Second book in the series, read them in order. This one starts with a missing person case that turns into a murder mystery. Reyes is throughout this book, but the physical romance is pretty nonexistent in this one. Charlie learns a lot about herself and family in her adventures. It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Getting to know more about her family and relationships with her was interesting. It's more in depth than the first book. Character development is more on target and I enjoyed it. On to the next one.

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Darynda Jones
I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley and choosing to leave an honest and fair review.

A hilarious, supernatural mystery with a sly and snarky heroine. Who could ask for more?I honestly don't know what is funnier, Charley's sightly off-kilter observations or her chapter heading quotes!
If it were only a humorous book, I probably could live with that. But, oh Ms. Jones gives us so much more. A fascinating mystery, great characters and a sexy, oh so hot dark angel! There is a lot of smexy time.
The mysteries (there are several) are all well paced and the solutions not so obvious to be irritating but not so labyrinthine to be irritating.
Ms. Jones reminds me of early, early Laurel K Hamilton or the ever fun Kim Harrison. A true urban fantasy/paranormal mystery with a touch of smexy romance. My only issue is that I would knock out a couple of chapters.

5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Second-Grave-Left-Charley-Davidson-ebook/dp/B004TLHNOC

And my addiction to this series continues. I picked this up right after finishing book one and you can bet it won't be long before I'm getting stuck into book three. I am just loving the whole thing so much. It's fun and silly but there's some fantastic characters and a story that's full of enough action and mystery to keep you completely hooked.

Second Grave picks up not long after First Grave with Charley on a new case, this time a missing woman (who also happens to be a friend of Cookie's). It's not long before a link is discovered between her disappearance and a string of recent deaths which suggest something had happened in the past (there's a whole "I Know What You Did Last Summer" vibe). But can Charley solve the case and find her or will she be too distracted by a certain Reyes Farrow who is now haunting her.

I have to admit I felt the actual PI bit of the story was pushed a little to the side and the focus was very much on the hunt for Reyes instead. I can understand it given the revelations at the end of the last book (and actually I was more interested in this side of the story) but it did feel as if the balance between the storylines was a little off. I did occasionally find myself forgetting what was going on with the missing woman.

This probably wasn't helped by me not fully buying into the relationship between Reyes and Charley. I absolutely adore Charley but I'm not too sure about Reyes so don't see the attraction. I mean it's made clear that he's good looking but there doesn't seem much else and it doesn't seem like a particularly even partnership between them.

Other than that though this book has all of the things I'm coming to love about the series. There's a lot of humor and some great character development. I am loving the way the backstories and the relationships between the characters are being fleshed out and evolving. The relationship between Cookie and Charley is my fave and seriously can I join their gang? The banter between them is awesome and the dead guy in the trunk bit had me pretty much rolling on the floor laughing.

There is the odd deeper and more emotional moment but overall it's a fun ride. I can't wait for book three.

Charley's best friend and assistant Cookie wakes her up in the middle of the night when an old friend goes missing. Of course Charley takes on the case, and of course chaos (and dead people) result. The second book in the series doesn't have as many interactions with dead people as the first book does, but the primary storyline seems way more cohesive. It also doesn't just dive straight into the other characters without any frame of reference, something the first book lacked. And of course, Charley continues her complicated relationships with Garrett and Reyes. I feel like the second book was definitely better than the first, and found a rhythm of telling the story from Charley's "devil may care" point of view that was funny and enjoyable.

My life will never be the same again without Charley and coffee.

Another mystery for Charley Davidson, PI, aka Grim Reaper. Loaded with caffeine and laughs, the Charley universe building has taken off to a great start.

The second book was darker than the first. She's battling against him, because he has a literal death wish. He thinks that his body is the point of vulnerability that he wants to leave behind. And so there's a lot of stuff that goes on that gets really dark, a lot darker than the first book. But I enjoyed it.

Snarky, sexy supernatural fun! Charley Davidson is a P.I. with a extra side job as grim reaper helping folks pass into the light. Using the info gathered from the dead gives her a leg up in the solving of crimes. You would think that would be enough to make her special, but she also has a relationship with someone, Reyes, who adds his own supernatural essence to the mix. Mixing crime solving and supernatural hijinks has never been so much fun. Perfect reading for the beach or a rainy afternoon.

Charley Davidson seemed a little off in this installment for some reason. She still had her spunk and her sarcasm, but it wasn't such a defining characteristic, and I missed it. This time around I felt like she was following more than leading. Her instincts seem a little overshadowed by her complete infatuation with Reyes. She was also really air-headed. I didn't feel like there was so much going on in the book that she shouldn't be able to keep up with characters' names. It drove me a little crazy. I also missed some characters that got more face time in the first book (like Rocket Man). Once again in this book, the author seems to be trotting out words she doesn't know the meaning of. Quite bothersome, and could use a better editor.

The ghost involved with this story was downright creepstastic. I'm still not prepared for wereghosts to show up., particularly in the trunk of Cookie's car. After discovery he sticks to Charley like glue. But, he never talks and has a tendency to show up at odd, stalky time like when she's in the shower. But, I liked the mystery of who he really was and how he came to be in the car's trunk. I also enjoyed the mystery of Cookie's friend. It turns out Mimi was forced to hide an incident that occurred in high school and now fears for her life. The culprit is out of the blue and totally not who I suspected.

I find Reyes to be a fascinating character that I can't quite get a handle on. He genuinely seems concerned for Charley and what happens to her. But, he's got a nasty dark side and I'm not sure how that connects to Charley in the long run. Overall, it makes me unable to firmly decide which side he's on.

Not as good as the first one, but a decent addition to a series written by an author with great ideas but not quite enough talent to follow through.

I love this series as a whole. Daryna Jones has perfected her storytelling to where all parts flow together flawlessly. Would recommend!

Another great instalment in this fantastic paranormal fantasy series featuring Charley Davidson, a part-time P.I. and full-time Grim Reaper. Such an addictive fun read!

More funny times with Charley!

Charley is at it again. This time she is looking for a missing woman. The woman is a friend of Cookie’s. Cookie is Charley’s friend/ receptionist. While looking for the missing woman her personal life is becoming for difficult. The demons, and dead people are coming around more and wanting attention from her.

Charley also has a corporeal body hunting her now. He is Reyes Alexander Farrow and he wants nothing more then to be near Charley. If he does get close to her it could be very bad as it might lead the demons to her. If that happens the demons would have a portal to heaven and that’s not good.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Second Grave on the Left is the second installment in the Charley Davidson series. It could be read as a standalone or out of order without too much confusion, but I recommend against it, simply because relationship/friendship/familial threads follow from one book to the next.

Charley is the grim reaper. The only grim reaper. She's also a private investigator, born into a family of cops. She doesn't get a moment's peace, either from her never-ending cases, the ghosts requiring her assistance, or her family members.

Cookie, Charley's next door neighbor/best friend/assistant, her friend goes missing, and this is the start of the mystery of this installment. The ladies follow the clues, sleuthing better than the cops. All the while Charley is terrified over Reyes not taking care of his corporeal form.

I likened this series to a paranormal Stephanie Plum, and I'll stand by my estimation. Loads of second-hand embarrassment is felt. While there are many chuckles to be had, it's not over-the-top silly slap-stick that can get old fast for serious-minded readers. Charley is sarcastic, witty – punny, if you will.

There's a slight thread of romance, as it's obvious her cop friend is crushing on her, but that all pales in comparison to the son-of-the-devil, Reyes. A light and dark balance between them, not necessarily good vs evil, because it's impossible to have one without the balance of the other.

I was on the fence, going to hand out a 4-star rating, but I have this thing where if an author gut-punches me, takes me out at the knees, I'll pass out a 5-star no matter what. When Charley was dealing with her dad, I got the feels. I didn't like how quickly everything was forgiven, but it gave me the desired emotional affect.

Charley's on the cusp of discovering there is more to this grim reaper business than being a beacon to call souls home, and I look forward to seeing what antics she gets into next, and how her powers grow.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
In this second book, Charley grows into herself and starts to own her abilities as the Grim Reaper. And while Charley’s personal life gets even messier, she is also investigating the disappearance of one of Cookie’s friends.

I really enjoyed the characters this time around. Charley’s friends and colleagues are more entertaining in this second book – and Charlie’s relationship with her family is even more complicated. I like the growth we see in several characters – not just Charley. I like that the complex characters allow for relationships to develop across the series.

Messy, complicated – there is a whole lot going on in this story and there were moments when I found the overlapping storylines pretty confusing. I don’t even know what to call the storyline about Reyes, but there are a couple of WTF moments when I just had to accept what we’re told about him without questioning it. I love the original world building in this series, but I do have to tether my incredulity at times.

Like the first book, the actual investigation is pretty straightforward and wraps up with a satisfying conclusion. I’m glad something about this story is simple because everything to do with Charley’s Grim Reaper identity is increasingly complicated.


Dawn – ☆☆☆☆☆
Seriously, what's not to love about these books?

Book two starts up where book one finishes, so there is no lull in time between the two.

I love Charley, she is so sassy and her one-liners are great.

I also love Reyes, there is still so much we need to know about him, or maybe I just want more!

We get more of Charley’s BFF, Cookie, in this book too, which I love.

I just adore the writing style of these books. I think the humour is what keeps me turning the pages.

I’m now off to dive into book three.

Sensational and suspenseful, the second book in the Charley Davidson series has readers holding their breath in anticipation of what happens next. Charley as well as all the characters in the series are strong, vivid characters that easily draw readers into their world, but Charley and Reyes still the show. Charley is smart, fun and fully of sass as she kicks butt while solving crimes and Reyes is oh so dominate, a true bad a** that has readers melting on the spot. The fun and snarky dialogue adds a lighthearted atmosphere to the story but at the same time, readers can feel the importance of every scene. Charley and Reyes has lots of electrical chemistry that produces plenty of sparks but this relationship is in no way typical and has some major obstacles.

This fast paced and smooth flowing plot is full of non-stop excitement and thrills including surprising twists and turns that keeps readers guessing. Not is Charley for a missing woman which turns out to be more complicated and dangerous than she originally thought, but she’s also searching for Reyes’ body and he’s being quite stubborn, then there are things going with her family and secrets being revealed. There always something going on in Charley’s world and readers can’t help but become completely engrossed in this novel.

The second time around our favorite grim reaper gets into all kinds of trouble. She has three cases to solve and a messy love life to deal with. The man of our her dreams is in danger and Charley will move heaven and earth to help him. Who wouldn’t?

“So you infuriate him then send him back to prison?” he asked, his voice a harsh whisper.
I cringed. He made it sound so bad.

I did not appreciate the ending. It stank of betrayal.

What I enjoyed: the humor.

What was ok: the mystery storyline and her family resolution.

What was not ok: Charley’s snarky high handed behavior and ingratitude are smacking of Kate Daniels. Kate wore me down, I was out at book five.

Do not make me regret acquiring this entire series!

What I hated: the end.

The second book in the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones lives up to the fun and flirtatious tone set by its predecessor, and once again we accompany unlikely Grim Reaper Charley on a crime solving quest. This time Charley and her long suffering friend/neighbour/assistant Cookie are on the hunt for missing Mimi, an old friend of Cookie. Things take a turn for the sinister when they discover that several former schoolmates won't be attending any reunions as they are dead. Is Mimi responsible or running for her life? As for the fiery paranormal romance between Charley and the mysterious Reyes a.k.a Son of Satan, that is certainly heating up, despite the small matter of his corporeal body being tormented by demons desperate to escape hell.
Fast paced and full of the sarcasm that fans of Charley have come to love, this was a fun and very entertaining book, and an excellent instalment in what promises to be a great series.

Picking up a few weeks after the conclusion of the first book, Reyes is now missing and in bigger danger than expected, Cookie’s new /used car has a dead guy in the trunk, Ubie has placed a tail on Charley to keep her safe and find Reyes, since he knows that Charley will find him – and a whole other case with a missing woman and a collection of her high school classmates turning up dead, with her very innocent husband being charged with a murder. While in the recap it sounds rather confusing – the complexity and sheer number of characters that pop in and out of this story add a depth and some clever moments that play on Charley’s abilities, Cookie’s loyalty and the people they both encounter – fans and not.

With the hunt for Mimi on the front burner, and a very powerful and rich person seeing that Mimi isn’t found, Charley and Cookie are criss-crossing New Mexico as they talk with people involved in Mimi’s case, ferret out a kindergarten teacher with a drinking problem, discover the reasons a cop went missing some three years earlier and, as always, battles with Reyes as he’s determined to leave his corporeal body behind for the demons that are hunting him, hoping to use him as a key to taking over the world, and to Charley – allowing them access into Heaven. Still not fully aware of all she can do, a threat to her father’s life from a knife-wielding assailant determined on killing her, a rogue gunman and a very telling recording that does serve to bring Charley and her sister closer together again, there were so many twists, turns and false starts in this one that the actual solution and the choices Charley made only serve to bring us further into the conflict between Reyes and his father, and the one that she will have to have with him after defying his wishes, despite his very clear and reasoned explanations… well, more clear than most of what he shares with her.

I’m truly enjoying this series with the moments to laugh out loud at the start of every chapter – where a snarky t-shirt or bumper sticker is quoted, to Charley’s actual humor – occasionally dark, always sarcastic – and who names their boobs, ovaries and TOES? That girl! There’s a real sense of someone desperate to do good, bring comfort to those who’ve passed and are stuck as they don’t know ‘how great’ it is on the other side, and while she’s desperate to prove both her independence and self-reliance, she only stays snarky and pouty for a bit – always finding some justification and reason for other people’s interference (or help). A mini-cliffy into the third book – as a long awaited email finally arrives – and I can’t wait for the next.

I received an eBook copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aat/” > <a> I am, Indeed</a>

So fun! I LOVE these books. As an Burqueno (Albuquerquean), I appreciate the details that make the setting feel real. Darynda Jones is sharp, smart, and hysterical, and I plan to devour this series.

Yet another amazing story to add to the series. I just love the characters and the world that has been created. We really are getting to know the characters. The character development and relationship buildings have been great throughout. This is a 'must read' for sure!!!

It seems that both life and death have Charley’s life running on crazy as she not only discovers that her secret lover and protector, Reyes, is truly the Son of Satan with a death wish, but a friend of a friend has gone missing and she must find her. Does the missing woman harbor a secret that could get her killed? Is Charley risking her own life hunting for her?

A delicious blend of humor and suspense kept me turning page after page in Darynda Jones’ SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT. Filled with great one-liners, unlikely situations and one colorful heroine, this paranormal fantasy is a fun read from start to finish!

I received a complimentary copy from St Martin's Press!