Interesting story premise, a kick ass heroine and a great start.

Still love this book, from the first, second. third (etc) times I read it!

Quick read, but so so good. I avoided picking this one up despite all the great chatter/reviews I kept seeing. I was not sure I was ready to commit to the long list of books in this series. However, this can absolutely be read as a standalone. You get enough information to feel like a whole story unlike a lot of other first titles, but enough of a tease to make you want to keep going. You fall in love with Reyes even though you are not sure you should. It is all so dark and mysterious and dangerous. Yummy! I did not expect to love this as much as I did! The blurb made me a little nervous that this would be a cheese-fest. The humor is quick and smart and very funny. I can definitely see myself continuing with this series in between other reads.

The book that started it all and I suddenly realise that I've never reviewed it! It's been awhile since I first met Charley so it was interesting to go back and see just how much has changed. In this the first book in this series Charley is this quirky private investigator who just also happens to not only see the dead but have the ability to send them on their merry little way ! Yep Charley is human but also something much bigger, she's this shining beacon of light that some might refer to as the Grim Reaper! Don't expect black hooded cloaks and scythes though as this talkative heroine is far more likely to be rocking a cool t-shirt whilst gulping down copious amounts of coffee! Oh and there's that tricky problem of an ethereal entity that's doing all manner of things to her libido! Yes it's safe to say the world of Charley Davidson is full of more than one special kind of snowflake !
This book sets off a convoluted story arc that will have those of a romantic bent salivating which allowed me to introduce Reyes ! No spoilers but he's a whole lot more than he seems, so nuff said ! Yes it's frequently hilarious but there's pathos and real emotion here that surprised me. These amazing array of characters are diverse and yes at times downright kooky but you know what ? I can honestly say I felt sucked in and entertained
I actually own this but saw it on Netgalley so I've voluntarily re read and reviewed this and my thoughts and comments are honest and believe fair

Innovative, fun, deliciously entertaining. I really can't find a single negative thing to say about First Grave. It's the most tongue in cheek humor I've discovered in a book in a very long time. Pick it up and enjoy it. You won't be sorry.

*ARC via netgalley*

First Grave on the Right is the first book in one of my absolutely favorite series by Darynda Jones. The Charley Davidson series follows the indomitable PI, Charley, through her adventures as the Grim Reaper and plethora of issues that come with learning how to be the Grim Reaper when you really have no idea what the hell you're doing. Charley is a character with sass, spunk, and spirit (say that three times fast) with attitude to spare. And God help you if you get in her way of coffee. There will be hell to pay.

"This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual. Or a diagram of some kind. A flowchart would have been nice.”

In Charley's first adventure, three lawyers have been murdered and it's up to her, along with her Uncle Bob who works for the Albuquerque Police Department, and Garret Swopes, a skip tracer, to figure out whodunnit. Along with Angel, her 13 year old departed gangbanger as her informant and Cookie, her best friend/neighbor/receptionist at her PI agency, she sets out to help the departed to avenge their deaths. But she's got other problems when a sexy and mysterious stranger is haunting her dreams who may be connected to her past in more ways than she can ever imagine. The dark and dangerous Reyes Alexander Farrow will keep you guessing til the very and hoping that you can find someone as yummy in real life, *shiver*.

“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 times, he asked, “You named your breasts?”
I turned my back to him with a shrug. “I named my ovaries, too, but they don’t get out as much.”

What she discovers in this book and throughout the series will set her on a path that puts the fate of the world in her hands and the characters she meets along the way will have integral parts in her story. With equal parts paranormal, comedy, and romance, the series has become one that I can easily reread when I need a pick me up and the audio books are a favorite of mine as well. Narrated by the amazingly talented Lorelei King, the characters come to life in a new way and I've find myself listening to the series quite a few times, and laughing out loud over Charley's antics all over again.

“A sheriff arrested me. I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure my men-in-uniform fetish began that day. The sheriff was hot. And he handcuffed me. I've never been the same.”

I have to say, Darynda Jones is a phenomenal storyteller and my world would not be the same without these characters in it. Her chapter openings of funny sayings and memes give that perfect touch of comedy that plays throughout the book. Charley is a character that is hard to forget and every time I open up a book, it is like greeting an old friend. Darynda is not afraid to put her characters through hell (sometimes literally) and I love her descriptions. From the food she eats (I've never had huevos rancheros but I really want to try it), to describing Charley's apartment as being the size of a Cheez-It, to letting a ghost girl brush Charley's hair with a toilet brush (unknowingly), Darynda has a writing style all her own. I always look forward to reading about what Charley has gotten herself into and while I am dying for the next, and final book, it will be very bittersweet. Ten stars to another wonderful Charley Davidson story.

“I have three words for you," EMT Guy said. "Possible internal bleeding."
I turned back to him. "Don't you think if I was bleeding internally, I'd know somewhere deep inside? Like, internally?”

I really enjoyed the book but was confused at certain points. It takes until the end to figure out what is really going on but your still left with a cliffhanger. My only complaint is that I should of researched further this way I would of known the book continues.

I read this book when it first came out in paperback. I'm excited to know that after all these years, I still find it as exciting, original, and interesting as I did back then. I absolutely love Charley.

I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley but I also have a dog-eared paperback copy.

I think this is going to be a series that I get addicted to. Charley is a quirky character and her life is full of challenges. She says she has 3.7 jobs: private investigator; tending bar for her father; being on the Albuquerque Police Department payroll; and the .7? That is her job as the grim reaper. When you can see the dead and talk to them, it helps solves murder cases. This book was just so much fun to read and the chapter headings are hilarious.

An intriguing, paranormal mystery that was entertaining until the last sentence. She sees dead people and boy do they all have a story to tell. The hero of this cryptic tale is not who you would imagine, yet somehow it works. If you like the humor and other-worldliness of a Molly Harper romance, this is right up your alley.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Well that was fun! I loved this - who knew a book with the Grim Reaper as the main character could be so entertaining? It has mystery, the paranormal, laugh-out-loud snarky humor, family and friends as great supporting characters, and it has Charley Davidson (AKA the very human Grim Reaper) at the heart of it all. Oh and hot monkey sex. There’s that too. I SO look forward to going on with this series (and dread when I catch up on it and have to wait for the next one!)

Copy provided by Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was an enjoyable read. I was intrigued by the concept but it just didn't fulfill the promise. I loved the idea of a female grim reaper, but maybe I don't understand what the grim reaper was actually supposed to do. I always thought the grim reaper killed people. Like they opened the door and said, oh crap because there he was with his scythe and then they were dead. In this case, she helps souls cross over...to heaven.(also confusing). Furthermore since the MC could "see dead people" she helped them complete their unfinished business or use them to solve mysteries with the police. This concept seemed less original and exciting to me than what I thought the book would be about.

Other themes seemed very familiar as in I've read books that felt very similar. Sixth sense? Many times I got a Stephanie Plum vibe. For instance. It's a woman who goes around solving mysteries. Has a snarky sense of humor, attracted to dark mysterious guy, I also got a Queen Betsy vibe every now and again.

Also the MC's name, Charley Davidson bothered me. A, I've read so many books where a female is named Charley that it's no longer original or even cute, and B. I just kept wondering if the author just really liked Harley's. Thoughts like those take me out of the story and makes the experience just a bit less for me.

Overall enjoyable but I wasn't compelled to dive into the next book.

I absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed the twist and turns this book offered, as well as the humor in it. I never expected her fantasy man to be who he turned out to be let alone WHO he turned out to be! I enjoyed this book so much i will be purchasing the rest of the series! 11 books in total, and i cannot wait to continue the adventure and see what will happen as time continues on!

A fun and unique read that moved quickly and while I sometimes felt like there might have been a book missing for some background at times, but overall a very enjoyable read and I"m looking forward to catching up on the rest of the series.

This was a recommendation I would have deeply regretted not following.

Charley can see dead people, and they can see her even the more for she is the proverbial light, the grim reaper. It means they need her to pass on. That ability has gotten her into trouble but has also helped her solve many cases as a private investigator and collaborator with the police. This time she's after something more personal, the only spirit she could never understand, an entity that might be much more than her everyday "dead people".

I think the writing is quite messy. Every scene, I took very long to understand it all because Charlie's narration is a little to polluted with jokes. At the same time, this loose way to narrate made the reading very light and pleasing. Also I don't have anything against failed jokes as long as some work, and they did. I think some readers may not be patient enough, so here is the warning.

Charlie's powers seem to have a pretty long range and every time we'd find out a new gift. I confess I frowned a bit. I avoid hate on Mary Sues as much as I can, but it was harder in this book. However, as the book progressed I concluded Charlie may have turned out the infamous Mary Sue, only she isn't. I think Jones's writing needs fixing, lots of cleaning, but the character is good.

The main plot was the simple kind, Jones obviously knew this would be a series because she left the deep stuff in slow burn and now I long to read more. It feels like I only read the introduction of a book, not the whole thing.

So why read this? Because it's really fun. I'm not into the erotic parts but you'll probably like it if you are. Romance-wise, it's still pretty much in the beginning but enough to excite me on the possibilities. Moreover, despite Charlie's lighthearted narration, the story isn't just another detective book. I loved how she mixed well the drama and even plot twists, making me as curious about the ending as I was about the main plot of this series.

I recommend this for fans of light supernatural stories as well as romance readers. I acknowledge this could mean Twilight and the such but as a non-fan of Twilight I assure you it can please a larger range. I don't recommend for those who prefer cleaner writing. I'm sure Jones can improve a lot and I'm really curious to see that for myself but this books is far from ideal. It's the dictionary definition of guilty pleasure, right?

Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

This is such an original story! Charley is so snarky and hilarious she makes me wish I could hang out with her... minus her other “friends”. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, and addictive, book that you can’t put down!

I'm probably one of the few people who love paranormal romances not to have already read this fantastic book. Not really sure how it got missed but so glad I finally took the time to start this freaking awesome series. I had requested the newest release as an ARC and was granted my wish by the wonderful people at Net Galley, both books 1 and 12.
I absolutely fell in love with the wise cracking Charley and her secondary characters in this book. I'm not going to rehash this book as everyone knows what a fabulous grim reaper and detective she is. Yeah, she gets a lot of her info from the ghosts she's trying to convince to go into the light but she's still pretty durn awesome.
If you like some snark in your paranormal romance and you are one of the few who has not yet picked up this series, head over to Amazon and pick up one of the dozens of used copies of this book. I've got the next seven books in my library so I know what I'll be binging on next. Heck I might even get caught up before number 12 comes out at Halloween.
I often wish when reviewing a book in a later series that I had the opportunity to dive into a series where there were a dozen books already out to indulge in. Well now I do and I'm going to make time to slip them in and binge away.

This was an entertaining read. The combination of Charley (normal human with family and friends - only not-so-normal in her job as The Grim Reaper) and the world she lives and moves in was novel and fun.

The happy news is that this is just the start of what promises to be an entertaining series. Published in 2011, this first book is followed by a number of sequels. I enjoyed this first introduction to Charley's world, and I look forward to following her through the ensuing books.
(Smart marketing move to make this Book 1 available. I usually feel indebted to read all the previous books in a series before reviewing the latest release. With this plan, I get to support the author and the book, as well as point to the titles that follow.) Have fun!

Loved this book! It was sexy and funny. I love how it keeps you guessing what will happen to her next! Reyes is an interesting character too, as all the rest are too. Family drama, crime, sex, and the unexplainable all in one book! I am looking forward to reading more of this series. Pretty ok with the fact that I had not been turned on to this series until now. I can binge on the if I want to!

Sexy paranormal mystery with colourful characters

Charley Davidson sees dead people. It’s gotten her into trouble more than a few times, so she’s learnt to keep her mouth shut and feed anonymous tips to her police detective uncle. She also sees a mysterious dark figure who has saved her life a few times and might be entering her dreams – and she’s definitely not telling her uncle about those.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a madcap whirl as Charley juggled several cases, survived on coffee, and generally failed to avoid getting beaten up. The plot was all over the place, full of twists and turns that in the end, mattered less than those precious moments between characters as Charley helps the dead find peace. She’s smart-mouthed and terrible at self-preservation, but she’s so upfront about it, you can’t help but love her anyway. The supporting cast is great as well, my particular favourites being her best friend Cookie and Cookie’s adorable daughter Amber. It did feel like it was setting Charley up for a series, introducing heaps of characters and dropping dark hints, so I’ll have to track down the next ones.

If you like your paranormal romance with a side of ass-kicking mystery, take Charley Davidson for a ride.