Fourth Grave Beneath my Feet

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

 

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans.

 

I had so many problems with this book that I don't know where to begin.  I knew I shouldn't have read it.  Get ready for a Paloma Faith on Room 101 discussing Fifty Shades of Gray type rant.  I warn you now, there will be spoilers.

I mentioned this in a review of book three, but I'm perplexed that the scatty mythology that Jones has set up is changed when a plot-line needs it to. I found this quote infuriating:

'...I'm supposed to remember a message given to me by a departed when I was in the low single digits? What the bloody hell?' Pg140

Why can Charley, the woman who can recollect everything, who can remember being born,  not remember this message? Is it because it's not about Charley and therefore can be considered memory trash? Or that Jones can't remember her own characters powers?

Jones has been banging on about Charley's capabilities for FOUR books now, and where's the pay off for regular readers?  I know as much about Charley as I did in book one. Oh apart from that I now know that she can project her soul elsewhere and that Dutch means Seeker. WOOP. DE. DOO.  For a series to work well there needs to be a balance between an overall arc and cases of the week.  If you can't even do that then pick one and stick to it, and make it good.  While I'm on the topic of 'Case of The Week', if you're going to have a step-sister and step-brother be in love don't, for crying out loud, name her HARPER! It screams that your are ripping off Charlaine Harris.

Then what do I come across on pages 163-167?  An evil British meat suit demon. Sooo original.  For crying out loud why do all high up demons have to have a British accent?  Plus it wasn't even described as a localised British accent. We don't all speak with plums in our mouths, so should I have imagined the guy speaking like a Geordie?

However, the core problem I have with this series, the one that makes my blood boil, is Charley's attitude towards men.  In the last book, Charley was used as bait by Reyes in order to lure out Earl Walker, his abusive father figure.  Charley was tortured in her own living room, not to mention that Amber, her best friend's teenage daughter, was put in danger, too.  You'd think you'd have some problems with this guy who put you in mortal danger....but no.  She refers to the whole episode as an 'accident' which suggests that no-one is at fault.  Then on P.83 Reyes offers an apology, "I'm sorry, Dutch.  I never thought he'd come after you.".  So, what was the plan then Reyes?  Because she sure looked like bait to me.  Don't even get me started on Charley's dad.  He got a little bit more of a cold shoulder, but then she can't sleep with him, can she?

Just what is with the characterisation of Charley? Surely after being tortured by a man she would have at least small issues with men groping her all the time? But no, she loves it.  Charley's PTSD was non existent and ,of course, could be cured by having some cheese-tastic sex with the person who got her in that situation in the first place.  Said sex scene reminded me of the kind of writing Ms Perky was going for in 10 Things I Hate About You. I thought it was cringe worthy, and the line, 'until I milked him' has to have been the highlight of the whole section for me.

But, I'm in the minority according to goodreads, etc.  Even my own mother thought it was good (but then this coming from the woman who hates most female characters on t.v for absolutely no reason apart from they're female.)  When I raised my rage points, I got told that I was getting on my high horse and that it's just fluff.  But it's not.  It's masquerading as fluff with some really horrible messages that men can do whatever they want with you, even get you killed, and it's okay as long as they're smoking hot and touch you up every now and again.  I apologise for having a brain.

To Read Or Not To Read?

I thought I'd seen the last of Charley Davidson.  She was on my Top Ten Tuesday list of most frustrating characters.  I specifically said that I couldn't keep reading this series (see here for my review of the third book) as it would become 'hate reading'.  I don't actively go out to give a book a bad review because the author has spent a lot of time in crafting their story - I hope - and put themselves and their story out there into the world of readers.  I try very hard to be positive.  So I decided enough was enough, and that I would leave Charley behind and try to find something more to my liking. 

This was going well...until my mum ordered and read the fourth book.  She's told me that it's quite good and that I should read it.  I'm not so sure....Do I give this series one last chance?  Or do I return it to the library quickly and get back to my scheduled TBR pile?

Third Grave Dead Ahead

I wish that I liked this series as so many others seem to be enamored with the adventures of female grim reaper Charley Davidson.  There are pages where I do find myself intrigued and that's why I have persevered to read all three books in the series so far.  However, after finishing Third Grave Dead Ahead, I am certain that Darynda Jones has a writing style that is not to my taste. 

A good series makes sure to inform new readers of what has happened before, while at the same time still rewarding previous readers with new information.  Yet, with almost a third of the book rehashing what went on in the prior two novels, and a nearly identical plot to the Second Grave on the Left, the only redeeming feature of TGDA was the introduction of a biker gang and their dog Artemis. 

The biggest disappointment was the reveal as to why Owen Vaughn tried to run Charely over in high school; it was such a waste of a possible plot line that could have integrated itself into the main mythology of the series. Instead I was left questioning as to why it was included in the books to begin with.. 

Another sticking point, which I may be reading into too much, was what felt like a continual message throughout the series that it's okay for the men in your life to mistreat you.  Both Reyes and Charley's father betray her, enough so that she's gravely injured in both circumstances, but she makes excuses for them. Everything will be okay because she loves them and that notion doesn't sit well with me.  I think it is the main reason why this is the end of the road for me and Charley Davidson.  I can't help but think good riddance.

Second Grave on the Left

After the initial chapters, which are heavy with exposition and previously... moments, Second Grave on the Left hits its stride with a clever mystery at the core.  I managed to forget about what I hated in Jones' previous offering First Grave on the Right and enjoyed reading Darynda Jones' second offering about a female Grim Reaper.  Then that moment was spoiled with a cliched passage centering around a family in crisis.  Another thing I found frustrating were contradictions to the lore that Jones had established in the first book.  Charley's impeccable memory, which means she remembers being born and meeting Reyes for the first time, is re-mentioned within the first few chapters of SGOTL and then completely forgotten by page 156.  I understand that authors often contradict themselves within their own series, but for it to happen in the second book of a planned series is worrying.
 Overall, it is a improvement.  I would perhaps recommend Second Grave on the Left without the "it has to be read to be believed" warning, and I may even pick up the next book, Third Grave Dead Ahead, which was released at the end of January.

First Grave on the Right

I had such high hopes for this debut novel from Darynda Jones.  First Grave on the Right is about Charley Davidson: PI, police aide and Grim Reaper.  I had first spotted it in the States; but due to a bad exchange rate I ordered a copy from my local library so it would be waiting for me upon my return.  When the time came I noticed, that like many trans Atlantic editions, the cover was different and underneath the blurb on the back cover was the thing I dread most on a book jacket: a shoe.  From experience, shoe(s) on book covers mean only one thing: chick lit.

  In no way am I an advocate for that genre.  This may have placed the seeds of doubt into my head, but once I started reading my suspicions were only confirmed. 

The premise was interesting and perhaps if given to another writer with more natural talent or a bit more experience this could have been the start of an excellent series.  However, it felt like Jones was trying too hard.  The supposed humorous quips felt like padding, or nervous chatter.  The attempt to give her Grim Reaper a history became lengthy and forced.  Instead of being brought up gradually every revelation about Charley's past was a massive anvil.  This resulted in every instance a derailment of the story and by the last proclamation I couldn't help feeling that there were too many of these horrible childhood moments.  While on the subject of unbelievable there is also the obligatory sex scene at the end. 

Maybe Jones had the Dummies guide on how to write paranormal fiction and from following those instructions so mechanically her finished product lacks any real magic.  Don't get me wrong; there are good things about First Grave on the Right but it was really hard to look past the rubbish.  It reminded me a lot of MaryJanice Davidson's Undead series, so if you're a fan of hers be sure to get your hands on FGotR.  I have the second book to read, as they were ordered together, and now I'm more aware of what to expect perhaps I may find reading slightly more enjoyable.