Second Grave on the Left

Author: Darynda Jones

Series: Charley Davidson, Book 2

Publisher:  Macmillian Audio

Narrator:  Lorelei King

Year: 2011

Goodreads Description:
When Charley is rudely awakened in the middle of the night by her best friend who tells her to get dressed quickly and tosses clothes out of the closet at her, she can’t help but wonder what Cookie’s up to. Leather scrunch boots with a floral miniskirt? Together? Seriously?
Cookie explains that a friend of hers named Mimi disappeared five days earlier and that she just got a text from her setting up a meet at a coffee shop downtown. They show up at the coffee shop, but no Mimi. But Charley finds a message on the bathroom wall. Mimi left a clue, a woman’s name. Mimi’s husband explains that his wife had been acting strange since she found out an old friend of hers from high school had been found murdered a couple weeks prior. The same woman Mimi had named in her message.
Meanwhile, Reyes Alexander Farrow (otherwise known as the Son of Satan. Yes. Literally) has left his corporeal body and is haunting Charley. He’s left his body because he’s being tortured by demons who want to lure Charley closer. But Reyes can’t let that happen. Because if the demons get to Charley, they’ll have a portal to heaven. And if they have a portal to heaven… well, let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty. Can Charley handle hot nights with Reyes and even hotter days tracking down a missing woman? Will Cookie ever get a true fashion sense? And is there enough coffee and chocolate in the world to fuel them as they do?

I am loving this series. Charley Davidson is quickly becoming my favorite female investigator. I've listened to the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich for years and loved them but lately those books have lost their luster. But never fear, looks like Charley is ready to take Stephanie's place. What I think makes Charley better than Stephanie is that she's smart and figures things out whereas Stephanie just falls in to a lot of the answers. Plus, Charley's just cool. This books are hilarious but it's not because Charley's doing stupid stuff. It's because Charley's sarcastic and smart. The one-liners are great. Plus, Reyes is super-hot. And, I'm holding out hope for Garrett Swopes. Charley's sidekick and neighbor, Cookie, is fun and smart. I really appreciate that Darynda Jones writes books with two smart women in them that are not reliant on the men in their lives to  make things happen or get them out of trouble. I can't wait to get further along in these audiobooks.

And completely coincidental, these books are narrated by Lorelei King who also narrates the Stephanie Plum series. As always, Ms. King does a wonderful job with the narration. She's definitely in my top three narrators. 

If you're looking for something fun and entertaining to get you through your daily commute or exercise routine, give these books a try and I guarantee the time will fly.