Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #4
Published by St. Martin's Press on 30 October 2012
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 368
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Purchase
In Darynda Jones's Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet, 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.
Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet brought more insight to Charley and what she is capable of, and it also shed more light on everything else that is going on with the reaper, the ghosts, and the people surrounding her.
I loved the case Charley had to work on in Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet, because she really had to use all of her wits to figure out what was going on, and she definitely got it before I did! Cookie is such a great side-character and best friend, she is always there for Charley, even when Charley only wants to spend her hard-earned money on buying stuff she sees on late-night infomercials and not leave her apartment if at all possible. Finally, we also got to see that there is love between Charley and her sister, and I thought that was really good, especially after what Charley had to go through with her dad in the last book. I was so mad at him – and still is – about the way he treated Charley.
Reyes… What to say about this perfect bad boy? The one who might be either the salvation or the one who ultimately ends the world as Charley knows it? The chemistry between the two of them continues to be very strong, even if Charley is truly fed-up with the way he treats her, and how he won’t always let her know what’s going on until it’s almost too late.
The series continues to be one I really enjoy, and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment. There were some very intriguing interactions between Charley and a certain ghost here, as well as what happened at the asylum. Definitely a story fans of Charley will devour.
A midmorning sun filtered through the blinds and cut hard streaks of light across my body, casting me in an ultra-cool film noir effect. Since my life had definitely taken a turn toward the dark side, film noir fit.
“And they’ve all been canceled. I have to make sure I get paid every week. I’ve also funneled all of your remaining funds out of your bank account and into a secret account in the Cayman Islands.”
“You can funnel money?”
“Apparently.”
“Isn’t that like embezzling?”
“It’s exactly like embezzling.”
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: kbaby81
I think this is my least favorite of the series. It was sort of like a filler to me. Charley and PTSD do not mix.
So you means it gets better in book 5? That means I have to get it sooner than I had planned, Lekeisha 🙂
Yay for Darynda Jones books! I love this series even if book 9 wasn’t as good for me but still really great too! I hope it will continue like that for you
Charlie is just so much fun, and she gets into the weirdest situations! I’m glad it continues to go strong, Melliane.
I like the sound of this series. The Grim Reaper with some mystery and case files she has to sovle. Sounds like something I’d enjoy!
It’s really well done, Majanka! And there’s a lot of snarky fun as well.
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I love Cookie and Charley together. They are the perfect BFFs. This series is one that can always pull me out of a funk with its humor. Darynda Jones can make me laugh in every book. Don’t let her fool you though, she can make you cry too. Great review. You still have several great books to come.
I agree, it’s not possible to be sad or down when reading about Charley! Cookie and Charley really balance each other out very nicely, and the snark is amazing 🙂
I stopped this series at book 3 but I really need to get back because all the raving reviews suggest that I’m going to LOVE the rest! Plus, I need more Reyes! 😀 I’m glad that you enjoyed this one and had fun with it!
Great review, Lexxie! 🙂
We can never get too much Reyes, Nick 😉 I hope you’ll continue to have fun with this series!
Well, you’re officially caught up to where I am with the series Lexxie, but Fifth Grave is set to be one of my very next reads 😉 I enjoyed this one a lot too and Charley never fails to entertain. I adore her friendship with Cookie – I think it’s one of the best ones I’ve encountered in fiction to be honest. And well, Reyes is just too dreamy for words 😀 Great review!
I want to read Fifth Grave soon, too, Micheline. I do have some review books I need to read first, though 🙂
Charley is very entertaining, and even if she has some paranormal powers, she’s very ‘real’ in many ways.
Twitter: kbaby81
It definitely gets better with the rest of the books.
YAY, I’m looking forward to continuing this series 🙂
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
I really need to start this series, I have the first one on audio…got a lot of first in series on audio to try…sigh..so many books, so little time…lol.
Stormi
I think you’ll enjoy this series, Stormi, it’s a lot of fun 🙂
Twitter: talksupeblog
Yeah… haven’t read the books after the first so… happy weekend! 😀
That’s too sad, Braine, because it’s a riot!
This sounds like such a great series! I’ve been wanting to read it for a while because numerous people have said they think I’ll like it, and I keep seeing more and more people review it. It sounds like there’s some good character development, and I love those complicated, imperfect yet still growing types of relationships (romantic, family, friends, any kind). I’m glad you’re enjoying the series!
It’s a great series, Kristen, and it’s a lot of fun, too. I agree, the complicated, imperfect but growing characters are the most interesting to read about 🙂
I *still* haven’t started this series, Lexxie, but I’m really wanting to. I love the sound of Charley, her friendship with Cookie, Reyes ;), and I like that it seems you got to see Charley really use all her assets in this installment solving the mystery. I’m so happy you’re enjoying this series so well!
*BIG HUGS*
I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy it, Brandee. It’s filled with fun!