Audiobook Review: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones (Narrator) Lorelei King

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First Grave on the Right Book Cover First Grave on the Right
Charley Davidson #1
Darynda Jones (Narrator: Lorelei King)
Urban Fantasy - Paranormal Romance - Mystery
Macmillan Audio
February 9, 2011
Audiobook
9 hours, 4 minutes
Library

 

A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper Charley sees dead people. That's right, she sees dead people. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light". But when these very dead people have died 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. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense. The audio includes a sneak peak of Second Grave on the Left.

 

This was my first audio listen in years. It was nice to change up my reading and try out an audio.

For a few years now other readers have suggested and recommended reading Darynda Jones. I enjoyed this first book in the series. We are treated to three engaging plot-lines. A mystery involving ghosts, Charley trying to figure out her Reaper side, and then the mystery into who Reyes Farrow is.

First Grave on the Right is the first book in the Charley Davidson series.

Their’s lots of sarcastic humor, clichés, one-liners and stereotypes. I liked the one-liners and humor, but at a point it got to be a little too much. The ghosts are funny and I liked meeting all the different ones.

As for Charley she’s ok, but a little childish to me. I felt she whined a little too much. She also thinks she’s all that and indestructible. It’s great to have confidence in yourself, but for me it came across as childish and too much though I am curious to see how she will grow and evolve throughout the books.

Reyes Farrow, who is he? Well he pops up in Charley’s dreams and we are also treated to a few steamy moments, but they are left to the readers imagination.

And, as for the ending, it is a cliffhanger. You get some questions answered, but more pop up.

The Narrator, Lorelei King, I felt she brought the characters to life in the audiobook. Charley’s snark and attitude came out. As for the male voices they weren’t male enough and sounded a little off to me, but still I enjoyed.

I had a delightful time with the audiobook for First Grave on the Right and will be picking up the Second Grave on the Left in audio to see where things go next.

Rated: 3.5 Stars

Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!

 

 

 

Challenge(s): New To Me (Author/Series) | Pick Your Genre (PNR/UF) | Backlist ReaderLibrary Love (2017)

 

 

I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.

10 comments on “Audiobook Review: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones (Narrator) Lorelei King

  1. I’ve tried to do the whole audio book thing,but its not for me!when I read I have a picture of the person as I see it in my head and their voices as well. Great review Angela! Shared on all my socials!!

    • I felt the same way, Kathy. I still do, but I find that the audiobooks add a whole new dimension to the story. I’ve been loving the Mercy Thompson, Alpha & Omega, and Kate Daniels series in audios. They all feel like the first time I read the stories and the voices have been great for the characters. The audios just add something. Though I can understand they aren’t for everyone. I had so many misgivings about trying them, but I’m trulls enjoying them.

      As for First Grave on the Right it was a great start and my first audio. I really like the narrator. She did a great job with the story and characters.

      Thank you for sharing. As always it’s wonderful to have you visit and share.

  2. I struggle with audios where the female narrator tries to overdo a male voice. Sometimes its really districting! Glad you enjoyed the book overall!
    Samantha recently posted…The Divinity Saga by L.A. Kirk: ReviewMy Profile

    • I picked up one like that just recently “Midnight Marked”. I only have the last too in the Chicaagoland Vampires series to read before I’ve finished the series and I saw that the audio was available at my library to download. So I did and I didn’t last 10mins; before I was so distracted. I h8 the male voices for Ethan and that Sorcerer guy who is married to Merits best friend. They just didn’t work. So I sent it back. I’ll have to continue reading the books instead.

      As for Lorelei King, well she does a fabulous job with the male voices. I can tell the difference and they aren’t annoying. I really like her narrating. It’s getting better the farther a long I get into the Charley Davidson series.

  3. Hey Angela I’m another newbie to the series. I also didn’t feel Charlie as childish but you know what they say, no two people read the same book.
    I look forward to your review of book 2 I would love to hear them but my library doesn’t offer them on audible.
    Debbie Haupt-The Reading Frenzy recently posted…#GIVEAWAY Showcase – Review Tales of a Bulimic Babe by Iris Ruth PastorMy Profile

    • That is so true, Debbie. We all read, relate, and see the the characters differently. I’m having fun with the series, so far. Their is just so much snarky fun humor that I’m not sure how I feel about it. I like it, but it feels like Charley is hiding from something or acting out at times. I’m not sure how I want to take it. I’m really enjoy the series. ^_^

      The audio has been fun. I’ve run into my library not having all the books in a series or a series I would like to try in audio. That’s the downside about the library. Sorry your’s doesn’t have the audio to try.

  4. I do love this series. I know it will always make me laugh (though it has also made my eyes tear up a time or two). Lorelei King nails the narration of this series. Great review.
    Melanie Simmons recently posted…Review: Masked Possession by Alana Delacroix (@mlsimmons, @AlanaDelacroix, @KensingtonBooks)My Profile

    • I really enjoying Lorelei King. She is doing a wonderful job on the different voices. It’s been different listening to a book instead of reading it, but I’m very much enjoying the series so far in Audio. Charley is a character that hasn’t won me over fully, I like her and then I roll my eyes at some of the things she does. It’s like she needs to use her snarky humor to cover up her fear or something. It’s fun, but gets a little annoying too at times. See I’m in a like don’t like stage with her. And I can’t figure out her guy relationships. Sigh…

      Glad you like the series. So many do and that is why I deiced to give it a try and also because a Grim Reaper. We don’t see many of them in books.

  5. I’m sorry this wasn’t as great for you. I hadn’t really thought of Charley as immature, mainly overly confident and sarcastic. But I understand what you mean when I think about some of the things she does and says. I really hope you fall in love with book two. This is one of my favorite series mainly because I get a good laugh and don’t take it too seriously. However, as the series goes on, we do get more serious events. Charley still takes them a bit lighter than you would expect, but I think it is more false bravado.

    Oh and I was scared if I checked that “Notify me when new comments were added” that I would get all your reader’s comments in my box. I’ll know better now 🙂
    Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict recently posted…Review ~ White Trash Zombie Unchained by Diana Rowland @dianarowlandMy Profile

    • I’m currently on book 4 audio for the series. I’m enjoying the series. I like the hummer, but at some points I rolls my eyes at Charley and her comments which seam to be made to cover up her fear or something. Like you said the false bravado. The mystery’s that are in the story are great fun and I like her friend Cookie.

      As for the “Notify me when new comments are added” I think it does give you all the comments that are left. I haven’t been able to find a way with the theme I have to just let people get only a comment back not all comments. So I’m sorry if you do get all comments.