Review: THE BODY FINDER by Kimberly Derting

I've been wanting to read this book for a very long time. The premise sounded intriguing--the title explains it well. A girl has the supernatural ability to detect dead bodies. These bodies carry an echo and that echo is imprinted on the killer.

This book had just the makeup I love: suspense weaved through romance. This is the type of YA book I think sells best and I am trying my durndest to learn to write.

So what worked for me? The storytelling. Especially the first few pages. Derting had the most perfect ominous, foreboding tone that told me I was reading something good, and it set the tone for the book well.

I also really enjoyed the antagonist's point of view. Very well written and just the right amount.

Finally, the romance. There was this one part that I simply loved. Derting knows how to write about her kissing. ;)

So what didn't work for me? Sorry, Ms. Derting, but I didn't particularly like the voice. Nothing quirky, nothing dark, nothing to make it stick out for me. Also, I think too many cliches. I was suprised your editors kept them in. I'm guessing the cliches were looked at as comfortable ways to reach the YA audience, but it cheapened the voice for me. And I didn't like Violet (the protag's) friends. Jay was great, but for the entire book I couldn't figure out why she was friends with those girls.

Worth reading? Yes. A great page-turner. But I don't know that I feel the need to read the sequel. I saw Violet's power in action once and feel good with that.

*Sidenote: I was surpised that the agent for this book was Laura Rennert. Everything I've seen from this agent has been much more literary but still straddling the commercial. This book wasn't literary at all--except maybe during the romance, but that would be a stretch. But I did see on Publishers Marketplace this book sold for a "good deal." This agent is one of the best and knows a book that will sell.