The Body Finder

Violet Ambrose possesses an unusual ability - she can sense the "echoes" left behind by murder victims and the imprints that mark their killers. Her gift has always been a source of both curiosity and concern in her small town. When several teenagers go missing and turn up dead, Violet realizes her ability might help catch the killer stalking her community. She works to assist the investigation while navigating her complicated feelings for her longtime best friend Jay. As Violet gets closer to uncovering the murderer's identity, she finds herself becoming entangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Her determination to help puts her directly in the path of a killer who may sense that she poses a unique threat. The Body Finder explores themes of identity and belonging through its supernatural framework, examining how gifts that set us apart can shape our relationships and purpose. The novel balances its darker elements with an authentic portrayal of teenage life and first love.

Readers describe The Body Finder as a YA thriller with supernatural elements that holds their attention. Many say they finished it in one sitting. What readers liked: - Romance between Violet and Jay feels authentic and develops naturally - Fast-paced plot with genuine suspense - Serial killer chapters create tension - Clean writing style makes it easy to follow What readers disliked: - Some found the romance overshadowed the murder mystery - Several readers wanted more details about Violet's supernatural ability - Multiple reviewers called the ending predictable - Some felt the killer's POV chapters were unnecessary Ratings: Goodreads: 3.98/5 (53,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (300+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ reviews) One top Goodreads review notes: "The romance was sweet but I wish there had been more focus on the supernatural aspect." An Amazon reviewer states: "The serial killer's perspective added nothing to the story and took me out of the main character's journey."

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🔍 Author Kimberly Derting got the idea for The Body Finder while watching America's Most Wanted and wondering what it would be like to have a special ability to find missing people 💫 The protagonist Violet's ability to sense echoes of the dead is inspired by synesthesia, a real neurological phenomenon where people can taste colors or see sounds 🦋 The book alternates between Violet's perspective and chilling chapters written from the killer's point of view, creating a unique psychological tension 📚 The Body Finder is the first book in a four-book series, followed by Desires of the Dead, The Last Echo, and Dead Silence 🎬 The film rights to The Body Finder were optioned by Preger Entertainment in 2012, though a movie has not yet been produced