REVIEW: First Grave on the Right

First Grave on the Right 
by Darynda Jones
Narrator: Lorelei King
Series: Charley Davidson #1
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
My copy: Library MP3 download
RATING:: ★★★

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.

REVIEW: 
I had checked this audio book out back during the summer and could not get passed chapter 4 so I stopped listening to it. I don't normally give a book a second chance but since I've joined Cocktail Society Book Club and the book for February is book 3 in the series, Third Grave Ahead; I thought I'd give it another shot.

Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood the first go around because I did finish it and enjoyed this time around. I really liked the idea of a series about a woman Grim Reaper and that's what drew me to it in the first place.

Ms. Jones has written a great smart ass heroine in Charley Davidson. The snarky one liners and hint of romance between Charley and Reyes was a nice balance to make me what to know  "Will they or won't they". (I'm not telling.You'll have to read or listen to find out.)

While First Grave on the Right didn't knock me off my seat; I did enjoy it enough to want to give  the second book, Second Grave on the Left a listen. In fact, I already have it on loan from the library so you can expect a review on it in the next week or so. I have my fingers crossed that the 2nd book will be even better than the first. At the very least it should have more of the sexy Reyes in it. ;)

First Grave on the Right is available at:

Amazon │B&N│Audible.com

“My fore-parts, as you so ineloquently put it, have names." I pointed to my right breast. "This is Danger." Then my left. "And this is Will Robinson. I would appreciate it if you addressed them accordingly.”

“After a long pause in which he took the time to blink several times, he asked, "You named your breasts?"I turned my back to him with a shrug. "I named my ovaries, too, but they don't get out as much.”

You might also like:

Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson
Jane Jameson by Molly Harper

The Voice of Charley Davidson:

Lorelei King

Lorelei King is one of the most successful and accomplished American actresses working in the UK today, appearing in numerous films from Hollywood blockbusters such as 'Notting Hill' and 'The Saint,' to British independent films, such as 'House of Mirth,' '24 Hours in London,' and 'Suzie Gold.'

Lorelei has appeared as regular and recurring characters in popular British television shows such as Chef, Cold Feet, Alistair McGowan's Big Impression, Emmerdale and the saucy Mile High. She has also made numerous guest appearances in British comedies and dramas such as Jonathan Creek, Not Going Out, The Robinsons and Monarch of the Glen.

Once described as 'the best known American voice on radio 4,' Lorelei has recorded more than 200 programs for the BBC, including the Marx Brothers tribute, 'Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel,' super-hero 'audio movies' including 'Superman,' 'Batman' and 'Judge Dredd and classic American drama such as 'East of Eden,' 'Ethan Frome' and 'A Thousand Acres.' She appears regularly as a panellist on shows such as 'Where in the World' and 'Wordly Wise' and has hosted her own talk show, 'All About Eve.'

Lorelei is a multi- award-winning narrator of audiobooks, recording the works of best-selling authors Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell among others.

Her work in animation is extensive, and in America she provides the voices for 'Wendy' and 'Packer' (among others) in Bob the Builder.

Born in Pennsylvania and raised in Los Angeles, Lorelei now makes her home in London, where she lives with her husband, actor Vincent Marzello.