Review: Clarity by Kim Harrington and Giveaway

Clarity, who goes by Clare, has the gift of seeing the past when she touches an object. It's not an entirely reliable gift, she can't always force it to work, but when it does work, it's right on. For the most part, Clarity uses her gift to help run the family business..her mother can read thoughts, and her brother can talk to the dead. They live in a tourist town and work during the summer months.

But then someone is murdered in their safe little haven of a town and Clare is called on to assist with the investigation in an unofficial compacity. This is a little bit thrilling for her because the new detective's son is all kinds of hot and she has a thing for him. But it's also complicated because she's working with her ex-boyfriend-who-still-loves-her as well. This sets up a bit of triangle, but that's not the focus of the book, the mystery is truly the main focus.

Things become further complicated when she discovers her brother slept with the victim on the night of her death. He's terrified of being found suspect and Clare even finds herself suspecting his innocence. She's more desperate than ever to find the real killer.

I enjoyed Clarity, and thought it was a fun read. I liked Clare, I thought the love triangle was nicely done and well set-up with believable conflict, and even though I guessed the killer halfway through the book, I still enjoyed the journey.

There are a couple of times Clare's gifts are touched upon and the consequences they have--the way they interfere with what would normally happen in life and relationships. I'd love to see this conflict explored more deeply and the consequences it has on Clare as both an individual and her relationships. I'm hoping that the later books in the series will do this. I'm pretty sure this is a series as the love triangle remains unresolved and several plot points were set in motion to indicate more of the story would be coming.

Rating: 4/5
Things You Might Want to Know: a bit of crass language
Source of Book: Review copy
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)

GIVEAWAY
The publisher has generously provided two copies of the book to be given away to readers with a United States mailing address. This giveaway will be open until March 23rd at midnight PST. Winners will be notified by email.



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