by Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson #9
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around. But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way
I devoured The Dirt on Ninth Grave, book nine in the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones. After the jaw-dropping, nail-biting conclusion of Eighth Grave After Dark, I was nervous about what we would face going into this novel. I should have set those trepidations aside because Jones handled it brilliantly. I loved how the events in The Dirt on Ninth Grave unfolded.
The further into the series I get, the harder I find it is to review the story without spoilers, but I shall endeavor to try.
After the events in Eighth Grave After Dark, Charley ends up north with nothing more than the clothes on her back and a ring on her finger. She has no idea who she is. Stranger still, she can see dead people. She makes no mention of this to the people in the small town helping her. With their help, she gets a job at the local dinner and a small apartment. I loved how Charley was still Charley even without her memory. The name she chose for herself is so her and I laughed out loud. As much as I fretted for her, I could not help but giggle:snort. Some things remained the same like her coffee addiction, snark and hilarious personality.
I loved the way Jones brought the other characters into this new setting and of course, I was worried about getting my Reyes fix. No worries folks, “hail, hail the gang’s all here.” It made me a little teary eyed seeing all of her friends gathered in this small town. Of course, we got some downright hilarious moments. I caution you not to eat or drink while reading this, because even the most mundane things will have you rolling. It is Charley after all.
While Charley might not know, who or what she is that does not stop her from being curious and getting herself into trouble. She can’t just call in the authorities, she NEEDS to investigate. This is the ninth book with at least two more on the horizon and Jones continues to keep things fresh and exciting. If you doubt the existence of soul mates, Jones just might make you a believer. The interaction between her and Reyes was sad, funny, hot and beautiful.
As much as I laughed, some intense story threads put Charley in danger. Her memory loss also possesses a threat especially when she gets upset. The powers that be see her as a threat all of which led to some intense scenes and a promise made that has me anxious.
The Dirt on Ninth Grave wrapped up nicely and has me counting the days until The Curse of the Tenth Grave.
Quotes
I’d been waiting for four weeks, three days, seventeen hours, and twelve minutes. Waiting for him to find me. For anyone to find me.
“It was freaking awesome. Seriously. Like, mind-blowing. What are we talking about?”
The doctors told me I had amnesia.
Right?
Apparently that shit’s real. Who knew?
“I took a quick sip of my coffee before explaining. “I’m, like, stupid smart. I’m probably a prodigy of some kind.”
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
MarthaE
I had some nervous thoughts at the end of eight too. I agree that this was a fun installment. Now we get to worry about the dangers ahead!
Olivia
I follow a blog called Joyous Reads and she really did love this mystery book as well. Apparently it doesn’t get any better than this! Now it has me curious to try some of the previous books in the series :3
The Bibliophile Babe
I must catch up on this series! This sounds like the best in the series.
Sophia Rose
Yes, this one had me nervous, too. But what was I thinking, no need.
I loved how it felt like a reset to earlier days and how even with amnesia, she is still Charley.
ShootingStarsMag
I need to read these!!! I’m glad to hear you liked the latest installment. This is one of the few series where the books seem to be just as good as the first one!
Angela Adams
Wow! This is the third review I’ve seen this week for this book — and it’s only Tuesday!
Kathy
One of these days, I’m going to invest in a speed reading course so that I can catch up in all the books on my TBR list. This series is one I so badly want to read but keep pushing back for some reason. I feel like the kid who was kept at home from the party. 🙁
Lorna
This one sounds so so good. I am still needing to go to book 2, and I have bought book 3. Just always seems I have to read something else. Great review!
Melissa (Books and Things)
I got this one for review the day before it was archived… and I didn’t get to it in time! *cries hysterically* I cannot wait to devour this one especially where we left off before this one. I cannot wait to dive into it and impatiently wait with you for the next. 😀
blodeuedd
I can’t wait for more
Tanya
I really enjoyed the book. I am kicking myself for not waiting for the audiobook though. The ebook was funny, but Lorelei King makes it even funnier. I loved how Cookie had such a hard time with her new character. Great book!
Heidi
I loved the small town setting and seeing the gang all here but in disguise. I loved this and can’t wait for more.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
*Sigh* My goal this year is really to get caught up on series’ I am in the middle of…not start new ones but this is soooo tempting!
Candace
Everyone has been reviewing this and I’ve been hearing wonderful things. I’m far behind on this series but maybe this year I can get more caught up. I like them on audiobook (well the one I listened to) so I plan to continue listening to them. I just need to get busy and do so, I just have so many audiobooks I want to listen to!
Paij Slater
Awesome review but book 9…..I’ve been so overwhelmed I cannot think about a 9 book series….but it sounds so good
Kristin
Crap, I’m literally one day behind you on my reviews!! Too freakin’ funny!!! BUT I actually wrote this one already b/c I read this in one sitting!!! I usually take at least 2-3 days to savor her books but I gobbled this down!! I needed to KNOW!!!
I almost wrote the same exact review as you, mine started the same as your but you touched on so much mine didn’t – I LOVE your review!!! And your quotes!! Holy crap! I missed the amnesia one – went right over my head!!
That’s what I get for reading so fast 🙁
You rock 🙂
Tracy Terry
What sounds like a wonderfully cheesy read if those quotes or anything to go by. This sounds like a fun read, ideal for the long, cold days.
Anna
I’ve read her first book of the series. I know. It’s so odd for me and I did like the ending very much. I’m definitely jumping back in. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
kindlemom1
I have always love the secondary characters in this series for the support they show Charley but this book really let them shine, I loved it!
Debbie Haupt
Okay Kim here’s my ONLY resolution for 2016, to read this series and read the 9th in the series that I have on my shelf
I’m so psyched that I get to interview Darynda and I’ll be linking your review to my post.
Okay yikes now I actually have a resolution in print 😉
Quinn's Book Nook
I read the first one in the series last year and really enjoyed it. It’s not my typical read, but still I really liked it. I should get back to the series. Glad you enjoyed this.
Jenny
This series, the Weird Girls series. and The Others are all on my list for this year Kim! I need to be in the loop on these three:) The Others is up first, I’m starting Written in Red at the end of the month and can’t wait! Glad Charley and Reyes are still going strong for you even at book 9:)
melliane
It was nice to have a story like that where everything is new for our heroine and I laughed a lot! It’s more a transition book but I’m curious for more!
Samantha
My guilty pleasure is amnesia plots. I’ve only ever read the first book in this series, but am sorely tempted to read the others just to get to this book for that trope alone.
Glad to hear that Jones is still keeping the series fresh.
Nick
I’m glad to hear that Charley is still the same old girl! 🙂 It’s truly impressive how this author has managed to keep this series fresh and unique despite it being the 9th book in the series.
Someday, I’ll get back to the series!
Lovely review, Kim!
Lekeisha
Looking forward to starting this series!
Bookworm Brandee
It’s wonderful that Jones found a way to keep this series fresh at #9, Kimberly. I love the sound of Charley and hopefully, hopefully I will finally start this series in 2016! 😉 I can’t believe I haven’t met Charley or Reyes yet.
Melanie Simmons
Charley was Charley no matter if she knew it or not. I really enjoyed this installment. I loved watching her fall for Reyes all over again. I also loved watching everyone tiptoe around her trying not to jolt her memory back too quickly. I’m with you though, it is hard to review a book this late in the series, without giving away spoilers. There were so many things that happened in the last book, but you can’t mention them here. Oh, well, you did a great job.