Spotlight Q and A with Kimberly Derting

We had the great pleasure of asking Kimberly Derting, author of The Body Finder some questions about her debut book and whats next for the series.  Be sure to stop by Kimberly's web page for more information on the Body Finder! Also click on the book cover to pre-order your copy today!




1. What was the inspiration for The Body Finder? Where did the idea of the “echo” come from?
We were driving one day when my husband threw out the random idea about a boy who could find dead bodies. Since I’m always trying to be difficult (*grins innocently*), I immediately changed the main character to a teenage girl and created Violet’s ability to locate the murdered by their unique echo.

2. I loved how the killer’s point of view gave suspense to the storyline; why did you decide to write from the killer’s point of view?
I really wanted to give the reader the killer’s perspective to add a level of creepiness to the story. At first, I thought my publisher might want to take out these chapters because they were too scary, but instead they asked for more! I was thrilled because for some strange reason I LOVED writing from his perspective. That’s pretty normal, right??

3. Can you give us an overall description of the series? Does the series have a name?
I’ve always called it The Body Finder series, but I haven’t heard it called anything officially. I suppose when HarperCollins decides, we’ll all know what the series name is. After The Body Finder, the sequel is Desires of the Dead which will be out in 2011. Without giving away too much, there may or may not be some dead bodies in this one. Oh, and we get to see Jay and Violet’s relationship develop. Okay, I’ve probably said too much!!!

4. Why did you choose to end the main part of the story with a huge cliffhanger and then add an epilog instead of just continuing with what happened next?
Great question because it wasn’t something I set out to do! J There are a few parts in the book that I hope will keep the readers guessing so I thought the ending was as good a place as any to add another twist.

5. How are people’s echoes formed? Is it the way they died or the way they lived that causes how they manifest for Vi?
Every murder victim has a unique echo that in no way reflects who they are or how they lived; the “echo” itself is completely random. Only the victims that are not laid to rest properly call out to Violet to be located. Violet can still sense those that are resting peacefully, although their echoes are more faded, kind of like static white noise.

6. How did you choose the last name Ambrose? When I learned Vi’s uncle’s name is I instantly thought of the historian.
For many of the secondary characters, I used first and last name combinations of friends and family which has been a lot of fun. For the main characters like Violet and Jay, I just made them up and they stuck from my very first draft. *Runs to the internet to look up the historian you are referring to* J

7. We see Jay through Violet’s eyes, have you ever thought about writing a short story or anything from Jay’s point of view to see how Violet’s gift impacts those around her?
Wow, these are some great questions! I HAVE thought about writing a short story about one of the characters from the sequel, but it’s not Jay. Let’s just say that you haven’t met him or her yet. ;)

8. What can you tell us about Desires of the Dead? Can you share the first line of the book?
I’ll give you the first paragraph (although it’s not that revealing!):
Violet leaned forward on her hands and knees over the frozen landscape. Inside her boots, her toes felt as if icy shards were burrowing beneath her skin and slithering into her veins. Her fingers were very likely frostbitten within her gloves.

9. You say that Vi got her gift from her grandmother, can you give us a little more information about the history of Vi’s gift, or is this something we learn more in Desires of the Dead?
First of all, I LOVE how you call her Vi! We do learn a little more about Vi’s grandmother in Desires of the Dead, but mostly how she dealt with her own gift. I’ve thought about going a little deeper later on but we’ll see.

10. How many books do you see being in Vi’s story?
I really think Desires of the Dead sets things up nicely for more books, although I’m not sure just how many yet. I’ve already started writing book three and have book four mapped in out in my head…so hopefully at least four!

11. What are 5 fun/interesting things about Vi and Jay that we don’t learn about in the book?
In Desires of the Dead, the readers will get to see more sides of Violet and Jay so I don’t want to spoil too much, but I will say that Violet and Jay used to play an unusual game when they were little (you’ll find out about that in Desires), Jay is pretty handy around the house, Violet loves her uncle but wishes he wasn’t a cop, and her favorite cookies are Oreos.

12. Do you have any other projects you’re working on beyond Vi’s story?
Yes I do have another project I’m working on beyond Vi’s story! See how mysterious I can be. (I’m ridiculously superstitious about talking about new projects.)

13. What is your current ringtone on your phone and why did you choose it?
I think right now it’s just the T-Mobile “T-Jingle”, very Plain Jane of me, and I only have it because it came programmed with my new phone. But before I changed phones it was “The Phone is Ringing” from the kid’s show The Wonder Pets…I loved that ringtone!

14. What is your favorite movie quote?
“I see dead people.” (THE SIXTH SENSE)

15. What books are you reading and what do you recommend?
Right now I’m reading The Deathday Letter by Shaun Hutchinson (a fellow Tenner), but I recently read Candor by Pam Bachorz, which I absolutely loved, and Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia (awesome!). Also, I adored Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.

Want to get a sneak peak of The Body Finder?  Harper Teen has hooked you up! Check out the Browse Inside feature for The Body Finder!