Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder 
by Kimberly Derting

Release Date: March 16, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages:327
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Library
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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 that 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 the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping 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.

I really loved the plot of this book. I loved Violet's ability. Not only can she sense where the dead are buried but she can also sense and taste the echo on the murderer. Her powers can be troublesome when her cat comes in from just hunting mice, or when she is around cops or war veterans, because all murders leave an echo. She found her first body when she was around 8 and now in high school some more girls bodies are showing up. Violet has decided she wants to put her ability to use and go around town to see if she can match the bodies echo to a person carrying the same echo.

Violet is also dealing with her new more than friendly feelings towards her life long best friend Jay. Over the summer Jay has grown into a uber sexy man and all of their high school is noticing. Violet doesn't want to ruin their friendship so she continues to deny her feelings. Jay is very protective of Violet and does not want her to be out hunting a serial killer. I absolutely love the best friend type of relationships. Jay was undeniably sweet and perfect for Violet. I also loved the mystery behind the killer. We get to see a few parts from his sick point of view. Definitely felt the creeps from him. Loved following Violet on her journey to catch him. Definitely will be picking up book two.

"He nudged her with his shoulder but didn’t say anything. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the silence of being alone and enjoying each other’s presence. It was easy... and comfortable."

"I swear that boy can't function without you, not even at lunch."

Rating: 4/5 Stars!