Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #2
Publisher: St. Martin's Press on August 16, 2011
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Adult
Pages: 307
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
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?
At A Glance
LMAO!
The Good
If Charley Davidson was a real person I would marry her, my straightness be damned. I seriously love her. Sometimes she’s almost too on with all the one-liners and witty banter, then I realize there can never be too much hilarity. This book and series should come with a warning label: Will cause uncontrollable fits of laughter, probably in a public place to make it extra embarrassing.
I liked the plot in this one because it kept me guessing. Charley is looking into the disappearance of Cookie’s (Charley’s secretary and BFF) friend and also trying to find Reyes (Charley’s kind of lover). Son of Satans are never where you expect them to be. So unreliable. Reyes spends most of his time incoporial because not so good things are happening to his body. *shivers.* The action was really amped up. Charley has a hard time brushing her teeth without someone trying to kill her. But that’s just the day in the life.
Charley’s true powers are slowly revealing themselves. It’s getting crazy, kiddies! The rest of the characters keep things interesting. I love Cookie! Such a good sidekick to Charley. Swoops is warming up for me as well.
The Bad
There was nothing bad enough for me to point it out.
The Snuggly
Gotta love smoke monster sex. Bwahahaha.
Final Thoughts
I love to laugh and Second Grave on the Left made me laugh the whole time. I am for sure staying with this series. I am already on book 3. I have the whole series. I feel so lucky to read them back to back. Highly recommended.
Quotes (Too many good quotes!)
“Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket? ~Bumper sticker~”
“I stop fighting my inner demons. We’re on the same side now. – T-shirt”
“She shook her head then took off again, and I found myself struggling to keep up with her in my bunny slippers. With a sigh, I realized I was getting way too much exercise. I’d just have to counteract it later with cake.”
“I sort of got off on making bad guys sweat. Which was not unlike my love of making good guys sweat, just by very different means.”
“That you honestly believe I am capable of hurting innocent people for no reason.”
“You’re not?” I asked, hope softening my voice.
“Oh, no, I’m more than capable. I just didn’t realize you
knew that.”
“You hit me again,” I said, growing oddly annoyed.
“Ya think?” Evil Riggs said. Smart-ass.
“Part of my brain hurts. I demand to know what that part of my brain is called and what its job is.”
“Two men from the FBI are here,” Cookie said.
Crap. “Men in black are at the office?”
“Well, yes, but they’re actually in more of a navy.”
Crapola. I so didn’t have time for men. In any color. “Okay, two questions.
Do they look mad, and are they hot?”
After a long, long pause, Cookie said, “One, not really. Two, no comment at this time. And three, you’re on speakerphone.”
After another long, long pause, I said, “Okie dokie then. Be there in a jiff.”
Melliane
I really enjoy this series. It’s always so much fun! I’m glad to see you’re having a nice time.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I just get so excited with every book I read.
Cindy
I am glad that you enjoyed this book so much. I have not read this author but great review! Thanks for sharing.
Lekeisha
So glad you are enjoying the series. I need the twelfth book now!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Oh yeah, I am already feeling you.
Erin@Paperbackstash
I still need to start this series!!
Christy LoveOfBooks
Glad you have the whole series. There’s a couple of you flying through this series right now. It fun seeing how you are getting along with it, especially knowing what you’re in for with the remaining book. 😀
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I finished the who series and I am dying for more! Just got to pop out these reviews.
Nathan
I am glad you are enjoying this series.
Melissa (Books and Things)
YES! I love this series so hard! 😀
Karen
I’ve only read the first book but it was a lot of fun. I’ll have to catch up one day!
For What It’s Worth
Olivia Roach
Nothing bad to point out? These books must be magic or something because I have never heard anything bad about them at all. I can’t wait to read this one for sure now. I love the sound of the main character. I might be in love with her already and I’ve only read reviews of the books.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Seriously, they are magic. I can’t wait for you to start this series.