The Last Echo by Kimberley Derting

Title: The Last Echo

Authors: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: Headline

Published: March 2012

ISBN: 978 07553 89155

Rating: 4/5

I like the cover on this for the colours…I’ve read the other two books in this series, so had high expectations for this one as well, which were met :))

Violet is working with a team who have special abilities – her ability is to be able to sense the dead and imprints left on the killer.  The plot in this is every bit as good as the last two books, as Violet tries to steer clear of trouble and out of a killers path.  She is *so* lucky in this book, although it alters her forever.  I was annoyed at her team leader, Sarah, who didn't take precautions for Violet which then means she is in harms way unnecessarily.  The evil permeates this book - the perps of the murders are very good at getting inside peoples heads.

I liked the connection to Rafe, and the surprising connections within the group.  In many ways I didn’t want this book to end, I really have enjoyed reading about Violet and her boyfriend Jay as well.

Book synopsis:

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye....

Source – Many thanks to Headline, a copy was received in return for an honest review.

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Title: Desires of the Dead
Author: Kimberly Derting
Published:  March 2011
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 9780755378968
Author's website: http://kimberlyderting.com 








Rating: 4/5


The cover on this is eye catching, with a black background and bright flower behind the title.


I thoroughly enjoyed The Body Finder, and looked forward to reading Desires of the Dead also.  Violet has a secret.  She can sense the echoes of things (animals/humans) who have been killed.  In Desires of the Dead, Violet takes some risks and immerses herself in answering the call of the echoes, which is something she didn't do much of in the last book as she had support with her most of the time.  Violet is being watched by an unknown person...who goes out of their way to make Violet suffer. 


Desires of the Dead didn't seem as creepy and edge of your seat scary as The Body Finder, although I still managed to read it in a day and it was certainly a page turner as I couldn't put it down.  I enjoyed the way in which Violet and Jay's relationship progresses and how it changes along with acquiring new friends into their group.  We get to see more of Chelsea this time as well - her character has me in stitches, she's so forthright and unwavering.  The end of the book repulsed me, as Violet is drawn to another dead body and is powerless to resist.  

My favourite quote from Desires of the Dead:
"It almost would have been easy to disregard the tugging she felt coming from the opposite direction.  And she tried, closing her eyes and pretending for a moment that she hadn't noticed it at all......she could no longer ignore its enigmatic lure.
The song of the dead.
And it was calling her."


Overall, I really, really, hope there's another book in this series, and that we're going to see Violet expanding and aiding those who need her help.  If there is another book on the way I think Rafe is going to be a character of great interest with his specialist help and the chemistry between him and Violet is interesting...I can't help wondering if that will be explored further, hmmm..I do like Jay though! :)

Source: Huge thanks to Asamum for lending me this :)

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder

Author: Kimberly Derting

Publisher: Headline

Published: Nov 2010

ISBN: 978-0755378951

Authors Website: www.kimberlyderting.com

Rating 5/5 with merits

The cover on this drew me in, I love the shades of blue used.  Violet, the main character has an unusual gift.  She can find dead things by their imprint.  Not only that, she can also sense the killer of the deceased, whether it is an animal or otherwise.  I really liked this idea, kind of like auras, but what people are left with after their heinous acts of murder have taken place.  

I was hooked from the prologue.  Our eldest is the same age as what Violet is when the story starts, so I had great empathy for her, and imagined in horror exactly how I would feel as a parent in this <shudder>.  The Body Finder is really gripping and intense.

The relationship between Violet and Jay, her male best friend is fantastic, I love their history and how things progress for them - it's so sweet and innocent, a complete contrast to the horrifying reality that Violet has to live with.  Jay is full of boyish charm, and in places seems blissfully unaware (or maybe uncaring) about his effect on his peers.

The Body Finder had me on the edge of my seat.  It's a chilling but fantastically built book, full of a varied range of relationships.  I loved Chelsea, the no-holds-barred friend who doesn't censor what she says and thinks.  

There were some twists in here which I didn't expect which added to the spine chilling story as it unfolded.  My heart was in my mouth in the last chapter, right up to the very end which I also thoroughly enjoyed.  Thankfully Desires of the Dead is already out, so I won't have to wait to see what the next installment brings, as I thoroughly enjoyed The Body Finder.

My favorite quote from The Body Finder:

"I don't want to be able to do that anymore," she mumbled hoarsely..."I don't mind the animals, I can't explain why, I just don't.  But why did I have to see....that...her?"

Book synopsis:

"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, 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, but now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town 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 in love, Violet is getting closer to discovering a killer...and becoming his prey herself." 

Source: Many thanks to Headline for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.