyed this one. The end was a little fuzzy, but the style was good.
Published 10 days ago by Patti
3.0 out of 5 stars Last Grave I'll Be Reading
I love snark and sarcasm, but not, I discovered, for 300+ pages, in first person.

Or maybe it's just that I don't personally care for mystery, as an adult. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Beverly Diehl
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Surprise
Not bad for a first book. The mystery aspect was a bit scattered but I liked Charley and most of the secondary characters. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Veronica L. Gonzalez
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First Grave on the Right [Kindle Edition]
Sadly a price of $7.99 is within the normal limits for a big publishing house book. They control the price, not Amazon, and as a general rule the big publishing houses don't price Kindle books lower than the suggested retail mass market paperback price.
Apr 28, 2012 by L. Gillen |  See all 3 posts
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