Is DEAD SILENCE Really the Last Book in The Body Finder Series?


Since I’m getting this question a lot, I feel it bears a detailed answer, as opposed to a simple yes or no.  So here goes! (Oh, and if you haven’t read DEAD SILENCE, I think it’s fair to warn you, there are major SPOILERS AHEAD, so close your eyes!) 

Seriously though, do not read this if you haven’t read the book and don’t want to know what happens!!!

So, here's the deal. I've heard a ton of people saying they'd like to see a Rafe spinoff of the series, but personally I would sort of love to write a Chelsea spinoff, even if it's just a short e-book version someday. There's nothing definite yet, just some notes I've jotted down. FIRST MAJOR SPOILER ALERT: You may have noted that in DEAD SILENCE Chelsea saw a halo on the killer right after she was stabbed. The reason I mention this is because I didn't think the implications of what this could mean were very subtle, although my husband didn’t catch it at first. So even though I love Rafe a ton, I'd really like to get Chelsea’s perspective on what this means, especially considering her say-it-like-it-is attitude.  

Now, as far as the mention that there were a couple “loose ends” in DEAD SILENCE, I sort of beg to differ. I feel that I tied up the significant relationships, which is what really needed tying up (at least in my opinion). If you read the book, then you know, or should know by now, that Jay and Violet's relationship is rock solid, and that Rafe is no longer standing in their way. You also know that Violet has decided to continue working with her team going forward, even if she doesn’t completely agree with the tactics of those in charge.  And the most obvious resolution, and another MAJOR SPOILER, was that Chelsea survived her attack and the killer was captured. 


But I also wanted to give you, my awesome readers, a chance to draw some of your own conclusions and let you guess what might happen next for some of these characters that we’ve all grown to love over the years.  I personally love books where I'm left thinking about the characters long after I’ve closed the last page….sometimes even when it drives me a little bit crazy ;) (I recently read (and loved!) GONE, GIRL and I was left with that feeling for weeks!)

So I'm not sure if I gave you a good, or even a remotely satisfying answer to this question but I hope you can better understand WHY I left things a little open-ended on Chelsea's part.  I know Chelsea makes some people crazy, but I adore her, and think it would be fun to see life through her eyes for a while.

Please know that I love love LOVE these characters, not just Chelsea but all of them, and if there ever comes a time where I have the opportunity to write more BODY FINDER books at some point down the road, you bet your a** I’ll jump at the chance to spend more time with all of them!

Or maybe I’ll just kill off Rafe and Jay and be done with it.  :)


(How's that for an ambiguous answer to the original question???)

Comments

Unknown said…
I agree I love books that inspire me to think about the characters long after. I must say the book was beautifully done and I feel satisfied. A bit bummed to say goodbye, but blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know these characters and read/own such an awesome series. I like Chelsea and would love to read things through her eyes. She was entertaining. Thank you Kim for sharing these awesome characters and their stories with us for the past few years:).
Thanks Trish! Glad you like Chelsea too :)

To Rosalie (from Facebook) - Don't think Violet was jealous of Rafe whatever Rafe and Chelsea have going on, per se--she's happy with her relationship with Jay. But I do think she's not entirely settled with the idea of her best friend and Rafe being together, especially considering that Rafe has been professing his feelings for her all along. That said, I still love the idea of doing something from Chelsea's point of view to see if that relationship goes anywhere or not ;)
Unknown said…
YES to the Chelsea POV book :"> I love the books and I really am sad that it ended with Dead Silence. I feel that it really ended a tad too early. I don't know, maybe I just want some closure? I mean, Violet is just on her way to try and beat the unknown higher-ups and just found out more about her powers and the Circle of Seven. But anyway, the whole series was awesome and I look forward to your next works! :>
Anonymous said…
So I just finished Dead Silence and oh Lord am I left with so many thoughts and questions and feelings... needless to say I won't be able to shake this book for a few days. With that being said, I am currently a creative writing major and am interested in possibly turning The Body Finder series into a TV show. There are just so many aspects to build and expand on, so many wonderful plot lines. Would you ever be interested in having the series be a show?
Cali W. said…
I love everything you write so I say do a Chelsea spinoff!! (include Rafe too cause he's hot; you can never have too many hot bad boys.) ;)
Mallory - All I can say about your comment, is that there should be news SOON...stay tuned! I wish I could share more ;)
Cali - Yes, I agree--there can never be too many hot bad boys!
REL said…
I'm just happy you kept Violet and Jay together. Too many times I've read about my fave book couple being split up by someone else and it just ruins it for me. Thank you for writing such an amazing series!
Jojo R. said…
I have to admit, I AM Sad now that the series is over. I loved it so much and it feels like a part of my life was just taken away. But, the thought of the possibility of a spin-off series sort of lifts my spirits.

Good job on the series :) Love your writing skills! Tell Violet and the gang I said 'hey' :) lol.
Reilly said…
I love all your books so much especially the body finder. I started reading it on the drive to Yellowstone, and couldn't put it down. I tried reading in the hotel room, but my family was so loud I couldn't concentrate. I was so desperate to continue reading, I ended up sitting on the bathroom floor of our hotel room just to get some peace and quiet. Again, I love all your books, and really hope to see more in the future!
Jojo said…
You should consider listening to "Looking Up" by Paramore. For some reason, these lyrics make me think of Violet and her ability and her wish to fit in:

"I'm in all the echoes that have faded out,
So,
I'm moving on,
'cause I just want to feel for once that I belong."
Unknown said…
I really enjoyed this series, I fell in love with the charactes and all the mysteries in it. when I started reading it, I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Although out of everything, I have to say what I loved the most was how unique and different it was compared to other books. I've never read a book like it and her ability is something so entirely unique I fell in love with it. Thanks so much for writing these books and taking me on the adventure of my life =)
Anonymous said…
In the ending to Dead Silence you did not in fact close it in the way that you thought. This is what I noticed in the ending in the hospital he rubs Chels hand and Violet said she felt jealousy that Rafe would do that and that she felt like keeping them apart. second I really don't get the point of Jay because he is caring and protecting but he has no trust in what violet was or is doing with Sara and Rafe. So I believe that you should have had violet belong with Rafe because he is caring and protective and he trusts Violet way more than Jay. I don't think your a terrible writer I just don't think what you did when you created these series and how many people love Rafe and Violet and think that they should be together. Also Jay is a teenage boy not every relationship will last like that ecpesilly when he has no idea the extent of everything. this is my opinoin and I really believe you should write another book in the series because I love these books.
Anonymous said…
I am the same person who left the Anonymous please reply I would like to know how you feel.
Hi Anon - I'm really glad you like the books, and that you have such strong opinions, which is why I want to address your feelings about the ending. You're absolutely right about the fact that Violet does admit that there's a part of her that wants to keep Chelsea and Rafe apart. But then she also says that they deserve to be happy. My reason for showing that she has some conflicted feelings regarding Chelsea and Rafe's (potentially) budding relationship is that I want Violet to seem as human as possible. And to be honest, I believe it's normal for people to have confused feelings sometimes...especially teenagers. Ultimately, however, Violet wants her friends to be happy. And in the end, she also really wants to be with Jay.

And who could blame Jay for having some "trust" issues when it comes to Violet? She kept a whole lotta things from him about what she was doing with the Center. He needed to get mad at her in order to make her open up to him (at least in my opinion).

All that said, I still really, really love Rafe too (and everyone else in the series, for that matter!). And I think it goes without saying (again) that if the opportunity arises for me to write another book in the series, I would definitely consider it!

Thanks so much for reading :)
Kim

Anonymous said…
Thank you Kim for responding and just do you know I really do want you to write another book and I guess its just that I really love Rafe and I want him to be with Violet because of that connection and his past. So ya thax again for the books.
Anonymous said…
Hi Kim, I've just finished dead silence and was super excited to think that you were making another one just to come on here and be disappointed. I feel like there is more you can do with violet and the mysterious question over who actually runs the centre and why they are all there, like their siblings. I feel like we could have had a 'Muriel' and violet moment of truths but assumed you'd make another one with this in. I guess what I'm trying to say is PLEASE MORE VIOLET! I like rafe and Chelsea and would happily read that book. What my real question is, will we ever know why violet is at the centre, why her grandmother belonged to one with dr.lee and Muriel etc? Ahhhh I'll wait in anticipation to hear your reply! X name is lowri
Chey_cat said…
I really really love your books!!! ♡♥ Especially the Body Finder series and i feel you ended the series a little to soon, i mean i have soooo many questions and i feel there are to many hangers like what happens between Rafe and Chelsea, and what does Violet do about her new decision to stay onvthe team? And Voilet hasnt found anything new about the Circle of Seven. So pppplleaaasee more books!!!!!
suzanne said…
I am not a teen but I love this series. I thought jay belonged with Vi. She needed him. He was what grounded her. Her touchstone. I wanted more books to grow up with Jay and Violet. What did Jay ended up doing? Did he have a profession that helped Violet? Did he become a real partner with her in solving these murders in her life? I wanted to watch Jay build his trust in Violet and find a way to belong in her world. Thanks for the great books. Hope you do more. Wish there was a way to be notified if you do return to the series.
Nicole said…
I loved this series so much I never wanted it to end! Your books inspired me to write my own short stories. The only problem I have is I can never think of any creative ideas. How did you come up with this idea?
Hi Lowri - I'm sorry you were disappointed. As I mentioned, as much as you feel frustrated, I also intentionally didn't want everything tied up in a neat little bow (sorry if I'm repeating myself, lol). But I wanted readers to wonder a little. To guess at some of the relationships (like Chelsea and Rafe, and where that was heading), and how Violet (now that she's aware that she can't trust him) will handle working with Dr. Lee. Obviously, if I ever DO write another book, these things will be dealt with in more detail. But until then, make some assumptions. Guess. What do you think happens? I love books that challenge me to fill in the gaps!
Anonymous said…
I have stumbled upon your book " Desires Of The Dead " by luck after reading " I Hunt Killers ". I was intrigued at the cover and without knowing " Desires Of The Dead " is the second book of the body finders series, I read the entire book in a matter of hours. My heart sped at a faster beat with each word I read in the book. I couldn't believe that a book could have me experience so many emotions at once, fear, anger, sadness, curiosity, giddiness, etc. I lost quite a bit of sleep reading the book but still continued to read the whole book at school. I couldn't control how anxious and happy I was after reading the book.

I wanted to search if there were more books afer or preceding the one I read and then I sped off to a public library to check out " The Last Echo ", and " Dead Silence " the same day. I finished both in two days because I was frequently called by my mother to take out the trash or something along the lines of that. I finished " Dead Silence " today during my first block class and I am writing this as I'm in a computer lab supposed to research something else, but I couldn't help myself. I needed to thank - you for making the bodyfinders novels such a mind - blowing.

I am going to read " The Body Finder " later today because the series has me filled with such joy and has me fidgety waiting for the 5th book of the body finders novel if you ever come to a moment to start writing one. The body finder novels, I'm indubitably sure, is forever going to be first on my top ten books.

Apart from the opinions of others, I'd like to see more experiences between Jay, and Violet. Their fights and reconciliations had me blush because it reminds me of my relationship. Every character catches my attention but mainly Violet. I'd love to see her grow as a person. How she and her teammatesmingle is always interesting. I can't really go into depth with my opinions because at the moment I'm overflowingly jubilant with the series and I can't wait for the next book, if it's ever made.

I'm going to read the rest every book that you have made that I haven't read. I know that they'll also be amazing. Thank - you again for making such amazing books.
Aw, so glad you liked it, Anon, and glad you read through them so quickly (but you should definitely be doing your schoolwork at school, lol!).
MoyMoy said…
I LOVE this series, and it is probably my favorite. I would gladly accept a Chelsea spinoff, but I feel like a fifth book would be better because Violet still has a long way to go in her journey, and her power is fascinating (or even better, do both! ;) ) I really hope that you have an opportunity to do a fifth book in the future because my friends and I would all love to read it. It's crazy how well you can write and create killer cliffhangers.

I also love all of the serial killers that you use. They each have a different agenda that makes them interesting!
Angela said…
Kimberly, I want to thank you for these books. I found them at the library by accident and read all 4 within 3 days. I was a little disappointed when I say in your original blog that there wouldn't be another to the original series but I like the idea of a spin off. Good luck with your future projects and I am moving on to your other stories right now!
Anonymous said…
Hi Kimberly! I really love the Body Finder series, It's like my Fav. book of alll times. I am considered sad that it ended. But I hope you'll considered of doing a 5th book. Also I really love Rafe Spinoff and Violet, if only they were together but i know I'm being selfish. It's just they have so much in common like their ability. I hope you'll considered twisting it and having Rafe and Violet together. I think it's much better. (in my opinion) but I love all your books and know it'll be interesting. If a 5th book comes in. Love everything. I'm also looking forward into your new book "The Taking". Please reply. Thanks!:)
Mariah said…
I know this is a late post, but I just finished the Body Finder series after falling in love with The Pledge series! I want to thank you for writing both series (loved them!) and I can't wait to read more of your work.
I especially hope that some of that work does, someday, include a Chelsea spin-off! I love her and I love the clues you planted with her and Rafe, and her possible new abilities now that she has died and come back to this world. I am especially interested in what happens with the Center and it's higher ups! That mystery didn't have enough closure for me, and I would love to find out the secrets that even Dr. Lee doesn't know!
I guess I will just have to busy myself with other novels and daydreaming about the day I find out what causes Rafe's spark! :)
Thanks again for a wonderful, mysterious, emotional roller coaster of a series.
Unknown said…
NO. You may not kill Rafe or Jay. Haha. These books are great and I've read them many times. One of my favorite series.
Unknown said…
My gosh! I was hooked on this series from the minute I read book one and I was so excited to find out more. I could stay hooked on each character individually if they just continued to solve mysteries. I would actually love to see the Rafe and Chelsea relationship take off or maybe Chels discover something of her own, a power or something. Just keep this series up spin off or not!
So glad you liked them, Emily!!!
Anonymous said…
Just finished reading all the body finder novels. When I first opened The Body finder, I didn't expect to love it so much nor did I expect I'd finish it in 12 hours, never putting it down. Thank you for these characters, stories and endless amount of surprises. I'd love to see you write a 5th one, but I have to say I was so satisfied with the final book that I don't think it's even necessary(I'm lying, it would be totally amazing). Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Anonymous said…
I really love the body finder series. I haven't been so attached to books like I've been to these ever in my life. I hope you make more books
SamC said…
Please please PLEASE tell me that there is going to be a movie or tv show about this!!!! Unless there already is and I haven't found it? GAH! I love these books so much and will be getting them for my Kindle e-reader VERY soon!!!! :D
Anonymous said…
I really love the Body Finder series! I just have one question for Kimberly Derting, umm, is dead silence really the last book in the body finder series??? I would really like to know... :D
Anonymous said…
Please write more books for the Body Finder Series! The story is too good to end right now!
Unknown said…
I love all of the Books you have ever written! I have them all, including the new one, the replaced. But i gatta admit, i really wanted Violet to stay with Rafe. I belive she should have stayed with him because Rafe has been through alot and should have to atleast get One girl he can stay with. And that Jay should stay with Gemma. That would be my own conclusion about the story. And that Violet stands up to Dr lee and his bosses. Btw, You left me in suspense!
Lily Le Moine said…
i loved all of the body finder books and it is easily one of my favorite series now. my mum even loves them! with regards to chelsea discovering a 'power', personally i feel as though if chelsea does have a 'power' then it would almost ruin the story for me (sorry :/). even though there is a lot i feel you could have used to write more about i am glad you left some room for the reader to think and make up their own scenarios it would be rather unsatisfying if there was a 'happily ever after'. in conclusion i would LOVE for a 5th book to come out because as i have said there is so much more that can be written about that has only been touched upon in dead silence but whatever you choose to write next with these characters (if anything at all) im sure i will enjoy reading and especially if rafe is involved because even though i like the mysteriousness of him i would love to learn more about him. thank you so much for these books!
Lily xxx
Unknown said…
Like the others here, I am a huge fan of the books. I discovered these after reading The Pledge and looking for other things you had written.

For my part, I would love to see a book that steps forward a few years. I agree with you that the open format of the ending evokes thoughtfulness, and some interest in figuring out what each person thinks. This is the basis for all the fan fiction websites out there :).

It would be interesting to find out what happened next. Maybe step forward into college .... or into the adult or young adult working world and see where are they now and what growth did they make on their own. Maybe you could skip forward into whatever final battle or détente they reached with Dr. Lee and his bosses.

Either way, I really appreciate the thoughtfulness you brought into these books. In my mind, there was never a question of whether Jay and Violet should be together, only how they would grow up. Since they had never really been with anyone else, it wouldn't be realistic to think that they wouldn't wonder .... even a little bit if another person crossed their paths. However, with their core being so solid, they make a terrific read. As an old married lady ;) I appreciate finding books that show people who work through their problems and stay together. It would have been disappointing for me if Violet had really gone to Rafe as much as he is an appealing young man.

Thank you again.
Unknown said…
I agree with Jennifer Ponicki's post above (in fact I think she read my mind). Just because Violet and Jay's relationship is rock solid doesn't mean we don't want to read about them anymore. In fact their relationship has a lot of maturing to do. Take them to college, have them live together. Have them work together to solve the mysteries. Take this YA series and continue it into an adult fiction series. Would their child have abilities and how would they handle it if he/she did? As a librarian I read every book I purchase for the collection. This series has well developed characters but a poor ending. There are way too many large plot issues introduced and then dropped. What is with Dr. Lee? Who are "they". There are years missing from grandma's journals. She could contact Krystal and continue to help Violet. Sara has a complete past missing. Chelsea just found out about Violet's gift. All dropped issues. I can appreciate having a few loose strings at the end of a book/series for your imagination to linger on. This series has too many. And as stated before they are big parts of the plot-too big to leave hanging.

I have read Derting's other series. This one has the most potential for additional stories. When I tell patrons that Dead Silence is the last book in the series they are always disappointed.
Anonymous said…
Hi Kimberly,

While I agree that Violet's personal story has ended, you have left way too much out to finish the series. Here are some suggestions which you basically left hanging....

(1) what next for Violet, perhaps her "gift" morphs into something more (I was waiting for that),

(2) Just who are the "team" working for? and does Sara know ?

(3) What really did happen with the Circle of Seven ?,

(4) What does Jimmy know and what is his link between this team and the circle ? He seems to be afraid, but is he ?

(5) What other teams have been established around the world.

Like I said, you have got plenty of work to do before this series is over.
William
Anonymous said…
I love The body finder series and I'm so so glad that it was my first book. Because i use to hate reading books and I've never finished an entire book ever in my 14 years of exsistanc and Thank you so much kim.������
Unknown said…
The Body Finder has always been my favorite book in high school and now my third year in college, I reread it and now im addicted. I finally got to read the nexf few books. Now I am on Dead Silence. Spoilers don't bother me because I peaked at the last few pages of the book lol. I love that Jay and Violet never break up but sometimes I wish that violet and Rafe kiss as at least once to see what its like. I want them to be together at the same time. Im kinda bugged that he ends up with Chelsea.
If you make another book can it be like Jay proposing to her and getting married, on the side of solving a murder case and danger and such? That would be so romantic since they were childhood friends.... ah! I would die. I know its 2017 and theres still no 5th book but if there will be, ill be the first one to buy it.
Unknown said…
I don't know why, but I do have to say, I was rooting for Rafe and Violet... And honestly, if a spinoff of Chelsea is made into a book, I don't think I would read it. I'm too caught up in Violet!
Desi said…
Hi Kimberly,
I've just reread this whole series as the last time I've read it was about 5 or 6 years ago when I was in highschool. I loved it now just as much then and just wanted to thank you for such an amazing series. I've read through a lot of your comments here and the only question I really have left is why is their that spark between Rafe and Violet? I know you said that Violet and Jay are rock solid but then why is it that they have this connection that Rage only had with his past gurlfriend, and it can't be bevause of their powers as Violet doesn't feel the spark between her and Sam. And throughout the two books we know Rafe has feelings for Violet and we are clued in that Violet may have the same feelings, it's only her loyalty and love for Jay that keeps her from enacting on them. So I just wanted to know why her and Rafe have that spark and connection and what it could mean.
Thank you, I hope you respond
Anonymous said…
Hello,
I Just finished reading the Body Finder series and I am someone who is really interested in suspenseful novels (mostly murder mystery) and romance mixed in-between so the Body Finder series was probably the best type of that type of book that I've ever read. I loved the series and I am really sad that it had to end I think I might even re-read it. But as I saw in some other peoples comments I am also a little sad about all the cliff hangers at the end of the series mostly the one about the Circle of Seven and if Sara knows anything about them or about how the Team there is now that Violet is in are ironically related to people in the Circle of Seven. I know this is 2021 and 8 years since Dead Silence was published but even now I think that if you wrote another book to be apart of the Body Finder series it would be loved as much as the rest.
Thank you and I hope you read this comment.
Anonymous said…
I would love to see Jay and violet get married and see if their child has the same gift
Anonymous said…
I would love to see Rafe and Violet together, now I know that Jay and Vi are an incredible couple, but
Jay is just holding Violet back. I feel that Rafe could bring Vi so much more than Jay ever could.