Clarity (Clarity Novel) [Paperback]

Kim Harrington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2012 | Series: Clarity Novel

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?

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Point (February 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545230519
• ISBN-13: 978-0545230513
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (193 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kim Harrington 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 on the web at www.kimharringtonbooks.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Quick Read, Low-Angst, Good Start to Series March 24, 2011

By Kindle-aholic VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I received a copy of this to review for the Vine program.

I'll give it 3.5 stars - it kept my attention, and was a very quick read, but almost too quick.

Clarity, Clare, Fern comes from a long line of psychics. She receives visions from objects she touches, her brother is a medium, and her mother reads minds. They do psychic readings in their tourist town, so Clare has always been an outsider. She's also nursing a broken heart after her first love cheated on her.

Then a tourist gets murdered, her brother is a suspect, and her ex, Justin, wants her help in finding the killer. Considering this means working with Gabriel, the hot son of the detective on the case, and is a chance to prove her brother's innocence, Clare agrees.

In other hands, the angst-o-meter at this point would have gone off the charts, but Clare's interactions with Justin, who wants her back, and Gabriel, who hates psychics, felt natural. Neither boy is perfect, but they also aren't one-sided, so that helped. Also, the story moves so quickly, there really isn't a lot of room for romance. Clare is a feisty heroine who is used to trading barbs, so their interactions were fun to read.

I can't say I was overly surprised by whodunnit, but the mystery wasn't drawn out too long, so that saved it.

There is some violence, and sex is a topic, but there are no graphic scenes.

The action moves along at a quick pace, which was good, but it also meant that there wasn't much time for in-depth character interactions. There was a good setup, though, so hopefully in future books the secondary characters will be given room to grow. The end isn't a cliffhanger, but does leave enough questions for the next one to solve. I'll be checking that one out.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Clarity April 6, 2011

By Imogen Rose VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

The murder of a young female visitor in a motel room shakes up the tourist town of Eastport in Cape Cod. Clarity, Clare Fern, a high school student with a special ability, is called upon to help with the investigation.

Clarity belongs to a family with special abilities. She is a psychic, her mother is a telepath and her brother is a medium. Together they run their family "psychic readings" business. They have always been regarded as the town freaks.

I fell in love with Clarity right away, immediately seeing the world through her eyes. Kim Harrington does an excellent job fleshing out a leading lady who is both strong and sensitive. And then she gave this leading lady two love interests! The story moves along at a quick pace. This is easy, enjoyable reading. The whodunnit aspect of the story was predictable, but an enjoyable ride all the same. I wished for more of a resolution as far as the love interest went, but I guess this is something a sequel will explore. Yes... definitely scope for a sequel!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining murder mystery with paranormal twist! March 1, 2011

By Katie Dahlberg

Format:Hardcover

I think I expected Clarity to be this heavy on the paranormal story where the plot focuses on the main character's powers and not much else. I couldn't be any more far off. Clarity is a hooking murder mystery that despite the family's abilities, reads like a contemporary and keeps you in as much suspense as the characters themselves. Reading it was almost an experience and I loved every minute of it.

First off, let me just state that Clarity is going on my list of all-time favorite female characters. She's quirky, comical, random, sarcastic and narrates the story sounding like a genuine teenager. Even with the more intense scenes, her thought process and banter with Gabriel was enough to make me laugh, even if I did want to be serious.

What I loved most is how unpredictable it was. Normally with books like these, I can pick the most unexpected person as the culprit and I'm usually right, but I was all over the place with Clarity. It unfolds slowly and appropriately, like CSI and The Medium with a paranormal twist and more entertaining characters that don't put you to sleep.

Overall, I loved Clarity. It's a quick but engaging read that had me absolutely absorbed and I'll be twitching impatiently for the second book. I definitely recommend that you run to your nearest bookstore and pick this one up!