*Book Review* Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson #7) by Darynda Jones

*Book Blurb*

Twelve. Twelve of the deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane, and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there’s that. But Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing, her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley questioning everything she’s ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life.

A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her power to protect it.

We’re doomed

*My Thoughts*

"If I'm upset, hold me and tell me how beautiful I am. If I growl, retreat to a safe distance and throw chocolate."

Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson #7) once again shows how crazy Darynda Jones really is and how far she is willing to take her heroine. I mean, not only do we have to deal with a pregnant Charley who decides to stop drinking her drug of choice; coffee. But, we also get 12 hellhounds hot on Charley's heels, a missing father who was investigating something secretive about Charley, a 10 year old mystery of missing campers that is solved within minutes, a haunted house on top of a hell mouth, Vatican and its spies who have been watching Charley and investigating her, missing bodies in a graveyard, mysterious suicide notes, and someone infatuated with Reyes.

As usual, Charley is surrounded by her usual cast of characters from her best friend Cookie and her daughter Amber who threw me for a loop with her stunning ability, Uncle Ubie, Garrett Swopes who now has eyes wide open to Charley's crazy abilities, "The Dealer" aka Osh Villione, Angel, Charley's ghost investigator, former ex-BFF Jessica, Strawberry Shortcake, Rocket, and of course, the demon spawn Reyes Farrow. I'd add FBI Special Agent Kit Carson to that list, but she really only appears briefly, and to me, that's a shame.

I've said before that I think Charley needs her own version of the Idiots Guide to being a Grim Reaper. We've known that there is something special about Charley, and not just because she can see, talk, and help the departed cross over. We've known that there is a prophecy concerning Charley and her daughter aka Beep. But now things are even more curious and strange having read Reyes POV at the end of this book knowing that there is even more trouble awaiting Charley.

I continually amaze myself at my ability to laugh and feel frustrated at the same time while reading these stories. I adore Charley. I wouldn't have read this far into the series were that not true. However, I really would like Charley to take things a bit more serious, especially now that events have once again been changed by HER actions, and a tragic loss. I would like to have Charley use her abilities, like in this story, and stop feeling as though she needs anyone else's help. I would also love to know her REAL name that Reyes is keeping from her.

Charley and Reyes relationship has always been one of intense sexual connection, hot sexual situations, and bantering that would drive a normal person to drink a bunch of jello shots mixed with tequila. Were it not for the fact that they loved each other more than their own addiction, I would roll my eyes at the constant fights, and arguments that seem to come out of no where. Obviously, both characters have some issues still to be solved. Charley is a person who has more concern for others, than her own safety, and Reyes doesn't allow her room to breathe, let alone learn about her amazing abilities still to come.

I have to say, Holy crap, what a heart breaking ending! I truly do hope that Jones doesn't just walk away from that scene after what happened, and leave Charley unaware of what actually happened, and why. For those who have a copy of the actual book, you will find a nice surprise with a POV from Reyes. Apparently, it's not available in the electronic versions. It's nice to see Reyes and Angel working together. It's nice that Jones gives readers a peek into Charley's apparent next problem that she'll have to deal with.

Apparently, there are still (4) more books to come in this series, and they will be releasing (twice) a year. I'm ready for the next installment Eighth Grave After Dark (Charley Davidson #8) to release now!

Author - Darynda Jones
Title - Seventh Grave and No Body
Series - Charley Davidson # 7
Published by St. Martin's Press
Released: October 21, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages