Clarity: Volume 1

Kim Harrington

Jan 2011 · Scholastic Inc.

About this ebook

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?

Ratings and reviews

(No Spoilers) CLARITY is an excellent debut novel. Lovers of both young adult and mystery genres should enjoy. If you like a dash of paranormal, this is definitely worth the read. Clare Fern is able to see things when she touches objects, impressions from the past. Her family runs a psychic reader shop where they perform readings for tourists. When a young woman is murdered in a local motel and Clare's brother is a possible suspect, Clare puts her skills to use to catch the murderer. It doesn't hurt that the son of the detective on the case is cute and interested in seeing if Clare can really do what she claims. The mystery is cleverly plotted and quite fun. Writing style is clean and precise. I enjoyed Clare and her family, all of which feel like real people with personalities, flaws, and emotions. Clare is a smart girl, and you won't find a lot of the typical teen-angst that permeates the YA genre. There's a dash of romance between Clare, the detective's son, and Clare's ex who's still carrying a torch, but it's not a love triangle. It's more like a real girl and real boys dealing with their young emotions and relationships. The pacing is steady and the plot drives readers along. My one criticism is that it felt to light and short. I would have liked more details about Clare, more time with her and her family, and more tension build-up for the end. I wish the author had dug deeper into the characters and the mystery, however, the fact that I had this wish and wanted to spend more time with the book should indicate how good it is. Please, sir, I want some more. (4 Stars)

Clarity “Clare” Fern is special, but not in a way that should make you feel sorry for her. She, like the rest of her family, has special gifts that set her apart from the rest of the community. Clarity sticks out like a sore thumb and really wants to blend in with everyone else, but that isn’t in the cards. After a young girl is murdered in her small town, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of the investigation. Who would want to kill this young girl? And why? Clarity uses her special gift in an attempt to bring the murderer to justice. The characters were well-developed and fun. The Fern family adds a colorful quality unlike any fictional family I’ve read about in a while. The powers they all possess are well described, adding depth and necessity to each of them. Clarity’s mother has the ability to read thoughts, which would definitely be the end for most teens, but Clarity and her brother work around it creatively. Harrington’s "Clarity" reels you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat with each turn of the page. There were so many times I asked myself who did it? Only to find my thoughts were dashed into oblivion moments later. This is a twisting tale of murder that will definitely keep you guessing. Overall, "Clarity" is a fantastic and super fun read. I enjoyed Harrington’s style and the pace of the story was balanced throughout. From beginning to end you will be sucked into Clarity’s life and situation as she searches for a killer that is equally as shocking as the murder itself. I highly recommend "Clarity" to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced mystery with a hint of paranormal.

Clarity is an excellent murder mystery in which Clare Fern and her family have extraordinary sensory gifts. Although Clare is a psychic, her mother is a telepath, and her brother is a medium, their gifts do not enable them to predict the future. When a girl is found murdered with ties to Clare’s brother Perry, Clare races to solve the crime before her brother is charged. Despite their abilities, she and Perry are unable to find easily the murderer. Two hot guys add to the plot by providing Clare with a romantic dilemma. Justin is the ex-boyfriend and Gabriel is the new town detective’s son. Each character has an individual personality that is clearly defined, and Justin and Gabriel are supportive of Clare in ways that are very adult-like. Unfortunately, the mother is portrayed as an ineffective parent. The plot clips along and is very engaging. Clues are given subtly throughout the story, and the resolution is satisfying regarding the murderer. It is obvious by hints in the last chapter, that readers have not seen the last of Clare, her family and friends. The book is recommended for grades six and up.

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.