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Review: Desires of the Dead by Kim Derting

Desires of the Dead by Kim Derting
Published by Headline
Challenge: None
Source: Review copy (UK paperback)


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.

***

It's not often the sequel to a book as as strong as its predecessor but in this case I think it definitely was. For me it had all of the magic of book one with the added bonus that it built on characters we already knew and loved.

Desires of the Dead follows directly on from the body finder and continues to follow the story of Violet, a teenage girl who can sense dead bodies.

The thing I liked best about this book was the development of the relationship between Violet and Jay from best friends to boyfriend / girlfriend. Jay is so unbelievably cute and gorgeous in how he treats Violet and the two of them together is just awesome.

The subplot of the FBI interest in Violet is really interesting and I sense something that it going to be drawn out more in future books. I am really interested to see where it goes (I keep expecting Mulder to pop up - am I showing my age now?)

The story itself was just as suspenseful as Derting's first offering. Like the first part I like how she does the odd chapter from a mysterious unknown person's head who is involved in the story but looking at it from the outside. I loved how it kept you guessing right through until the end and wasn't predictable.

All in all an awesome sequel which I enjoyed.



Thank you Headline for providing a review copy of this book

Comments

Sakura Sandra said…
I haven't read this one yet, but I did read and review The Body Finder already and I gave that book 5 out of 5 stars. I have Desires of the Dead on my NC waiting TBR, but your review reminds me how much I want to read this one now! So many books, so little time! *sigh*

-Sandra @ http://sandrathenookworm.blogspot.com

If you have some time stop by and read my review of The Body Finder. :)
Book Junkies said…
I felt the exact same way! A sequel that is better is often unheard of but Kimberly did it. Can't wait for her next book The Pledge! -C
Anonymous said…
I have heard such good things about The Body Finder. And this is even better? Now I so can't wait to get to them :D
Cicely said…
Great review! I think I liked The Body Finder a bit more than DotD, but it was still an awesome book! And I loved the focus on Jay and Violets relationship. I did think that the mystery was easier to solve than TBF though, but the extra Jay time made up for it ;D
Natasha said…
Just downloaded The Body Finder for my kindle, can't wait to read both books now.

You get extra points for a X Files referance :)
Oh, how I adore this series! Violet and Jay are so utterly adorable together, I can't help but root for them. I preferred TBF, but this one was still wonderful.

(You are totally not showing your age with The X Files reference!!)