Darynda Jones

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: Oct 30, 2012
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchased

ometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans.

Goodreads Summary

I LOVE this series. I didn’t start reading it until after the third book was released, and only then because my MIL loved the books and I wanted to have something else in common besides marriage. I don’t know why I was so antagonistic to the series in the beginning, but once I finished First Grave on the Right, I kicked myself in the butt and immediately read books two and three. I love being surprised every once in awhile, don’t you?

The aspect of the series that I enjoy the most is the snark. Charley has some of the best one-liners I’ve ever read. She is such a unique character, and I love being in her head. Charley and her secretary, Cookie, have some of the craziest conversations. I’m talking laugh-until-you-almost-pee-your-pants crazy conversations. Charley can be so juvenile and immature, but Cookie just gets her and goes along with it. Jones does a great job of balancing out the serious with the humor. Even though Charley’s life is difficult at times, and she’s often thrown under the bus by those closest to her, she somehow always manages to pick herself up and finds joys in the little things. At the end of the books I’m never left feeling devastated, despite what I’ve just read. The humor and wit is definitely not to be missed.

And then there’s Reyes Farrow. Holy. cow. Hands down, one of the sexiest heroes I’ve ever read. Not only in physical appearance, but also in his absolute devotion to Charley. In Fourth Grave several people mentioned to Charley that Reyes isn’t all he seems, and Charley has to decide whether to listen to them or not. Sometimes the motivation behind what Reyes does isn’t always apparent, and yeah, maybe some of his actions can be construed as shady. But he is there for Charley every single time, and I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words. I guess Charley thinks so too, because the two finally have some smokin’ bedroom scenes. Well, they’ve always had those but in this book they’re both actually there physically. And uhh.. Reyes is a freakin’ sex god y’all. Just sayin’.

While I love the series and would recommend them, I’m starting to get frustrated with the pacing of the series. There is supposed to be this big event over the horizon, some big war between good and evil, but we don’t know any more information about it now than we did in the beginning. Everyone keeps telling Charley that she “really needs to know what she can do” or “needs to stop thinking like a human” and all the talk is getting old. I hope in the next book we’re let in on the big secret, because I’m ready for it. I’ve been ready for it. Or maybe I’m just too impatient, and I should zip my lips and just enjoy the ride. Hmm.. not a bad idea.

My Rating: A