Jessica's books

The One and Only Ivan
Pollyanna
Revolutionary War on Wednesday
Leprechaun in Late Winter
Ella Enchanted
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Plain Murder
Gone-Away Lake
Circling the Sun
Maggie and Max
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl
The Night Sister
Tuck Everlasting
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Bedknob and Broomstick
Mister Monday
Alice Through the Looking Glass
The Birchbark House
The Hobbit
The Witch's Daughter


Jessica's favorite books »

Monday, January 17, 2011

Book Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington

Title:  Clarity
Author:  Kim Harrington
Publisher:  Scholastic Point
Publish Date:  March 1, 2011
Source:  Different Area Codes ARC Tours

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  
My thoughts:
Clarity and her brother and mom are the "freaks" of her small Cape Cod town. Her mom can read minds, her brother can talk to the dead and Clarity (Clare)can touch something and see the past. They give readings in their old victorian house and during the summer, Clare has no free time to be a teen.

It is the 4th of July weekend, the busiest of the summer when a tourist is murdered in this small town. A new detective and a mayor up for re-election are getting nowhere on the case. Clare is asked to join the investigation (quietly and unofficially, of course) and see if she can find any new leads. What she finds is not good however as she sees that her own brother fraternized with the victim hours before her death.

There is the usual romantic triangle as well. Clarity is working with the Mayor's son, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend and who wants to get back together with her. She is also working with the mysterious new detective's son, who she feels a strong physical attraction too. Of course, both boys want her attention all to themselves so there is a little competition to add to the fun.

I have to say that there were several times when I was sure I knew who the killer was just to find out later that I was wrong. I really didn't suspect the end result and that was a pleasant surprise.

The little issues that bugged me were the fact that in the investigation (did I happen to mention that it was a murder investigation??), the Mayor and detective let these three teenage kids help in an investigation. Um, yeah...right. And, they were left to their own devices. So not happening! The author has a good explanation for why these kids are left to their own but really...it wouldn't ever happen like that. Ever. Also, the whole tatoo issue with Gabriel was just a little corny. The background with Gabriel and his dad was a little off to me as well. None of this was anything that really took away from the book though and I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading the next books by Kim Harrington.

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?

2 comments:

  1. Yay! So glad you loved it...Because I did too! I can't wait for it to come out so that I can buy a copy to share with my students. I know that it's going to be a huge hit.

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  2. Ah very cool review! I had no idea what this was about but saw a lot of people talking about it! Glad you liked it!!

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