Second Grave on the Left - Book Review

Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson #2)
by Darynda Jones

What is it about:
If you hang around with dead people, life can get pretty complicated. Take it from Charley Davidson, part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper. Complicated is her middle name. The deceased find her very sparkly. Demons find her irresistible. And one entity in particular wants to seduce her in every way possible.

When Charley and Cookie (her best friend/receptionist) have to track down a missing woman, the case is not quite as open and shut as they anticipate. Cookie's friend Mimi disappeared five days earlier. Mimi then sends Cookie a cryptic message telling Cookie to meet her at an nearby coffee shop. The coffee is brewing, but Mimi's still missing. There is, however, a clue Mimi left on the bathroom wall: a woman's name. Mimi's husband explains to them that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old high school friend had been murdered. The same woman whose name Mimi had scribbled on the bathroom wall.

Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He's left his body because he's being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can't let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they'll have a portal to heaven...well, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty.

Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Can she keep those she loves out of harm's way? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel her as she does?

What did I think of it:
I have several books in this series in my TBR pile, but totally out of order. So I decided to get book three to continue reading this series. Only to discover I never reviewed book two after reading it a few years go. So I decided to first reread book two and finally give it the review it deserves.

And this is such a fun and action-packed read.

This book starts out with a great scene that immediately gets you in the right mood. A friend of Cookie went missing and a reluctant Charley gets dragged into the case by Cookie (Charley's friend and receptionist). I absolutely adore Cookie, so I loved that she plays a big role in this book.

Charley and Cookie are not the only ones trying to find Mimi and soon they're in the middle of danger. And if that isn't enough Reyes is in danger as well, but he won't let Charley help him. Reason for Charley to try and find him.

There isn't a dull moment in this book. Charley is a great heroine, she is resourceful and not afraid to get herself into danger to help those she cares for. There is also lots of fun snark and humor in the story as well.

The bonds Charley has with her family get a bit more defined in this book and made more sense to me than in book one. I also loved discovering more about Reyes and about the things Charley can do as Grim Reaper.

All in all a fast, fun, and suspenseful read. You bet I'll get my trotters on the whole series.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and action-packed UF read.


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