This series is always in high demand at my library. The characters Daryna Jones uses are delightful and my readers love getting to know them more each book. Fabulous series!

This is bittersweet. After finishing this book—the second to last in the series—I'm wondering how I'm going to find something with the same mojo as Charley Davidson when this story is finished. Fast-paced, action-packed, sexy, and uproariously funny, Darynda Jones creates a world I'm always excited to dive into and will definitely miss.

This installment has all the goodness, twists and turns we've come to expect:
Charley is racing to solve a mystery and help her friends.
Cookie's antics are classic.
Reyes is still the sexiest thing since sliced bread, though the vibe he is throwing is more old school.
The Trouble with Twelfth Grave will answer some of your burning questions, but give you a few more for good measure. And that ending... Fair warning, it will hit you right in the feels. Have tissues handy and be ready to one-click Summoned to Thirteenth Grave.

Oh geez. I'm not ready for this series to be over, but with that cliffhanger and a desperate need for more amazing writing... I can't wait until the 13th and final book in this series. Darynda Jones continues to impress and the 12th book is a masterpiece to this series. I can't get enough but I suppose I will have to be satisfied with the hints of a spinoff series to come.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆
At this point in the series, I have completely given up trying to follow or understand the mythology/theology behind Charley, Reyes, and Beep’s identities and purpose. I’ve stuck with the books for the characters, Charley’s investigations, and the sarcasm that saturates each story.

This book is one of the slowest in the series. Charley spends most of the book buying time while she tries to figure out how to save her husband and not kill him. I’ve grown tired of the god stuff, so I found myself skimming some of the theology heavy passages and enjoying the characters on the earth plane in Albuquerque. Garrett, Osh, Angel, Cookie, Amber, and Uncle Bob make this story enjoyable and I love that Pari is back and on good form. While Charley has become a bit of a caricature of herself, I’m enjoying the growth and increasing complexity of the other characters. Charley’s investigation on Pari’s behalf is interesting and very exciting at one point.

The ending is another cliffhanger. It did make me cry but the end is very similar to another recent story, so I can pretty much predict a similar resolution in book thirteen. I’ve requested book thirteen but my commitment to this series is waning and I’m enjoying less and less of each subsequent book.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This the twelfth book in the series and if you haven't read any of them yet, then you are in for a huge treat... but please go and get book one and come back here in 11 books' time. You absolutely need to read them in order to have any appreciation of the story! I am assuming you have from now on in!

The end of book 11 was very cliffhanger-ish, so I was very grateful that I had this ready to go. I really feel for those people who have been reading this series as it was released, as that would be so grrr... a little like how I feel now, as the ending of this book is also pretty dramatic, and book thirteen is yet to be published!

After the god glass episode in book 11, we now have to discover, along with Charley, just what has happened to the heart of Reyes... and it is fascinating watching it all play out – and to be honest, I really didn't know where it was going until the very end. Very clever mixture of dreams, daydreams, nightmares, trips between planes, and other troubles thanks to the destruction of the god glass prison. Through it all, Charley manages to temper the danger with her lovely brand of crazy humour and love of coffee. Oh, and as she is now in better control and definitely prepared to use her powers, there is some pretty clever stuff happening, as well as some surprising encounters with Michael and his boss!

All in all, an action-packed book, with all the signature elements we have grown to love and expect, and some good twists too. Roll on book 13 – because we all need to know!


Dawn – ☆☆☆☆☆
Well, I think this is my favourite from this series so far.

Reyes! He is not the same as he has been. I'm glad we are still getting to see loads of him in this book though.

As always, Charley is working a case, this time it's a bit different, it's a bunch of gifted people who are being murdered. As well as dealing with a load of personal stuff. However, Charley always makes me smile with her sarcastic ways.

I truly can't wait to get my hands in the final instalment as I have loved every second of this series.


Shelby – ☆☆☆☆
Book 12 – GAH! This series has been a roller coaster. It started off relatively light and easy, as we go along the series gets more complicated. This story was one of the more difficult books, and I had a hard time getting through it. That's not to say it was bad, because that's not what I mean, it was a struggle to watch Charley deal with the situation.

As always, I loved all the characters: Cookie, Ubie (Uncle Bob), Amber, Osh, Garrett, and Pari. They are crucial to the series, and the provide just enough "lightness" to counteract all the deep/dark going on elsewhere in the story. Charley's cases are both very intense. Pari may be involved in a murder, unbeknownst to her. The second case is a rash of strange murders, people are just dead but have strange scratches and burns on them, the only similarities are... (I'm not telling you, that will spoil the story!)

On top of those, Charley has a limited amount of time to figure out what happens when a god comes out of the God Glass. All in all, this book was packed to the brim with activity. I can’t forget to mention the good vs. evil theme in the series, but especially in this book. If you recall, there was only one god of Uzan left on Earth and Charley may or not be ready to do what she needs to protect the world.

I don't want to spoil the book, but there was a major aspect that I wasn't a fan of. There was one character that wasn't as prevalent and that did affect my enjoyment. Also, the ending? It KILLED ME. I'm afraid to read the 13th and final book, but I need (NEED) to see how this all plays out!

The penultimate book in this fun and fast paced series takes a darker turn as Charley and Reyes must face off against each other. Charley fears the man she loves may be lost to her forever, and not only that, he may be responsible for a series of attacks on those sensitive to the paranormal world, putting several of Charley's favourite people in danger. The full on pace and drama packed pages make for a thrill ride of a read with an emotional conclusion.
I read a review copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

After the last page of book 11, I was Let with peeling what The... Had just happened. Fortunately, I had book 12 to fill that feeling.
Reyes became a god. A very bad and full of violence god from another dimension. Will Charlie manager to get The Love of Her Life back?
This book is full of suspense and There is also a case! Typical Charlie's Life, right?
There are lots of emotions covered angst, suspense, mystery, Love and well biggest surprise in The whole Series IMO.
But to find it out you have to read The Trouble with Twelfth Grave!

I loved this book! I love Reyes and Charley together. A lot of things and revelations happen in this book. It was brilliant!

Oh my! I don’t remember the others in this series being so funny. This book has everything you are looking for in the Charley Davidson world. I loved it and once again want more!

Reyes escapes a hell dimension then disappears from Charley’s life. She is not sure if it is her husband Reyes or another face of Reyes. Charley now needs to find Reyes, and hope he is still the man (god) she loves. Save him. She also needs to find a killer with her Uncle for the Albuquerque Police. She does know that this killer is paranormal and is targeting people that have a sensitivity to the supernatural. Did this entity come out of the hell dimension with Reyes? One of her friends is worried she might have killed a man and needs Charley’s help with who really killed the man. Charley not only helps but covers up some of what happened. Did I mention there is a time limit to get all of this done, or some very bad things will happen. Is there anything else that Charley needs to do before time runs out?

Not the usual Charlie book, but I enjoyed it. It picks up shortly after the last book and yes you need to have read the last books first. We don't know about Reyes, who he is or really what he is until the end, kind of similar to Charlie having amnesia. This is more serious than previously, and He actually shows up a couple of times on this one. The ending is a kind of cliffhanger, she's been warned but goes ahead with her abilities anyway. I would have liked to have had more tie up with a couple of related cases, what does Joplin and the FBI do with the information she has sent them? Will we find out in the next book or do we guess it ended their cases? Not enough Ubie and Cookie in this one. Looking forward to the finale. I know I'll miss Charlie and the gang.

The Twelfth and penultimate book of the fantastic Charley Davidson series. This one answered questions from early on, added a few new ones, and made my jaw drop with the ending.

I love getting glimpses of the various secondary and peripheral characters. They have their parts to play, too. I also love how despite all the crazy things that keep happening, in addition to the very serious mystical/god issues, Charley and Reyes continue to evolve. Their relationship has had a lot of ups and downs and it seems like they are doomed so often that I can't image how they can come back from it. But they always do, eventually, at least so far... Hopefully, in the final book they will get a Happily Ever After. I know I will certainly be rooting for them.

I am excitedly waiting for the final book! Oh, what a double edged sword. I truly wish the series wasn't ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary ebook. All opinions are my own. Review posted on NetGalley, Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub.

Let me preface this by saying I had not read anything after book 9 until Summoned to Thirteenth Grave was provided as an ARC. Why? Because Darynda Jones knows how to write a fast paced story that leaves you hanging and screaming for more. I got frustrated waiting for each new release and decided to practice patience.
And OMHisBrother, I am so glad that I did.
Twelfth Grave, much like its predecessors, has so many twists that make perfect sense. While I usually struggle with the various storylines, Ms. Jones manages to keep the confusion at a minimum but without losing a drop of momentum.
But, as usual, just when everything seems have a happy resolution, Charley finds herself in a tough situation and excuse me while I download Thirteenth Grave to see how she gets out of it!

I loved this entire series so much I read the entire thing back to back. Charley Davidson is fascinating, and has jumped to one of my favorite Urban Fantasy Heroines ever.

OMG, I just spent the last week and a half reading this entire series from the beginning! All I can say is WOW! Ms. Darynda Jones has created an explosive world within our own existing world, and the characters have managed to work their way into my heart. I adore Charley and Reyes, and especially Osh and Angel. I am very eagerly awaiting the 13th book in this phenomenal series!

Ms. Jones is a sadist! I have felt as much during the previous books in this series, but after surviving everything this one encompassed and then reaching its ending, I know it for a fact.

My heart was nearly broken at the end of book 11 so I was a tiny bit relieved that things with Reyes and Charley, while dire, did not continue down a long and angsty road. I should have known better because after all, this is Charley we’re reading about. The girl’s got spunk, and attitude and coffee. All of those things help her to reach this book’s conclusion, which I should have known was going to devastate me.

This one, while familiar, also had a different feel to it as Charley is battling so many different issues along the way, most of all the issue of finding Reyes within the god that is now controlling him. I love how in each book, this one included, Charley’s cases seem to build upon each other, how exactly always unknown to the reader, until they culminate into an awesome reveal and then usually followed by a huge showdown.

We once again have the amazing cast of characters to help her along. Somewhere along this journey they have become like family and while I can’t wait to start the final book, I’m going to be very sad to see them go. Nevertheless, everything has been leading to the next book and the ending of this series and I refuse to yield to the sadist who controls the fans of Charley Davidson…I’ve got an early release copy and I’m jumping in!

Book Info
Hardcover, 289 pages
Published October 31st 2017 by St. Martin's Press
ISBN 1250147557 (ISBN13: 9781250147554)
Edition Language English
Series Charley Davidson #12
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the twelfth installment of Darynda Jones' New York Times bestselling paranormal series, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave.

Ever since Reyes Farrow escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley Davidson accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that's not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings--some corporeal, some not so much--as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she's not uncovering a murder. This time she's covering one up.

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture--the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford--out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican's inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it's time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she's loved for centuries. So the question becomes: Can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she's worked so hard to protect?

My Thoughts


Reyes is finally revealed to Charley in his entirety, both good and evil sides of her husband take center stage and keep her guessing until the very end of the book.

Charley has a new headache or two worrying about the "Son of Satan" as murders are being committed in a manner which may have his personal "style" stamped all over them, or not.

Amber and Quentin have found a new way to bring wrinkles to Charley, Cookie and Uncle Bob's foreheads as well. The intrepid teens have of course drawn closer in the past books and now their new endeavor is one that carries unforeseen consequences for Charley that will give readers/fans a new cliffhanger ending to "stew over" while waiting on book 13 to release.

Starting book 12 on Christmas day was my present to myself via this digital ARC from Netgalley that I appreciate very much getting the chance to read.

From the very beginning of this series Charley Davidson has grown on me, not quite like a cancer more like a healthy serving of a delicious helping of one of my favorite foods.

This 12th book of course picks right up where the previous one left off but by the time it ends there is such a feeling of urgency for book 13 that feel the pressure building even now as want, need, hope get a chance to read it as well so I can find out how Charley managed to reverse this totally shocking cliffhanger ending.

The end of the series may be around the corner but can truly say for me it has been worth every minute spent with this diverse group of characters and I will miss them when it is over.

There is not much can add besides these clues and what I liked to the books content but for me book 13 is now a must read, if the publisher and Netgalley will be kind enough to allow me the privilege of doing so.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

This was a good entry in the series. My Rating 4.5 Overall; 4.25 Story; 5.0 Narration.

Charley’s husband, Reyes, has returned from the hell dimension as a wrathful, brimstone satanic god set on destroying Charley’s world. Charley is convinced that the better side of Reyes is still within the evil Rey’aziel but God’s archangel, Michael, has given her a time limit to control Reyes or he must be eliminated. Charley and her friends, Cookie, Osh, Garrett and ghost Angel, plot out how to capture Reyes.

Charley is also trying to help her Uncle Bob investigate bizarre deaths where the victims are strangely burned. Charley is desperately hoping that the killer isn’t her fiery husband.

Meanwhile Charley is dealing with the mundane mysteries of her private investigation business, including trying to help clients sort out the ghostly beings in their homes. Additionally, she has to protect a friend who had an unfortunate connection with an overbearing, possessive and abusive man who has ended up dead. On top of all of that, her best friend’s daughter, Amber, is starting her own investigation agency to pursue troubles at school.

There is plenty to keep the reader interested in this volume. I enjoyed seeing so many of Charley’s friends, including her supernatural rottweiler, Artemis, and her asylum friends, Rocket and Blue. Even Beep is threatened and makes a brief appearance. There is good tension and a few surprises. All of the action made it worthwhile getting past the one fairly steamy scene. The book ends with a customary zinger so I am certainly anxious to see how the author wraps up this series in the final book.

Audio Notes: Lorelei King is the voice of Charley and her cohorts. Her narration is spot on as usual and adds to the emotion of the story.

Source: NetGalley and Audible sale purchase.

The Trouble with Twelfth Grave
By Darynda Jones

3 stars.

Darynda Jones fiction series combining action, supernatural and romance. Featuring Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper. Charley 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.

Ever since Reyes Farrow escaped from a hell dimension in which Charley Davidson accidentally trapped him, the son of Satan has been brimstone-bent on destroying the world his heavenly Brother created. His volatile tendencies have put Charley in a bit of a pickle. But that’s not the only briny vegetable on her plate. While trying to domesticate the feral being that used to be her husband, she also has to deal with her everyday life of annoying all manner of beings—some corporeal, some not so much—as she struggles to right the wrongs of society. Only this time she’s not uncovering a murder. This time she’s covering one up.

Add to that her new occupation of keeping a startup PI venture—the indomitable mystery-solving team of Amber Kowalski and Quentin Rutherford—out of trouble and dealing with the Vatican’s inquiries into her beloved daughter, and Charley is on the brink of throwing in the towel and becoming a professional shopper. Or possibly a live mannequin. But when someone starts attacking humans who are sensitive to the supernatural world, Charley knows it’s time to let loose her razor sharp claws. Then again, her number one suspect is the dark entity she’s loved for centuries. So the question becomes: Can she tame the unruly beast before it destroys everything she’s worked so hard to protect?

While not my usual genre, I found the books engaging and face paced to keep me picking up title after title. The series has become somewhat repetitive and tired.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#NetGalley

Reviewed by Heath Henwood
www.books-reviewed.weebly.com

This is the penultimate story in this series and it is packed full of all manner of goodies.... emotional thrills and chills, sexy fun, witty banter, devious danger, earth shaking secrets and heart pounding twists that will leave you breathless. Can Charley and company really save the world from total destruction or is the end inevitable? Can't wait to read the last and final book in this series but at the same time I am sad that the series is ending. Love this magical and exciting world.

Thank you for the early copy.

I recommend this twelfth novel to fans of urban fantasy. The plots/mysteries are always interesting to read and I like the main character.

Wonderful! But poor Charley! I absolutely adore her! She loves strong and deeply. I can't wait for #13