The Gravedigger’s Son
(A Charley Davidson Novella)
by Darynda Jones
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Darynda Jones comes a new story in her Charley Davidson series…
The job should have been easy.
Get in. Assess the situation. Get out. But for veteran tracker Quentin Rutherford, things get sticky when the girl he’s loved since puberty shows up, conducting her own investigation into the strange occurrences of the small, New Mexico town. He knew it would be a risk coming back to the area, but he had no idea Amber Kowalski had become a bona fide PI, investigating things that go bump in the night. He shouldn’t be surprised, however. She can see through the dead as clearly as he can. The real question is, can she see through him?
But is anything that’s worth it ever easy?
To say that Amber is shocked to see her childhood crush would be the understatement of her fragile second life. One look at him tells her everything she needs to know. He’s changed. So drastically she barely recognizes him. He is savage now, a hardened—in all the right places—demon hunter, and she is simply the awkward, lovestruck girl he left behind.
But she doesn’t have time to dwell on the past. A supernatural entity has set up shop, and it’s up to them to stop it before it kills again.
While thousands of questions burn inside her, she has to put her concern over him, over what he’s become, aside for now. Because he’s about to learn one, undeniable fact: she’s changed, too.
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An Exclusive Interview With Darynda Jones:
~ with Jillian Stein of Read Love Blog
I absolutely LOVED this story and Quentin and Amber. How did you choose them for this novella?
I really wanted to check in on them years after Summoned to Thirteenth Grave, the last official Charley Davidson book, was set. I wanted to know how they were and what they’d been up to, and naturally I had to throw a curve ball at them. Amber and Quentin were Charley fan favorites, and I wanted to give them another peek into the happenings post almost-apocalypse.
I also loved Rune! Is there anyone who you would love play his voice if there was ever a movie version?
I absolutely hear my honey bunny, Tom Hardy, as Rune. His voice is so unique. Deep and gravelly and, well, sexy. Rather like the man who brandishes it, yes?
I love that you have more than a few things in your books based off of your real life. Are there any new characters or places you’ve written that would surprise readers to know it’s real?
I had an absolute blast writing about the famous little town of Madrid, New Mexico. (Wild Hogs, anyone?) The town is very eclectic and, some would say, eccentric and I’ve always wanted to set a story there. It has a rich history and unique presence. I also tried to mention real businesses as well. Anyone who wants to visit will be very welcome!
I loved reading your bio and learning that your career as an author didn’t happen overnight. What piece of advice would you give an aspiring writer who may be facing their own set of ups and downs?
There is a cool saying out there about how successful authors are simply the ones who didn’t give up. Perseverance is key to any form of success, but personally I love reading about how many rejections super successful authors accumulated before getting “the call.” (It took five years of continuous rejections before Agatha Christie finally landed a publishing contract, and we all know how that turned out.)
Can you give us a line or two from your current work-in-progress?
Always! This is from A Hard Day for a Hangover coming next year.
She swallowed and, keeping her gaze downcast, said, “I don’t expect anything from you. I would never. I’m just . . . thank you for being in Auri’s life. You didn’t have to be.”
“Well, I figure I’ll be in her life more now that we’re getting married.”
Her gaze flew to his. “What?”
“Hey,” he said, his tone suddenly razor-sharp. “You already asked me. You can’t take it back without looking like a dick.”
Biography:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 18 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that legacy. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.
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