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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?
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)
*“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
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. She has no psychic powers and is cool with that. Visit her online at kimharringtonbooks.com.
I really had no expectations going into this book. The cover intrigued me and the description sounded like it might have something new to offer. I was so glad to get a chance to review it for Book It Forward Tours.
I really enjoyed Clare's fresh voice. She's only 16, but I seriously had to remind myself of that constantly. It's not that she acted older than she is, because there's is definitely some teenage moments. It's all about her attitude and her sense of self. She's had to deal with everyone else thinking her family are freaks. It's made her a stronger person and it shows. I love her witty comebacks. Her family may be strange, but I actually really loved how each of them has their own talent. It made each of their personalities unique and how they functioned together as a whole really interesting.
I also really enjoyed the who done it mystery. It was really well played out. I liked how the official investigation was different than the one going on behind the scenes. It had that Nancy Drew mystery feel with the teenagers being the ones to figure it out. Add in the paranormal elements, and it was just a lot of fun. I had no idea who the real killer was until the end, so that's always a plus!
My only problem (and it's such a tiny complaint)... I wish it was longer! I didn't want it to end. So, fantastic and fun debut for Kim Harrington. I can't wait to read more!
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I cannot even begin to explain how much I enjoyed reading Clarity.
I’ve always been a huge fanatic with murder mysteries. I absolutely adore Agatha Christie’s and Arthur Conan Doyle’s murder mysteries (my favorites are And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and The Hound of the Baskervilles), and so once I found out that Clarity was a paranormal murder mystery, I immediately added it to my to-read list. Immediately. And I was not in any way disappointed. In fact, Clarity surpassed my expectations.
I adore the main character and protagonist, Clare. Though she isn’t exactly psychic – in the beginning of the book, she explains that no one can predict the future – by touching objects, she can find out things about it: who last touched it, what that person was feeling at the time, etc. She and her telepathic mother and her brother Perry, who can talk to ghosts, entertain tourists with their powers for a living. Though their appointments get quite exciting sometimes (take the first clients they have in the book), it’s generally a boring lifestyle for Clare. So when she’s offered the job of using her powers to help the investigation of the murder of a tourist named Tori, she accepts.
Then when she learns that her brother, who likes to “play” with the girls who come to their tourist-attractive town called Cape Cod, was the last person to see Tori, things get complicated. Not to mention that she has to work with both Justin, her ex-boyfriend and son of the town’s mayor, and Gabriel, the hot son of the new detective in town. Talk about tension.
Clare is definitely a fantastic protagonist. Though I wouldn’t label her as “kick-butt,” she definitely can take care of herself, being the determined person she is. And I especially loved her indecision over which boy to choose: Justin or Gabriel? I’d say that I’m Team Gabriel (not only because he’s incredibly hot, obviously, though that might be a large part) probably because I think that although sweet at times, Justin is just irritating.
And the plot of this book? I’ve got one word for you: OHMYGOSHAWESOME. This book literally had me flipping its pages, desperate to find out who the murderer was . . . and the answers to those other mysteries. And though some of them weren’t all that surprising, I was definitely taken back by a few.
The only thing I wasn’t satisfied with was that ending (romance-wise, that is). I’m still wondering where those last pages of the book are, Kim!
Clarity is simply phenomenal. Such a fast-paced book completely shrouded with mystery and full of romantic tension should definitely get more attention than it already has. A must for any paranormal reader, especially those who want something just a little bit different from vampires and werewolves!
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 2, 2013
Loved clare-gabriel relationship how romantic and i liked how perry and clare take care of each other such a good bro! U will be crazy enough by not liking this and sequel :) @jenniferwinget
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 31, 2012
I'm 13 and I thought this was a great book. I also bought the sequel and It was very good too!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 31, 2012
Definately a must read!! I read it in a day! Couldnt put it down! People of all ages would enjoy!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 4, 2012
I thought it wouldnt be too good but i gave it a try. It turns oit it wasAMAZING!!!! It had u too the very end. Not only w as it about this girl with "un norml abilieties" but also aboit mystery case. Although i wont give out who the killer was, i defiantly didnt suspect tht pern. I had me right sown to the very end
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 28, 2012
I thought i knew who it was the whole time! i was so suprised by the outcome, i really didnt see it coming. It had so many clues that led to so many people, it was confuzing. i loved all the twists in plot and creepiness. really good!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 10, 2013
Parker is looking for u
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 12, 2013
Hey:)
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 11, 2013
Abby..cmon dont please
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 8, 2013
I hope others like it as much as I did. Good look with all your other books. Malh
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Posted June 4, 2013
Cgy
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 4, 2013
Hi
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 3, 2013
Really cool
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.heartjess
Posted May 2, 2013
The first thing I had issue with was the main character. Many things felt inauthentic and cliche. The second was the fact that all these kids somehow had access to jobs no one should have in high school. I mean, a teenage detective, mayor, and psychic — not exactly believable. And the fact that the parents ‘didn’t want to be involved’ in the investigation made it that much more unbelievable. The other issue I had was the story didn’t have enough ‘meat’ to it.
However, the mystery of the story was interesting. It wasn’t obvious who the murderer was, and Harrington kept you guessing until the very end. Ultimately, I think this is a book for a younger YA reader.
I would consider reading book two, IF I could find it at the library.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 12, 2013
This book is a good book cause iove mistarys so i love this book
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 25, 2012
This book is the third best book ever!!!! Kim, make a movie!!!! I bet it would be a really good movie. I wuld pay lots to see this movie! :)
Anonymous
Posted December 1, 2012
Such a good book cant wait to read the next one. For the really good books they should have 10 rateing stars because this one deserves 10
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Posted October 28, 2012
I got this book free for a prize at the library for reading some pretty good mystery books. So when i got this one i was uncertain about reding it. It said on the bottom that this book wasnt even on sale yet so this was like a before-store thing. I decided to give it a try. And im so glad i did! Now i have read it at least five times and my friends are reading it too. This book has some bad words and unappropriate things but otherwise, a great book to read during the summer or over the weekend.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Clarity "Clare" Fern is a psychic, just like her telepathic mother Starla and medium brother Perry. When a murder takes place at King's Courtyard, a cheap motel in Eastport (her living area), Clarity is determined to find out the truth, more so because her brother is the last person to see the victim alive. What starts out as a seemingly-simple task becomes more deadly when the murder count increases.
Although this book has something to do with paranormal abilities, I didn't find it hard to accept as the author didn't write long, boasting explanations about the Ferns' special powers. Instead, she simply tells you about how their powers work in general, without any hullabaloo. The author's writing style is one that will "lure" you into the fictional world she created without any resistance. I also appreciate her quirky sense of humour, which you will come across more than once in this book.
Clare is a great heroine and a clever teen detective. She has a strong sense of family loyalty, and she's willing to do anything to prove her brother's innocence in the murder. She's undoubtedly my favourite character in this book, though she may be headstrong and "blind" at times. Justin, her ex, is a real good guy who loves Clare with all his heart. They broke up because of Justin's accidental betrayal, but I would really love to see them get back together again.
CLARITY's plot is well-planned, the story is fast-paced and you'll be thrown into a situation where everybody is a suspect. That's the one thing I love most about a murder mystery novel. The author handles with the story with such adeptness and sends me away smiling, satisfied with how the story ends.
CLARITY is a guaranteed page-turner, you won't want to stop reading until you've finished the book. Set in a lively tourist town, made up with complex, interesting characters, and spiced up with crime and mystery, Kim Harrington's debut will capture your heart.
For me, CLARITY is the perfect summer read. What about you?
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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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 ...