YA book review: The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3) by Kimberly Derting

YA paranormal*Hardcover, 1st Edition/paperback/eBook 358 pages

Published April 17th 2012 by HarperCollins (first published March 1st 2012)

In the end, all that’s left is an echo.

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....

The Body Finder YA paranormal series has been too under rated for too long. The third book is excellent! Violet now works for Sara and visits the Center headquarters where she meets the rest of the members of this special psychic squad: Rafe, Sam, Gemma and Krystal. Each young member seems to be sensitive to some degree with their individual talents. 

There's a new case and they call him "The Girlfriend Collector." Again, there are alternating chapters between Vi's pov and the killer's, both told in third person. Kimberly Derting is a pro at creating chilling murderers and conveying their crimes in a PG way. 

Rafe seems to watch Vi a lot and she can't deny the connection to this still mysterious guy. He did save her life. What I was thrilled to witness was Vi's maturing and becoming more assertive. I liked the changing dynamics of her story and her new job as she decides to utilize her talent/curse to help others. It was fascinating watching her work. The scene in the police station when a suspect is brought in, a guy with many imprints, as she looks at him the tattoos on his body move. In fear she stares as the ink creeps under his skin and he gets off on her fear. This is the same street thug she later has a violent run-in with and what happens with Sara adds to the tension. 

I may be in the small group of Rafe fans but I like his character. As much as I love the sweet relationship between Vi and her boyfriend, Jay, it's always good to shake things up now and then. That's exactly what Derting does here. Rafe has a much more active role in this book. Vi spends more time with him and the others and we don't get to see Jay much. They do share a few romantic scenes and I can't complain. Vi and Jay are one of those special couples in YA who are true soul mates. We are also privy to Jay's increasing displeasure with Vi becoming so comfortable with her new job, this new group of friends, and Rafe. Life hasn't been easy for Vi with keeping her secret from others, especially her closest friends. For that reason she never ever truly fits in. Until now. With the psychometric gift Vi has, she needs to meet and be around others with shared abilities. Sara's group offers her this experience.

A lot happens in this book, from Vi being attacked to Rafe having an accident and Sara shooting someone. Thrilling and intense, The Last Echo never wavers continually keeping the reader on their toes and their eyes glued to the page (or screen). I loved it.

Rating: 5

Cover comment:

Continuing the series. Love the purple.

Book source:

Owned.