BOOK REPORT for Dead Silence, Book 4 in The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting
Cover Story: Leafy
Mame-Worthy: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: 2 Legit 2 Quit
Bonus Factors: Scoobies, Backstory
Relationship Status: Dangerous Liaisons
Cover Story: Leafy
This cover continues the stark, somehow sinister pictures of a pretty flower. I'm okay with that.
The Deal:
Spoilers for books one, two and three in this section.
Now that it's been made clear that Violet can't quit the team of supernatural killer-hunters she's a part of, she's desperate for some control in her life. She knows so little about her talent, and the one person who could shed some light on the matter -- her grandmother -- is gone. A search through a box of her grandmother's old things leads to the discovery of several journals, and Violet begins pouring over them, in hopes of unlocking the secret behind her gift. What she finds is a lot more interesting.
Meanwhile, another psychopath is on the loose, committing gruesome murders…
Mame-Worthy: Yay
This is the part on sprockets where I totally show my age, because Violet, it's time you and Auntie Jenny had a little talk about you continuing to go off on your own when your body finder sense kicks in!!!! Your parents have told you. Your uncle has told you. Your boyfriend has told you. Your entire freaking team has told you, yet you still don't seem to care about how any of us would feel if you got yourself killed by going off half-cocked after some color!!!!! Ugh. Alright, now that that is out of the way, I can say that you have grown up some, and you seem to be learning to make better choices, but little lady, consider this a warning: Ima' shake you.
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Let me preface this by saying that I feel really bad for feeling the way I feel, for writing what I'm about to write: I just don't feel Violet and Jay anymore. And I ask myself why? Why? There's plenty of smooching and heavy petting, and Jay is SO GOOD, I WANT to love them both and love them together, but I just… don't care. And I feel really terrible about it. I reason with myself that with all of the craziness in Violet's life, she needs someone like Jay in it to keep her grounded, to have a safe place for her heart. When I step away from reading, I can tell myself ABSOLUTELY that I want them together, but WHILE I'm reading? That's when the conflict comes. Then there are times that I feel like Violet doesn't completely deserve Jay. Then there are the other times when I just want her to get together with Rafe So. Much. And I hate that I want that. I really do.
Talky Talk:2 Legit 2 Quit
Derting continues this series in an authentic teen voice that manages to coalesce with the grownup nature of her work, resulting in believable, gripping suspense. It's also way scary.
Bonus Factor: Scoobies
Finally, FINALLY things develop that merge Violet's two worlds -- school and work -- together a bit. And lord knows it's overdue.
Bonus Factor: Backstory
In reading her grandmother's journals, Violet discovers some truths about her gift… and a whole lot more.
Relationship Status: Dangerous Liaisons
Every time I meet this series, I get a rush of excitement. I know it's perilous, and I know that once I pick it up, I won't be able to leave it until the end. But for all the thrills and chills, sleepless nights and disturbing dreams it gives me, it's always totally worth it.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my review copy from Harper Collins. I received neither money nor cocktails for writing this review (dammit!). Dead Silence is available now.