The Dirt on Ninth GraveAuthor: Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson #9
Published by: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: January 12, 2016
Format: eARC
Pages: 337
Source: Publisher
In a small village in New York lives Jane Doe, a girl with no memory of who she is or where she came from. So when she is working at a diner and slowly begins to realize she can see dead people, she's more than a little taken aback. Stranger still are the people entering her life. They seem to know things about her. Things they hide with lies and half-truths. Soon, she senses something far darker. A force that wants to cause her harm, she is sure of it. Her saving grace comes in the form of a new friend she feels she can confide in and the fry cook, a devastatingly handsome man whose smile is breathtaking and touch is scalding. He stays close, and she almost feels safe with him around.
But no one can outrun their past, and the more lies that swirl around her—even from her new and trusted friends—the more disoriented she becomes, until she is confronted by a man who claims to have been sent to kill her. Sent by the darkest force in the universe. A force that absolutely will not stop until she is dead. Thankfully, she has a Rottweiler. But that doesn't help in her quest to find her identity and recover what she's lost. That will take all her courage and a touch of the power she feels flowing like electricity through her veins. She almost feels sorry for him. The devil in blue jeans. The disarming fry cook who lies with every breath he takes. She will get to the bottom of what he knows if it kills her. Or him. Either way.
I’m thankful I already had The Dirt on Ninth Grave after the ending of Eighth Grave After Dark, because damn. No way would I have been able to remain sane patient if I had to wait too long. It would’ve been so worth it though. I love this book! I know, I say that about every book in this series, but it’s true. I haven’t been disappointed yet.
What I enjoyed so much about this installment – in addition to many other things – is it had an ‘old school’ Charley feel to it. It brought back a lot of great feelings from the earlier books, especially when it came to Charley and Reyes. At the same time, there were some pretty significant occurrences that has me worried for what’s coming next.
The situation Charley finds herself in is beyond entertaining, especially when it came to the gang infiltrating her life the way they did. The things she concluded about herself and others, like Cookie, had me laughing hard. No matter what, Charley can’t resist getting involved in dangerous situations. That’s why we love her, though. She cares for people, even strangers, so deeply that she can’t ignore or walk away from anyone in need. Charley has a heart of gold! And humor! Oh, the humor is strong with this one.
There’s actually a lot going on in this book with different little storylines, but as usual it never feels too busy. I loved each one. The Headless Horseman – haha! I swear, though, I don’t think I’ve made it through one of these books without shedding at least a couple tears. And I admit, I did a little blubbering there towards the end View Spoiler ».
The Dirt on Ninth Grave was just so damn good! I could seriously make a very long list of every little thing there is to love about it, and it is hard to not go into detail about it all. It makes me giddy when I think back over all that transpired. Darynda Jones certainly knows how to bring on the many feels all while keeping me on the edge of my seat!
I’m glad you found a series that you enjoy this much. 🙂
Oh, me, too! I read this right after the eighth book and loved how it felt like a reset in ways. And gulp, yeah, that thing at the end made me bawl my eyes out. Fortunately, what is to come has me antsy enough to slightly recover and get excited about book ten.
Awww I can’t look, I adore this series, but I still have a few more books to catch up on. All I know is that is gets better and hotter. In term of Reyes too. This will always be my favourite UF series. Great review.
Ok…I have to start this series at some point this year. I bought the majority of these books a while ago but I have been so busy with ARCs that I haven’t got around to them. I need to make time. I am so glad that you loved this book and this series. Great review!
Gaaah! Every time I see a praising review for this series I just want to hit myself for not getting caught up. It takes real talent to keep a series fresh and entertaining after 9 books so I’m really impressed with this author without even having read her book.
I’m giving you permission to yell at me if by the end of the year, I haven’t caught up to the series, Christy! I want in on the Charley love! 🙂
Great review, Christy!
I laughed my ass off at the headless horseman and then I felt so sad about what happened to him! Who else but Darynda Jones could think of such a thing, right?!?!?! And how Cookie sexually assaulted everyone *spit take*!!! And what about Charley’s great aunt…. I’m sooooo glad you loved this one 🙂
I’m reading book 5 right now, so I’m catching up. Book 4 was not my favorite, but I’m happy to continue on with this series. Great review!
I almost dies laughing when she thought Cookie was psychic, LOL, I still have to giggle. This did have an old school Charley feel to it, that is a great way of putting it. I love all the friends so much more after this read but I am nervous about the next!
I loved the cozy diner setting, it was just so fun. I really liked the quieter, laid back feel to this story. It was a nice breather.
This is one of those series I see and everyone loves and I jus haven’t started it. I need more time in the day. Glad you enjoyed it!!
Nice review thank you .
I need more 😀
This is a series that I really want to read but for whatever reason when I’m at the library or bookstore I always completely forget about it. I’m so glad to see this review. I just went and ordered the first book before I forgot again! I’m really looking forward to it and will remember to already have #9 before I start #8!
Charley and her conclusions just crack me up! I’m with you on the not disappointed yet vote. I’m also wondering (and worrying a bit) where the heck this series is headed. *wrings hands*
I skimmed because I’ll be doing this one on audio when my library gets it in. 🙂 I am so glad you loved this one, but I admit that I knew I’d like it no matter how it turned out. And yes, it was hard to keep my sanity waiting for this one… and still I wait. What does that say about me? LOL
I’ve been seeing reviews for this one everywhere lately and recently added the first book to my to-read list, it sounds like a good series, so I want to give it a try.
The old school feel of this book sounds fun and how it remidns you of the earlier books. Great review!
OMIGOSH. Love that too! I love how each one of her gang kinda descended in Sleepy Hollow to watch out for her. Also, love the sort of new beginning for Charley and Reyes – kind of like, an alternate universe where they just met. I can’t wait for the 10th book!
Darn it, I think I need a reading buddy for this series. I need a big push!
Glad that you are continuing to love this series Christy. Good to see it has the ‘ ‘old school’ Charley feel to it.’ I think I’d enjoy this series!
yes it’s more like a transition book but it was so much fun as well!
So do the books getter better or are they all amazingly good equally?
I’ll be reading this soon. I’ve been hearing great things about this one. I need to get my Reyes fix, LOL!
I’m tackling The Others series right now Christy because that’s one I got tired of saying “I still need to read this!) every time a review went up, and then this series is next on my list! I need to finally get on the Charley and Reyes train:)
Wasn’t this fab. I love that Charley was Charley despite it all..and I laughed so hard I cried.
Once I catch up on some other series I need to start this one! Sounds so fun!
Well. I have books four through eight. How that happened I’m not sure. I’m going to get the first three and then FINALLY start this series. You make them sound so good, I’m not even afraid that I’m nine books behind!
I am definitely jumping into this series sometime soon. I totally feel like I’m missing out!
I’m glad you enjoyed this installment, Christy. This is a series I intend to start this year since I’ve heard so many great things about it. 🙂
I actually have book one in the series, I’ve wanted to give the series a try since you and Joy love it so much. I think it’s one of the truly successful adult urban fantasy / paranormal series there is left actually. Fabulous review as always hun and thrilled to see the series still going strong <3
I don’t suppose I could read these, could I? Lol. Charley sounds like an amazing character, and I’m so glad you enjoyed this book 🙂
~Mckenzie
I’m planning on reading this soon, too. Glad to hear it was good!