ARC Review: Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones

Fifth Grave Past the Light is the fifth installment in Jones’ Charley Davidson series. While reading I asked myself over and over how it’s taken me so long to find this series? This book grabbed my attention from the start and is still refusing to let go. So of course I will now be heading straight over to my book dealer of choice to locate and purchase the previous installments.

Charley Davidson was born a Grim Reaper. Though life expectancy for one of her kind tends to run low she’s lived to see her mid-twenties and still kicking. Being a major feat in itself she still manages to be a walking trouble magnet to the Nth degree as well as a sense of humor that leaves those she meets with only two choices, love her or hate her. Personally I was immediately on team love as she had my cheeks aching from grinning like an idiot from one well placed ridiculous comment to the next. She keeps the power on by working as a PI and consultant to the local authorities. Cook, her quirky and also hilarious assistant, keeps her on schedule and generally coaxed into a positive mood with an endless supply of caffeine.

On top of Reaper duties, criminal investigations, and staking out cheating spouses she’s also got a man on her mind that won’t seem to stop leaving post-it notes on her door. Easy for him as he’s taken up residence in the apartment next door. Troublesome for her him not only being the son of Satan himself, but also a current person of interest in an arson case her Uncle brought her in on. Reyes is one sexy sonofa- well, let’s just say he’s hot in more ways than one. And to Charley’s delight seems just as fixed on her as she is on him. The chemistry between these two was scorching and left me extremely interested in going back to read the previous books to see how this relationship began and grew to the point I got to experience in this story.

From what I gathered there were several recurring supporting characters from the previous books. All of whom added a great amount of depth into Charley’s character as well as flesh out the varying plotlines sprinkled through the story.

This was an extremely entertaining read. A complete package containing a steamy-as-hell romance, mystery surrounding an apartment full of ghosts, danger, action, and enough quirky quips to leave the most stoic of readers with aching sides. If you have read Jones’ previous works then I am more than willing to bet this will be another must-read for you. For those new to Jones’ writing...if you are a fan of super quick witted strong female leads, and an alpha male that can make you melt this is a definite title to get your hands on.

**ARC provided by the Author**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |