Desires of the Dead (Body Finder, 2)

Violet and Jay have moved from best friends to a couple. While Violet thinks this is great, she recognizes that their once close relationship has changed. Jay doesn't see her as just his best friend that he had "adventures" with in the woods as kids - she's the girlfriend that he loves very much and his protective tendencies are out in full force. Not that he's smothering her, he's just less likely to let Violet do something foolish. (And lets be honest, Violet has the best intentions, but she does several foolish things.) Jay also realizes that Violet doesn't tell him everything, but he trusts that she'll share her problems when the time is right. It doesn't help that Jay has made a friend of the new kid Mike, and Violet gets jealous. She's never really had to share Jay before. New love and unaccustomed jealousy have her struggling to find the right balance in her emotions and her expectations.Violet's gifts are also strengthening. On a shopping trip she senses a dead body but can't get to it. The body's echo stays with her, long after it should have faded. When Violet dreams the victim's final moments, she knows that the echo won't let her go until the body is found and laid to rest. While she does the right thing, it brings her to the attention of an FBI contractor. The way this affected Violet was really interesting. Her family had always told her not to tell anybody about her gifts, so she completely and understandably freaks out when she's contacted by the FBI. She not only fears for herself but for her family and Jay. While an outsider might say that Violet has become moody and possibly crazy, she really struggled with the fear of being found out and its implications.Our girl also picks up a stalker, and Derting once again has a few chapters written from a different point of view. Unlike the alternating PoV in The Body Finder, the stalker really isn't a bad guy. The insights into their personality and life show a person who is scared and lonely and looking for stable love the only way they know how. I found myself hoping that this person would get help and be able to pull their life back together.I liked Desires of the Dead much more than The Body Finder. While still a character driven story, in my opinion, the tension and mystery were much better this time around. The supporting characters are great, the adults her life are supportive and loving (we don't get enough of those), and Jay rocks. He is a strong character who doesn't let Violet push him around, but he doesn't smother her either. I loved that Violet was the one who pushed for a more physical relationship and Jay was the one who held them back. The conversation on Violet being the "guy" of the relationship and Jay the "girl" cracked me up! There's also a point where the stress and fear of the FBI and the stalker cause Violet to make a bigger deal out of a disagreement with Jay than she might have normally. She's absolutely miserable but she recognized that while she wanted Jay, she didn't need him. Violet understood that she was going to be unhappy for quite a while but it wouldn't be the end of the world. I really liked this and think it sends a good message to younger readers.I love Jay and Violet is sweet and growing in her powers and as a person. It's nice to have a powerful girl surrounded by people who love her and support her. I enjoyed Desires of the Dead and am looking forward to the new direction the series (seems) to be taking.

Desires of the Dead was unexpectedly great. Where the first book seemed to lack a good murder plot this one delivered it. The sequel felt more centered on Violet and less focused on the romance which I felt previously took over the first novel which was both good and bad. It's even more intriguing with the introduction of four new characters. But I didn't care much for Mike and Megan they seemed like random obstacles that Violet had to deal with. The addition of the FBI on Violet's trail really kept me reading on because I wanted to see what they knew and what she would tell them. It didn't disappoint but the FBI weren't in as many scenes as I'd have hoped for. Violet's keeping a lot of secrets from Jay and at times I found that to be frustrating yet a little exciting. What I mean by that is I wanted to see what Jay's reaction would be since he's so fiercely protective of her and wants to shield Violet from danger and she's off doing things her way. Their was a moment in this book where it almost seemed like Violet's ability was manifesting itself in a new way--I really want that to be the case! Desires of the Dead weaves in two different stories at once and it was amusing and enjoyable to follow both. Like the first book it alternates viewpoints between Violet and an anonymous stranger whose keeping tabs on her. So far this series has its ups and downs but this sequel has renewed my excitement and I'm invested in it. Also it would seem the secondary characters have some depth to them after all but they still feel a bit underdeveloped and their personalities are continually changing. Despite the little things the book turned out to be really good, and I enjoyed it way more than  The Body Finder  which I also liked.Violet is just getting on with her life months after almost being murdered by a serial killer...until she feels the pull of an echo at a shipyard. She does her best to ignore the call but when it won't leave her be she leaves an anonymous police tip and resumes her daily life with her best friend and newly turned boyfriend Jay Heaton. After the body of a small child is found Violet's certain she was careful enough not to be linked in any way to it--that is until the FBI show up at her school. It wouldn't be so bad if they just wanted to question her about the case but it seems like their less interested in the murder of the boy and more interested in her. Now she has to work even harder to keep her secret under wraps and its more complicated than she imagines when Jay seems to be spending more time with his new friend Mike and less time with her. It falls upon Violet to fix the mess she's gotten herself into--alone.Although Violet's actions made me a little angry at times that can be easily overlooked as the story was wholly enjoyable. Whereas The Body Finder felt like it was missing something Desires of the Dead was satisfying and a great entertaining read. I had a difficult time putting this one down. It's quick, has a compelling mystery with a totally unique paranormal twist. I'm excited to see what will come next in this series. Derting has created a different type of story that's bound to grab your attention. I'm sure that Desires of the Dead will resonate wonderfully with young adults.

I loved the Body Finder so much that I went out and got the sequel, Desires of the Dead straight away.And I really wasn't disappointed.The story starts several months after the events of the first book where Violet has helped catch a serialkiller and in the process almost become one of his victims. Jay and Violet are still very much in loveand this is one of the sweetest, most believeable romances I've read for a while. Though I will admit thaton occasion it became a little too sickly and maybe overdone just slightly, or maybe I'm just jealous!I loved getting to know Chelsea better, she's an awesome character and I think in the future I'd like Violetto confide in Chelsea about her ability. I think she'd handle it a lot better than Violet thinks she would.The plot in this book had many twists and turns. We are introduced to some new characters, the main ones beingMike and Megan who are new kids at the school and Jay quickly befriends Mike and Chelsea quickly falls in lust withhim. I have to say that I sort of guessed the whole Megan storyline, it wasn't cryptic enough for me, it was allvery obvious. But this didn't harm the story in anyway for me though. There were enough twists and turns to misleadme and keep me interested and I felt the tension was built up quite well through-out.The only critisism I have is....... How stupid is Violet?I do love her, I thinks she's a great lead and the way she's written is very believable but seriously, how many timesis she gonna get herself into such peril? She has her 17th birthday in this book and honestly at this rate she won'tmake it to her 18th!! It reminds me of in horror films when there's a noise and the soon to be murder victim goesto check it out shouting "who's there"!! Everytime Violet goes off on her own I'm wanting to shake her and screamat her not to be so stupid. I know her ability is a force that pulls her toward the dead but I'm wondering if shehas a lick of common sense......... ok rant over, it just bugged me a little.Even with that little annoyance, I really enjoyed this. I thought the introduction of the FBI was very cleverand Rafe is possibly going to be a very interesting character in the next book (because I'm really hoping therewill be a next book) He clearly has some sort of special gift too though what this is was really skimmed over.He obviously can sense things about people, but its very different from what Violet does. This whole joiningthe group thing at the end was a good way to end it, it leaves lots of room for more stories about Violet and whatmore she could do with her gift. And quite frankly the girl needs some help from someone before she gets herselfkilled!!

This book was amazing. The first book was amazing and so I didn't think that the second one would beat it but it totally did!It has all the suspense of the first one along with the romance (but more!) and also a kick ass mystery which kept me in suspense all the way to the end. I love a book that has you guessing all the way through and then surprises you at the last minute!Violet is yet again faced with having to deal with her unique talent of being able to locate dead bodies (and murderers) when she discovers the body of a young boy. However, this time someone is watching her and leaving her threatening messages. She also has the FBI sniffing around and trying to get her to admit how she comes across bodies. A secret she doesn't want to give up!For some reason Violet feels unable to tell Jay (or her parents) about all that's been happening around her. She wants to deal with it on her own. But she can't for long.What I really enjoyed about this book were the chapters where we get inside the head of the person leaving Violet threatening messages and discover their reasons behind it. It made the story both very unique and interesting (also a bit creepy).Overall I would truly recommend you pick this book up immediately if you have read The Body Finder because this is a story you do not want to miss!

I read the first book in this series ages ago and despite the large gap between books it was easy to pick up the story. It was an easy enjoyable read, despite the dark themes. A light relief from War and Peace which is taking ages to read despite being enjoyable. Only took me a weekend to read this book and I look forward to reading the next one and seeing where Violets story goes.

Great read, this book is really brilliant, if you love a bit of supernatural powers, but not the werewolf and vamps thing, just right for me, this is book 2 in the series, really enjoyed it. Arrived quickly and well packaged, great condition.

I really like this series, it's interesting and gripping and i love Jay and Violets relationship, i really hope they stick it out. Can't wait to read the next one