REVIEW – SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT by Darynda Jones

Posted October 9, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 9 Comments

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2)
by Darynda Jones
Publisher – Piatkus Books
Release Date – January 25th 2012
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository 

“If you hang around with dead people, life can deliver a whole world of trouble.”


Take it from Charley Davidson, part-time P.I. and full-time Grim Reaper.The deceased find her very sparkly. Demons find her irresistible. And one entity in particular wants to seduce her in every way possible…


When Charley and Cookie, her best friend slash receptionist, have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally.) has left his corporeal body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven…well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty.


Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Can she keep those she loves out of harm’s way? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel her as she does?

I read First Grave on the Right a few years back and remembering how much a I really enjoyed it, but I never actually continued the series, honest to god I don’t know why I didn’t. With the Seventh Grave and No Body to be released later this month, the publishers have very kindly sent me novels 5,6 and 7 of the Charley Davidson series. I thought it was about time I continue where I left off and order it from my library. Reading it a little over a day and half, I really don’t know why I didn’t continue the series ages ago…
Charley Davidson, professional status PI – Leading Investigator of the State of Albuquerque, working alongside her father and her Uncle Bob also known as Ubie since she was 5. How and Why? you say, she also provides an invaluable service for the society, for humanity and for the world as the only Grim Reaper this side of forever. The one and only on the planet and universe to let the departed, dead people, pass over into…well we assume Heaven. Alongside her killer supernatural entity within her, described as this shining bright light that the dead are drawn too as well as Reyes. Charley takes on a dangerous game, in Second Grave on the Left, but there isn’t one day that someone isn’t trying to kill her, it was only last week that she nearly died, but her supernatural half lets her heal pretty quickly. It’s just another day at the office. Or that is until, her receptionist, Cookie gets a call, that her friend Mimi, has been missing for a week which leads to a high school conspiracy, with a very powerful senate involved is this mix. 
Charley also is in love with the Son of Satan, also known as the part-human, Reyes Alexandra Farrow. Wanted man serving a life sentence for killing his father, but he also departs from his corporeal body to always protect and passionately seduce his ‘Dutch’, Charley. Reyes is all kinds of hotness, but he also key to hell and key to physically to being the beginning and end of the apocalypse if said certain demons, destroy and find his body and Charley to go with it. Reyes presence in the novel, brought all kinds of feels, leaving blushing and hot as hell at certain scenes as well as feeling pity and compelling sense to back his side throughout. 

“His gaze slid over me like a veil of fire. He could ignite my deepest desires with a single glance. I decided right then and there no more reading romance novels by candlelight.” 

Charley’s character has this uncanny brilliance to make this such a humorous take to Urban Fantasy. What makes me laugh is her take to life itself, how she names things, Danger and Will Robinson, and Misery, to make her life that more interesting or for people to see who she really is and she isn’t afraid to be show that. I mean if you didn’t know Charley you probably think she’s crazy, or needs to go to a mental institute but that’s the beauty of Jones’s writing, because that’s the humour and laughter that just shines through Charley’s character. Oh and let’s not forget Cookie, what an awesome name. There were just some scenes that had me cracking up laughing, she is a real klutz but she does it with style. With a Grim Reaper as a neighbour, best friend and colleague she certainly has to put up a lot. 
When it comes to UF I haven’t really read many in a very long time, and it’s about time I did. Darynda Jones is only the tip of the iceberg, but with her kick-ass heroine, hot son of Satan and a page turner of a missing person’s case, what could be better. If you have any recommendations to UF let me know in the comments, I’m always looking for more like this! 
Rating – 5
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9 responses to “REVIEW – SECOND GRAVE ON THE LEFT by Darynda Jones

  1. YAY!! So happy to hear you loved this one! I cannot wait for you to continue reading the series!! And I hope you'll continue loving it!
    Cannot wait for us to buddy read Seventh Grave!!

  2. I'm not a huge fan of this series, sadly, since the romance just didn't work out for me. I'm so glad this has been a great read for you, though, Emma. I know plenty of readers love it and I really need to give it another shot I think. Wonderful review! 🙂

  3. I finished this book and then never continued but I really enjoyed it! I listened to the audio version and it's the same narrator as the Mercy Thompson series and she delivers the humor spot on making it so much fun. Thanks for reminding me about this series, Emma! I'll have to check if I can borrow the audio copy from the library. Great review! 🙂

  4. "I read First Grave on the Right a few years back and remembering how much a I really enjoyed it, but I never actually continued the series, honest to god I don't know why I didn't."

    SAME HERE EMMA!!! I read book one a while back but haven't gotten caught up yet despite really enjoying the first book. Can't wait to remedy that though, I loved Charley and Reyes and I'm really looking forward to spending more time with them:)

  5. I've been meaning to read this series for a long time now Emma, I know a few bloggers who have really enjoyed it and can definitely see the appeal of it from your review. I shall have to try and squeeze this series in somewhere, it sounds like too much fun to miss out on! 🙂

  6. I have heard amazing things about this series, but I have no idea why I never read it! I have to change that as Charley sounds like someone I'll love. I love how unique she sounds and I love unique characters. Somehow this book seems to be for those who love Kate Daniels series and I adore that one. Great review, Em 🙂

  7. Anonymous

    I still haven't given this series a shot but I've read really good reviews for it so I definitely want to give it a shot! Love your review! I'll get on reading this one soon!

  8. Dude, I've only recently gotten into UF with Ilona Andrews' Magic Bites (I'm still on the first book and LOVING IT AHHHHHHHHH), and this one makes me excited already! I'm bookmarking it just so I can remember the series name… I'm so jealous you got the books from the publisher! I wish I had moolah to spare so I can get myself the copies, too 🙁 My bookstores here don't really carry any UF unless you special order them… argh!

    Faye at The Social Potato