[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of First Grave on the Right

 

Darynda Jones would pick up a pencil and paper and scribble nonsense on it even when she was a toddler, asking her mother to read her literary genius aloud.  Soon after, she started writing plays for the neighborhood kids, making up stories for her brother, and creating age inappropriate fantastical stories for Barbie and Ken to enact.  In high school she almost finished her first manuscript, and even then, was dabbling in romance and the paranormal. 

Darynda took a break from actively writing for several years, wherein she got married, had a couple children, graduated Summa cum Laude from UNM and got a job as a teacher and sign language translator.  She missed writing though, and started up again in 2002 with the goal of getting a publishing contract securely in her mind’s eye.  After 3 complete manuscripts, she finally landed an agent, a three book deal, and won the 2009 Golden Heart award for Best Paranormal Romance in 2009.

First Grave on the Right, Book #1 of the Charley Davidson series

Author:  Darynda Jones

Synopsis: Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:

Darynda Jones’s debut novel was a smart, sexy, sassy, sophisticated breath of fresh air and utterly fantastic from start to finish!

Our heroine, Charley Davidson, is a Grim Reaper and gateway to heaven.  She’s also a ridiculously funny, smart, sexy, sarcastic Private Investigator and consultant to the APD with attention deficit disorder. 

Our hero, Reyes Farrow, is an enigma.  He’s Charley’s dream guy (literally), but appears to be oh so much more and reading his tale unravel was like peeling a golden onion. 

The supporting characters are loveable and absolutely perfect for the story, perfectly placed and elaborated upon by Ms. Jones. 

The plot of First Grave on the Right was also genius - a multiple homicide with more angles and twists than a slinky leaving me putting off meals, housework, and pretty much everything just so I could read more. 

LITERAL ADDICTION gives First Grave on the Right 5 Skulls, and would recommend it to everyone!    

I’m super excited for the upcoming installments of this series.  It’s a definite winner and a straight shot to the top of my favorites list.

First Grave on the Right: