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Feb 18, 2012

Lora rated it:

. . . So. I was browsing in the New Fiction shelves at my library the other day — you know, just like every bookaholic does — and I came across debut author Darynda Jones' First Grave on the Right. I flipped through it, thought it sounded interesting but decided to put it back for the moment, since my bag was already giving me a shoulder cramp. Just as I was putting it back on the shelf, I noticed the blurb on the cover: "The best debut novel I've read in years! Hilarious and heartfelt, sex More...

20 comments like (32 people liked it)

Jul 17, 2011

Maja rated it:

Garrett chose that moment to join the conversation. “I appreciate your forethought,” he said, his tone distant, as if his mind were elsewhere. “Not as much as your fore-parts, but still…”
I twisted around in my seat to face him. “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 s More...

28 comments like (20 people liked it)

Aug 21, 2011

Giselle rated it:

“You rented the apartment with a dead guy in the corner?” I shrugged. “I wanted the apartment, and I figured I could cover him up with a bookcase or something.

Pee. In. My. Pants. !!! Yes, I had to wear Depends while reading this! This was such a fun, fantastic novel. And, oh my god, Hilarious!!! Charley Davidson (that's right!) is a grim reaper, she sees and helps ghosts cross to the other side, but sometimes she helps solve their murders - which is why she is also a private investigat More...

0 comments like (13 people liked it)

Jun 01, 2011

Mary (BookHounds) rated it:

Smart, sophisticated, sexy, snarky, snazzy, special, well, you get the point and I can't think of any more adjectives that start with "s" to describe the book any more. Imagine if MaryJanice Davidson and Lisa Lutz wrote a book together about a paranormal P.I. that is part Spellman Files and Queen Betsy, but with less shoes. I cannot even begin to describe my joy with this new series and the wonderful dialogue and even inner dialogue that takes place in First Grave on the Right. You More...

4 comments like (6 people liked it)

Mar 06, 2011

Laura rated it:

It is rare for me to give a book five stars, because to me, a book can only achieve such a high rating if:

1. It is near perfect.
2. It affects me on a deep, emotional level.
3. I’m biased towards the author and/or series and I’m not capable of remaining objective.

There are books that I have loved unconditionally and books that I have loathed to ever read again, but despite how my tastes may differ from those who share my love for books, I must insist that if you’re More...

10 comments like (19 people liked it)

Jun 13, 2011

new_user rated it:

Where was the laugh track, Jones? Darynda Jones litters First Grave on the Right with her sometime witty, sometime corny humor.

"You're about as inconspicuous as a monster truck at an exotic car show."

Wince. I don't mind bad analogies in lieu of clichés. At least she didn't say "a sheep among wolves." Jones owns her narrative; the formula doesn't own her. Put that on a plaque. But she really needs some restraint. Jokes continue as she's fleeing a murderer or dying from blood More...

25 comments like (19 people liked it)

Nov 11, 2011

Heidi rated it:

Five stars! You need to set aside some time to completely engulf yourself in this book!
As of late the paranormal/supernatural book market is choking with vampires, werewolves and witches. Enter Darynda Davis, whose debut book, First Grave on the Right, is a scintillating, slosh of freshness. Her writing slicks and soothes across our parched need for something refreshing and original. Behold, our new supernatural heroine, Charley Davidson, a sparkling beacon of light, she is the Grim Rea More...

9 comments like (7 people liked it)

Mar 20, 2011

Vinaya rated it:

I think it's time someone let the author of this book into a little secret: Ms. Jones, stringing together a thousand-odd wisecracks does not make a novel. That is more commonly known as a Joke Book. In fiction, we like our wisecracks accompanied by an actual plot, plot development, sub-plots and character development. Say it with me, Sto-ry-line.

You know that teen movie trope about a nerdy guy trying to be popular by joking around with the jocks? Only his jokes always sound rehearse More...

13 comments like (30 people liked it)

May 22, 2011

willaful rated it:

Charley Davidson has been the Grim Reaper since the day she was born -- yes, she can remember -- so she’s pretty much gotten the lifestyle down. She works as a PI, helps her cop uncle solved murders -- being able to talk to the victims is a big plus -- and has a sign on her bathroom warning “No dead people beyond this door” to try to maintain a little privacy. (It doesn’t always work.) But what with the mysterious force who appears to murder anyone who threatens her, the dream lover that visits More...

9 comments like (9 people liked it)

Jan 08, 2012

Mike (the Paladin) rated it:

First my over all impression of this book. Then I'll give some detail as to why I feel as I do. I picked this up because it got a...."whole passel", of 4 and 5 star ratings here. My over all impression of the book????

It's crap.

Why do I think that? Well at first I was thinking it would be okay if not one I really liked. It opened with an account of the protagonists dream where she was having intercourse with a "hot" shadowy figure. She made sure t More...

8 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jul 13, 2011

Isamlq rated it:

Darynda Jone’s First Grave on the Right is HI-larious. Everything from what Charley does, to the titles of each chapter is chuckle inducing. And I loved every moment of it. You are plopped right at the beginning of one of Charley’s cases. Charley just happens to be a PI and the light to which we go when we die aka the grim reaper. What’s surprising is, it works! Charley isn’t the billowing black cloak wearing, scythe carrying type instead what ends up in my head is a cross of Mac (new version More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Aug 17, 2011

Cat Russell rated it:

Refreshingly original. An easy 5 stars. Jones has managed to create a story that is light, playful, dark and disturbing all at once.

The story was full of humor and the majority of it was a riot, but I must admit there were several places where the jokes were predictable or they fell a little flat for me. In the beginning where nearly every sentence was loaded with sarcasm (and death stares), I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it, but the story takes off quickly and once I had starte More...

9 comments like (3 people liked it)

Jul 26, 2011

faeriemyst rated it:

FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT introduces Charley Davidson, the Grim Reaper who also works as a private investigator. She's a smart-ass, chaotic, accident-prone, knows exactly who she is, and has some serious attitude -- she'll never win Miss Congeniality, but Charley also has heart and humanity. I like her, she has enough depth to sympathize with and enough grit to make me root for her, while showing the right amounts of strength and vulnerability to be realistic. If I had to choose a grim reaper and More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Jan 04, 2012

Moss rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

6 comments like (7 people liked it)

Feb 08, 2011

♥Shellbelle♥ rated it:

WOW! This book was amazing! Charley Davidson is def. one of my new favorite characters, Reyes is one of my favorite new bad boys, and Darynda Jones is one of my new favorite authors. I have to say I was impressed that Darynda Jones was able to pull off what so many authors fail so miserably at, and that is a female lead character that is sarcastic, flippant, and has a biting wit, without being overly obnoxious! I am so tired of authors that think the character has to be funny constantly eve More...

3 comments like (12 people liked it)

Jul 12, 2011

Wicked Incognito Now rated it:

Truly enjoyable--which is basically all I want in a book. I laughed out loud throughout the reading.

Imagine a cross between Lorelei Gilmore's attitude and wisecracks and the Ghost Whisperer, with a really really super hot super-supernatural love interest. I'm still fanning myself.

2 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jul 17, 2011

TJ rated it:

Humorous without being fluffy, just dark enough to make it interesting.

For a complete review, visit Affaire de Coeur magazine, hard copy or online at: http://affairedecoeur.com/ -February 2011 edition.

6 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jul 22, 2011

Mary rated it:

This is a very unique story. I love it.
The Grim reaper is a woman and she is spunky with a capital S. Of course, nobody believes her (well-initially).
She helps her uncle, Ubie, solve murders while she is also a PI. Cookie is her assistant and best friend. She sees the dearly departed and helps them "pass" on. There's murders to solve and she wants to find out who the heck this guy, Reyes, is from her dreams. (I'm trying not to say too much here because I want you to read it, More...

8 comments like (7 people liked it)

Feb 14, 2012

L-D rated it:

Charley Davidson sees dead people. True, but so did Haley Joel Osment and he was adorable. So the concept of a medium is not new, nor is the concept of using ghosts to solve crimes. But it's also a genre that I never seem to get bored with. Yes, I watched quite a few seasons of Medium the show as well. I have to compare this book to the most recent medium-cum-investigator book I've read, PsyCops. I think the murder mystery in this book was better than the first book of PsyCops. But I like More...

14 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 07, 2012

Julie rated it:

Posted at http://yummymenandkickasschicks.com/?p=8631

This book is another example of how other book bloggers easily get me to buy books that I would not necessarily have known about. Many of my trusted ‘go-to’ bloggers just loved this book. I read their reviews and followed their tweets about it. And after all that, there was no question I just had to read it to. So I bought it…and here we are.

First Grave to the Right is Darynda Jones’ debut in the world of Urban Fantasy, More...

6 comments like (4 people liked it)

Aug 02, 2011

Deea rated it:

6 stars review initially posted on my blog at Deea's Journal

This review took me a long time to write, because I LOVED this book so much and I wanted to tell you so many things about it, that I didn’t even know where to start. I didn’t want to let anything out either (I had a 3-4 pages long review and it didn’t even include my favorite quotes). And I still believe this post doesn’t make it justice. Anyway, I’m warning you: this is going to be a long one and it comes with a lot of squ More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 09, 2011

Peep (Pop! Pop!) rated it:

I hate to give out 4.5 stars but doggonit I liked First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones! A lot! It’s her debut novel, folks. And you know I don’t really go for series, but I really can’t wait for the next book. I wish it was out right now!! I don’t even know how I came across this one, but somehow it ended up on my books to buy list. Happy with my purchase!

Charley. I liked Charley. She was funny and I think that given her circumstances, she was very well written. Just think, you’ More...

4 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 06, 2011

Theresa rated it:

I give this a 4.5 star rating. (I really wish GR had 1/2 star rating). Anyway, I loved this book. It's new, it's different and funny. I highly recommend it. The characters are hilarious, if not a little corny. The plot is interesting and somewhat of a mystery. There isn't much romance, but what little there is is hot and mysterious. There were a few scenes that spooked me a little, but not enough to stop me from continuing on. It's not your typical PR/UF series and it's not just a simple, girl s More...

3 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 30, 2011

Jamie added it

This light-hearted paranormal mystery will delight Janet Evanovich fans, which amounts to millions of people, so I'm sure Darynda Jones's star is on the rise! Get in on the ground floor and say you knew it way back in 2011.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Nov 16, 2010

Alison rated it:

Finally, something new from the Paranormal Romance sect! I have been waiting for something different than the reoccurring theme of vampires, werewolves and fae to emerge and I have finally found it. Darynda Jones makes the grim reaper a hilariously spunky character that is fun to read about. I can’t wait for the sequel to be released in 2011.

1 comment like (4 people liked it)

Oct 11, 2011

Carolyn F. rated it:

What a freakin' great book! There were so many times I was laughing out loud and making some of the sayings my favorite quotes. This is a first book for this author and she did such a fantastic job. I think this is my absolute favorite for 2011. I've ordered the 2nd book in the series from the library but plan on adding them to my own library because they are definitely re-reads.

Charlotte "Charley" Davidson is a PI, helps out the local police, is a bartender at her fa More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Aug 11, 2011

Julie H. rated it:

Fans of paranormal fiction will enjoy Darynda Jones' new addition to the field. The main character, Charlotte (a.k.a. Charley) Davidson, is the--or possibly a--grim reaper. Even more enjoyable than the quirkiness of her occupation, she reminds me of a more responsible and empathetic version of Gregory MacDonald's Fletch. That is to say, she's smart, resourceful, and a self-avowed smartass, and some of the dialogue afforded her by writer Darynda Jones is right up there with MacDonald's in shee More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Feb 16, 2012

Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it:

THE ABSOLUTE BEST READ FOR ME THIS YEAR (in this genre)

In fact, I think this book has ruined me for all books to come. What do you have when you combine all my favorite genres into one? Well, let me tick them off. Police Procedural, Mystery, and Paranormal Romance. You have this book, this series.

Charlotte Davidson, a P.I., better known as Charley to some and Charles to others, is snarky, sarcastic, witty, heroic, loyal, and so down to earth she could be my best frien More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 21, 2011

Isis rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Feb 06, 2012

Cindyg rated it:

Wow...this was really a great read. I couldn't put this book down. I absolutely loved Charley, she was quick witted, smart as hell and had guts of steel. And how about Reyes?
I can't wait to read more about him.
This was a very intense, kick ass story and with an interesting take on the grim reaper.
This is a must read. Get it, you'll definitely enjoy it.
Highly recommend.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)