Book Review: Darynda Jones’ “For I Have Sinned”

Posted August 1, 2012 by Kathy Davie in Book Reviews

I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Source: the library
Book Review: Darynda Jones’ “For I Have Sinned”

"For I Have Sinned"


by

Darynda Jones


It is part of the Charley Davidson #1.5 series and is a urban fantasy that was published by St. Martin's Press on July 12, 2011 and has 77 pages.

Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon


Other books in this series include [books_series]

Other books by this author which I have reviewed include First Grave on the Right, Second Grave on the Left, Third Grave Dead Ahead, Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet, Death and the Girl Next Door, Fifth Grave Past the Light, Sixth Grave on the Edge, Seventh Grave and No Body, Eighth Grave After Dark, The Dirt on Ninth Grave, The Curse of Tenth Grave, Eleventh Grave in Moonlight, The Trouble with Twelfth Grave, Summoned to Thirteenth Grave, A Good Day for Chardonnay, The Graveside Bar and Grill, "Grave Robber"

A short story between First Grave on the Right and Second Grave on the Left in the Charley Davidson urban fantasy series, which I read on the Heroes and Heartbreakers (N/A 21 Apr 2018) website.

My Take

This short gives us a peek at what Charley’s life is like as the grim reaper. It’s rather fun how Jones flips the perspective back and forth between Charley and the ghost who slips into her room. Truly funny to hear what this ghost thinks of Charley’s craziness!

It also provides a glance at how Charley sees her responsibilities and follows through on them.

The Story

Ghosts just have no sense of timing! Can’t they ever die in the early evening or late morning? This one has a particular problem in that she doesn’t remember who she is or what happened.

And this whole dead thing? Nuh-uh, it can’t be, except that Charley is triggering those memories and it all comes slipping in with each event. Reyes is not helping either. Cheeky bugger.

The Characters

Charley Davidson is the cheeriest grim reaper you’ll ever meet, and she works as a private detective with some private consulting with the police.

Yup, Reyes IS the son of Satan, and Charley is keyed to him. Cookie is briefly mentioned; she’s Charley’s friend, neighbor, and secretary.

Jo Anne Montgomery has some paths to follow.

The Cover and Title

The cover is rather grim, compared to the other Charley Davidson covers. A gradated background of black bleeding up into a deep royal blue with a swirl of smoke twisting up from bottom to top. It’s Charley’s hand wearing a skull ring and wielding a gleaming scythe that cuts through the smoke. I’m not really sure where the title came from, unless it refers to Jo Anne’s thoughts about her death.