Finishing the last book in my all-time favorite series was so very bittersweet. Of course Darynda did not disappoint, this book is fire. Summoned to Thirteenth Grave was the strong finale I hoped this extraordinary series would receive. Charley Davidson is the ultimate badass, her mix of sexy, sass, and strength easily made her my favorite character from the very first line in the very first book of this series. I love the way all of the characters have developed and grown so much throughout the series. They are truly like a family that would quite literally die for one another and protect their own. I cried. Like a lot. There's no shame in my game. I have become so emotionally invested in this series and in these characters that I truly felt all the feels as the events of this amazing book played out. I felt like I was saying goodbye to dear friends. The ending was unexpected and so perfect. Thank you Darynda for this stunning finale to the Charley Davidson series, each word was beyond perfect!

<i>Copy provided through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. </i>

I started reading this book with trepidation because I knew it was the end of the Charley Davidson series. I have greatly enjoyed all the characters and stories in this series. I was not disappointed at all. I felt like the arc of Charles and Reyes relationship was so well done. I am satisfied with how the story has ended. As usual the story kept me guessing and always rooting for Charlie and Reyes. It was a satisfying ending to a phenomenal series with an abaxing world created by Darynda Jones.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave is book 13 in the Charley Davidson series. This is the final book in the series and while bittersweet to have the series end I couldn't wait to see what went down in this installment.

We pick up with Charley in the other dimension that she was banished to and she's finally allowed to come back after spending 100 years there. Charley better have rested up during the banishment because it's a rush against the clock as soon as she's back. A hell dimension has been opened and people that live close by are getting sick. Demons are coming through and Charley and the gang aren't quite sure how to stop it. That's not all though, during her banishment Charley was told to find out more information about her mother's death. This story line brings some unexpected twists that I didn't see coming and some rather shocking revelations. Friends and family are very important in this novel and I was glad to see the gang helping out in any way they could. No one is safe in this book though so I was on the edge of my seat while reading.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave is quite a finale and wrapped up nicely. There is a question mark at the very end that has me wondering if there will be a spin off though. Color me intrigued, I'll keep my fingers crossed we get a spin off since I love this world so much. I adore all the characters and we got to meet a few new ones even with this being the last book. It's always an adventure in this series and I'm glad to say it ended strong. If you're a fan of Urban Fantasy with characters you're going to love, you need to try this series.

The fun was there, but at the same time, I did not like how it ended. It was all building up to a Beep book set in the future, with I guess lots of dead people as ghosts helping her in the war. This book ended in a cliffie that way and that is a horrible way for a series to end.

THe apocalypse is happening. Charley return to her gang to help save the world, for this time. There are "zombies", lots of death regarding people you like. Revelations, and she even has time to solve a a crime of a missing girl. Which, considering was really strange. Focus on the big bad.

But the whole book was at the same time a build up for a future Beep book as nothing is solved
And I just can not like Osh, I find it creepy. It was one thing with Reyes, but Beep is a baby in these books.

So do not expect a neat ending. The big battle is still to come. But I enjoyed it for old times sake.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I have never read of this book series nor have I heard of it. This book was a fun read! I will admit that it left me with some questions that will hopefully resolve when I read the other books in the series. This is a fun paranormal read. Give it a try!

I actually finished this on Friday--I thought that a few days would help me get my thoughts together, but I was wrong.
Let me first say that I love Darynda Jones's writing. Sure, Charley's sarcasm and snark takes a bit of getting used to, but given all that happens throughout this series, her voice never changes. I went into Thirteenth Grave dreading how the series would end, not only because I didn't want it to end, but because some endings fall flat or are just so random that you have no idea how it ended up there. I predicted all kinds of scenarios, but wasn't even close. However, this ending is true to the spirit of the Charley series and at the end of the day, that makes me very happy. It was bittersweet, as most endings should be, and I can't wait til my bestie reads it so we can talk about it!

"A lot of days I truly expect my horoscope to say, "Just don't kill anyone today."

So before diving in to the final (*sob*) book in one of my favorite series, I went back from the beginning and read and also listened to each of the books. Let me just say, if you haven't listened to these in audio book, Lorelei King is Queen of narrations and you are sorely missing out. She's a Goddess and does a phenomenal job of bringing these characters to life, especially Charley. Darynda is an extraordinary story teller and Lorelei does justice to each and every book and character. So why exactly am I rambling on about this? Having gone over these books multiple times, I sort of saw where this final book was going to go, especially how it ends. While it might be the Charley Davidson series, let's face it, this is Beep's prequel.

I figured I’d annoyed him, but when I looked up, he had an affectionate expression on his face. Tender. Almost amorous. Amorous enough for the pitter-pats of my heartbeats to trip and pile into one another.
Rising onto my tiptoes, I eased close until we were nose to nose. “If you’re going to look at me like that, Mister Man, we may have to go back to HQ and try out that other cot.”
A wall of heat crashed into me. He backed me against the stone exterior of the building and pressed his lean body against mine. “You like playing with fire,” he said, stating the obvious.
“If that’s not clear by now, gorgeous, I’m not sure what else I can do to convince you.”

When we last left our heroine Charley, she had committed the ultimate of faux pas, the big no-no. Saving young Amber's life cost her dearly and she was thrust into limbo by the powers that be for over a hundred years. When she's finally released, Reyes informs her that only 10 days have passed, and the world is in chaos. The hell dimension was taking over the world with Albuquerque, New Mexico as the epicenter of it all. But first, well, Reyes has to great her properly now, doesn't he *wink*.

“Oh, wait,” I said, rubbing my hip. “I have a cramp.”
“Liar.”
Fuck. How did he know? “No, I do. I swear,” I added, trying not to giggle.
“Fine,” he said, acquiescing at last. “Let me just do this one thing.”
“What one thing?”
He leaned over me and brushed back a wet strand of hair to whisper, “Fuck you until you can’t stand up straight.”

The apocalypse is coming and the demons are ready to party. It's up to Scooby and the gang to figure out how to stop it as the demons take over the souls of the living. Good times. Charley, with her wit, sarcasm, and multitude of caffeinated beverages, will have to figure out how to save the world again. Her first stop, investigating her own mother's death, having been given a clue that finding out what happened the night she was born may be the key to saving them all.

"A day without coffee is like...Just kidding. I have no idea."

The 13th book in this amazing series had twists and turns, some that I did not see coming at all. But every page from the series was leading up to those last moments of how to keep Beep safe and help her fulfill her destiny. Those last two words though...oh my God!

I'm not going to lie. I cried when I finished and throughout parts in the book. I can't believe I won't have any more Charley books in my life. Every time one releases, a feeling of joy came over me. What will I do without funny chapter headers, Charley's snark and Reyes sexiness in my life anymore? It is so bittersweet to finally know what happened, but it's hard having to let go of these characters that have a huge chunk of my heart. I will be waiting on pins and needles for any news on Beep's story. There's so much that can happen with that story line! Will it be YA? Will she have Charley's snark and Reyes ability to charm everyone? There's so much that can happen and I love that, while this series may be over, these characters have a chance to continue on in the future.

After 12 prior books, this is the 13th and final novel in the Charley Davidson series, sob! (Say it isn’t so!!!) This series is imbued with some of the best characters and funniest writing I have ever had the pleasure of reading and this final entry in the saga is no different. But my enjoyment was slightly subdued knowing that while yes we may get a spinoff series with Beep, this is the last time we will hear Charley’s snarky narrative first hand. However, going out on top is the best way to end a series and oh boy, Darynda hit the peak with this one!

The story begins with Charley returning to Earth after being banished to a hell dimension for bringing Amber back from the dead at the end of book 12. She has been without coffee and Reyes for over one hundred long, agonizing years with only wraiths for company. Upon her return she finds herself in the Sahara, all alone and unsure as to why she was returned from what was supposed to be an endless exile. Fortunately her solitude is fleeting, because who should appear but Reyes….and he is NOT happy with her! (Not that it forestalls a little hanky panky in the desert lol!) But he also stuns her when he explains that even though she thinks she has been gone more than a century, only 10 days have passed on Earth.

After their interlude, Reyes explains that all is not well in Albuquerque as his own return from a hell dimension has opened up a portal for demons to invade and possess the citizens of the city. What’s worse is they only have 3 days to fix the situation and we as the readers know by now that nothing is ever simple when it comes to Charley! After they materialize back in ABQ, Charley delights in surprising their friends with her return before they must deal with both the demon invasion and investigating the spirit of a little boy who needs their help. The rest of the book is full of the requisite action and suspense with a huge side of humor that we have come to expect from Charley!

I just can’t bring myself to give any more hints in case I risk spoiling any of the HUGE surprises in the story because trust me there were some complete shockers involved! I will also say that for the last quarter of the book, I had huge tears sliding down my face one by one while reading and by the end they were out and out sobs!! There can’t be any better evidence of an author managing to connect readers to their characters than such a level of emotion being brought out, can there? I’m assuming that if you are reading this review, you have read all the prior books in the series but if for some strange reason you haven’t, this is NOT a stand-alone. You must start at the beginning, but the good news is you will have 13 books of excellence ahead of you!

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me the treat of reading this early!

This book is a fantastic ending to a great series! I loved the writing, it was amazing as always. I can't wait for Beep's spinoff series.

A great conclusion to a wonderful series with the door left open for a potential spinoff. It was so great to see all of my favorite characters. The plot was engaging and I had the hardest time not to read this book quickly because it is the last book in this series. The mystery regarding the Ghost Boy was intriguing, but I liked how it did not overshadow the pending doom of the demon realm from expanding. The revelations of Uncle Bob, the birth of Charley, and Gemma all blew my mind. I had no idea of these twists. I really hope there will be a spinoff series about Beep because I would love to watch her grow up as well as revisit her team.

I am not okay.... days after finishing the finale to this AMAZING adventure I am still not okay. As fantastic and thrilling as the series has been I will miss the hilarious power couple that is Charley Davidson and Reyes Alexander Farrow. Hopefully that is not truly the end as we do have Beep prophesy to deal with, a spin-off series perhaps?

The ending to the previous book, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave, was a doozy specifically not knowing how the series will pick up as our beloved rule breaker Charley is cast off into alternate dimension in punishment. As the series revolves around her there is no way to truly exile her and that's what we get when she comes back into tender loving and angry arms of her husband. 

However, things are not great in Charley-verse because the god glass that kept the hell dimension is now overtaking the city and people are experiencing "strange effects" because of it. That being the shadow monsters are possessing people. Time is seriously running out to save the world from the spreading of the hell dimension worldwide and the gang must put on their thinking caps to stop it. If that is not a serious enough matter to deal with, Charley in her typical Charley fashion picks up a case. Girlfriend still doesn't understand the concept of spreading yourself too thin to put out all the fires in the natural/supernatural worlds. While coffee surely helps her, her ever watchful husband, and her hilarious entourage must make plans to save the world.

In the end we get many of our questions answered and even answers to the questions we didn't even know we had. Big revelations and heartbreaks is all the rage in this book. Darynda Jones finished off the series and does it justice, but again I am still not ready to say good-bye... but we must... we must give Charley and Reyes the happy ending that they deserve. Adieu... for now?

Charlie is in exile for a century, but is returned in ten days as her husband the god Rey'azikeen, the “Hellmaker” is also known as Reyes. Charlie was exiled for creating a hell in another dimension that was causing panic and death in Albuquerque. He appears to her in the Sahara Desert where they have sex so hot they melt the sand underneath them to glass. Charlie has a daughter named Beep who has moved to a safe house with her caretakers. Charlie and Reyes with friends are trying to figure a way to close the hell dimension. Meanwhile more people are getting sick even though th Center for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to find a remedy which isn’t possible as it is supernatural. Will Charlie and Reyes be able to close Hell? The only clue given to Charlie was when she was in exile. She was told to find out how her mother died. Will she be able to find out?
One of her friends take her to the Vatican where she finds a box with a mysterious powder in it. Why?

The author has written excellent creative supernatural adventures and activities which do include “hot” sex scenes. This final book to the series answer questions that had been left unanswered in previous books. This is a definite must read for those who have been reading the series.

OMG!!!! What an ending to the most amazing series ever!!! I cannot believe it is over and how she ended this with a very big unanswered question......Where is Osh?
Charley is back from banishment after “One hundred seven years, two months, fourteen days, twelve hours, and thirty-three minutes.” What does she find upon her return, The Shade. The Shade is spreading out of the hell dimension she accidentally opened and it is taking over Albuquerque. People are infected with demons and going crazy.


After a heartfelt reunion with the gang, Charley must come up with a plan to save Albuquerque and the infected. But in true form, there are many unknowns, with plenty of heart stopping twists. On the edge of my seat, I followed along as Charley embarks on her biggest challenge yet. And boy is it a dozy. It may just be her last.
Reyes and Charley are the most sexual and hot couple out there in the paranormal world. Being Gods is just a bonus in their book. I love these two characters and the adventures they have embarked on together. The fit together like two perfect puzzle pieces. Working together to save humanity and Beep. They were made for one another....literally.


Charley Davidson and Reyes Farrow: That thing that happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object. —True fact


This book holds true to form with the funny chapter headings as well. I love the funny memes, t-shirt quotes, bumper stickers and facts. They really crack me up. Not to mention true to Darynda form, these books are full of funny sarcasm that will have you in stitches. Let us not forget Charley's addiction to coffee. That will never change no matter what celestial plane she is on.


I’m not really into the whole “rise and shine” thing. Most days I just caffeinate and hope for the best. —Bumper sticker


I got to say, being the last book in the series Darynda really socked it to her readers. There were thrills, chills and tears galore. Throughout this whole series she has completely captivated her audience and kept us all addicted. I can't imagine a world without Charley and the gang. And it seems I may not have to. With an ending like this one, there is only one way to go from here.....a spin off series. So as an avid fan, I will sit back, hope and pray that this is truly not the end. Please, please, please let this continue in some way or form known best as spin off.


Darynda is a fantastic story writer, full of imagination and excellent writing skills. Her books are highly addictive. She has this way of creating a world that you could get lost in. A world full of amazing characters you can't help but fall in love with. Her books are amazing adventures full of fun, danger and romance. Beautiful creations.
Bravo Darynda for another job well done. If I could give this book a million trillion stars ⭐️ I would. I absolutely love this series and am sad to see it end. But all great things must come to an end. It is sad to see the end, but here's to looking forward to new beginnings.

The final book....and I fell in love with this series!

I don't really want to say much as I don't want to spoil for all the die hard Charley fans but Charley and Reyes are here to face the last battle as it were......and I can say that this the same laugh out loud, brilliant written plot with fabulous friendships that you have come to expect in this series.

Now I'm sad.....and hope there is a spin off!!

There is no way this is the last Charlie Davidson book. It may be the last Grave book and future books may not focus on Charlie and Reyes, but there is still too much story left to tell for the series to be over. I have not heard anything officially, but there has to be a spinoff series focusing on Beep.

Like most, if not all, of these books the ending has a cliffhanger. Don’t worry, the author does a wonderful job of tying up loose ends, but she couldn’t leave well enough alone. One question. She ends the book with ONE QUESTION and I was “Wait! What?” So yes, there has to be a spinoff series.

I loved the book. Charlie is in her normal, snarky glory. I laughed out loud. I almost cried. In other words, a typical Charlie Davidson book. There were plots and subplots which I enjoyed, and they cleared up some issues that I didn’t even know I had. Old characters returned and we lost people I was not ready to lose. And I have to tell you, there is a character reveal that blew my mind!

My only problem with the book is I need a timeline. When did Reyes and Charlie first meet as adults? When was Beep born? How long did Charlie have amnesia? I guess I just need to re-read the entire series . . . and that’s a wonderful thing!

I can’t believe we’re at the end of the Charley Davidson Series! *cries* Charley and the gang have been among my most favorite characters and while I’m very sad to say goodbye, I also can’t wait to see what Darynda has in store for us in the future for “Beep”!

With the crazy ending from The Trouble with Twelfth Grave, I couldn’t wait to see what had happened to Charley. And boy does a lot happen while she is “gone” from the earthly plane. Mayhem has ensued, and some pretty big things will have to happen to right the wrongs. Laughter, sorrow, secrets revealed and of course the hotness between Reyes and Charley, Darynda brings all the feelings in this very satisfying ending to a fantastic series!

Book Info
Hardcover, 304 pages
Expected publication: January 15th 2019 by St. Martin's Press
Original Title Summoned to Thirteenth Grave
ISBN 125014941X (ISBN13: 9781250149411)
Edition Language English
Series Charley Davidson #13
Other Editions (7)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


Grim Reaper Charley Davidson is back in the final installment of Darynda Jones’ New York Times bestselling paranormal series!

Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper extraordinaire, is pissed. She’s been kicked off the earthly plain for eternity – which is the appropriate amount of time to make a person stark raving mad. But someone’s looking out for her, and she’s allowed to return after a mere hundred years in exile. Is it too much to hope for that not much has changed? Apparently it is. Bummer.

She’s missed her daughter, she’s missed Reyes, and Beep, but now that she’s back on earth, it’s time to put to rest burning questions that need answers. What happened to her mother? How did she really die? Who killed her? And are cupcakes or coffee the best medicine? It all comes to a head in an epic showdown between good and evil in this final smart and hilarious novel.

My Thoughts


The long awaited finale, showdown and hopefully epic end to this series encompassed in a little over 300 pages has been highly anticipated by fans of all kinds who either love or hate Charley Davidson. For me this 13th book was a wish to read granted at the last minute by the publisher and Netgalley, a fact for which I am more grateful then words can express because the buildup over the past 12 books made me grind my teeth in anticipation.

For some time there has been speculation that the endgame for this series would not be spectacular enough to justify it's buildup, my advice is read the book and judge for yourself because what it all boils down to is that we all have to make up our own minds with every fact at our disposal.

For 12 books I have found Charlie at times irritating, funny, lovable, zany, a pain in the rear end and never boring as her penchant for diving headlong into trouble keeps her interesting to me.

That penchant for acting in haste without fully weighing the consequences of her actions has landed our PI in the worst predicament prophesied for her, exile from those she loves most and those who love her most as well.

However in true Charley style never say never and her return to existence on earth comes after only what for her was a 100 years, a return that was not exactly hearts and roses but still welcome nonetheless.

Over the course of this book there is the expected snarky humor as well as some unexpected emotional moments that once again gutted this reader.

I again laughed then cried and fell harder for not only Reyes but also Osh and Uncle Bob as their characters totally stole certain scenes.

There is so much territory that could be gone over but for the sake of saving "mystery" rather than ruining this read for others am not going there.
I will say that the story lived up to my expectations, including an ending that was not what I expected at all until the last chapter.

The last book is not the last time I will read this author as her irreverent style has grown on me throughout the series, more so in later books then in the beginning ones.


[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.

I quite enjoyed the last book in the Charley series. It did feel as though some content was added because it was the last book and not because it was planned all along - Uncle Bob’s plot twist for example. It was a quick read and the plot felt a bit looser than the others in the series. That said, it was a fun read and I will greatly miss these characters. Hoping for a new series about Beep one day.

It’s a series I would recommend.

Thank you.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

This review isn't going to be long. I'm not a huge fan of a review rehashing the entire plot and spoiling it for everyone.

A perfect ending to a fun, sexy, and thrilling series that consistently entertained me more with each and every book she wrote.

Summoned to Thirteenth Grave is the final book in Darynda Jones - Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper series. This has been an absolutely amazing series and I will miss it! I hope Darynda writes a series for “Beep”.

4.5

After bringing Amber back to life in Twelfth Grave (a big no-no since her soul had already left her body) Charley was exiled off the earthly realm. Well, after one hundred seven years, two months, fourteen days, twelve hours, and thirty-three minutes, Charley has returned.

You know, or ten days Earth time. And thank goodness for that because it turns out that the Hell dimension Reyes constructed eons ago, was then trapped inside, and then subsequently broke out of, that Hell dimension is threatening to overtake the planet. Demons have already started trying to break through, and more than one person is being effected personality-wise. Charley only has three days to stop the dimension from overtaking everything. Along with this, she has to ensure Beep’s safety so she’ll be able to fulfill her prophesied victory over Lucifer himself. Yes, the end is most definitely nigh.

I almost couldn’t believe I was actually reading the end of one of my favorite long-running series. Yet, Darynda Jones was very precise with the feeling of finality that embodies Thirteenth Grave. Like with most ends, there’s a lot of rumination on the past, and making sure each beloved character makes an appearance. The way Jones employs the latter is done very organically. Charley Davidson is a series that has collected quite the rollcall, and many times any characters added throughout the series have served a purpose for that particular book. So any and all revisits were very natural, yet were unsurprising.

Now, it’s the former where Jones really pulls out all the stops. Instead of a visit down memory lane of the previous twelve books in the series, we’re going farther back to the day Charley was born. Specifically, why Charley’s mother died. This line of investigation opens up surprisingly new outlooks on very important characters in the series. Enough that I absolutely must go back a search the rest of the series for clues immediately. I was pretty impressed that Jones decided to be quite so revelatory in this the final book of Charley’s.

With that said, however, I did feel like there was almost too much going on and some of the tie-ups seemed a bit too easy to come by and were a little too abrupt in some areas. Not only does Charley have to deal with the emerging Hell Dimension—which you would think would take precedence over any other conflict—but in order to do that she must unravel her mother’s final moments, deal with a mysterious Ghost Boy, and get the deets on one of Pari’s clients whom she believes is a serial killer. True, it wouldn’t be a Charley Davidson book without much multitasking ensuing, but the focus felt a little misguided at times despite everything wrapping up in a plausible, and satisfying, matter minus a few teary-eyed crossings-over. (I know, she’s the grim reaper/portal, but come on!)

The reasoning, I believe, is because of Beep. I would be completely flabbergasted if we didn’t get a Beep spin-off series. As of this writing, nothing has been announced that I can find, so I apologize if this is dated by publication. I definitely felt like Charley and Reyes were “passing the torch” to Beep. I have no doubt, being Charley’s daughter, she’ll pick up the mantle in a truly extraordinary way.