The Body Finder (The Body Finder, #1) in Q&A with Judith Graves

Nov 30, 2009 Katieb (MundieMoms) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: debut-author-challenge, books-i-own, mundie-moms-review

The Body Finder is such a fantastic book! I'm ashamed to admit it had been sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read for a few months, but when I read it was on Cassandra Clare's 12 Favorite Books list (released on Barnes and Noble the other day), I finally pick it up and read it. It took me one sitting to finish this beautifully written story. I'm completely blown away that it's Kimberly's debut book. The plot, the setting, the love story and the fascinating point of view from the killer compl The Body Finder is such a fantastic book! I'm ashamed to admit it had been sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read for a few months, but when I read it was on Cassandra Clare's 12 Favorite Books list (released on Barnes and Noble the other day), I finally pick it up and read it. It took me one sitting to finish this beautifully written story. I'm completely blown away that it's Kimberly's debut book. The plot, the setting, the love story and the fascinating point of view from the killer completely captured my attention and took me on a fabulous, emotional ride.

Jay and Violet have quickly become two of my all time favorite characters, and I finally understand why Jay made it on so many top 10 all time favorite male character lists. Let me talk about Violet first, as her voice is one of the best I've read. She's so honest, real, snarky, completely relatable and someone I would love to hang out with. While I don't know what it's like to sense the echos of those who have died, it was really easy for me to sympathize with her and what she deals with. She's a strong character, with a fascinating ability who tries to be normal, and is able to do so (for the most part) with the support of her family and Jay. I love the supportive role her family plays, which is absent in so many YA books.

Jay is brilliant! He's loyal, protective and all around great guy. I liked that his good looks don't go to his head, making him even more likable. I really enjoyed the history that Jay and Violet have from growing up together and being best friends. He's the one person that knows about her secret outside of her family and he is completely supportive of her. Kimberly did a great job with Jay and Violet's transition from best friends to being in a relationship. It was spot on as once you cross that boundary, often times there is no turning back and it does change things. I understood Violet's worry of crossing this boundary. I loved these two together, as they made me laugh out loud and had me sighing more than once. I really appreciated that while they have a few hot scenes, they don't go all the way. I think it adds a little something more to their relationship and who they are.

The setting is beautiful and as I've said before, I'm a sucker for a beautiful North West setting. It played a huge role in The Body Finder as Jay and Violet spent a lot time in the woods behind her house when they were younger, but it's also where she makes a lot of her grizzly discoveries. Kimberly delivers a fantastic plot that is one part suspense and one part romance. I was both fascinated and mortified with the killer's point of view. It's disturbing being in his head, but it also adds an element of fear which is strategically place into the story at just the right times. One moment I would be laughing out loud at Jay and Violet's bantering or sighing from their scenes together and the next my adrenaline would be racing from the killer's scenes.

This is one engaging, romantic and thrilling book that I would recommend to older YA readers. It's one of those books that will leave you thinking about days after you're read it. There is very mild language, and some underage drinking at a party that may not be suitable for all readers. I think it's a fantastic debut book as it's suspenseful, beautiful and breathtaking, and one I highly recommend reading it. ...more

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Nov 23, 2009 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: wishlist, wishlist-books-published

Bottom Line – This book is an intense ride, I picked it up and finished it in about 7 hours, though I did not want it to end, I just had to know what would happen next...and the ending, nothing I can say short of WOW, it's intense!

With it's authentic characters, it's brilliant story line, and a love story that's like no other - Kimberly Derting has, what I can only assume will become a best seller on her hands, I know I can't want to get my very own copy as soon as it's released (I am so sad to ...more

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May 15, 2011 Judith Graves added it

Great spin on the whole I see dead people premise. Loved it.

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May 26, 2010 Anna Ziska rated it it was amazing

I was hooked from the first page. Great storyline and twists made you really think and question each character. Jay would be any high school girls dream.

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Nov 04, 2009 Linda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2010

The Body Finder is a must read book. It creates enough suspense, mystery and drama to keep you away from taking a break. And don't let me start on the romance. So good!

Full Review here ...more

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