Review: The Last Echo, by Kimberly Derting

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting is the third novel in the Body Finder series, which has another installment set to release sometime in 2013. If you haven’t read the previous two books, I suggest you do so (preferably The Body Finder; the first novel and the namesake of the series), since this book wasn’t in the same league as the first book. When I first read The Body Finder, I fell in love with Derting’s writing and the story she had to tell, when I read the second book I felt like she’d done it again (though not as strongly), and some say third time’s the charm.

Yeah, not so much.

Sorry Derting, but though I did enjoy The Last Echo, it could have been so much better.

“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….”

-Goodreads

Okay, ignoring the fact that this synopses basically tells you all the events that happen in the previous two novels (Major Spoilers above), this synopses hints to us that this book is going to be another mystery that Violet tries to solve, while somehow catching the eye of the killer. I have some issues with what this novel promises and with what it actually gives me.

By the way, Derting’s first two novels were devoured by me in less than two days, while this one I had to keep putting down because it just wasn’t that addicting.

Negatives:

1. If you’ve read my review for Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi then you know what my biggest (and only) complaint for that novel was. The ending of Derting’s novel must be the new offspring of cliches. The whole “mysterious antagonist” threatening the protagonist into pursuing something that is against their will is overkill, and I’m sorry, but for a novel that isn’t as strong as its predecessors, this was a weak move. I get the whole wanting to have something to write about in the next installment, but not only was the unfolding of the conclusion predictable, but it was just plain annoying and frankly, I’m iffy about reading the fourth book.

2. Spoiler to those who haven’t read the previous installments and want to in the future, The Last Echo BARELY touches on Jay and Violet’s romance, which was the cutest thing ever (best friends in love type of deal, which I admit is a cliche as well) in the first two novels. Instead, we have the protagonist frolicking around with her emotions and this new “Rafe” character that registers as a big no-no for Violet. Plus, this whole “electrical shock” thing between the two characters whenever they touch is annoying. I understand that Derting is trying to create tension between her characters, but this is yet another cliche: the love triangle.

3. Violet kind of pissed me off in this one. She was immature and kind of dense. How does she not see what’s right in front of her? Of course, she’s always been a bit slow when it comes to understanding that she shouldn’t throw herself in the way of danger, but Violet was dumber than usual in this installment.

4. This is just a personal question I want to ask to those who have read The Last Echo: Are you excited to read the constant reminder of the jewelry box music in the next installment?

I’ll give you a hint: I’m not.

I know it sounds like I hated Derting’s novel, but though some things annoyed me, I still fairly enjoyed it.

Positives:

1. I’ll hand it to her: Derting knows how to creep her readers out. Perhaps the strongest aspect of her novel is the murderer’s perspective. Dark and delicious; it gave me the willies reading that at night.

2. Though I disliked the character of Rafe, it was cool to learn a little more about him and the rest of the team.

3. Derting may be flirting with cliches, but her writing is still fluid and imaginative, which makes her novel a quick read.

4. I disliked how this novel barely focused on Violet’s relationship with Jay, or even Violet herself, but when Derting does bring up scenes with Jay they are just as fantastic and romantic as ever.

For some reason I feel like Derting’s Body Finder series is going downhill. The series started so strongly, producing a similarly powerful sequel, but this third installment made me pause. I’m almost wary of what the fourth book will be like because I can kind of predict it as I write this review. The ending says it all: this author is running out of ideas. Of course, the one certain constant is the creepy factor of her antagonists, and if I could I would just read the excerpts from the points of view of the murderers in the future novels.

I give Kimberly Derting’s The Last Echo: