The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is sixteen and starting her sophomore year of high school. Her best friend is Jay Heaton and they've known each other all of their lives. She's just like every other girl her age, except that she has a secret, she can find the dead.

That alone is what first intrigued me to read this book. I was interested to see how Kim Derting was going to explain Violet's little talent, and let me tell you I was not disappointed.

It's like a compulsion, Violet can't help going out and searching. The echoes call out to her, the echoes of those taken before their time. Each echo is unique and calls to one of her senses. Sometimes it's a taste, others it's a sound or a smell, but once she discovers it she can't rest until whatever it is that's calling out is laid to rest.

The descriptions that the author gives are flawlessly done, bringing you along on the journey and wanting to figure out just what it is as well. What is it that she'll find this time? Very few people know about her gift as well, and one of those that do is her best friend Jay. He is very protective of Violet and it's clear how much they both care of each other. I found myself rooting for them to finally discover their feelings for one another, ooohing and awwing at their closeness. You can't help but fall in love with them and nostalgically remember those days when you felt the exact same way: awkward and unsure.

Violet's gift is put to the test when a serial killer begins targeting young girls in her town. She knows that she's the only one who can find him and she's willing to put herself at risk to discover who is behind the killings, which may just happen the further she delves into the case. So the question is now, who is responsible for the recent murders and what will he do when he figures out who keeps finding his victims?

I absolutely fell in love with The Body Finder. With the innocence of young love, of finding yourself in high school, and learning more about the echoes that are left behind. You can learn more about the author at http://www.kimberlyderting.com, check out her blog, and find out more about the sequel Desires of the Dead.