Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity

Kim Harrington

242 pages

Publisher: Point (Scholastic) 

Release Date: March 1st, 2011

Source: ARC from Publisher

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

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?

   If you're looking for a quirky, mouthy main character, Clarity is where you'll find her. Clarity (Clare) Fern, her brother Perry, and her mom are a family of freaks. Clare is a psychic, Perry's a medium, her mom's a telepath. And because of their abilities, the natives of the tourist town of Eastport hate them. The tourists stop by just for their entertainment, they don't really believe anything Clare and her family say.

   Soon, Clare's little family is turned upside down. Perry is the key suspect in a murder, where an eighteen year old girl was shot in the head. But Clare knows he didn't do it. He couldn't do such a thing.

   Could he?

   There's a killer on the loose and Clare will do anything to free her brother. Soon, Clare finds herself being pulled deeper and deeper into the crime, deep enough for her to be in danger.

   Clarity was a quick read. I found myself relating to Clare at times, but I have to say, she can speak, especially for someone as lonely as her. I liked her mother a lot, and Perry too. They were just a family with a small business, trying to get by. The plot was well-written, and I didn't guess the murderer until the person was mentioned. But I have to say, Clarity wasn't as gripping and suspenseful as I wanted it to be, at least, not enough that it left me dying to turn to the next page.

   I know there will be a sequel to Clarity, but unlike some stories, I don't really have a clue as to what will happen in the second book. To me, Clarity could work well as a standalone, even though hints were dropped here and there towards the end, suggesting something more to come.

   Overall, Kim Harrington's debut novel is a must-read, it's (I'll give you three Q's) quick, quirky, and quenching!

-Would I recommend this to anyone? Probably ages 14 and up

-Is there a second book? Yes

-Will I be looking forward to book two? Yes