Skip to main content

Book Review: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)
Title: The Last Echo
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Body Finder series, #3
Pages: 358
Publisher: Headline
Date of Publication: 29th March 2012
Source: Publisher*
Synopsis from Goodreads: 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....

There may be tiny, tiny, tiny spoilers... Sorry but I went into a little bit of a rant concerning Jay and Rafe ;P

My Thoughts:
When I read the first two books in The Body Finder series this time last year, it was one of my favourites I'd read in a long long while, so when I finally got my grubby little hands on a copy of The Last Echo, I was so excited. I started it as soon as I could.

However, there was something about the beginning that was a little off for me. I think it's probably because I didn't really know what was going on because I'd completely forgotten everything that had happened at the end of the last book, and I'd forgotten who everyone apart from Violet, Jay and Rafe were. There were all these names, all these people and I couldn't for the life of me remember who they were... After about 50 pages it started coming back to me, but before reading this I'd recommend a recap of the first two books, or a reread if possible ;)

The plot of this book was amazing. I loved it. There's a killer - a man who's collecting girls to try and make them love him. He wants a girlfriend, and he's picking them out from the streets, stealing them from their homes and tying them up, painting their nails, and then killing them when he realises that they're not going to love him. He's the slimiest, creepiest, and most shiver-inducing characters I've ever read about. Seriously, he made me feel sick. Eurgh I don't know why I was affected so much by him, but I literally had nightmares about him. *shudder*

Of course though, this made for really exciting reading. It felt like I read the last 100 pages of the book in about 10 minutes (in reality it was probably about 50 minutes, but whatever) because I just could not put it down. I was glued to the pages, needing to make sure that the characters would be all right, that the Girlfriend Collector would not come out victorious. If I'd had the time to read the whole book in one sitting, I would have, just like I did with the first two books - Kimberly's writing had everything I expected from it.

My only complaint, and the reason it lost a half a star, is that THERE IS NOT ENOUGH JAY. There was far too much Rafe and not nearly enough Jay. Violet and Jay were the most adorable couple ever, and the threat of a love triangle emerging really, really annoyed me. Why do you have to ruin a perfect relationship that makes a perfect book, with a completely unnecessary and book-ruining love triangle (not that it did, Violet stays faithful I PROMISE)?! I don't have anything against them (believe it or not) but I think that ONLY when it adds to the story, and I don't think any potential relationship with Rafe would have made the book better. Violet and Jay belong together, and these books would never be as good if they're not. And that's all I'll say, it's already getting quite rant-ish ;P

The Last Echo had (almost) everything I expected from it (the almost being for Jay, of course). It was a fast-paced, action-packed mystery thriller, and I loved it. This series continues to be one of my favourites, and I'm hanging on the edge of my seat, waiting for the final book in the series, which isn't coming out for ANOTHER WHOLE YEAR. It's too long to wait, seriously, I don't know how I will survive. I recommend this series if you haven't started it already - you will NOT be disappointed! :D

*Huge thanks to Headline for sending me this in exchange for an honest review! :) In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.

Comments

  1. Hi! Great post, this book sounds awesome. I want to read the other books in the series!!! New follower!

    Follow mine? www.tumblingbooks.com

    Thanks,
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I completely agree with all of this! The killer was awesome in a horribly creepy way, but there just wasn't enough Jay! Though I did really like the fact that Violet stayed faithful. Made me like her a lot more, and I like her a lot already! Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Totally! There is not enough Jay! Loved the ending, though - can't wait for more (and hopefully more Jay!!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. VATTTT??? There's not enough JAY?!?! I think I just died a little bit inside. But I still can't wait to read this one. Sounds AMAZING and I love this series so much :) Great review and I'm a new follower!

    Rabiah
    Confessions of a Readaholic

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for commenting! :D I love comments, so comment away! :D

*I am no longer accepting blog awards :( I do not have time to go through all the things that come with it, and though I'm honoured you thought of me, I'm sure you can find someone who will love it, and be able to carry out the rules :)

Popular posts from this blog

REVIEW: A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

Hello all! Hope you're all enjoying the summer! I'm currently on holiday in a huge castle in the South of France and enjoying relaxing, playing games, and of course reading a lot!  Today's post is a review of a dreamy summer romance that's perfect for your holiday TBRs! Title:  A Sky Painted Gold Author:  Laura Wood Series:   n/a Pages:   356 Publisher:  Scholastic Date of Publication:  5th July, 2018 Source:  Publisher for review* Synopsis from Goodreads: Growing up in her sleepy Cornish village dreaming of being a writer, sixteen-year-old Lou has always wondered about the grand Cardew house which has stood empty for years. And when the owners arrive for the summer - a handsome, dashing brother and sister - Lou is quite swept off her feet and into a world of moonlit cocktail parties and glamour beyond her wildest dreams. But, as she grows closer to the Cardews, is she abandoning her own ambitions... And is there something darker lurking at the

Book Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went Author: Gayle Forman Series: If I Stay #2 Pages: 260 Publisher: Random House Date of UK Publication: April 28th 2011 Source: Borrowed from friend Synopsis from Goodreads: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future and each other. Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance. My Thoughts: Where She Went continues the story from If I

REVIEW: Floored by Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson, and Eleanor Wood

Good morning! Hope you're having a good week! Today I have a review for one of the biggest titles at YALC this year. Title:  Floored Author:  Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson, and Eleanor Wood Series:  n/a Pages:   320 Publisher:  Macmillan Date of Publication:  12th July, 2018 Synopsis from Goodreads: When they got in the lift, they were strangers (though didn't that guy used to be on TV?): Sasha, who is desperately trying to deliver a parcel; Hugo, who knows he's the best-looking guy in the lift and is eyeing up Velvet, who knows what that look means when you hear her name and it doesn't match the way she looks, or the way she talks; Dawson, who was on TV, but isn't as good-looking as he was a few years ago and is desperately hoping no one recognizes him; Kaitlyn, who's losing her sight but won't admit it, and who used to have a poster of Dawson on her bedroom wall, and Joe, who shoul