Rating: 4 stars (Spotlight Review)

*May contain spoilers if you have not read First Grave on the Right

Charley Davidson is back and sassier than ever. When Cookie’s friend Mimi suddenly disappears, she leaves a few cryptic clues behind, that lead Charley to a trail of mysterious deaths of Mimi’s former schoolmates. The deaths began occurring right after another of Mimi’s friends, Congressman Kyle Kirsch, announced his plans to run for the Senate.

When a lot of sinister muscle-for-hire starts threatening Charley to step away from the investigation, she begins to wonder if the Congressman is behind it all.

Meanwhile, Charley is receiving visits from the incorporeal body of Reyes Farrow, as his plan to protect her has hit a snag. Demons sent by his father have found him and are currently torturing his corporeal self in the hopes of luring Charley to his aid. Though Reyes just wants to let his body die, he’s not quite sure what would become of him if he does. Charley, however, isn’t willing to take any chances.

Reyes is adamant that Charley not look for his body. If the demons were to get to her, he would be forced to kill her to prevent them from entering heaven; and since Reyes was born to be with Charley, it’s the last thing he wants to do.

Looking for Mimi, Reyes’ body, and trying to solve multiple homicides, Charley has her hands full. Though Reyes is constantly telling her that she has more power than she knows, he won’t elaborate, so Charley must take matters into her own hands.

When everything finally comes to a head, Charley will realize that not everything is as it seems, and sometimes having friends in low places pays off. One thing is for certain, Charley is determined to save Reyes, and in doing so she finds the power Reyes spoke of—but using it may cost her everything she ever loved.

Once again Darynda Jones keeps the action fast and the adrenaline pumping. Expertly weaving intricate plots full of twists and turns, Ms. Jones always keeps things interesting. Although the plot wasn’t as strong as the first book, it’s a necessary step to set up the third. Jones does backtrack a little in an effort to get first-time readers caught up, but it’s not so excessive as to detract from the story.

Cookie has a larger role in this installment, though she’s an interesting enough character to set the scene for Charley to play off of, doesn’t really add anything of substance and is best taken in small doses.

Overall, Second Grave on the Left is still a very fun and entertaining read that is a must for fans of the paranormal and those who enjoy reading about steamy love trysts with a hot and sexy demon.
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Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (December 20, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1250002702
ISBN-13: 978-1250002709