Review: The Diviners

by Libba Bray
publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
date of publication: September 18, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 592
source: from the publisher for review

From Goodreads:

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

Upon first glance, you might think that The Diviners is a daunting book to read due to the sheer size of it.  I can happily say, however, that it truly is not that daunting.  It may be thicker than your typical YA novel, but it makes up for it in several ways.  I hope to share those ways with you today so that, just maybe, you will decide to give this book a try.

The Diviners is a great mixture of humor and horror and is made up of several wonderful characters.  There is a nice balance of vibrant, buoyant characters such as Evie, as well as more reserved, level-headed characters such as Evie's uncle Will and her best gal pal, Mabel.  By placing such an array of characters in a truly fascinating setting (New York City in the Roaring Twenties), Bray has laid the foundation for a remarkable series.

The thing that I enjoyed most about The Diviners was the sheer horror and eeriness that serves as an undercurrent to the entire story.  With a villain such as Naughty John, who wouldn't be creeped out.  It isn't often that you come across a villain so thoroughly frightening as Naughty John.  When those villains come with their own creepy song, you know you are in for some scares.

"Naughty John, Naughty John, does his work with his apron on. Cuts your throat and takes your bones, sells 'em off for a coupla stones."

-excerpt from The Diviners by Libba Bray

With the exception of some slow-moving chapters and a romance that seemingly popped up out of nowhere, The Diviners proved to be an excellent read well worth the time it took to finish.  With its references to flapper fashions, gritty locations, and truly awesome characters, I can posi-tute-ly recommend this one to you all.  Whether you enjoy historical fiction or not, I have the feeling you will enjoy this one thanks to its paranormal and horror elements.

Buy The Diviners at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This book was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.  

Review - Ultraviolet

by R.J. Anderson
Publisher: Orchard Books
Date of Publication: June 2011 (UK) / September 2011 (US) 
Format: digital review copy 
Pages: 303
Source: NetGalley


From Goodreads:

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison’s condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can’t explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori—the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that’s impossible. Right?

Like those who have reviewed this book before me, I don't want to say too much because A.) I don't want to give anything away, and B.) I want YOU to get it as soon as possible and read it for yourself. Still, I'll try to give some vague indications of my thoughts. *read: I LOVE THIS BOOK!*
 

From the first moment, I was in love with the writing. It is poetic and engrossing and makes you want to paint your walls with the words because they are so beautiful. The descriptions and raw emotion got me so inside the mind of Alison, the MC, I felt like I was there by her side through everything. I yearned for her to reach her goals and figure out what was going on as much as she did.

All of the characters felt real to me, like I knew someone just like each one of them. The story itself, well, if I told you it wouldn't be any fun for you! Suffice it to say Anderson peppered clues and mysteries throughout so I never got bored. One minute I'd be wondering about this, the next about that, and before I knew it I was getting some answers. Of course, the answers only raised more questions, so the cycle of give and take between the story and myself was a good one that was not at all frustrating to me.

The only thing I could say that sounds somewhat negative (but really isn't) is that some of the flashbacks or relived memories (yes, there are those but trust me, they are great and relevant to what goes on) were a little description heavy and slowed me down in my quest to learn what had led Alison to be where she is.  But honestly, the heavy description is true to Alison's character, so I wouldn't change it. It was basically me just being impatient and wanting to know so badly what was going on rather than anything Anderson should have done differently.

Ultraviolet is an amazing ride and one that I enjoyed thoroughly (and will enjoy again, I am sure). There were so many different ways the story could have gone and overall I was very pleased with the how it all happened and how it ended, even though it might catch some people off guard with the direction it took. But trust me, it is a book worthy of any shelf.

AND, be on the lookout for the companion novel, Quicksilver, coming out in 2013!

Where you can buy Ultraviolet:

Amazon / The Book Depository / Indiebound

*Note: This review originally appeared in its unrevised format on Writer Quirk.

Review - Ten

by Gretchen McNeil
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: September 18, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 304
source: from the author

From Goodreads:

And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

I don't make a habit of reading many murder mysteries.  They usually just don't manage to grab my attention all that much, as I like my books both fanciful and thrilling.  When I found out that Gretchen McNeil had written Ten, however, I knew I had to give it a go.  She successfully scared the crap out of me with Possess, so I was confident she would write a mean murder mystery.  As it turns out, my assumptions were correct and I was treated to one heck of a thrill ride.  Ten brought on the mystery plot with a whole lot of ominous tone.  From the first page, I knew I was in for it.

When it comes to Meg and her best friend, Minnie, the description above does not do justice to the true nature of the relationship between these two.  To say that Minnie is codependent and Meg is an enabler is an understatement.  From the start, you know that what you're reading isn't a typical friendship.  Instead, it's based on something more akin to baby-sitting and walking on egg shells.  Meg starts out as such a push-over that you have to wonder just how the story is going to play out in regard to her.  However, as she begins to realize more and more the consequences of her enabling behavior, she becomes a bit stronger and a more sympathetic character.  I wanted someone to put a gag in Minnie's mouth half the time, but I can't deny that she added a lot of edge to the story's undercurrents.

I simply loved the setting for Ten.  It doesn't get much spookier than a heavily forested, storm-ravaged island along the Pacific Northwest coast.  It added so much more urgency to the teens' plight and made for a heck of an atmosphere.  Between that and the enigma that is the identity of the killer, you'll be kept on the edge of your seat.  I truly could not deduce the killer's identity until they revealed it themselves.  Consider my mind blown.  When a book comes along that takes me completely by surprise like that, I'm a happy reader, indeed.

It's safe to say that Ten left me very satisfied in the thrills and chills department.  Though I would have liked to see some more depth to Minnie's character (I honestly couldn't define what Meg saw in her), the variety in the cast worked out very well.  With a foreboding setting, character conflict, and a tight lid on the killer's identity, Ten makes for a pretty great mystery.  If you're a fan of the genre or want to try it out for yourself, Ten would definitely be a good place to start.

Buy Ten at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

This advance review copy was provided to me by the author as part of a contest.  No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Cold Fury

by T.M. Goeglein
publisher: Putnam Juvenile
date of publication: July 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 313
source: from the publisher via LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.

  
Upon first meeting Sara Jane Rispoli, one might think they aren't going to be treated to such a gutsy character.  Such a misconception is not bound to remain for long, however, as Sara Jane's past is recounted, revealing a girl tougher than anyone around her can possibly know.  In this action-packed thriller, perseverance is everything as one teenage girl takes on a shadowy band of corrupt authority figures, a jealous uncle, and quite possibly the eeriest villain I've encountered in a book this year.  I can only say that I was wrong to think that Cold Fury would be a slow, convoluted book.  It turned out to be anything but!

If I were to sum up Sara Jane in one word, that word would be "backbone."  Beneath her quiet exterior lies a fiery core that is capable of more than Sara Jane herself even realizes.  As she takes on all those who would seize or harm her, the full extent of not only her strength, but her intellect shines through, making her a very intriguing character to follow.  She isn't perfect by any means, but her strength makes her a compelling character, nonetheless.  Such an intelligent, determined, and loyal main character is one well worth reading about.

The pacing of Cold Fury worried me in the beginning as I slowly waded through the narrative of Sara Jane's early years.  However, things soon picked up and the information learned during that narrative proved to be very useful in understanding all that was going on throughout the rest of the book.  In addition to pacing, Cold Fury has some exemplary settings.  The numerous Capone doors (a really clever means of escape) and the unpredictable streets of Chicago made for such a fantastic backdrop.  Each one fit the actions and tones of the story perfectly.  I couldn't wait to see where Sara Jane would find herself next.

Cold Fury is one of the more action-filled books I've read this year and I'm very glad to have had the chance to read it.  It made for a perfect change of pace from my typical fantasy/dystopian/supernatural reading habits, a very important thing for someone in a bit of a reading rut.  If you have a fascination for spy or mob movies, you should definitely check out Cold Fury.  With its imposing main character, action, and unique settings, you're sure to find something you like in the pages of Cold Fury.  Trust me when I say that you won't be bored.

Buy Cold Fury at the Following Locations

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Library Thing Early Reviewers. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Dark Companion

by Marta Acosta
publisher: Tor Teen
date of publication: July 3, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 368
source: from the publisher for review

From Goodreads:

Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true.
They are.

The more she learns about Birch Grove’s recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Lucien’s brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove—and what she would risk to stay there….

It's obvious from looking around my blog that I enjoy YA literature. However, my first literary loves both contain the name “Jane.” If you get me started about Jane Austen's books or Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, you will find that I can't shut up about them. Jane Eyre is a particular favorite, so when I learned that Dark Companion contained parallels with one of my favorite works of literature, I took notice. When I heard that it had a Gothic tone, I knew that I absolutely, without any shadow of doubt, had to read this book. I am happy to say that Marta Acosta met my expectations and then proceeded to surpass them. I warn you now: this review is about to become one of the longest I have ever written. I have so many thoughts to share that writing a shorter review just won't cut it.

Jane is a more contemporary version of her counterpart, Jane Eyre, in every way. As a street-wise, intelligent, hard-working orphan, Jane seeks to change her fate and propel herself toward a better education and a life free of abusive foster parents. She is such a complicated character that, just when you think you have her figured out, she throws you for a loop. I didn't always agree with her choices, but in this case, the story just wouldn't have been the same had she not made the decisions she did. That does not mean that Jane is without a little humor in her life. Jane's best friend at Birch Grove Academy, Mary Violet, very nearly stole the show at times. Her bubbly personality and all around hilarity did a great job at providing a bit of a break from the intensity of Dark Companion's plot. I adored her as a character and thought she was a great foil for Jane. Jane's friends aren't the only interesting secondary characters, however. The sons of Birch Grove's headmistress, Lucian and Jack, were so completely different from each other. Lucian, the suave, handsome brother, is a temptation for Jane. Her interactions with him are thought-provoking and make you think about the greater picture and the workings of the plot not yet at the forefront. Jack, however, does a fantastic job at poking at Jane with jibes and jokes until she begins to emerge from her shell. He's a fantastic modern version of Mr. Rochester. Overall, the characters were very engaging and intriguing.

While Birch Grove Academy is no Lowood Institute, there is something inherently mysterious about it. It's more like the woodland and creek-side areas that surround Lowood that you will find in Jane Eyre. The setting for Dark Companion was absolutely perfect. If you take Stepford and combine it with one of Ann Radcliff's imposing chateaus, you will get an idea as to what I'm talking about. It made for the perfect backdrop for the events that take place. As Gothic literature places great emphasis on setting, I payed particular attention too all of the places Jane visits. The thing I liked most that, while Birch Grove isn't the hulking, dark castles you often find in Gothic fiction, it does have a certain sinister undertone that becomes more and more apparent. I found Jane's evenings in her little cottage downright spooky to read about, at times. I could not get enough of the settings and moods that are found within this novel.

I'll admit that I am an enthusiastic fan of books and usually find the ones that I know I will enjoy the most. Dark Companion, however, goes beyond everything that I usually experience while reading a book I enjoy. Though I was taken by surprise by some of the occurrences, I was able to adjust my thinking and understood the hows and whys of them.  With its fantastic cast of characters and, at times, menacing undertones, it was a great, spooky read that would make for a great read on a foggy autumn evening. You name it, this book has it: atmosphere; vibrant characters; humor; romance; suspense; and chills galore. Dark Companion is definitely this Jane Eyre fan's cup of tea. I hope it will be yours, as well.

Buy Dark Companion at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher.  No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

by Barry Lyga
publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
date of publication: April 3, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 359
source: from the publisher for review
read it in: 4 days

From Goodreads:

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could--from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret--could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

Jazz Dent is not like other teenagers in Lobo's Nod.  Being surrounded by the infamy that being the son of the world's most prolific serial killer brings on, Jazz is a boy struggling to figure out who he really is.  Is he a meant for solving murder cases... or something far more lethal?  I Hunt Killers is a chilling peek into the mind of a boy damaged by the psychological scars inflicted upon him by his murderous father and the repercussions those scars have upon his life.  Turn on the lights, lock the doors, and sit down for a thrill like none you've ever experienced before.

Jasper "Jazz" Dent, while often charming, is a character with many skeletons (almost literally) in his closet.  He possesses both a keen intellect and an eye for detail that gives local law enforcement a run for their money.  It's difficult not to feel pity for him due to the brainwashing perpetrated by his father, Billy Dent, the world's worst serial killer.  He is a boy on the brink of tumbling into a dark abyss of murder and depravity.  His struggle to avoid this fate makes him a surprisingly admirable character, as does his loyalty to his best friend, Howie, who is as different from Jasper as it is possible to be.  The overall experience of being so immersed in Jazz's head is both enlightening and frightening.  He is definitely one of the most unique characters I have ever read about.

The plot of I Hunt Killers, while somewhat bogged down with Jazz's frequent inner monologues in regard to his true nature, is made up of an intricately woven mystery of the most frightening sort.  The brief glimpses into the point of view of the killer are chilling and do a great job at imparting a thick atmosphere of foreboding.  There are some truly horrific dream descriptions within that are more than capable of making you nervous, a sure sign that you are in the midst of a riveting, if not disturbing, book.  I must give one warning, however, if you are easily suggestible and prone to nightmares, be careful about when and where you read I Hunt Killers.  With the right surroundings, you could successfully scare yourself silly with this one!    

I Hunt Killers is quite possibly one of the most eerie books I've ever read.  Jazz is a very engaging character, even if he does manage to make you worry from time to time.  The plot is intense and full of some truly stunning twists that leave you scrambling to figure out the culprit behind the crimes.  The ending is truly an explosion of surprise that left me reeling after I turned the last page.  If you're looking for an intense, creepy read, you simply must try I Hunt Killers.  Thrills and chills abound and you'll be perpetually on the edge of your seat.

Buy I Hunt Killers at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher.  No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - The Last Echo

Kimberly Derting
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: April 17, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 358
source: SBB ARC Tours
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

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....

What I Thought

We've finally come to the third installment in the riveting Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting.  The past 2 books have been wonderfully entrancing and intense.  I worried as to whether or not The Last Echo could evoke the same feelings that The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead, but I needn't have worried.  In fact, it went above and beyond and has become my favorite book in the series yet!

Violet has made a lot of changes since we first met her in The Body Finder.  This time, she has new challenges to face and she definitely shines.  As she goes up against the absolute creepiest adversary yet, the tension and thrill surrounding the events she encounters is amazing.  While she still holds onto a few bad habits that seem to have quite the hold on her, Violet proves to be a very strong character.  She has to be, due to all that she has gone through and all that she has yet to face.

The Last Echo has an amazing plot and quick, edge-of-your seat pacing that doesn't quit.  It was my favorite storyline yet and I was left very, very happy at the end due to the amazing plot twists and well-developed characters.  This book has fully cemented my appreciation of mysteries and thrillers.  I was left wanting more and more.  It was simply that engrossing!

I don't want to risk saying too much more about The Last Echo, as I know there are several of you out there who haven't read it yet.  If you've made it this far into the series, keep going!  If you have yet to pick up the first book, do it!  This is a series that keeps building upon itself and getting better every time.  The Last Echo has earned the highest rating of any book in the series.  It finally reached the full potential I was expecting and I couldn't be more impressed. 

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Southern Book Blogger ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. 

Review - Slide

by Jill Hathaway
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: March 27, 2012
format: eGalley
pages: 187
source: Netgalley
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

What I Thought

I have become more and more interested in YA murder mysteries as of late, especially if they contain some element of the paranormal.  When I initially read the description of Slide on Netgalley, I knew that I had to give it a go.  The concept of a person being able to see through the eyes of a killer is an intriguing one, and for that person to be a teenage girl is even more interesting.  That it lacks the typical psychic angle confirmed my need to read this book.  I am glad that I did.

Vee is an emotionally bruised girl who wants nothing more than to hold herself back from those around her.  Fearing disappointment and heart-break, she has resorted to shielding herself through her outward appearance as well as her outward attitude.  Her armor is about to be cracked, however, as the body count begins to rise and an unexpected attraction to the new boy makes her reconsider everything.  I felt very empathetic toward Vee as I learned more and more about her and her past.  Though she maintains a stubborn veneer throughout the novel, I couldn't bring myself to be irritated by her.  Instead, she evokes much concern until you find yourself wishing for something to come along to make things better for her.  She is a very well-written main character that I very much enjoyed reading about, as well as an effective narrator.  She made the story easy to comprehend and provided a fantastic amount of useful information.

Slide is a very evenly paced, well-written mystery that kept me guessing right up until the end.  As I often am able to glean enough information to figure out the culprit at the wrong stage, the fact that this story threw me for a loop left me feeling very satisfied.  The plot twists are excellent and the themes touched upon (i.e. bullying, underage drinking, and suicide) are important ones.  The impact of such themes are exhibited, which provides important insight into the dangers.  Overall, Slide is an excellent paranormal mystery with an added layer of import.

Slide has left me with a stronger interest in mystery novels thanks to its impeccable storyline and ability to provide a complete surprise as to the perpetrator and their motive.  Jill Hathaway has written an engaging, imaginative story that will make most anyone a fan of mystery novels.  If you're looking for an engrossing, well thought-out story, I recommend Slide.  Whether it is to remain a standalone novel or is the beginning of a series, Slide is an enjoyable book that should not remain absent from your TBR shelves for long.  I give Slide 5 hoots for ease of reading, intrigue, and re-readability.

  
Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Desires of the Dead

by Kimberly Derting
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.