The Last Echo

Derting, Kimberly. The Last Echo: A Body Finder Novel. 2012. 368 p. ISBN 978-0-06-208219-0. FIC DER on the library shelves

In this third installment of Violet Ambrose’s adventures, she finally finds herself at home working with Sara’s team of other individuals with paranormal powers. Violet, who can sense the echoes left by a violent death on both the victim and the perpetrator, is now attempting to stop the Collector, a deranged man who “collects” victims, whom he calls his “girlfriends” before he creates yet another victim. Her relationship with Jay remains solid, but she finds herself attracted to the enigmatic Rafe. And as Violet becomes the next target of the Collector, she must make choices that will have dramatic consequences for her life.

Derting follows her successful recipe from the two previous books, with chapters that present both Violet’s story as well as that of the Collector as their paths intersect and head for a confrontation. Violet’s character is extremely well developed, with the supporting cast also consisting of believable teenagers dealing with their own issues while trying to solve this mystery in time. The situations presented in the Collector’s chapters involve forcible confinement, torture, and drug use, and are better suited for older teens as some of the descriptions are fairly graphic. There is no sex, however, and except for one instance the language remains appropriate throughout the story. Fans of Derting will appreciate this third volume, and the conclusion indicates that a fourth volume may be forthcoming.