Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Pub. Date: March 16, 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Hardcover, 336pp
Age Range: Young Adult

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new
feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her
"power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

Derting’s debut novel is a gripping page turner full of romance, mystery, and suspense.

Violet’s ability to sense the dead has plagued her since she was little. She had to constantly cope with being drawn to the echoes left behind by the dead. The torment that ensued after her discovery of a dead body had my heart breaking for her. She had a great support system that was there for her throughout each incident which was a nice surprise, since in most of the books I read the protagonist kept her abilities a secret from her loved ones. I loved Derting’s take on Violet’s ability to sense the dead. It was interesting to see what sound or taste would be identified with each echo. Derting’s description of the echoes, although creepy at times, was one of the reasons I enjoyed this book. Violet’s unique ability had me constantly questioning: Who would be the next victim? / What clues would be uncovered next?

The romance in THE BODY FINDER is bitter sweet. Even though there’s death around, I enjoyed the softer aspects of this novel. Violet and Jay had been friends since they were 6. Following along as their relationship blossomed into something more kept a smile on my face. Who doesn’t love First Love? I also did not realize how I would be emotionally attached to these characters. Which is why, I was shocked that I *sniff sniff* teared up. It took me by surprise – it being the emotional part.

The chapters on the Serial Killer were so chilling in its telling that I got goose bumps. It was so hard not to want to know where he would strike next. Disturbing I know, but it kept me eagerly turning the pages. I’m thrilled that I’ll get to read more about Violet and her abilities in the sequel, DESIRES OF THE DEAD scheduled for release in 2011.

Rating: 4 ½ out of 5 Stars