Liviania’s review of Fifth Grave Past the Light (Charley Davidson, Book 5) by Darynda Jones
Urban fantasy published by St. Martin’s Press 9 July 13
I am a sucker for a good bargain, which is why I bought the ebook of First Grave on the Right when it was on sale. I’d heard all sorts of good things about the Charley Davidson series back when I read Darynda Jones’s YA debut, Death and the Girl Next Door.
Little did I know that that bargain ebook would suck me into reading the whole series so far as quickly as I could get my hands on them. If you’re looking for urban fantasy that stands out from the crowd, then this is it.
Charley Davidson is a grim reaper. She helps the dead pass over to the other side, and along the way has become a private detective so that she can use her skills to help the police. Her family is law enforcement, so she’s even got a bunch of cops willing to trust her. I like that Jones never forgets Charley’s day job amid the romantic shenanigans and big-time supernatural stuff. Charley solves at least three cases in this book, one of them an arson case that started in an earlier book (but is easy to follow) and the other involving some very strange, disturbing ghosts.
No detective can be without their kooky pals. Fifth Grave Past the Light is an excellent showcase for Cookie, Charley’s best friend, neighbor, and employee. On top of failing to use a gun safely, she gets her own budding romance. Angel, a young ghost who helps Charley out, gets a bit of the spotlight when his mom shows up, curious as to why Charley pays her regularly. But beyond friends, there’s Reyes.
The romance in this series is absolutely terrific, and fans of Charley and Reyes’s relationship will be beyond thrilled with Fifth Grave Past the Light. Their flirting is adorable and witty, the chemistry is undeniable, and the tension is cutting. After all, there’s still that little thing standing between them: the fact that Reyes is the son of Satan. (And, by the way, this book offers a little more insight into just what Daddy might be planning.) I just love the push and pull between them and that Reyes might test Charley’s boundaries, but he still lets her set them.
Fifth Grave Past the Light offers humor, mystery, and sizzle. Jones’s world has a simple, consistent mythology that isn’t difficult to pick up. Ongoing and new storylines meld together nicely, making it easy for newcomers to pick up. Jones also offers plenty of resolution. It feels like the Charley Davidson series is progressing somewhere, not just spinning its wheels. That makes me happy, although I’d gladly spend a few books spinning my wheels with characters this charming.
Grade: A
Summary:
Charley Davidson isn’t your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper. She’s more of a paranormal private eye/grim reaper extraordinaire. However, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. To further complicate matters, Reyes is her main suspect in an arson case. Charley has vowed to stay away from him until she can find out the truth…but then dead women start appearing in her apartment, one after another, each lost, confused, and terrified beyond reason. When it becomes apparent that her own sister, Gemma, is the serial killer’s next target Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes’ help. Arsonist or not, he’s the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return. Charley. All of her, body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay.
Charley Davidson is at it again in Fifth Grave Past the Light, the sexy, suspenseful, and laugh-out-loud funny fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling series by Darynda Jones.
Read an excerpt here.
Other books in this series:
