Book Review: Fifth Grave Past The Light

Author: Darynda Jones

Publication Date: July 9, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Series: Charley Davidson # 5

Charley Davidson may not look like your everyday, run-of-the-mill grim reaper, but she has vowed to reap grimness wherever she goes despite this unfortunate fact. Sadly, she gets sidetracked when the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, moves in next door. As he is the main suspect in her arson case, she is determined to stay away from him until she can find out the truth. According to her therapist, however, she lacks conviction.

When dead women start appearing in her apartment - lost, confused and terrified beyond reason - Charley has no choice but to ask for Reyes's help, especially when it becomes apparent that her own sister Gemma is the serial killer's next target. With his ability to observe incorporeally, surely he can find out who's responsible. And even if he can't, he is the one man alive who could protect Gemma no matter who or what came at her. But he wants something in return: Charley. All of her - body and soul. And to keep her sister safe, it is a price she is willing to pay…

The dead guy at the end of the bar kept trying to buy me a drink. Which figured. No one else was even taking a second look and I’d dressed to the nines. Or, at the very least, to the eight-and-a-halves.

And she transformed. She became confident. A true mistress of her own destiny. I almost giggled in triumph while I took another bite and listened in.

I walked through the apartment and spotted one Mr. Reyes Farrow busying himself in his kitchen. In a domestic capacity. The image was jarring and endearing at once and I had to tear my gaze away before he noticed. I couldn’t let him get too used to the idea that I adored him. Best to keep him guessing.

Before I knew it, the entire world was going to know I was the grim reaper. Wait, maybe I could get a reality TV contract. We could call it Grim in the City.

Well, Charley Davidson is back, and so is Reyes! Darynda Jones never gets tiring, and neither does her writing or her characters. Yes, she follows a formula. Yes, I can sometimes guess what is going to happen next. No, it is not always all that predictable. This is a series that will forever have a piece of my heart. We start off this book with a key, a cheating husband, a bullet, and a save my Reyes. Sigh! I had the feeling from the start that this one was going to pack more punch and it most certainly did. The mystery was harder to solve with an exciting twist and the characters were on top of their game, as per usual!

We have all been dying to know more about Charley and Reyes and his purpose on Earth. We have started to learn more about who they are, where they come from, and what their powers are. This book broadens that, and this book also allowed me to feel that Darynda Jones is expanding this series even further. We are seeing deeper into the lives of other characters as well, not just Charley and Reyes. What I loved most was that several of my questions are starting to find answers.

Charley and Reyes are their usual charming selves. I must admit that they are the reason why I am always so anxious to pick up another of these stories. They are both full of mystery and intrigue. Charley can be a little snarky and attitudal, but that is part of the reason I love her so much. She has this sarcastic, snarky humor that you could almost find to be rude and spiteful, but if you know Charley like I do then you realize it’s part of the reason you and her are best friends! I usually don’t go for the mushy gushy, or the tempting romance scenes, but Reyes and Charley are different. It’s like I am addicted to an awful reality show!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review***