Third Grave Dead Ahead [Hardcover]

Darynda Jones (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 31, 2012

Third Grave Dead Ahead is the third installment of Darynda Jones' award-winning paranormal series that's "hilarious and heartfelt, sexy and surprising." (J.R. Ward) 

 

Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she's drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the part-human, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hell-bent on murder when the devil's son just won't give up?

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (January 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250001544
• ISBN-13: 978-1250001542
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (175 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #441,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Charlotte “Charlie” Davidson hasn’t slept for 13 days. Every time she closes her eyes, Reyes Farrow appears and takes her on a sensual adventure. The problem is, private investigator Charlie is the Grim Reaper, the portal to the good afterlife, and Reyes, son of Satan, is the portal to hell. Reyes is furious that Charlie has bound his corporeal body to his spirit, so for her, their surprise sexual encounters are not only exciting but also a bit terrifying. The saga of the unlikely lovers continues in the same sassy style as Jones’ first two books, First Grave on the Right (2011) and Second Grave on the Left (2011). With Misery, her aptly named Jeep; a 13-year-old ghost spy; a parade of undead clients; and, of course, the silent, elderly Chinese spirit who lives in the corner of her living room, Charlie continues to fascinate. Readers will be dying to know where the fourth grave is. --Shelley Mosley

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

“A saucy sequel…Readers will be captivated by Charley’s near-death adventures.”—The Associated Press

“Four and a half stars. Snarky, sassy Charley is back and taking no guff in Jones’s action-packed new offering…There is murder and mystery aplenty…fun.”—RT Book 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

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (January 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250001544
• ISBN-13: 978-1250001542
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (175 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #441,537 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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#42 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#51 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#75 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#84 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#85 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#42 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy

#51 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy

#75 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

#84 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#85 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Yet! February 1, 2012

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

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Third Grave Ahead - Darynda Jones
If you think you may like to try this book, and are wondering if you could read this as a standalone I would strongly suggest you don't try it. I have read all three and still need to look back over the first 2 to refresh my memory sometimes. There is a lot going on at all times in Charley's world.

Charley has bound Reye's spirit to his human body and he really seems to hate her for it. Every time Charley goes to sleep he appears in her dreams and ravishes her and while that sounds like a yummy thing , the dream sex is just as draining on her than not sleeping is. Now Charley finds herself hunting down a supposed wife killer, making sure the Son of Satan finds his human (foster?)father whom he supposedly killed ten years ago. In addition, she has to learn how to use her power as a Grim Reaper...ALL of her power. At least that is what Reyes keeps telling her. There is a war coming and she needs to fight the good fight.

I don't know how Darynda is doing it, but this book is even better than the first 2. Having Charley not sleep (you may have to really push hard to suspend your disbelief that anyone can go two weeks without sleep, but then Charley isn't really human is she?) and the less sleep she gets the funnier she is. Her sarcastic and irreverent humor is spot on yet again. Cookie is there lending her support and excellent sidekick skills to Charley as well as numerous cups of coffee. Who knew the Grim Reaper had such a coffee habit?

In this book, Charley is eventually getting a Guardian and it sure didn't end up being who I thought it should be- it is even better than I thought.... There is at least one very graphic bloody scene towards the end of the book and if you don't have a strong stomach you may be tempted to skim over it...try not to as I believe it is a very important scene
Darynda can make you laugh and get you hot and bothered. You will become furious with some people and weep over others.
The writing is just perfect, the characters are multi-layered and even for this type of book they are very realistic. The characters are wonderfully written and come off as people I would really love to be friends with, if they were only real. The narrative is quirky and engaging, with no brooding inner-dialogue to depress you. Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tumultuous! Intense! February 7, 2012

By Readaholics Anonymous

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Tumultuous! Intense! Third Grave Dead Ahead is a caffeine laced journey into a world only Charley can lay claim to. Non stop intrigue and detective work drives Charley as she tries to unravel the multitude of cases before her, in order to save lives. As always you will find her trusted friend, Cookie, by her side, doing what she does best. Once again we are gifted the with the presence of Reyes. His anger and need for Charley to set him free will send this ongoing story into a completely different direction. We will finally be able to place a face to those elusive characters we've only heard about and could not wait to meet. Warnings of an impending war and torture will be foretold by the unexpected. As events unfold, Charley will unearth secrets long ago buried, yet still powerful enough to destroy lives. Yet, to make matters worse Charley will face a predator, a monster, that must be vanquished.

Just when thought you knew all there was, TGDA throws you for a loop!

Darynda's power in manifesting Charley's grief was superbly done. We watched in dismal awe as Charley experienced anger, guilt, helplessness, sadness, shock, numbing, yearning, and self-blame. Betrayal will violate Charley, and it will wear many names. All I could do was shout, "Reyes, do something, make her see reason, she didn't trust you either, fix this!" The writing was so well done, the anguish was palpable. We've been on this caffeine induced madness with her since the beginning, we went from 100 to 0 and were left reeling. Third Grave Dead Ahead was brilliant, and at the same traumatizing. It has left us marked, by way of questions and fear. Will we see Reyes and Charley unite, or will their suffering and pain be for not?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars To Die For February 28, 2012

By anne-marie

Format:Audible Audio Edition

Hijinks and hilarity ensue when the Grimm Reaper is on the case.

Charley's functioning on a diet of coffee, coffee, and coffee, at this point she's more likely to be a portal to Starbucks than the other side. Her self induced insomnia is due to one scorned son of Satan passionately haunting her dreams. Every time Charley closes her eyes she's bombarded with some transcendental loving via one smoking hot Reyes Farrow. Normally a little visit from the Prince of Darkness is welcomed but the Big Bad is angry and doesn't seem to want to be with Charley in her every unwaking moment.

Good thing there's work to fill in all her new free time not spent in bed. This go around Davidson is in search of a potential client's wife, but with Charley's semi coherent caffeinated skills she detects the good doctor isn't quite as good as he appears. Unfortunately he's also the least of Charley's man troubles. Davidson is having daddy issuses, along with running into problems with a motorcycle gang, a victim's very large brother, and a sadistic murder,on top of Reyes' big bad baby woes about being bound, leaving Charley in need of an industrial sized can of man repellent.

Charley's going to need a triple venti latte to save a few lives, uphold her portal duties, solve the case of the doctor's missing wife, help Reyes, and start to realize exactly what a Grimm Reaper can do.

The Charley Davidson books are probably my favorite audiobook series. The combination of Darynda Jones and Lorelei King is to die for. Third Grave Dead Ahead is another expertly narrated book. King infuses life into Jones' characters. I don't think anyone else could so genuinely portray Charley for the funny, quirky, completely oblivious, ADD prone heroine and make her even more lovable than King does.... I truly believe the audiobooks provide the best experience for this series.

Darynda Jones yet again gifts us with another outstanding book. She weaves a world rooted in reality but filled with the paranormal. I seriously wonder about Jones' mental stability since she comes up with the craziest asides in the form of Charlie's solitary thoughts. She gives us great dialogue that's full of heart and hilarity. But all the fun is just a layer of frosting on top of a deceptively strong series of story lines. You don't realize it until the end because you're enjoying the journey Jones is taking you on but each book is filled with interesting threads and an amazing series plot. Her ideas are only supported by the great line up of characters, though sometimes I think their sense of humor is a little too symbiotic. I can understand her family and friends having that kind of connection but a newly acquainted FBI agent? The weird Stepford comedic sense is the only qualm I have. Everything else was wonderful. Read more ›