Review: Dead Silence - Kimberly Derting

Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting, published by Headline on 16th April 2013

Goodreads synopsis:
Violet thought she’d made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers…that is until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team Violet works for have no intention of letting her go.

When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.

Review:
'Dead Silence' by Kimberly Derting is the fourth book in what is proving to be one of the most gripping and exciting YA series around.  I always look forward to every new instalment and I'm never left disappointed by the quality of the writing or the twists and turns of the plot.  There are always new revelations to be explored and more to learn about Violet's unique ability.

The story picks up with Violet still struggling with the repercussions of her actions in 'The Last Echo'.  Having to deal with having her own imprint is tough but she still has her friends and boyfriend Jay by her side, even if they don't always understand what she is going through.  I love the fact that the focus of the story is back solely on Violet again and not quite so much on the team she's been a part of.  There's still a fair amount of Rafe in the book but this time the majority of the action centres around Violet and her personal experiences.  There are also lots of wonderful Jay moments in the book, so if you're a fan of one of the cutest and sweetest couples in YA then you will love reading this.

Although by now, you would think that the reader knows everything there is to know about Violet's ability to find the dead, it turns out that there are still things to learn about exactly how this works.  A lot of this is brought to light when Violet starts reading her Grandma's old journals and I enjoyed these extracts which were interspersed throughout.  I still really have no idea which direction Kimberly Derting is ultimately going to take the story in but little by little I'm enjoying finding out.

A trademark of the series are the chapters told from the killers' point of view.  These were truly creepy and disturbing and gave me chills when I was reading them.  The level of suspense is so high and the tension so tightly strung, that I found it hard to put the book down.  The ending is also incredible!  I can't believe that I've got to wait to find out what happens next. 

Fans of the series will be pleased to know that there is another book planned which I'm sure will provide readers with plenty more shocks and surprises.

Review: The Last Echo - Kimberly Derting

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting, published by Headline on 29th March 2012

Goodreads 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....

Review:
This is the third book in the Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting.  I'm a massive fan of this series and have been eagerly anticipating the release of 'The Last Echo' for months.  I'm pleased to say that it didn't disappoint at all and I think it might actually be my favourite so far.

Violet is now working for Sara Priest's organisation.  It was interesting seeing her having to adjust to other people knowing about her abilities outside of her family and Jay.  She wants to try and use her ability to prevent people from dying, rather than just finding their bodies after their deaths.  She has her toughest job so far to face when she tries to stop a serial killed nicknamed The Collector.  The book is interspersed with chapters from his perspective which made for some really creepy reading.

Now that Violet is part of a team, the story focused much more on her relationships with her new friends and colleagues, rather than her romantic relationship with Jay.  He is still present in the book but is often on the periphery.  There are still plenty of sweet, romantic moments between the two which made my heart flutter plenty and I have no doubt in my mind that they belong together, but Violet is also having to face up to the feelings that she may have developed for Rafe.  They do after all share something that Jay can never experience and it's this which seems to draw them together a lot.  There are some intriguing revelations about Rafe in the book and sufficient time is given to developing his character further but I couldn't help wishing that there was less of him and more of Jay. 

Violet has always been one of my favourite heroines in ya-literature.  She's grown and developed so much throughout the series so far.  Sometimes she does rather recklessly put herself in danger but she always does it for a good reason and you can't fault her for her desire to want to help others. 

The story itself was absolutely gripping and a real page turner.  Clear your day because once you've picked this book up you won't be able to stop until you've reached the end!  Kimberly Derting has pulled out all the stops to create a plot which is thrilling, heart pounding and exciting. The final page by itself is jaw-droppingly good and I'm thrilled that there's set to be another book in the series.

Review: Desires of the Dead - Kimberly Derting

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting, published by Headline on 17th March 2011

Goodreads synopsis:

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

When Violet Ambrose's morbid ability to sense the echoes of those who've been murdered leads her to the body of a young boy, she draws the attention of the FBI. She is reluctantly pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret...but her relationship and possibly her life as well.

Review:

'The Body Finder' was one of the best YA novels by a debut author in 2010.  Kimberly Derting has managed to exceed all expectations by writing a stunning knock-out sequel.  It's gripping, exciting, full of twists and turns and an all-round amazing read.

'Desires of the Dead' delivers what every fan of the first book wanted to see, Violet and Jay finally together as boyfriend and girlfriend.  If you love this couple then you're definitely going to be picking this book up for repeated readings.  There are some wonderfully romantic moments between the two of them that are sure to satisfy fans of theirs and if possible, Jay is even more delicious this time around!  He's perfect boyfriend material and is so loving, caring and attentive that it's a shame there isn't a Jay to go around for everyone.  The book shows them adjusting to life as a couple instead of just best friends and navigating the ups and downs that this leads to. 

Although their romance does take centre stage, there is plenty more to keep the reader's attention riveted.  Violet is being plagued by eerie and threatening notes and strange echoes, as well as having to deal with a persistent FBI agent who seems to know that Violet's hiding a big secret.  Violet's gift is further explored as well as the issue of whether or not she should keep it from the people around her.  Is there a way that she can actually use her ability to help those in need?

Several new characters are introduced throughout, including Sara Priest, the FBI agent and Rafe, the strange boy who may also have a psychic talent.  Is there a future love triangle on the cards?  Jay and Violet's romance seems so solid that maybe a couple of obstacles are going to be thrown in their path at some point.

I found myself completely absorbed by Violet's story and unable to put this book down. It's paranormal romance at its very best - suspenseful, addictive and sexy!

Thanks to the publisher for sending this one for review

Review: The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, published by Headline in 2010

Goodreads 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 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.

Review: 
This is an amazing debut by author Kimberly Derting.  I was so engrossed in the story that I literally could not put it down.  It's one of those books that compels you to keep turning the pages because you're so desperate to find out how the story's going to end.  I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through!  Reading 'The Body Finder' is like a white knuckle rollercoaster ride; you're enjoying it and everything's going smoothly, but you know that moment's going to come when you just have to hold on for dear life as you get swept away. 

The story is brilliantly original.  Violet is just a teenage girl like any other but there's one thing that distinguishes her from the rest - she can see and hear the echoes of death, both on the victim of a murder and the person's killer.  This ability is first introduced to the reader when Violet is 8 years old and discovers the bodies of dead animals which she sets about burying and putting at rest.  Her ability becomes vitally important when it's discovered that there's a serial killer on the loose in her close-knit home town.  Violet can't stand by and do nothing and becomes determined to find the killer even if it means putting her own life at risk.  What I thought was clever, is that this ability is portrayed as naturally as any of the other four senses of taste, touch, feel and smell.  Although it's not really explained how Violet became like this, it's accepted that this has always been a part of her and something she's grown up with.   

The narrative alternates between Violet - who is sensitive, caring and compassionate and the serial killer who is stalking his prey.  This juxtaposition serves to emphasise the horror of the situation and really gave me a creepy feeling.  My stomach was in my mouth most of the time!

What I loved about this book were the elements of mystery and suspense, which were all beautifully wrapped up with the romance between Violet and her bestfriend Jay.  He's one of the few people, besides her family, who knows her secret and because of this he's extremely protective and is always looking out for her.  Some of the scenes between the two of them are so incredibly sweet.  When I'd finished the book I went back and read some of them over again.  I wish I knew a Jay - Violet's a very lucky girl!  I enjoyed the way that Kimberly Derting made their relationship really real.  They get annoyed with each other sometimes, they bicker and they have petty squabbles, just like any other couple, but they're also incredibly attune to each other.

'The Body Finder' is fast-paced and driven and utterly nail-biting.  The climax builds and builds to the point that you're heart starts pounding and your mouth goes dry.  I'm so excited that Kimberly Derting's follow-up, 'Desires of the Dead', is going to be published by Headline in March 2011.  I'm not sure if I can wait that long but I'm also dying to see where the story's going to go next. 

Thanks to Headline for sending me this one to review.