Murder Abounds in this Post...

Third Grave Dead Ahead (Charley Davidson, Bk 3) by Darynda Jones (library copy) -

 I don't think I have much more to say than when I posted on the first 2 books in this series.  I love the humor, I could do without the sex stuff (though I know others enjoy that part), and I'm definitely interested to see what happens next.  In particular for this book, I especially appreciated the ending bit... it was intense and emotional.  Book 4, Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet, is due out this October (I think).

It Takes a Witch (Wishcraft Mystery, Bk 1) by Heather Blake aka Heather Webber (library copy) -

A witch cozy with a twist.  I enjoyed exploring that twist.  I liked Darcy as a character and found myself intrigued or charmed with several secondary characters.  And I appreciated the way the victim went from being someone to dislike to someone to feel sympathetic towards (I really wanted to say sorry for or pity, but those terms sound more negative than fits).  I look forward to reading the second book (due out in August) A Witch Before Dying.

Buried in a Book (Novel Idea Mystery, Bk 1) by Lucy Arlington (library copy) -

I picked this up knowing it was book related and excited to read it.  I found out the main character, Lila has a teenage son and I felt a bit more cautious.  In my experience, teenagers (as characters) can so often make a story less enjoyable.  Fortunately, I still enjoyed this book.  There's a trailer, but I couldn't find any code to embed it, so I'm stuck with a link.  I plan on reading the second book, Every Trick in the Book.

ETA: I'm pretty sure I saw a reference in there about a certain cozy mystery with a cupcake theme. Hmm... wonder what book that could be? ;p

An Appetite for Murder (Key West Food Critic, Bk 1) by Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleib (library copy) -

I have read and enjoyed Roberta Isleib's advice column books, so I know I like her writing.  I liked Hayley for the most part, but there were a couple things (I'm not sure I even really know what they are to describe) that irritated me a bit.  I think maybe how dependent she was on her friends or maybe that she repeated over and OVER how she had moved to the Key West for her ex.  On the other hand I was a fan of her restaurant reviews and her appreciation for cats.  I will read the next in the series, Death in Four Courses.

Lately...

I haven't read much since my last update.

I did finish How to Wash a Cat (Cats and Curios, 1) by Rebecca Hale (I own).  I have the next 2 books in this series, but while I liked this, it took me longer to get through.  I need a break before I read Bk's 2 and 3.

I also read Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson, 2) by Darynda Jones (library copy).  I liked it better than the first (and I enjoyed the first).  Bk 2 had great humor, plus I was into the story.  Can't wait for book 3.

I read Sleight of Paw (Magical Cats, 2) by Sofie Kelly aka Darlene Ryan (library copy).  I look forward to reading book 3.

I'm not sure what to read next I have so many choices. I've been wanting to do some re-reading lately (I guess it comes with fall), but that would require making a mess digging the books out.  Plus I also have several library books to read.  Who knew choosing what to read could be so difficult?

First Grave on the Right

Title: First Grave on the Right

Author: Darynda Jones

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Copyright Date: 2011

Print Date: [February] 2011 (My copy's an Advance Readers' Edition)

ISBN: 9780312662752

Pages: 310

Series: 1st in the Charley Davidson series




Book Description (from 1st page):

This grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.

................................Or a diagram of some kind.

A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley sees dead people.

That's right, she see's dead people. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have dies 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.

Comments:

I like the cover, I like the title, and I got it free from the lovely @365andMe for a Twitter read-a-long (she apparently got it from macmillian).

I didn't read the blurb above, so it was an interesting surprise just what kind of paranormal being Charley is. I think I've only read one other grim reaper book (that being Death's Daughter by Amber Benson).

Anyway, it was a fun book. I was trying to pace myself for the read-a-long part and read Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family in the middle of this, so I was especially pleased about the light tone and humor when I picked it back up. It helped after the crying jag that had my face bones aching induced by Katie Up and Down the Hall.

The characters are interesting. I liked Charley, Cookie, Uncle Bob, Reyes, Garrett, the lawyers... The mystery surrounding the lawyers' murders is okay (it's certainly not the highlight, but then this book isn't billed as a mystery, so that's fine). Many seem like all the "hot" scenes. I have to say, that's not my thing. I prefer the whole looking into who Reyes really is part. But I guess that means something for everyone (well, not literally, of course).  The story isn't all tied up at the end with a neat bow, but it was settled enough that I was okay with it.

Overall... I'm looking forward to the next one.