The Dirt on Ninth Grave: A Novel

The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones is the ninth book in the Charley Davidson series. It Sleepy Hollow, New York the Firelight Grill has a new employee named Janey Doerr (aka Charlotte “Charley” Davidson). Jane Doe was too boring and normal so she changed it up a little. Charley has amnesia and does not remember who she is. She woke up behind the diner four weeks ago with memory. Charley has special abilities (she can see the dead, see aura, and can tell if someone is lying are a few of them), but she does not understand how they work. She is also afraid to tell anyone (for fear of what they will think). Charley is lucky to have made a good friend in fellow worker Cookie (and her husband, Bob). The diner gets a new cook. One of the regulars, Reyes Alexander Farrow has just been hired, and Charley is very attracted to him. Charley is not sure she should act on the attraction (he also infuriates her). Then Charley notices something strange going on at Mr. Vandenberg’s antique store. Charley discovers that some Middle Eastern men are holding Mr. Vandenberg and his family hostage so they can use his storeroom (to drill a tunnel into a dry cleaners). Charley sets out to help him. Will Charley be able to help the Vandenberg’s? Will she ever get her memory back (and why did she lose it) and what happens when she does? I have not read any of the books in this series before, and I discovered that is a detriment. You really do need to read the other books in the Charley Davidson series in order to understand everything going on in The Dirt on Ninth Grave (or just to understand the book). I thought the book was okay. There is a lot of foul language and sex (talk and act) with very little mystery. The first twenty percent of the book is basically Charley admiring Reyes (how handsome, sexy, hot, etc.) and the other guys that are regulars at the diner. There is no action (the book does not move forward at all). The book picks up pace in the last forty percent (if you make it that far). I give Dirt on Ninth Grave 3 out of 5 stars. The idea is good, but I was just not a fan (I think I will have to go back and read the other books in the series—at least the first book). The Dirt on Ninth Grave reads more like an erotic novel than a paranormal mystery book. I received a complimentary copy of Dirt on Ninth Grave from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My emotions are all over the place on this journey. I felt it all in this book and then some. The uncertainty, sense of loss, drowning sorrow and a small amount of undeniable joy..... She starts out so lost yet in her marrow still the snarky and strong hero she has been all along... The whole gang is here yet we are getting to know them all over again and learn some shocking new things along the way... Highly entertaining evening of reading.

I wasn’t sure what to expect after the ending in the previous book. I thought there would be all kinds of drama and excitement as well as the usual humor. While this one certainly had the drama and excitement, it came much later in the book without the usual build up the previous stories had. The humor was still present but much more laid back. All of that to say, I still enjoyed this one but not as much as the ones that preceded it. However, we are given some extremely hard core information that I’m sure will come into play as this series begins to wrap up. I’m talking some serious stuff that had my blood pumping again. I’m anxious to start the next but have mixed emotions. I’m so close to finishing and I want it to last but I’m excited to learn what happens and how all of these characters, not just Charley and Reyes, end up in the future. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.