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First Grave on the Right
(Charley Davidson #1)
by
This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.
Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.
Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.
Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. 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
...moreGet A Copy
Hardcover, 310 pages
Published
February 1st 2011
by St. Martin's Press
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Start your review of First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, #1)

Charley Davidson is like white chocolate. You either love it, or you think it's an abomination of nature. I love white chocolate, I love Charley Davidson, and I am not ashamed.
She's got such a great narrative voice - she is, dare I say it, a lot like me. A lot of deadpan humor. A lot of inappropriate thoughts at the worst possible times.
She's got such a great narrative voice - she is, dare I say it, a lot like me. A lot of deadpan humor. A lot of inappropriate thoughts at the worst possible times.
“Well, I was kind of kidnapped, though not really kidnapped so much as led away.”...more
A hand shot to her mouth to squelch a gasp.
“God, all this sounds so awful whe

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 rehearsed and fall f ...more
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 rehearsed and fall f ...more

Dec 15, 2013
Emily May
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
paranormal-uf,
2013
You know, I love a well-written, well-constructed, complex urban fantasy world as much as anyone. I love beautiful writing, jam-packed plots and wild twists that I never would have seen coming. But sometimes, just sometimes, I have a real need for something lighthearted, nonsensical, silly and sexy. Like the Bridget Jones version of urban fantasy. Paranormal "chick lit" one might say.
First Grave on the Right is a girls' night in watching your all time favourite romcom whilst eating ice cream. I ...more
First Grave on the Right is a girls' night in watching your all time favourite romcom whilst eating ice cream. I ...more

Dec 02, 2011
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
didn-t-finish
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 to tell us she'd had an orgasm.
I sighed and went on ...more
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 to tell us she'd had an orgasm.
I sighed and went on ...more

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones is a 2011 St. Martin’s Press publication.
Uproariously funny and Unique!!
This is the first book in the Charley Davidson series. I’ve noticed a few of my GR friends have read books in this series and it seems to be popular, but I was not sure about diving into a paranormal/ urban fantasy series after burning out on the genre during the ‘Twilight’ craze. So, I initially passed on it.
But, I am craving something otherworldly right now, so when I noticed a ...more
Uproariously funny and Unique!!
This is the first book in the Charley Davidson series. I’ve noticed a few of my GR friends have read books in this series and it seems to be popular, but I was not sure about diving into a paranormal/ urban fantasy series after burning out on the genre during the ‘Twilight’ craze. So, I initially passed on it.
But, I am craving something otherworldly right now, so when I noticed a ...more

3.5 (ish) stars
Well, personally, I have mixed feelings towards the reaper.
Confused. Befuddled. Puzzled. Disconcerted. Call it what you like, it's still the same. While First Grave on the Right was a gripping and funny story, I had some issues with it, especially with Charley.

Let's take it from the start.
The creepy guy we call the reaper is ...more
“Don't fear the reaper. Just be very, very aware of her.”
Well, personally, I have mixed feelings towards the reaper.

Confused. Befuddled. Puzzled. Disconcerted. Call it what you like, it's still the same. While First Grave on the Right was a gripping and funny story, I had some issues with it, especially with Charley.

Let's take it from the start.
“Just a girl, a few ghosts, and the entire human race. What could be easier?”
The creepy guy we call the reaper is ...more

Jul 19, 2011
Lora
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
people who are looking for a hot and hilarious summer read
Recommended to Lora by:
Dawn, Maja, J.R. Ward, my library's shelving system
Shelves:
lib-read
. . . 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, sexy and
...more

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 several tim ...more
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 several tim ...more

Jan 01, 2011
Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2013
Don't you just love it when the majority of your friends love a book and keep telling you to read it but for some reason you don't get around to it. Then when you finally do...the only question that begs asking is why didn't I read this sooner?? That's this book exactly!
But beware...if you do not like snark, do not read this book. It is loaded with snark with more snark on top and even some snark sprinkles but any girl that names her boobs "Danger" and "Will Robinson" and her ovaries, "Beam me ...more
But beware...if you do not like snark, do not read this book. It is loaded with snark with more snark on top and even some snark sprinkles but any girl that names her boobs "Danger" and "Will Robinson" and her ovaries, "Beam me ...more

HA! What a crazy-fun read! Definitely not my usual fare, and honestly, I almost threw in the towel...more than once...prior to the half-way point, but then Reyes, his difficult family life and the BIG BAD caught my attention.
PI Charlotte "Charley" Davidson is a 27 year old beauty. She drives a jeep named Misery..."in honor of the master of horror"...has a cop for an uncle...an ex-cop for a dad, and an evil step-mother. Most importantly, though, she has very special abilities...abilities not ever
...more
2016 is the year of 5-stars for me. I used to be so picky about handing out the 5-star rating, but then I realized that life is too short to be stingy with the stars. If I like it a lot, then all the stars for you! YOLO! (sorry for saying YOLO, but YOLO)
So, this book is like a rom-com that is more com, with the MC being the Grim Reaper. A sarcastic, funny, slightly crazy Grim Reaper. Who is a private investigator, because why not? She sees dead people and that is very helpful in murder investiga ...more
So, this book is like a rom-com that is more com, with the MC being the Grim Reaper. A sarcastic, funny, slightly crazy Grim Reaper. Who is a private investigator, because why not? She sees dead people and that is very helpful in murder investiga ...more

May 15, 2019
Jane
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jane by:
MissBecka Gee
Snark, snark, grim reaper, snark, light mystery, hot supernatural sex, snark.

I alternated between listening to this one via Libby and reading a digital review copy. Narrator Lorelei King does a phenomenal job with the voices in this, and she nails the snark levels. A new fave narrator to add to my list :)
I raced through this book and barely caught my breath before jumping into the second book in the series! Charley is a very fun character and I cannot wait to spend more time with her.
There were ...more

I alternated between listening to this one via Libby and reading a digital review copy. Narrator Lorelei King does a phenomenal job with the voices in this, and she nails the snark levels. A new fave narrator to add to my list :)
I raced through this book and barely caught my breath before jumping into the second book in the series! Charley is a very fun character and I cannot wait to spend more time with her.
There were ...more

Oh there's so many reasons why I didn't enjoy this book...
His features darkened. He stepped closer, pressed the length of his body against mine, leaned into me, and whispered in my ear. "What's your name?"...more
"Charley," I said, suddenly afraid, too afraid not to answer.
...He was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. He was solid and strong and fierce. And vulnerable. "No," I said in a whisper as his fingers drifted down and brushed intrusively over my breasts.
"Have you ever been raped, Dutch?"
.

Jan 23, 2017
Meredith ( on Semi-Hiatus until February)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
first-reads
Guilty pleasure read!

Jul 21, 2013
Robin (Bridge Four)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Lovers of Psych and Snarky always 'On' humor
Sale Alert January Book Deal for $2.99 on Amazon
4.5 Stars
“If I couldn't be a good example, I'd just have to be a horrible warning.”
I want to be Charley Davidson….I can’t say that I have ever read a book and was like omg I want to be that girl. I mean I love characters in other books don’t get me wrong but who really wants to be Katness, or Georgina Kincaid, okay okay I maybe want to be MacKayla Lane (cuz seriously Barons would be worth it) but I totally wanted to be Charley. If it wasn’t for ...more
4.5 Stars
“If I couldn't be a good example, I'd just have to be a horrible warning.”
I want to be Charley Davidson….I can’t say that I have ever read a book and was like omg I want to be that girl. I mean I love characters in other books don’t get me wrong but who really wants to be Katness, or Georgina Kincaid, okay okay I maybe want to be MacKayla Lane (cuz seriously Barons would be worth it) but I totally wanted to be Charley. If it wasn’t for ...more

Jul 05, 2015
Rachel Reads Ravenously
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Rachel Reads Ravenously by:
Nareh
3 stars!
“Never knock on death's door. Ring the doorbell then run. He totally hates that.
- T-shirt”
This is where I use this review to rant about Goodreads a bit. 3 stars is NOT A BAD RATING!! I enjoyed reading this so even if you mean well, please do not say sorry or better luck next time . Remember a 3 star rating according to Goodreads means I liked it . 4 stars is for REALLY liked and 5 is for LOVED.
Back to the real part of the review.
Charley Davidson can see dead people. Te ...more
“Never knock on death's door. Ring the doorbell then run. He totally hates that.
- T-shirt”
This is where I use this review to rant about Goodreads a bit. 3 stars is NOT A BAD RATING!! I enjoyed reading this so even if you mean well, please do not say sorry or better luck next time . Remember a 3 star rating according to Goodreads means I liked it . 4 stars is for REALLY liked and 5 is for LOVED.
Back to the real part of the review.
Charley Davidson can see dead people. Te ...more

“Never knock on death's door. Ring the doorbell then run. He totally hates that.
- T-shirt”
First Grave on the Right is a concoction of everything. It turned the cliched story line of grim reapers into that of a novelty. Have you ever considered a grim reaper being a cocky girl with an attitude? I certainly didn't.
I found the story line to be fast – paced, filled with humor and mystery. I also found the mixture of characters a little confusing but I got used to it. Jones has created an incred ...more
- T-shirt”
First Grave on the Right is a concoction of everything. It turned the cliched story line of grim reapers into that of a novelty. Have you ever considered a grim reaper being a cocky girl with an attitude? I certainly didn't.
I found the story line to be fast – paced, filled with humor and mystery. I also found the mixture of characters a little confusing but I got used to it. Jones has created an incred ...more

I got so damn sick of people recommending this book to me. "Sheesh, peeps!" I'd say to myself if I were the kind of person to use the word "Peeps".
"It's $12.69, peeps! I can't afford that!" some alternate universe version of myself would exclaim.
Out of sheer desperation for something to read, I finally buckled and bought it. You know what? I don't totally regret it.
Firstly, I have the most massive crush on Charley. She unequivocally made this novel. She has more personality than a Jung and Bri ...more
"It's $12.69, peeps! I can't afford that!" some alternate universe version of myself would exclaim.
Out of sheer desperation for something to read, I finally buckled and bought it. You know what? I don't totally regret it.
Firstly, I have the most massive crush on Charley. She unequivocally made this novel. She has more personality than a Jung and Bri ...more

This book was so, so, so awesome! I don't know how to describe how happy I am right now!

We have Charley...

Charley is THE Grim Reaper...Not the guy with the black hood and scary face but the 27 year old brunette, full of attitude and snark. Can I just say that Charley went right up there with my favorite heroines? She isn't a badass like Kate Daniels or Elena Deveraux, in fact she mostly gets her ass kicked through the book but she is so full of sarcastic comments and hilarious innate dialogs tha ...more

We have Charley...

Charley is THE Grim Reaper...Not the guy with the black hood and scary face but the 27 year old brunette, full of attitude and snark. Can I just say that Charley went right up there with my favorite heroines? She isn't a badass like Kate Daniels or Elena Deveraux, in fact she mostly gets her ass kicked through the book but she is so full of sarcastic comments and hilarious innate dialogs tha ...more

I really liked the premise - a young woman who sees and communicates with the dead and is actually the Grim Reaper. There's a lot of humour of course in her daily interactions with people who no one else can see or hear.
I enjoyed the whole thing very much although Charley's banter teetered on the edge of trying too hard from time to time. There were lots of great characters even the ones like Mr Wong who never did anything but stand in the corner facing the wall.
The story was good but became ve ...more
I enjoyed the whole thing very much although Charley's banter teetered on the edge of trying too hard from time to time. There were lots of great characters even the ones like Mr Wong who never did anything but stand in the corner facing the wall.
The story was good but became ve ...more

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 a fan of paranormal romance o ...more
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 a fan of paranormal romance o ...more

This review discusses the audio book qualities, as well as the actual story.
First Grave on the Right is the first book in Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson series, and the world Ms. Jones has created is intriguing, exciting, and unique. I thoroughly enjoyed Lorelei King’s narration and her ability to give such distinctive voices to the many characters. She brings them to life with humor, passion, and a deeply profound poignancy that completely took me by surprise.
On the Cover: Charley sees dea...more

Where have you been all my life.
Yes, this review is going to have a lot of BOLD lettering.
My mind is currently blown away and thus, unavailable.
Charley Davidson.

Wow.
To all future heroines,
The standards have been upped to overflowing capacity.
Kindly settle for lower positions.
I cannot stress enough how AWESOME this book is.
I'm simply reeling in feelings of literary bliss.
“I stood and walked around the desk so I could stand over him. Menacingly. Like Darth Vader, only with better lung capacity.”
“ ...more
Yes, this review is going to have a lot of BOLD lettering.
My mind is currently blown away and thus, unavailable.
Charley Davidson.

Wow.
To all future heroines,
The standards have been upped to overflowing capacity.
Kindly settle for lower positions.
I cannot stress enough how AWESOME this book is.
I'm simply reeling in feelings of literary bliss.
“I stood and walked around the desk so I could stand over him. Menacingly. Like Darth Vader, only with better lung capacity.”
“ ...more

Favorite Quotes:
My stepmother was never big on the whole nurturing thing. I think she used up all the good stuff on my older sister, and by the time she got to me, she was fresh out of nurture. She did, however, give me one pertinent bit of 411. She was the one who informed me that I had the attention span of a gnat; only, she said I had the attention span of a gnat with selective listening. At least I think that’s what she said. I wasn’t listening.
Maybe I needed sensitivity training. I once sig ...more
My stepmother was never big on the whole nurturing thing. I think she used up all the good stuff on my older sister, and by the time she got to me, she was fresh out of nurture. She did, however, give me one pertinent bit of 411. She was the one who informed me that I had the attention span of a gnat; only, she said I had the attention span of a gnat with selective listening. At least I think that’s what she said. I wasn’t listening.
Maybe I needed sensitivity training. I once sig ...more


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I might be rating this higher because I'm sick with the flu and my brain isn't working at peak capacity, but even so, I didn't fall in love with this book the way all my friends did. I'd heard mostly good things about the Charley Davidson series, but I always hesitate when I see a romance that's tagged as "humor" because it's been my experience that what most people find funny, I find lame. Case in point, WALLBANGER, which was just sad.
I ...more

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 loss until you just ...more

Too much

...more

...more

Sep 16, 2012
Keertana
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
why-the-hype,
did-not-finish
Usually, when I wind up disliking a book the masses have loved, I am the last person to be surprised. I do, after all, have a penchance for being the black sheep; a tendency, if you will, to rarely give out high ratings. With First Grave on the Right, though, I don't think anyone is more surprised than I am. Unfortunately, this novel is a clear cut case of 'it's not you, it's me.'
Quite honestly, I am still struggling to come to terms with the fact that I did not enjoy this book, or as much of t ...more
Quite honestly, I am still struggling to come to terms with the fact that I did not enjoy this book, or as much of t ...more

I'm making my way through the most popular urban fantasy books with a rating higher than 4. And I must say, I haven't read anything 4 stars worthy recently. I have yet to find a series that shares the level of what I read a couple of years ago. I'm not asking for the level of Kate Daniels nor another Fever but maybe an enjoyable first in a series that will make me want to read the sequels. And enjoy them looking at you Archangel's Kiss. Is this too much to ask? No. I'm a loyal fan of this genre,
...more

No time to be thorough with my review, so this will be a quickie:
-- I knew I'd love this because I had it recommended to me by no less than five of my reader friends. It's official: they know me well!!
-- Charley is freaking awesome! Despite the fact that she's the grim reaper...it doesn't get much more awesome than that...she's also such a fun person. Her battle with morningtime routine and the whole getting out of bed process was worth reading the whole book
-- Ummm...Reyes?!?! Yes, please! He's ...more
-- I knew I'd love this because I had it recommended to me by no less than five of my reader friends. It's official: they know me well!!
-- Charley is freaking awesome! Despite the fact that she's the grim reaper...it doesn't get much more awesome than that...she's also such a fun person. Her battle with morningtime routine and the whole getting out of bed process was worth reading the whole book
-- Ummm...Reyes?!?! Yes, please! He's ...more
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Play Book Tag: First Grave on the Right - Darynda Jones (3 1/2 stars) | 1 | 4 | Oct 20, 2020 09:00PM | |
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Adult Fantasy. A girl helps her uncle who was a detective, she was helping him because he could talk to the dead. [s] | 6 | 31 | Aug 08, 2020 11:14AM | |
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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, and her books have been translated into 17 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, certain they went away the better for it. Sh
...more
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“Never knock on death's door. Ring the doorbell then run. He totally hates that.
- T-shirt”
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