ARC Review--Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans. 


I received this e-galley from the publisher for review, I was in no way compensated for this review.


Thanks ever so much to Loren and Dana at the publishers for allowing me to read an ARC of Darynda Jones's Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet! I will be apart of the blog tour in the weeks to come!

Charley is back in action! Sort of. Remember her being tortured by Earl at the end of Third Grave Dead Ahead? And then she is still mad at her dad for trying to protect her too much...and getting her arrested. And of course there was also the fact that Reyes doesn't trust her enough to tell her things. Like being Earl bait. So yeah, Charley isn't quite back in action at the moment. She's been in a slump for the past two months watching late night television and buying wayyyy too many things from the shopping networks.

But then Charley's friend, Cookie forces here back on her feet and gets her back to work. And as always there is a lot to do! Not only does she have a case where her client tells her she's afraid someone is after her and wants to kill her, while everyone who knows her says she's being over-dramatic or melodramatic. But Charley tends to be on the side of her client. 

Then there is also a series of bank robberies going on with the Gentlemen Robbers, who very politely rob banks around the city. But there's more to that than meets the eye. As for the arsonist, he doesn't really take the city hostage as I had thought, but yeah, buildings are burning baby! And no one knows why. No one is being harmed in the fires, but random buildings keep going up in flames.

The only thing that bugged me about this book was that the issue of Charley's arrest wasn't really brought up. I mean was she really arrested or were the charges dropped eventually. Did Ubie help her out? That wasn't really answered, but it wasn't a big deal. I just read TGDA two books back, so that's why I have it present in my head!

This book was definitely entertaining! As all Charley books are! Charley try as she might, can't seem to totally hate Reyes for what he did. Especially since she learns about his secret job on the side. These two go at it sooo many times and it's very funny since they are both equally stubborn! Reyes is terrifying and terrifyingly sexy! He can be fierce and bloodthirsty one moment and then gentle in the next. He truly does care for Charley and it is evident in everything he does.

The pacing was once again pretty quick, but nice. It's like Charley's own brain patterns going from one moment to the next but it's not totally chaotic! There is a lot going on and things just kind of go together smoothly. The transitions were spot on!

I can never gush enough about this series! Charley is definitely one of my all time favorite heroines because she's got spunk, badass attitude--when needed! and she is just too funny! She says whatever is on her mind, no matter how weird or unrelated it is.

There were a few surprises dropped here and there. Such as astounding revelations with characters like Swopes and Amber. Whether these will lead to more, I can't be sure at this point. Also Charley continues to learn more about herself and her powers, about what she is truly capable of.

The book was not without its romance either! There were definitely some swoon worthy moments! Reyes really makes a girl swoon when reading! Several times! And there was one steamy love scene in particular too! Reyes is, in a phrase, terrifyingly beautiful!

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet continues Charley's story, as she learns about who she is and the coming war. With demons and the sexy son of Satan, great friends and family, the ever-amazing Artemis as her protector and slew of talkative ghosts this makes for the perfect read!! This book ROCKS! This is one series I highly highly recommend!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars


Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet releases October 30, 2012