Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

Hoping to take time off after a discouraging case, grim reaper Charley reluctantly assists a woman who is convinced someone is trying to kill her in spite of everyone's claims that she is insane, a situation that is complicated by Rayes Farrow's absence and arsonist attacks in Albuquerque. 75,000 first printing.

damn you, Art. DAMN YOU.

Four stars (at least for now), thought it's probably closer to 3.5. Book 4 of this series and I still adore Charley. Well, mostly. I could have done without her sudden penchant for naming everything. and I mean everything. The fact that the author manages to cover so many story arcs without any of them feeling shoehorned in or tissue paper thin is a huge accomplishment. Really my favorite characters (and this happens a lot for me) are the side characters - Cookie, Aunt Lil, Rocket, etc. All of them were their usual fun selves this go round.

But here's the thing...I hate Reyes. Like A Lot. And that Charley follows him around like a lost puppy. Happy to get any scraps he tosses her way. Even those that include more pain and trouble than she shouldn't have to deal with. I'm not even sure what it is exactly about the guy that makes me hate him (well other than he walks all over our favorite PI and apparently enjoys being vague about everything). I like other male characters that this author writes - Garrett, Uncle Bob, Donovan, heck even Dylan the deaf teen in this installment was fun - so it's not that. I just don't like Reyes. And if he disappeared from the series tomorrow (I know, I know. NOT happening) I can't say I'd be sad.

CHARLEY! I love her. I hate her. I go back and forth. I hate that she named her body parts, I like that she is not letting people walk all over her, like Reyes and her father, and she has a few issues to deal with. She is having some PTSD with the whole Earl encounter, who can blame her?

Not much to say here besides another great book in this series, looking forward to the next book.

Donovan was definitely my favorite character in this installment of the Charley Davidson series. He is boss, y'all. I rated this a bit lower than the other books because I didn't find it as witty though it was no less entertaining and funny. Considering the somber ending of the last book I can understand the fallout spilling onto this one but while there were answers provided as to Charley's Grim Reaper tendencies, I wish they would have been more definitive. I'm going to continue on with the series because with the sort-of-happy ending I see more mischief and fun times in Charley's future. Plus I can't wait to find out what she names her life; should be good. :)