Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world… and the imprints that attach to their killers.
Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.
Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer… and becoming his prey herself.
The book starts with a flashback to Violet as a young girl walking with her father in the woods. Violet sees (or hears) the echoes of the dead. While she usually just finds animals in the past she feels something calling to her and soon they discover a hidden body of a young girl. Move to present day and not only is Violet still learning how to control her ability for it not to affect her life she has a new problem. Dealing with the new feelings she is having towards her BFF Jay. (Oh Jay, SIGH.)
The book reads from Violet’s POV as well as a serial killer terrorizing the town abducting and killing young girls. When Violet discovers a victim of the killer she becomes more and more involved, wanting to help but not sure how. When a girl goes missing that Violet actual knew she decides it is time to help. Not only can Violet see/hear echoes from the victims, but she can also see the matching “imprint” on whoever has killed them. After convincing Jay (maybe just a little by force :P) they set out to scope out the local area in search of the killer hoping to see the imprints of the murdered girls. As with most teenaged heroines from books of late, Violet tried to do too much on her own and chaos ensues.
Overall this was a great book, I liked how it would switch from a look at a budding relationship (When Jay comes back for her after she left the party?? OMG) to the twisted mind of a serial killer. Swapping out gave you a dark and light side to a story to break up the “scary” parts. It did seem like they found the killer a bit too easily in the story. I mean this guy is supposed to be a serial killer, I wouldn’t think that he would just give himself up so quickly so I was a bit disappointed then but I really enjoyed the twist. 🙂 (I’m not telling so go read the book!!!)
I also loved that Violet didn’t have any arguments so to speak with her family, that they along with Jay believe her and her abilities. No drama to take away from the actual story. I read this book in one day and it was a great, quick and interesting read, though not as scary as others said it was. . .
Here’s hoping book 2 keeps up the pace!
Pecans: 3.75/5
~Maggie
Although Maggie’s review was positive, I enjoyed the book a lot more. Having read a lot of mysteries, I knew something else was going on when the “killer gave himself up too soon.” But the story itself was interesting, especially her “gift” and how she handled things. I LOVED Jay, the BFF, and honestly, what’s a book without a love story? And this is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I have a new favorite series! Thanks Ms. Derting!
Pecans: 5/5
~Dixie
Gone Pecan 
Loved this book and am 1/2 thru Desires of the Dead. Can’t put it down.
That’s the next review~ M
I am with you Dixie. I loved, loved this book. Unique, sweet & a mother’s worst nightmare all rolled up into 1.
It was very hard to put down, and I read it on Halloween weekend, when it was just me, the dogs and my one year old son, all alone in the house…creepy!
Jay!!!!! I love this book series. Thank you Dixie for telling me about it. In fact, I think my Boyfriend List is going to need some rearranging. Because that’s what this book is about to me: it’s an awesome love story with a very good, creepy storyline on the side where a girl happens to hear dead people and tries to catch a serial killer. But a love story all the same.
i completely agree! it’s a love story, but how can you sustain a love story for four books? throw in some creepy stuff, but keep the same love story throughout. very smart of our author. 🙂