Janey Doerr, a woman with a past, works at a diner, making friends and stalking a certain tall, dark and handsome man when she realizes that she can see dead people. Though this isn't normal at all, Janey isn't too worried about it because it seems that the people around her know more about her than she does. After suffering from retrograde amnesia, her friends and co-workers continue to look out for her. But bits and pieces are starting to return. The only problem is, will trouble find her before she can figure out who she is? Will she finally understand why all these strange things keep happening around her?

Janey is a watered down version of the Charley we know. Don't get me wrong, her charming self is very much present, but this ninth book in the Charley Davidson series has a different touch to it. Despite the fact that Janey doesn't know what her real name is, she isn't completely at a loss. Her friends remain protective of her, but it is clear that they do not want to push her. Something greater is going on, but Darynda Jones is slow to reveal it. Of course Jones delights her readers with her trademark charm and wit. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book.

The overall tone of THE DIRT ON THE NINTH GRAVE is similar to the others in the Charley Davidson series; it's fun and charming with that hint of mystery thrown in, but having Charley as Janey at the moment does give this particular book something different to readers. It almost takes us back to the beginning where Charley is on her own, starting her romance with Reyes all over again. I look forward to seeing where Darynda Jones takes her characters next!