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Review: Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #6)

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Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones // VBC ReviewSixth Grave on the Edge (Charley Davidson #6)
Darynda Jones
Published: May 20, 2014 (St. Martin’s Press)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: purchased

Reviewed by: Jo

Rating (out of 5): 4 stars

Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it does make references to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, First Grave on the Right.

While ordinarily I would start out a review with a recap of what a book was about, that’s sort of where all my issues lie with Sixth Grave on the Edge; I’m not sure I even know where to start… But I’ll attempt to give it a go.

Charley has a new client, a grieving father who wagered his soul in a poker game with a demon and now needs it back. She’s also looking into Reyes kidnapping case, and doing her best to keep that fact from him. As if that wasn’t enough, masked gunmen inform Charley she has 48 hours to produce a star witness in a murder trial (currently under police protection) or one of her friends gets it. Add to that more than one traumatized ghost who needs help, romantic rouses, apocalyptic prophecies, shadowy stalkers and the fall out from THAT Post-It…. Yeah, there was a lot going on (and I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten more).

Charley’s (mis)adventures have always had a chaotic flavor to them but this time it just tipped over the edge (no pun intended) and after finishing, I find myself struggling to even figure out what the main storyline was. All the threads had the potential to be fantastic but the sheer number meant I never felt I really got my teeth into any. That being said, they did eventually begin to come together and I found myself once again routing for Charley to kick some ass. In the process of said ass kicking, Charley beginnings to really test her reaper abilities. She also continues to hunt for answers to her true potential and purpose in this supernatural world, which of course leads to yet more questions. (Just WHAT are you Mr. Wong?!)

Even though I had a couple of issues with the plot, Charley and the absolutely standout secondary characters were there to still make this an incredibly enjoyable read. Cookie never fails to make me laugh and watching her and uncle Bob dance around each other was both heart warming and hysterical. There was Charley and Reyes time (although I can also do with more, I’m greedy like that), and I still love the dynamics between these two. Whether they’re arguing, sarcastically flirting or trying to out maneuver one another, there is a sizzling tension there all the time. Even though they are utterly devoted to one another, there is still so much unsaid, so much to discover, that we’re far from knowing how this relationship will truly pan out.

My adoration for these characters, for this series, is pretty bulletproof at this point, and I still really liked Sixth Grave on the Edge, but it felt fractured and a bit unfocused compared to previous installments. Regardless of this, there is definitely a lot of life left in this series and the cliffhanger at the end is sure to bring about a new level of complicated to Charley’s world. I will be snapping up Seventh Grave and No Body the very second it hits shelves.

Sexual content: graphic sex

5 Responses to “Review: Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #6)”

  1. Amy says:

    I agree that there was A LOT going on in this book, but I was impressed that Darynda Jones was able to pull it all together the way she did. It’s not uncommon for Charley books to have a lot going on and I know there have been one or two (can’t remember which ones) books in the series where I forgot what case was what and who Charley was looking for. I didn’t have that problem with Sixth Grave. I was able to keep all aspects of Charley’s investigations organized in my head.

    That being said, I’m really ready for Darynda Jones to put aside Charley’s normal PI cases for a bit and just focus on her reaper powers (and the impending war everyone keeps talking about) which she kinda started to do in Sixth Grave. With the way things are left at the end I’m hoping this will be the case in Seventh Grave.

    Also, loved that Mr. Wong got some time in the spotlight!

  2. Jill says:

    Agreed!! I love this series. I love reading these books and literally laughing so hard that I start crying. <3 Charley. and you're right, the Cookie/Ubie thing is so wonderful and perfect.

  3. Jill says:

    Also! Mr. Wong!!! WHEEEEN will get an answer to that question!! I’m nigh dying!!!

  4. Angie says:

    I also thought the multiple threads worked together nicely. I think they did fit perfectly to Charlry’s personality. Love the way the post-it was handled, esp. the redecoration of the bedroom. 🙂

    • sally says:

      You can never go wrong reading these books. I have been here since the first book and am sticking to it! Love these books. Feel so comfortable with all the characters. They feel like family. Watching Amber growing up makes me feel older. haha.. my mind is as scattered as Darynda’s, so I seem to have no problem bouncing around with everyone in the books. 🙂
      I have a saying for Darynda..keep me waiting……I don’t ever want this series to end….

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