Clarity (Clarity Series #1)

by Kim Harrington

Overview

Don't close your eyes. Except when the truth is too dark to bear.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case -- but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother -- who has supernatural gifts of his own -- becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545230513
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/01/2012
Series:	Clarity Series , #1
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	14 Years

About the Author

Kim Harrington is the acclaimed author of CLARITY, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant readers, and PERCEPTION, which Kirkus Reviews called "a smart, paranormal mystery ride." She is also the author of the middle-grade series Sleuth or Dare. Kim lives in Massachusetts with her husband and son. When not writing, she's most likely reading, watching one of her favorite TV shows, or fantasizing about her next vacation. Visit her online at www.kimharringtonbooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for CLARITY:

*“Harrington's well-developed characters and tight plot are simultaneously charming, realistically complex, and intriguing. . . . Clare is a teen detective for the 21st century."
– Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Harrington writes Clare as an appealing character with whom readers easily can identify. . . . good beach reading." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Filled with romance and mystery and twists and turns, this book is a thrill ride." -- RT

"The suspense begins on the first page . . . Great for kids who love all things paranormal or who just appreciate a good whodunit." -- SLJ

From the Publisher

Harrington debuts with an auspicious kickoff to a series of mysteries with a psychic twist. Sixteen-year-old Clarity "Clare" Fern works in the family business doing psychic readings for summer tourists in their Cape Cod town. She can uncover memories and emotions by touching objects, her mother can read minds, and her brother is a medium. When a tourist girl is found murdered, Clare jumps at the invitation to help with the case: following the clues and working with the police is exciting, even if it requires her to spend time with her cheating ex-boyfriend and the yummy son of the town's new detective. When her brother becomes the prime suspect and two more people are killed, it will take all of Clare's smarts and abilities to uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim. Harrington's well-developed characters and tight plot are simultaneously charming, realistically complex, and intriguing. While recalling classic sleuth stories, Harrington creates a fiery and sharp-witted heroine who's more Veronica Mars than Nancy Drew (Nancy almost certainly never used the term "Skanky McSkankbag"). Clare is a teen detective for the 21st century. Ages 14–up. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 8 Up—Clarity "Clare" Fern, 16, has a gift, or maybe it's a curse. She sees visions of people's pasts just by touching an object belonging to them. When a teen is murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend asks her to use her talent to help solve the crime. Initially reluctant because of a not-so-pleasant past with him, Clare agrees once she meets Gabriel, the hot son of the new detective working the case. Unfortunately, Gabriel thinks her "gift" is a hoax, and her brother suddenly becomes the prime suspect. When two more bodies surface, Clare has to resort to lying and using people to keep her family safe. Reminiscent of Mary Higgins Clark's novels but with teen elements, Clarity is a good mystery with a love triangle thrown in. Numerous characters are introduced, each of whom has a possible motive for committing the crime, and throughout the book, readers will be searching for clues to solve the crime before the end. The suspense begins on the first page as someone is about to kill Clare. Great for kids who love all things paranormal or who just appreciate a good whodunit.—Gina Bowling, South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN

School Library Journal

A murder mystery with a twist involves teens in a police investigation that may get some of them killed. The twist comes from the main character, 16-year-old Clarity, who, along with the rest of her family, will has psychic powers. The town treats her as a freak, as Clare's "gift" keeps getting her into trouble. When someone murders a visiting girl, however, the town calls in Clare to help solve the case. She juggles an old boyfriend who wants her back, the hottie son of the detective and the rich boy who suddenly develops an interest in her. Clare's brother becomes the main suspect, but she's sure the real culprit must be someone else. As the killer strikes again, Clare may be in danger. The mystery comes across as standard stuff but with a lilt of humor that weaves through Clare's colloquial first-person narration and makes the story more entertaining. Harrington writes Clare as an appealing character with whom readers easily can identify. Light entertainment that will make good beach reading.(Paranormal mystery. 12 & up)

Kirkus Reviews