Wednesday, February 29, 2012

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
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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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!


29 comments:

  1. I read The Pledge, also by Kimberly Derting, and enjoyed it a lot. Since The Body Finder series seems to have so many positive reviews I think I'll have to check it out!

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    1. I've seen The Pledge and I wanted to read it but I actually didn't even notice it was by the same author! LOL Now I'm really curious. The Pledge seems really different from this series. I kept seeing so many reviews I finally just grabbed this book from the library. I really liked it.

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  2. I need to purchase this soon so I can read Desires of The Death that I already owned,lol. I want to read The Body Finder pretty bad since the first time I saw the review last year, and your review convince me more. I love protective and 'best-friend become lover' male character.

    Great review! :D

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    1. I love protective and 'best-friend become lover'
      Me too! Love that relationship type! And yes if you have book 2 you need to get this one to start. Hope you enjoy them!

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  3. I really want to read this series :) It seems very interesting and I haven't read a book/series like it

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    1. Charlaine Harris has an adult series with kind of the same idea but I didn't like it. Love her Sookie Stackhouse series though. This one was interesting, cute, creepy, and just everything! Hope you give it a try sometime.

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  4. Um, okay... NOW I see why you're waiting to read Skin Contact. My bad!!! hee, hee...

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    1. Yeah another reason I didn't read many of the short stories from Enthralled was that they were from series I haven't read yet or haven't read far enough.

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  5. From this author I've only read The Pledge and I Looooved it and I've hear the Body Finder is even better, and I have this book... shame on me, I really need to read it. Great Review! I shall move it up in my tbr :)

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    1. You have so many good books you need to read! But so do I hehe damn not having enough time!!! I need like 48 hours in a day so I can read everything. I still need to read The Pledge. I was always so iffy if I would like it but I think I should give it a try sometime.

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  6. I really want to read this series :)
    RAD review jen

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    1. Thanks! Hope you get a chance to check it out. I think you would like it. It was unique!

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  7. Sorry, but can I ask you something? Do you post giveaway winner on blog or just send them mail or... I know I didn't win but I'm just curious. :D Please answer!

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    1. Yes I emailed them and they already responded but I also announced it on the rafflecopter on the post HERE

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  8. Nice! I really like this series! Still need to read book 3, but I love the concept. It's got enough paranormal vibe in it for me, yet its totally different!

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    1. I still need to read book 2 and 3 lol but I do like the concept. I read a couple books in the Charlaine Harris Harper Connely series that had a similar plotline but I didn't end up liking them. There was a weird relationship that totally put me off. I like the romance in this series. I'm a big fan of the best friend romance.

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  9. Great review! I have been dying to read this trilogy, and I just got them as a gift for my birthday last week! I can't wait to get into them! :)

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    1. YAY! I can't wait to get to the 2nd and 3rd books. I love the romance and mystery!

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  10. I totally agree! I picked up The Body Finder on a whim at the library and totally fell in love! I'm still waiting to get ahold of The Last Echo.

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    1. I still need Desires of the Dead and The Last Echo. I get bombarded with so many books! Really curious as to what will happen next.

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  11. Awesome review! I would love to read this series. Definitely something I haven't read before so I'm really curious about it. :D

    Great job!

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    1. Thanks! Something unique to try. I loved the concept, mystery, and romance. Hope you enjoy it if you get a chance to check it out.

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  12. I've just recently read The Pledge by Kimberly Derting, and absolutely loved it. I haven't read any of her other books yet, but I'll have to check them out. Great review- I've heard so much about this series. =)
    ~Shelby
    http://gobsandgobsofbooks.blogspot.com/

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    1. I haven't read The Pledge yet but I've also heard amazing things about it. I plan on reading it sometime. It sounds really unique. Thanks for visiting!

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  13. I actually have the first two books in this series but I haven't got around to them yet! Great review- I think am going move this further up my TRL which is soooo long LOL

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    1. I know how you feel, my TBR list is starting to give me anxiety! LOL So many great things to read! I still really want to pick up the second and third books but have so many others I must finish first. Thanks for visiting!

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  14. I'm terrified of horror books but everyone keeps saying this one is worth it.

    BTW we are the same teams all around - Puck and Jacob woooooo

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    1. Yeah this one isn't too scary but I read really scary stuff so I might not be the best scale. The chapters where it is from killers perspective are pretty creepy. It's a good read though and has a nice romance. Woohoo! Always happy to find a fellow Team Puck and Jacob! I love the fun best friend. This book has romance with the best friend too which I like.

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  15. I love your review. I just reviewed this myself today. Definitely a late start to the series for me, but I loved it. I chose the audio route, and I've already downloaded book 2. I agree, I totally love BFF romances. They're the best. :) Great eview!

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