[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Fifth Grave Past the Light

Darynda Jones is a NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones won the 2009 Golden Heart® in the paranormal category for her manuscript FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT. As a born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. After the Golden Heart final, she pimped herself as best she could, landed an amazing agent and has sold 8 books to St. Martin's Press. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of more than 25 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

Fifth Grave Past the Light, Book #5 of the CHARLEY DAVIDSON series
by Darynda Jones

Synopsis: Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she is determined to stay away from him until she can find out the truth. According to her therapist, however, she lacks conviction.

When dead women start appearing in her apartment - lost, confused and terrified beyond reason - Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes's help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her - body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay…

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
In a nutshell, and in my most humble of opinions, the best book of the series so far! There are a lot of series where around the 5 book mark the installments start to feel a bit like filler. Not so at all with Fifth Grave!

This book did feel a bit different for me though. More... human, maybe? There was still an amazing amount of mystery and action, and plenty of the spectacular dialogue and intrigue that we've all come to know, love and expect from the uber talented Ms. Darynda Jones, but what we got MORE of in this installment was the further revelation of the character growth and development (across pretty much EVERYONE). The way each piece fell into place as you started to see the whole picture and the links that bind them all was absolutely brilliant. I was left kind of wowed at times. I was also left laughing or shouting out loud to a point where I scared my poor dog and interrupted her sweet dreams of chasing cats and eating steaks or chasing cats that look like steaks... I dunno. ;-)

And yes, for anyone wondering, there's LOTS of Reyes in this one. Hot, sexy, yummy, sinfully delicious Reyes, and let me tell you... some big and fabulous times were had by all (and will soon be had - did I mention that I am insanely wanting book #6 now!?).

So yes... wonderful, highly recommended, beautifully written...a masterpiece of a series. Need I say more?

Fifth Grave Past the Light