The Last Echo: I'm just a tiny bit embarrassed...

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)
By Kimberly Derting
Hardcover, 360 pages
Harper Collins, April 2012
Rated: 2.5 out of 5


Synopsis:
In the end, all that's left is an echo...
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....

Pricky's Review:
So...I'm just a teeny tiny bit embarrassed. A couple weeks ago I raved about The Body Finder Series in "My Favorite Reads" Giveaway. And don't get me wrong...I still love love love The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead (#2). But somehow this one took a turn around the wrong bend...

The Love Triangle:

The thing I had loved about the first two books was the complete absence of ANY love triangle. It was a nice change to all the love-triangle frenzy. I loved watching Jay and Violet's relationship unfold. So you can imagine my disappointment when the only scenes in The Last Echo of Jay and Violet were short, simple dialogues and lots of kisses...(not that I mind the kisses but after awhile you forget what made them special). The entire book is focused on RAFE. RAFE. RAFE. Rafe, who reminds me so much of "Edward": dark, moody, mysterious. And surprise, surprise. He seems to only have a connection with Violet. Even down to the "electric sparks" between them...

Finally, a slow grin spread over his face. "Well, that was awkward." Violet flexed her fingers, still awed by the strange sensation rippling through her. "Do you mind explaining what the hell that is?" she asked. "You feel it too...don't you?"

Oh, please. And what is it about girls who can't just ADMIT or SEE that the boy likes her?

"They were just friends, she and Rafe, and she was worried for him. Friends could touch each other. Friends could hold hands."

Whatever you say Violet...But then she'll see Jay and it's all about "I need you Jay. You complete me..." I think I'm going to gag.

Which brings me to point #2-Violet:

I missed the old Violet. Even though she had a few insecurities in #1 and #2, it really became full blown in this one. She's constantly worried about her relationship with the rest of the TEAM. And she can't seem to make up her mind about Jay or Rafe. Even in the end, she's still torn between the two! She doesn't seem to  connect with her friends as much as she did in the first two...but then again, she's NEVER around them in this one. And I miss all of Chelsea's funny dialogue.

So what about the plot?

Every few chapters, we read about the murderer and his thoughts. Derting really made him creepy and disturbing. While it was creative, I felt like he was a bit too sicko for me.   spoiler (He wants a girlfriend/wife to love him so he kidnaps them and dresses them up...) And I'm not quite sure if I buy into the psychology of it...but then again, people do the weirdest things for the weirdest reasons.


Also the side plot of James Nua seemed out of place and unnecessary. James Nua is a killer who Violet happens to see in the police station and he's out to get her because he thinks she knows something...

Should you read it? Maybe...

I'm not sure I like the direction of where this series is going. I had LIKED the simple small town life scenarios of the first two...but now is the introduction of a whole slew of new characters and new assignments. It's like Veronica Mars evolving into CSI. And something's gone missing. Other reviewers really enjoyed this one, so I'm sure I'm in the minority but I think this is the end of the line for me. :(

PS. The title is confusing and Derting even says that herself. So there will be #4: Dead Silence.

Click here to purchase The Last Echo on Amazon.