Same Book, Second Look - The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Published: April 2012

Publisher: Harper

Pages: 360

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

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...

Kimberly Derting has done it again.  The Last Echo re-introduces characters we have come to know and love and maintains the pulse pounding suspense that we have come to expect from the series.  Yes, The Last Echo is a little formulaic in that we know there is a murder and we have to solve who it is - but that's like every other mystery out there, and it's how we solve the mystery that makes it so much fun.

Violet is coming to terms with her ability to sense where bodies are, using the echos that are left.  A creepy ability that I for one am not sorry I do not have.  She has a loving family who are very aware of her and are concerned for her safety, which is a touch unusual these days, but never seems overdone or cloying.  Jay is there to give her all the extra love and support that she doesn't get from her family. He is such a wonderful guy, I just want to hug him.

And then there are Rafe, Gemma, Krystal and Sara, who understand her ability and help her cope with it.  The organization that they all belong to is still shrouded in mystery, but this time out things get a little creepier.  You'll understand what I mean when you finish the book.  There is some amazing tension between Vi and Gemma - which is explained nicely - and Vi and Rafe - which is not, but there are going to be more books where we will be able to explore that angle.  I can't wait.

Together, the team are after a particularly disturbing serial killer. Ms Derting really seems to be able to get into the minds of these killers and, courtesy of the alternate chapters written from the killers pov, we are able to get into their minds as well.  This adds a spectacular new dimension to the story and helps to maintain a high level of tension that might otherwise be missing.  All in all, The Last Echo is an absolute must read for paranormal mystery fans.

 It looks as though the next book in this series, Dead Silence, will be out in April of next year.  Yet another brilliant cover.

and this one, The Essence - # 2 in the Pledge series will be out in January 2013.
Great stuff. Have to admit, I'm loving the red in this cover as well.






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