publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: February 15, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 368
source: purchased
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository
From Goodreads:
The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.
Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered--and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.
As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.
What I Thought
If there is one thing you can say about Kimberly Derting, you can definitely say that she is consistent. Desires of the Dead reads as though it is an extension of The Body Finder, only with a different mystery and a different level of tension. Derting succeeds in being consistent without being predictable, something that I was very appreciative of as I read this installment in The Body Finder series.
Instead of a serial killer, Violet must contend with new challenges: the worrisome attentions of the FBI, a seriously creepy stalker situation, and, of course, the discovery of some bodies along the way. There is also her intense relationship with her once best friend, Jay, to punch up the wow factor in the storyline. Though there are moments of frustration along the way (Violet doesn't always know when she should confide in people or when she should stay silent much of the time, which is very nearly insanity-inducing, at times), the portrayal of the characters is done well and keeps the story from dragging.
Overall, Desires of the Dead was an enjoyable read. Though I was somewhat frustrated with key aspects of the novel, I found both the tension and the element of surprise to be on a fantastic level. I enjoyed the ways in which the story built and the tension level raised until things came to a head. Though I was a bit flabbergasted with the outcome with the stalker, I had a great time sitting down to read this one. It is an easy read to become absorbed with. If you're looking for a fun read with a good mystery at its foundation, Desires of the Dead may be the book for you.
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