Really Ravishing Review (First Grave on the Right)

Review of First Grave on the Right, by Darynda Jones. (Out Feb. 1st, 2011)
 
Quickie: A marvelous debut- I can't wait for more from Darynda Jones!

Full: Meet Charley Davidson, Private Investigator, 27 year old single woman, resident of Albuquerque, Grim Reaper. Yes, that's right. Charley ferries souls to "the other side". She also has a knack for knowing exactly where missing bodies are, where key evidence is, and who-done-it. She works as a consultant for her Uncle Bob, a member of the APD and is the secret to his success. When the spirits of three dead lawyers from the same firm come to her and ask her to find their killer, Charley is pulled into a scheme much larger and more dangerous than she imagined.

Sounds pretty good right? It gets better. There's another supernatural entity; a very, very yummy man, and he keeps, shall we say, visiting Charley in her dreams. She is not opposed to these visits, but she soon discovers there is a lot more to it than just a fun dream... there are lives at stake and whole wealth of information undiscovered about herself. That might not make sense now, but it will when you read the book.

First Grave on the Right was exactly the kind of book I love to read. Jones' humor was spot-on, I was laughing non-stop. I particularly enjoyed the names she gives to her feminine parts. I had to put the book down I was laughing so hard. Charley has the kind of attitude and snark that makes this genre of book so fun to read. She's tough but still feminine and doesn't take crap from anybody. Love it!

The only complaint I had was that I thought the ending needed a bit more struggle. I'm used to the conflict taking more of a toll on the characters I think. Not that the ending wasn't good, it was, I just wanted more meat to it.

A resounding success, First Grave on the Right is the first of three books in the Charley Davidson series. We can look forward to Second Grave on the Left, and Third Grave Dead Ahead.

I'm officially declaring myself a fan of Darynda Jones and the Charley Davidson series. If you're still not convinced of this book's awesomeness, maybe all the blurbs on the back cover will do the trick-

"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. #1 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

"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

4 out of 5 stars