“First Grave on the Right” is the first book in the “Charley Davidson” series by Darynda Jones. This debut novel is not only charming, but it will also leave you on the edge of your seat to see what will happen to Charley.

Charley Davidson might be my favorite book heroine. She’s witty, funny, admirable, tough and a smartass. She’s everything I aspire to be. “‘My fore-parts, as you so ineloquently put it, have names.’ I pointed to my right breast. ‘This is Danger.’ Then my left. ‘And this is Will Robinson. I would appreciate it if you addressed them accordingly.’” Come on, she’s perfect.

She’s a private investigator and The Grim Reaper. It doesn’t seem like it would be a hard job right?

Charley sees dead people, and since she’s The Reaper, she has to convince them to “go into the light,” which happens to be her. Most dead people have unfinished business, so sometimes they want Charley to finish that business. Most of the time she’s finding murderers.

To top out all the dead people issues, she’s having, shall we say intensely hot dreams about an entity that’s been following her all her life. He’s always been there for her to save her life every time she’s had a brush with death. It just so happens that this entity is in the form of sexy Reyes Farrow, which is a deliciously huge problem. No girl wants to be hung up on a guy in prison right? Especially one that’s been in a coma for years.

The story line in this first novel is smooth and easy compared to other books in the series. Jones skillfully writes out a delectable, fun and sexy crime/mystery. This is not a romance novel. It is a mystery novel. It a saucy twist on the old “who done it” novels and TV shows.

Charley is no Sherlock, but she’s a force to be reckoned with. I think many people would enjoy reading her sassy thoughts and witty banter with the other characters. They’ll also find her relationship with Reyes steamy, and her murder cases addicting.