Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson #8
Published by St. Martin's Press
Published on: May 19, 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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With twelve hellhounds after her, pregnant Charley Davidson takes refuge at the only place she thinks they can't get to her: the grounds of an abandoned convent. But after months of being cooped up there, Charley is ready to pop. Both metaphorically and literally since she is now roughly the size of a beached whale. Fortunately, a new case has captured her attention, one that involves a murder on the very grounds the team has taken shelter upon. A decades-old murder of the newly-vowed nun she keeps seeing in the shadows is almost enough to pull her out of her doldrums.
Charley's been forbidden to step foot off the sacred grounds. While the angry hellhounds can't traverse the consecrated soil, they can lurk just beyond its borders. They have the entire team on edge, especially Reyes. And if Charley didn't know better, she would swear Reyes is getting sick. He grows hotter with every moment that passes, his heat scorching across her skin every time he's near, but naturally he swears he's fine.
While the team searches for clues on the Twelve, Charley just wants answers and is powerless to get them. But the mass of friends they've accrued helps. They convince her even more that everyone in her recent life has somehow been drawn to her, as though they were a part of a bigger picture all along. But the good feelings don't last for long because Charley is about to get the surprise of her crazy, mixed-up, supernatural life….
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This was the first time that I’ve read a CHARLEY DAVIDSON novel, so I was a little worried that the story just wouldn’t be the same without Lorelei King’s narration, and yes I did miss her sultry voice (audiobook’s been pre-ordered!), but I regret nothing. EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK was the installment that I’ve been craving since Darynda Jones began laying her trail of breadcrumbs in FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT. We get answers to oh so many questions, to the point that I’ll be hitting play on my iPhone the moment it shows up because one pass wasn’t nearly enough.
Lately this series has been on my ‘easy listening’ playlist thanks to it’s snarky humour, scorching romance, and the fact that it’s, for the most part, mindless entertainment. Well, that all changes with this latest addition; Charley’s working a case—from the confines of a convent no less—and her latest problematic spooks aren’t stalking her in order to cross over. Oh, and she’s eight months preggo. AND, the prophesy is not even close to being done with her yet. I typed up a list of must-remember events, and I have sixteen bullet points. SIXTEEN!
I found that the author waited a touch too long to fill readers in on what’s what; it seemed like she saved every single reveal for this installment, and as much as I loved finally getting to open Pandora’s Box, it was a bit much to take in all at once. Practically every page had an ah-ha moment, but as gratifying as the discoveries were, this novel wasn’t nearly as funny as some of the previous volumes, so while it was a strong addition in many respects, it didn’t deliver in all areas. Still, the Mr. Wong mystery was solved, that’s all that matters.
Jones definitely hit all of the right notes where my favourite characters were concerned. Cookie & Ubie are sneaking up on Charley & Reyes, and I’m really diggin’ Osh too. I even started to like Denise, Davidson’s witch of a stepmom, which was weird, but I’m so over her now. I was however disappointed that there’s still drama between the lead couple; they persist on doing stuff behind each other’s backs. I mean, it’s looking like their kid might be Earth’s only hope, so maybe they should get their act together because the fate of humanity quite possibly hangs in the balance. Just a thought.
EIGHTH GRAVE AFTER DARK was a critical book in the CHARLEY DAVIDSON series, and despite my minor quibbles, I will be downloading the audio on Tuesday, and spending the next nine hours with Darynda Jones and Lorelei King for a repeat performance!
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I still need to finish reading 7th Grave, that I’ve barely started because I’m not sure when I’ll have the time to dedicate to reading it, but I’m very happy to hear that you’re more than ready to go on round two with 8th Grave already!! Cannot wait till this one downloads to my Kindle at midnight!
Pili recently posted…Xpresso Book Tours Blog Tour for Hunting Season by Nikki Jefford!!
THAT ENDING. It killed me. That is all.
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…On the Night Table [17]: ARCs
I can’t wait to read this. Love this series!
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Paranormal Road Trip: Destination Dunnsmouth with Daryl Gregory
Oooo, this sounds so good! I’m definitely going to read this series, I totally am. I suck for not having done so already, I know, sigh 🙁
Livia recently posted…Indie Flutters: Forbidden Surrender by Priscilla West
I’m so excited to read this but a killer ending? Gah! I might hold off until book nine comes closer. I already read the description for it and it is killing me!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry
AH! I am super excited to read this! Actually, I was started to get a little series burn out because I binge read books 4-7. However, I wouldn’t miss reading this installment
tonyalee recently posted…Review | Dissident by Cecilia London
This was definitely a pivotal book and I have a feeling the next one will be much lighter. I was afraid of the angst, all things considered, but of course Darynda found the perfect way around it. And like you, I plan to do this again with Lorelei King’s narration because she’s amazing.
I have to admit that after the last two books I’m on the fence about continuing the series. But if we get the answer to Mr. Wong then I need to read/listen to this one. I’ve never read a book in this series but I’m thinking I’ll try to read this one. My library has it in ebook and there are already 9 people on the wait list for it. I better add my name to the list. LOL
Jennifer recently posted…My Favorite so far! Into the Shadows by Carolyn Crane
Awesome review! I am a few books behind, but I will catch up someday. And now I want to know the Mr. Wong answer!
Aurian recently posted…Anne Bishop – Vision in Silver
I haven’tread the last two releases from this series and I’m sorely missing it. I love me some Charlie and Reyes and all the paranormal goodness. *sigh* I must go back and re-read this series, pronto!
Sarah recently posted…Not Your Average Romance Writer by L.J. Wilson
I am waiting on the audio but you spoke the magical words: Cookie and Ube having a good role in this one. They are hands down my favorite 🙂
Felicia The Geeky Blogger recently posted…Audiobook Review: Keeper of the Castle by Juliet Blackwell
I’m so excited for this one. I’m waiting for the audio (as usual). I don’t know if I could actually read the book without Lorelei King.
Melanie recently posted…Cover Reveal: When An Alpha Purrs by Eve Langlais
Omg want want NOW
blodeuedd recently posted…Historical romance x2: Seven Nights in a rogue’s Bed and The way to a Duke’s heart
Oh I can’t wait to listen to this one. I want it on audio like I’ve done the rest of the series. I love that you enjoyed this one so much and the characters sound like they are doing great! I don’t like that they are doing things behind each other back. I hate that. Still, I can’t wait to get it!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Audiobook Review: Rogue by Julie Kagawa
I’m waiting for the audiobook tomorrow, I don’t want to read the book. This is all Loupe’s fault. 🙂
I hope I’m right about Mr. Wong.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Early Review: Made You Up by Francesca Zappia
Good to know of what to expect!
Sophia Rose recently posted…Love After All by Jaci Burton #Review
I have had the first book in this series sitting on my kindle just waiting to be read! there has been so much praise so I really should get started.
I’m pleased you enjoyed this Carmel! the humor and characters sound great.
Sharon – Obsession with Books
sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
The main character’s pregnant? Well, that’s extremely exciting. 😉 I’m not sure how I would feel about every page having a big reveal, though. That could either be fantastic or incredibly confusing. But bonus points for loving all of the characters! 🙂 Fantastic review, Carmel!
Aimee recently posted…Review: Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen
We’ll be listening twins tomorrow! I can’t wait to hear about all these aha! Moments!
Oh yes like you, I was really surprised to have that many revelations there. I didn’t expect that but that was nice, a different book from the others too.
Just thought I would drop in and say hello since we seem to read a LOT of the same books (and attract the same trolls I think). Nice review, this book was the saving grace for me with this series. I think I was about to give it up if it had not picked up and it did in big “WTF just happened” ways LOL
I’ve seen this one around a lot, and good to hear it was well done and a critical one in the series