Monday, December 8, 2014

Second Grave on the Right

Book: Second Grave on the Right
Series: Charley Davidson #2
Author: Darynda Jones

If you hang around with dead people, life can get pretty complicated. Take it from Charley Davidson, part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper. Complicated is her middle name. 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/receptionist) have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Cookie's friend Mimi disappeared five days earlier. Mimi then sends Cookie a cryptic message telling Cookie to meet her at an nearby coffee shop. The coffee is brewing, but Mimi's still missing. There is, however, a clue Mimi left on the bathroom wall: a woman's name. Mimi's husband explains to them that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old high school friend had been murdered. The same woman whose name Mimi had scribbled on the bathroom wall.

Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He's left his 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...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?-Goodreads


Review: Ah, Charley Davidson. I'm glad I gave you another try because this was a fun read. She's sassy, sexy, funny and helping her best friend with a missing persons case. I enjoyed this more than the first installment in the series for one primary reason-Charley came across as a more genuine person instead of a walking joke machine. Don't get me wrong-I have no idea how she pays her bills as she is the least professional investigator/grim reaper possible and pretty ditsy, but she's fun. I enjoyed the primary mystery involving Cookie's missing friend, especially how Charley handled random men in her apartment in the wee hours (I laughed a few times). The only thing that didn't work is Reyes, the primary love interest who is a ghost/Son of Satan. There was no relationship development from the first book and Charley seems more obsessed with him than really in love with him.  I was also pretty frustrated with her actions regarding him at the end of the book. I'll avoid spoilers but she was extremely selfish. 

Even though I'm not a fan of the love arc, fun book. I'll continue the series for sure. 

Grade: 3.5/5

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