The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
- paranormal, YA -
reviewed by Tara SG
purchased eBook via Amazon.com
Book Order (The Body Finder)
- The Body Finder * * * 1/2
- Desires of the Dead (Feb 15, 2011)
Links
Author’s Website : www.kimberlyderting.com
Amazon : hardcover / paperback / eBook
Add To Your GoodReads TBR List (2,741 ratings : avg 4.09)
This book in 6 words:
adorable romance, unique, and slightly predictable
Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?
After seeing Abigail’s (All Things Urban Fantasy) 5 bat/star review, I added this to my TBR list. I didn’t find time to read it until I received the second book in the series in the mail to review. I’m really glad I gave this a try and I’m also glad I read Natalie’s (Mindful Musings) review prior to starting it. Based on the summary, I thought this was going to be a little more action-packed than it was. However, since Natalie had mentioned it was a slower paced more romantic story, I wasn’t disappointed in the lack of excitement. I really enjoyed watching Violet and Jay which makes me wonder if I would like YA that wasn’t about vampires or angels. I found that the paranormal element was extremely original and blended really well with the rest of the story. I was shocked to love the chapters told from the killer’s POV.
I’m starting the next book as soon as I finish writing this.
Brief Summary
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.
- via GoodReads.com
Plot/Pacing/Writing Style
I liked the mystery blended in with the “normal” teen angst with just a touch of paranormal. I really loved watching Violet deal with her new feelings for her best friend having gone through something similar when I was her age. About halfway through I thought I knew who the killer was, and when we were thrown for a loop it became a tad predictable. Reading the parts from the killer’s POV added a Criminal Minds aspect to the story that I loved.
Overall I liked the pacing because I knew going in that it was going to be a slower book. I also really liked the author’s writing style. The teens felt their age and the descriptions and emotions jumped off the page.
Characters
Violet was more normal than I would have expected considering her gift. I thought she was fun to read along with and while she was extremely stubborn, she was likable and realistic. I liked that her parents were involved (at least more than a lot of the YA books I’ve read recently).
Jay was extremely sweet and lovable. I can’t believe I feel so fast for a normal boy!
Favorite Quotes
“How do I look?” she asked Violet.
“Why are you asking her?” Stephen Ambrose complained when his wife ignored that he was standing right beside his niece.
Kat rolled her eyes at him like he was a slow-witted child. “Because all you care about is whether I’m done changing or not. You would say I looked good in a flannel nightgown if it meant we could leave.”
- soooo true! I never trust Shane’s opinion lol
Recommendations
If you like YA (with or without paranormal elements), then I highly recommend you give this series a try. Cussing and violence may be best suited for older teens.
I actually have this book though I don’t remember exactly where or when I got it LOL
I think you have a point…if I would have known that it was more of a slower-paced, romantic story ahead of time, I think I wouldn’t have been as disappointed. I still liked the overall story, but I only gave it a 3. I’m still really interested to read the sequel though!
I’ve seen the cover for this one before but never really stopped to read anything about it. Now that I have, I’m interested in the Killer POV you mentioned. But I would have to prepare myself for the slower pace.
Usually, if I get too bored, I put down the book and forget about reading for a whole week.
I’m weird that way.
I haven’t read this one yet because of mixed reviews I’ve seen, but I like the sound of it. Great review, Tara!
[...] The Body Finder {book review} * * * 1/2 [...]
@ Natalie : I’m interested to see what you think of the second book. I don’t think it is slower, but it isn’t fast paced :/
I’m really glad I knew going in that it was more of a slow romance. Thanks for your review!!
@ Missie : I’m not fond of the covers :/ I don’t get what it has to do with the story…
I wouldn’t say the book is boring. It just isn’t edge of your seat. If you would be interested in a developing YA romance without a ton of fighting/mystery, then you would be OK.
@ Melissa : Thanks
I had seen some mixed reviews as well and was a little worried. But overall I thought it was worth the time
Unique and slightly predictable? Uhm… don’t these two adjectives contradict each other? Just saying, you know. I like my books to be slightly predictable when I’m in the mood for some romance. Just not too much, otherwise there’s no fun.