
I had no idea what to expect with this book, only that it sounded intriguing and different from what I've been reading lately. Overall, it’s a fun, breezy listen and an enjoyable escape. Jones is at her best with witty dialogue and keeps things moving at a brisk pace. The mystery element is weak, however, and the writing is on the mediocre side. Jones has created an interesting premise and characters. There’s quite a bit of set-up as Charley begins to understand more of her abilities and the presence of other supernatural beings. It will not be her last this is clearly a launch for a series. This is a debut novel from Darynda Jones. She elevates the work and keeps the laughs coming. King seamlessly switches among the characters and has fantastic comedic timing. In this performance, she does not disappoint. What makes her fantastic in the Plum series is her ability to define the voices of all the secondary characters and inject them with interest and distinct personalities.

Veteran narrator Lorelei King also performs the Stephanie Plum books and is well-cast in this novel. They both have feisty female protagonists, snappy dialogue, and zany characters. Inevitably, this book will be compared to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.

It’s chick-lit meets paranormal with a touch of mystery in the buzz-worthy First Grave on the Right.

Lately, her nights have been steamed up with dreams of a hot mystery lover who may or may not be real. For her day job, Charley is an Albuquerque private investigator and a consultant to her police detective uncle. She’s more of a bright light kind of girl than a hood with an axe. She’s sexy, sassy, and likes to help dead people with unfinished business before they cross. Charlotte “Charley” Davidson is not your stereotypical Grim Reaper.
