Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson) [Mass Market Paperback]

Darynda Jones (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 24, 2012 | Series: Charley Davidson (Book 2)

Second Grave on the Left

Darynda Jones

If you hang around with dead people, life can deliver a whole world of trouble.

Take it from Charley Davidson, part-time P.I. and full-time Grim Reaper. The deceased find her very sparkly. Demons find her irresistible. And one entity in particular wants to seduce her in every way possible…

When Charley and Cookie, her best friend slash receptionist, have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally.) has left his corporeal body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty.

Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Can she keep those she loves out of harm’s way? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel her as she does?

 

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for
SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT
 
“Jones perfectly balances humor and suspense in [this] paranormal thriller featuring grim reaper, PI, and ‘all-around badass’ Charley Davidson…It’s the distinctive characters, dead and alive, and the almost constant laughs that will leave readers eager for the next installment.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This is an amazing book and a fantastic series! In a lot of ways it is similar to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series only ten times better!” —Night Owl Reviews

First Grave on the Right

“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 . . .

From the Back Cover

If you hang around with dead people, life can deliver a whole world of trouble.

Take it from Charley Davidson, part-time P.I. and full-time Grim Reaper. The deceased find her very sparkly. Demons find her irresistible. And one entity in particular wants to seduce her in every way possible…

“Darynda Jones perfectly balances humor and suspense in [this] paranormal thriller.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

When Charley and Cookie, her best friend slash receptionist, have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally.) has left his corporeal body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty.

“This is an amazing book and a fantastic series! Similar to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series only ten times better!” —Night Owl Reviews

Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Can she keep those she loves out of harm’s way? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel her as she does?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Reprint edition (April 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250005914
• ISBN-13: 978-1250005915
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (182 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,920 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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#74 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#74 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars this series is fantastic December 15, 2011

By Kimba88

Format:Kindle Edition

What was my opinion of Second Grave on the Left?

I "abso-freaking-lutely" loved it. Darynda Jones is a genius. This is her second book in the Charley Davidson series, and it delivered all that I had hoped for and more. The storyline is fresh, with a strong cast of characters. The writing is tight, fast paced, incredibly witty and left me wanting more.

Protagonist Charley Davidson can see the dead; in fact she is a Grim Reaper. She helps souls cross over into the light. She is also a private investigator who has been helping her uncle and the police force solve cases since she was five. Charley is one of my favorite fictional characters alongside such greats as Harper Blaine from the Greywalker series by Kat Richardson and Mercy Thompson from the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Charley is tough, smart and protective of the living and the dead. What sets her apart is her witty, sarcastic personality and fearlessness. My sides literally hurt from laughing. Get out a highlighter when reading this, because she delivers some one-liners you will want to repeat.

Second Grave on the Left picks up a few weeks after the last novel left off. It has Charley taking on a case involving a group of high school students from twenty years ago. Her father a retired police officer is receiving threats from a recently released felon. Cookie, Charley's BFF and assistant extraordinaire, has a ghost in her car trunk. We learn more about Reyes, the supernatural, super sexy, son of Satan. He has been a part of Charley's life since birth. Reyes has saved her from near death, has aided her in learning her abilities and given her an orgasm that no mortal man can match. The interaction between Reyes and Charley is intense, fueled with sexual tension and sarcasm. Reyes comes to Charley in the shower as an entity. He is covered in blood and seriously wounded. We quickly learn that demons have his corporeal body and that he is coming to her from his dreams. Charley wants to find him and save him, but Reyes warns her it's a trap. While working these cases, dodging a tail and dealing with people threatening her life, Charley begins searching for Reyes. The story that unfolds is fast paced and intense. Charley learns new skills in her role as Grim Reaper and we see growth in her as a character. I love that she evolves, while keeping her snarky personality. Jones gives us a glimpse of the powers that Charley has yet to utilize. The conclusion only leaves you wanting more. Little sub-plots and clues set us up perfectly for the third novel, entitled Third Grave Straight Ahead.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and funny January 27, 2012

By Jen TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

I am completely, totally, 100% crazy about Charley Davidson. This book picks up right where the last one left off, taking me on yet another ride filled with mystery, action, snark, angst, and sexual heat. If you are not reading this series, you should be.

In this installment, Charley puts on her PI hat to help her friend Cookie search for a missing woman who Cookie knew in childhood. It turns out that Mimi is one of half a dozen people from the high school who have met an unsavory fate in a short period of time. And whoever is behind it all, has a long reach, because Charley finds herself in real danger more than once over the course of her investigation.

In the meantime, the sexy and mysterious Reyes is back... albeit in pseudo-spirit form. Charley is just as drawn to him as ever. (And frankly, I think I might be nursing a major crush on him, myself.) Unfortunately, he is in deep trouble. Demons who have escaped hell are holding his body captive. They're torturing him, hoping to draw Charley out... to capture her and the portal to heaven. Charley only cares about saving Reyes. But he doesn't want to be saved. He'd rather let them kill him than risk them getting to Charley. So she is on another race against time, to save the life of the man she can't live without.

I am completely captivated by the whole Charley/ Reyes dynamic. It's so... epic. Even though they have been sleeping together since the very beginning of the series, the author makes their relationship this amazing tension-filled powder keg. I don't know how they're going to make it work, but I want them to... SO MUCH.

Charley is a phenomenal heroine. She is powerful and brave and loyal and so damn funny. The great supporting cast is back. Though I'm not feeling the love for Charley's dad right now, Cookie, Uncle Bob and even Garrett continue to pull their weight as great characters. But it's Reyes who steals the show. Seriously. I'm going to stop gushing now. 5 stars.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Second Grave on the Left December 6, 2011

By LITERAL ADDICTION

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Second Grave on the Left, Book #2 of the Charley Davidson series
Author: Darynda Jones

Synopsis: When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can't help but wonder what Cookie's up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously? Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman's name. Mimi's husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.
Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He's left his body because he's being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can't let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they'll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven...well, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?
Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson - LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha]:
1st and foremost, I found myself shaking my head over and over while reading this book, wondering how in the world Daryda can be such a genius with words even when it's filler. I'm utterly amazed at her ability to turn EVERYTHING funny, even when the characters are in dire straits. It truly is a gift...
O.K, on to the book. An amazing follow-up to First Grave on the Right. Another smart, sexy, sassy, sophisticated read, with incredible action, mystery, and romance.
Per usual, Charley is constantly finding herself in trouble, though this time she's not only trying to solve a missing person case for the APD and her best friend Cookie, she's also trying desperately to save Reyes from himself.
Reyes doesn't make it easy on her AT ALL, and while we learn a little bit more about the enigma that is Reyes Farrow in Second Grave, I know there is still so much to uncover.
The underlying stories in this book and the supporting characters' roles were phenomenal. I enjoyed every single offshoot of the main plotline, and found myself right there with the characters at every turn.
I laughed (A LOT), I groaned, my heart beat quickened... it was a wonderful journey with a fabulous book, and I'm very excited to dig into Third Grave Dead Ahead.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives Second Grave on the Left 5 Skulls and suggests it to anyone who wants a witty, amazing, unique paranormal read.

While Second Grave can be read as a stand-alone, I highly suggest reading First Grave on the Right before Second Grave to get the full impact of the character's and the story. Believe me, you won't be disappointed!